Meditation is a mental exercise that trains attention and awareness. Its purpose is often to curb reactivity to one's negative thoughts and feelings, which, though they may be disturbing and upsetting and hijack attention from moment to moment, are invariably fleeting.
What Is Meditation? (Plain Language Explanation)
Meditation refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Meditation
- Symptoms: The specific ways meditation shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen meditation
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When meditation occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Meditation
- Meditation is far more common than most people realize
- Meditation is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with meditation see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about meditation is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing meditation, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.