Meditation is a term referring to practices in which the practitioner trains their mind or self-induces a mode of consciousness in order to realise some benefit. It refers to the state of the mind when you are in yoga (in union), and actually means yoga (union). According to râja yoga, called as ‘yoga of meditation’, say that yoga meditation is the state that arises when person ‘still’ the fluctuations of the mind.
According to hatha yoga, which is physical yoga, say that yoga meditation, is the state that arises when person ‘still’ the fluctuations of the breath. Studies have shown that experienced meditation and yoga practitioners who practice breath-control (prânâyâma) in its ultimate form of breathing less than normal (hypoventilation), are seen to have coherent, and synchronous brain wave patterns. According to science, presence of coherent, and synchronous brain wave patterns best define the meditative state. Conscious breathing, conscious concentration, conscious relaxation, and a steady pose can bring to the state of meditation.
Meditation is a process, resulting from a successful turning inwards of mind. It is conviction that there is a truth higher and more satisfying than what the mind and our intelligence can come up with. It is a culmination of a purified and sattvic life. Yoga Meditation requires pranic energy and mental concentration. Regulating of lifestyle is helpful to conserve prana for the inner search and realization.