Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years in spiritual, religious, yogic and secular ways of life. Last week, World Meditation Day was celebrated by practitioners from all over the world with yoga and sadhana under the slogan 'Inner Peace for Global Harmony'.

Meditation is a weapon that removes inherent negativity and expands inner peace, harmony, tolerance and compassion. Not only the problem inherent in an individual, but the problem prevalent in the world can be solved through meditation.

because there is unrest, negativity and animosity in today's society. If the mind is not still, meditation is very beneficial. By meditating continuously one can get a sense of bliss from it. Bringing balance to today's busy lifestyle and competitive work style helps bring about spiritual awakening in a person.

meditation is a means of self-awareness. It immerses oneself in natural energy keeping the mind calm and the body healthy. Meditation helps the soul to experience the divine. The United Nations has also adopted yoga and meditation as complementary measures for health and declared December 21 as 'World Meditation Day'.

links mental health with fundamental human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 under Goal 3, entitled Good Health and Well-Being, aims to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being of people of all ages. The World Health Organization also recognizes meditation as an important tool for stress management and mental and physical well-being. Meditation, yoga and health are interconnected. 

Meditation is described in the Gita as a means of controlling the mind and senses. In the Gita, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Dhyana Yoga and Bhakti Yoga are considered as the basis for attaining inner peace. Eastern culture is considered to be very rich in meditation.

Gautama Buddha attained divine knowledge through meditation. In recent times, Western culture also seems to have developed a meditation culture. Meditation is also a scientific remedy for physical and mental ailments. According to life science guru Bhanu Sharma, meditation is a very important tool for mental, physical and emotional health that brings peace and positive energy into our lives. 

Among the many methods of meditation, Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga is considered to be the most important method. While meditating, you can usually concentrate your mind and stabilize your body while sitting in Padmasana or sitting on a chair. Meditation can also be done by sitting in a secluded place of the house, garden, forest, river bank. It is best to start meditation by learning from a yoga or meditation guru. 

Human happiness from material comforts is temporary but happiness and joy from meditation is lasting. Even if you just meditate for five minutes in the first days, you will start to experience a difference. One can meditate comfortably for 15 to 30 minutes in succession. Meditation relaxes the mind and brings out inner potential.