Meditation is often presented today as a way to slow down, manage stress or create a few quiet minutes in a busy day. But the practice did not begin as a wellness trend. For thousands of years, people have used meditation within religious and philosophical traditions to focus the mind, deepen reflection and explore their inner lives.
The medical centre describes meditation as a complementary practice and notes that it has been studied for possible effects on stress, mood, focus, emotional regulation and sleep. It also notes that healthcare providers generally view meditation as a complementary practice rather than a replacement for medical treatment. A recent Cleveland Clinic article, updated on March 23, 2026, places Sufi meditation alongside Buddhist, Christian, Taoist, yoga and transcendental meditation.
Cleveland Clinic says research has linked regular meditation to improvements in stress, mood, attention, emotional regulation, and sleep.
