Meditation, as one of the oldest spiritual practices, has its roots in Indian religions, especially Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, as well as in the Christian spiritual tradition. In Indian traditions, it appears as a central means for spiritual transformation, the realization of reality, and liberation from the cycle of suffering. The first half of this thesis presents the fundamental differences and similarities between the mentioned approaches: dhyana as part of the yoga path in Hinduism, the samatha and vipassana practices in Buddhism, and meditation as part of the strict ascetic efforts in Jainism. We also presented the history and some aspects of Christian meditation. The second half focuses on the transfer of these practices to the West, which began in the 19th century and expanded in the 20th century. Meditation thereby entered new contexts—psychotherapy, education, entrepreneurship, and art—and was partially secularized. Questions of authenticity, cultural appropriation, and ethical challenges also arose during this time. The penultimate subchapter is dedicated to the Christian response, which includes a renewed interest in its own contemplative tradition and the development of practices such as centering prayer and Christian meditation. The work concludes with the idea that meditation can act as a unifying force and contribute to solving contemporary existential challenges.
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