Meditation means to think, contemplate, ponder, devise and to become familiar with one’s self. It has the strong implication of training the mind to be familiar with states that are beneficial. Meditation often involves an internal effort to self-regulate the mind towards a specific purpose or as an end in itself. It is a practice that includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity and forgiveness. It may be done sitting, or in an active way and prayer beads or other ritual objects are commonly used in order to keep track of or remind the practitioner about some aspect of the training. Meditation is a conscious effort to change how the mind works. The Pali word for meditation is ‘bhavana’ which means ‘to make grow’ or ‘to develop’. The definition of meditation is the exercise of psychological discipline in order to transcend from the automatic, “thinking” mind into a deeper state of relaxation or consciousness. It has been practiced for centuries and varied meditative disciplines include a wide range of spiritual and psycho physical practices that emphasize different goals such as increasing focus, creativity or self-awareness, relaxation and tranquility.

Buddhists pursue meditation as part of the path toward Enlightenment and Nirvana and Buddhist meditation techniques have become increasingly popular in the wider world, with many non-Buddhists taking them up for a variety of reasons. Meditation in Sri Lanka meditation is an ancient practice and is quite popular among modern Sri Lankans, too. There are many meditation centers located in various parts of the island and some of the centers are:

Siyane Samatha Wipassana Meditation Center located in Kanduboda, Delgoda./ Sumathipala Nahimi Aranya Senasena located in Kaduboda, Delgoda. /Viveka Nikethan Rawathawaththa located in Moratuwa. /Paramitha international Buddhist Centre located in Kadugannawa, Kandy. / Nilambe Meditation Center located in Galaha, Peradeniya.