What is it?

Put simply, meditation is a mental process by which you learn to clear your head of the incessant babble of everyday thought. Neuroscientist Shanida Nataraja believes that: "by drawing your attention to the constant chattering of the mind, you become aware of the gap between your thoughts - the silence amid the noise. The sense of peace and tranquillity arises from this silence."

You don't have to be perched atop a far-flung mountain with your legs painfully contorted into the lotus position to achieve a meditative state. Simple "mindfulness" - focusing on the present moment - can help you achieve a deeply pleasurable state of relaxation.

Is there any evidence?

The benefits of meditation are often talked about in esoteric abstraction, but scientific studies have helped demystify the effect

of meditation on the brain. In a study of meditators and non-meditators the brains of the experienced meditators were found to be thicker in the area associated with emotion and attention. Also, a survey conducted by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) indicated that if someone has had three or more periods of depression, meditation could reduce their chances of having another depressive episode by more than half.

Meditative techniques are also gaining popularity as a way of improving the quality of life for people suffering from chronic illness or pain.

Where does it come from?

Indian scriptures dating back over 5,000 years describe meditative techniques, though it's believed to predate recorded history. Vedic Hinduism is the oldest religion to claim meditation as a spiritual practice.

Meditation was popularised in the west in the late 60s when the Beatles, and an incongruous-looking Jane Asher, followed Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to India. The maharishi, who died in February this year, introduced the west to the practice of Transcendental Meditation.

Who can do it?

You don't need to be aligned to any religion in order to experience the benefits of meditation. As the maharishi said, "anyone who can think can meditate".

Reaching a meditative state is not necessarily easy though, intrusive thoughts can scupper attempts at focused mindfulness. The answer, explains Nataraja, is to keep trying: "Meditation is part and parcel of what it means to be human," she says. "Our brains are hardwired to access higher levels of awareness through meditation - it just takes practice."

What results can I expect?

According to Nataraja, every time you consciously clear your thoughts, you're strengthening the right-hand side of your brain. "This is the side of your brain associated with intuitive and holistic thinking, rather than logical, analytical thought. In a society reliant on left-brained activity, meditation means we can use both sides of the brain."

This balance brings true insight, creativity and imagination to whatever task is at hand, easing life's everyday stresses and strains.

"Meditation isn't goal orientated," Nataraja reminds us. "It's benefits are intangible, but they will bring a sense of groundedness, connectedness and compassion for both yourself and others."

Contra-indications

If you suffer from very serious mental health issues such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder you should consult your doctor before meditating.

How was it for you?

Iain Whiteley (temperamental)

I arrive for my class and am (embarrassingly) surprised to find my teacher Kim's flat devoid of new-age crystals; and it smells of cooking, not incense.

We start with relaxation exercises: massaging the face, relaxing the jaw, straightening the spine. Then we focus on breathing and I note the cold air in, the warm air out as I just. Let. Go. I'm to count to 10 and back, starting back at one whenever my mind wanders. I don't make it past three. I label distractions: cars on the road become "noise", my urge to giggle, "laughter". I feel relaxed by the end, but don't know what I've achieved. Kim explains: "It's about achieving nothing."

I decide to do 10 minutes each morning. The first day I'm so relaxed, I fall back to sleep and am late for work. I meditate on the tube: the constant apologies for delays are off-putting, but after a few failed attempts, it works. No elated states, but I feel better than normal.

After just a few days' practice my mood is brighter, my thoughts clearer and I've done more. Surely things can't change so quickly? But at my second session Kim tells me the effects are noticeable straight away. In this session we introduce a word or phrase, used as a surfboard to ride the breath. Each time my thoughts wander, I get back on the word and ride again. Kim tells me to note the gap at the end of each breath. I do. It is blissful - for a few brief moments there is nothing.

When Kim asks me how the session was, I'm so loved up I want to hug her. But remembering she's twice my age and her husband's in the kitchen, I don't. Achieving nothing is harder than it sounds. But it's worth it.