Meditation is a universal process. It is the path of meditation that led the Buddha to enlightenment. His disciples still meditate to reach nirvana. In Jesus’ life prayer and meditation were inseparable. Prophet Mohammad spent years meditating in a cave in Mount Hera. The Holy Quran was sent upon him while he was in deep meditation.

Spiritual seekers from all ages and places have used this process to attain self realization. Hindu sages practiced yogic meditation in order to unite with the universal spirit. Muslim saints immersed themselves in ‘morakaba-mosaheda’ in order to submit themselves to the Supreme Being. The terms ‘tafaqqur’ and ‘tadabbur’ mentioned in the Quran urge us to meditate on the mystery of Creation.

The age old Eastern practice of dhyana, morakaba or meditation is now gaining immense popularity in the West, where is it being utilized mostly for inner peace and self-healing.

Dhyana, meditation, morakaba, tafaqqur, no matter how different these words may sound their essence is the same. Though it may have taken different forms in different cultural and religious settings, in essence meditation is as universal as water. It is for everyone.

This article presents some photographs depicting the universality of meditation: T

he Buddha: His meditation technique is now being used in various ways in the West for mental and physical healing.

Jesus immersed himself in meditation and prayer whenever he got the opportunity. He also encouraged his disciples to meditate.

Hazrat Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi, one of the most powerful poets and philosophers of all ages. He added a new dimension to Morakaba by including dance in it. His philosophy of universal love and surrendering to God has influenced reflective minds for centuries. His writings have been translated to many languages. He is one of the most widely read poets in America. A musical album based on his love verses reached the top of the billboard charts. The Times magazine, named him the “Mystic of the Century.” As they write, “The Sufi sect of the whirling dervishes dances to his rhyme. New age meditation echoes his songs. “

In 2007, UNESCO celebrated Rumi’s 800th birth anniversary, declared that year the ‘Year of Rumi’ and introduced a commemorative medal in his honor.

Otish Dipankar Shrigyan. More than a thousand years ago, this emissary of enlightenment from Bengal traveled to India, Tibet and China bearing the lessons of meditation, dedicating his life to removing the darkness and ignorance prevailing in society.

Baba Lokenath Brahmachari. His simple teachings of faith, devotion and love helped him secure a place in the hearts of thousands of ordinary Bengalis.

Sree Ramkrishna Paramhansa. He initiated a large scale revival of spirituality during the British era and popularized meditation and spirituality among the intellectuals and commoners alike.

The Iranian poet Hafes Siraji is the most popular poet of the Sufi tradition.

Imam Ghazzali. 10 years of solitary quest led him to the realization that self purification and meditation are the keys to salvation. He brought about a revival in Islamic thinking by combining meditation with the Shariah. Over the next thousand years mystics and philosophers from both the East and the West have been deeply influenced by his work.

Thakur Anukul Chandra. He said, “If Bengal awakens India will awaken. And if India awakens, the whole world will awaken.” Belief in one god and tolerance of all religions and opinions were his main teachings. He called upon everyone to meditate collectively.

Hazrat Enayet Khan is the founder of Sufi Order International. He popularized Sufi meditation in Europe and America.

Swami Vivekanda, the chief disciple of Ramkrishna. His famous speech in the Chicago Parliament of World Religions in 1893 introduced Eastern spirituality to the West. Swami Vivekananda established Vedantic Society in America and Ramkrishna Mission in India to help spread spirituality.

The Spiritual Leader of Tibet- the 14th Dalai Lama. He played an important role in introducing Buddhist meditation techniques among the intellectuals and scientists of the West.

In the 60s Moharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced TM, a meditation technique based on Vedic philosophy, in the West. TM had a significant role in popularizing meditation in West and had significant presence in Western media.