Mindfulness, something once practiced only in more closeted meditation circles, has recently become a greater mainstream interest. Perhaps for this reason, research on mindfulness meditation has increased considerably over the last decade.

It really does sound like an infomercial, doesn't it? Emerging research suggests a relationship between the practice of meditation and genetic changes. Let's consider the evidence.

Recent research showed that yoga is able to change the expression of genes involved in immune functioning, and now a new study shows that relaxation i...

We hear it all the time: Meditation can improve our creative thinking, our energy, stress levels and even our success. Prominent artists, businessmen ...

You've got to make time for yourself -- preferably every day -- to do something that refreshes you, centers you, and keeps you grounded. For me that something is meditation. It might be something else for you.

Much like a GPS can position us in directions relative to the surface of the earth, a simple breath-focused meditation can help orient our position on life's journey.

To me, meditation is when I'm seeing most clearly. It's my time to release back into myself, to feel the impressions of my recent actions, and dream the future into clearer focus. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, meditation brings me back to my confidence, breath by breath.

Oh mindfulness meditation, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. Even though the academic research on mindfulness meditation isn't as robust...

The amazing reality is that most people do not have a proactive daily practice of stillness and silence. If this sounds familiar to you, don't fret! In minutes, you will understand why and how you can get back on that meditation horse and ride into the sunset.

The difference between a cult and a true path of spiritual evolution is sometimes hard to see form the outside. But when I washed my brain with the tools of meditation I didn't see it like a cult, I saw it more like going to the army for boot camp.

America is one of the greatest countries in the world because we take what works the best and disregard the rest. I think we should take a few minutes a day to pause, reflect and do some meditation in our office chair.

In meditation, we go from seeing our essentially selfish and ego-bound nature to recognizing that we are an integral part of a far greater whole, and as the heart opens we can bring compassion to our fallibility and humanness.

If the "new economy" is here to stay, then it is critical for us each to develop an understanding of this question that resonates with our day to day lives. I suggest a personal sequester.

Despite the growing popularity of meditation, prevailing misconceptions about the practice are a barrier that prevents many people from trying meditation and receiving its profound benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. Here are seven of the most common meditation myths, dispelled.

There's something powerful about sitting meditation, but there are other ways to bring meditative moments into your day -- for example, use the time when you're walking to your car after work or sitting at a stoplight to check in with yourself and mindfully observe what's happening.

This is the sad joke about human beings: We are so busy worrying whether or not we are going to be at peace in the future, we don't give ourselves the chance to be at peace in the present.

We're all ordinary, and meditation is no big deal. It is more of an undoing than a doing. It enables us to witness how our mind jumps from one drama to another, it dissolves mental clutter, frees us of habitual patterns, helps release stress, and feels wonderfully peaceful.

There are satisfactions other than a pay check, being important in your company, or being always the provider. There is another identity. You can retire and simply be happy, inspired, and full of the joy of life.

Meditation will change your life -- drastically, and there's a very good chance it is the answer you are looking for. In the short term, it provides more focused attention, ability to deal with emotions, and fulfilling relationships.

Meditation is a mystery to many in the Western world. Sure, we've all heard of it, but most say they "don't have time" to slow down for it and others say they simply don't know how or they've tried it and couldn't do it "right."

If we genuinely want to end war, inequality, and abuse, then we need to end the war within ourselves and cultivate kindness toward all, equally. The enemy within ourselves can become our friend by transforming it into our ally.

What is the best time of day to meditate? Andy Puddicombe, "The Mind Man," weighs in on the topic in the video above. Watch, then let us know in t...

Learning how to center yourself and slow down the mind is an invaluable aspect of health. Meditation is an excellent tool for learning how to be present.