Imagine a person's ability to manipulate the body, impacting physical healing or stress management by simply using the mind with the power of thought and a great concentration. Meditation is the practice of silent reflection, visualization, or worship. It is systematic thinking, or concentration, on a specific topic. Types of meditation include religious prayer, Chinese Tai Chi, Hindu yoga, or general mindfulness. Throughout history, meditation has been practiced by people of various religions around the world. Being mindful can help people cope with change and uncertainty, feel more comfortable with the unknown, and avoid rigid, scattered thinking (Hall 16). Scientific studies have proven that meditation benefits the human body, making people happier, healthier, less stressed and more attentive; So, using any of these different types of meditation is an effective way to improve quality of life, reduce stress, influence mood, stimulate healing, and even physically change size brain structures. Meditation encompasses a range of methods. Christians meditate using prayer to reflect on themselves, theology, and other daily life topics by visualizing mental images that sympathize with God or other biblical figures and subjects. Indian cultures developed the practice of Buddhism, constantly seeking good karma, inner peace and total enlightenment. Buddhists strive to achieve ultimate purification and lead a good life. The practice of yoga, originating from the Buddhist religion, has been used as a method of stress reduction, weight loss and healing. Many believe that by envisioning peace and healing during yoga, combined with deep, focused breathing and flowing movements, meditation benefits the human body. Chin...... middle of paper ......, Jon E. Seskevich and Carl F. Pieper. “Brief meditation training can improve perceived stress and negative mood.” Alternative Therapies In Health & Medicine 13.1 (2007): 38-44. Academic Search Premier. Web. November 10, 2013. Lengacher, Cecile et al. “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduces Post-Treatment Breast Cancer Patients: An Examination of Symptoms and Symptom Clusters.” The effect of complementary yogic prana energization technique (YPET) on the healing of fresh fractures: a randomized control study. " Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine 17.3 (2011): 253-258. Academic Search Premier. Web. December 7, 2013. Wei, Gao-Xia et al. “Can Taichi reshape the brain? A study of brain morphometry. “Plos ONE 8.4 (2013): 1-9. Academic Search Premier. Web. December 7. 2013.