The word meditation is used in the West as an omnibus definition for all sorts of activities involving concentration of the mind. In the Indian system, however, there is no such omnibus word. The Indian system visualises a number of different activities of the mind. Jap, Manan, Chintan and Samadhi are some of these.

In Jap you take a mantra and repeat it in the mind. In manan you revise your knowledge. In Chintan you think deeply about a subject. Samadhi is a more complex process and constitutes one of the three processes that must occur together in order to attain the state of Sanyam. These three processes are Dhaaranaa, Dhyaan and Samadhi.

Each of the processes mentioned above affect the synapses of the brain in different ways and modify the channels along which the electric impulses of the brain move.

Unless these practices are done correctly, they do not give results and one is likely to think that they are humbug.