Meditation has a wide range of benefits. The physiological effects have been documented by scientific studies of Indian yogis, Zen monks, and other practitioners of meditation. The mechanisms that produces these changes is not fully understood, but meditation seems to relieve stress and ease tension. The beneficial effect are not caused by simply by keeping still; for one thing, the brain-wave patterns recorded during mediation have been show to differ from those seen during sleep.

Among the other reaction observed are lowered oxygen consumption and heart rate and after habitual practice, a drop in blood pressure. Physicians treating people with mind hypertension have recommended meditation (combined with dietary and other changes) before they prescribe drugs.

Meditation has been show to decrease the levels of lactic acid in the blood. And because lactic acid is thought to be associated with anxiety, this effect is of paramount importance for most people. Indeed, some psychotherapists now use meditation to help patients deal with emotionally charged issues.

Over the years, even those seeking practical benefits have cherished the ritual rewards of meditation. Many people say that during meditation they reach a mystical senses of oneness with God or with the universe. And although we think of mystics as dreamy and otherworldly, many spiritual sages emphasize that heir ultimate aim is not isolation but greater involvement with others.