Thank you for your comment, JulianGiulio.

The problem here is that we're in danger of both getting caught up in what each of us defines as meditation. I'm not sure how useful a debate that is to have. It's sort of like a bodybuilder saying that running isn't proper exercise because it doesn't build up muscle.

But having said that, the particular technique I described in this article is very much an active manipulation technique. Whereas the type of meditation I currently do, NSR, is very passive and effortless. In fact, I would say it is less manpulative than focusing one's attention on the breathing or body. From my experience, breath or body awareness involves more manpilation of the attention. With NSR, the repetition of the sound happens automatically and effortlessly.

Why do I meditate? Great question! For me, this can actually be split into 3 different questions:

1) Why did I start meditating?

2) Why did I continue to meditate once I started?

3) Why do I now do NSR meditation?

The answers are:

1) Because I was shown a meditation technique in a yoga class

2) Because I was interested in what I experienced during meditation. I liked how it tended to calm me down and make me feel more peaceful.

3) Because it's the easiest and most effective way to release daily stress. Stress is a normal part of everyday life, but it only becomes a problem when we hold onto it.

These days, I'm less interested in what one might refer to as the "spiritual" apects of meditation. Although I do like the "no-self" feeling I get from the occasionally practicing the Headless Way.