Put a raison in your mouth, but don't chew or swallow it. This exercise is even for people who don't like raisons! Now, close your eyes and get "in touch" with the raison. That's right! What does it feel like? What does it smell like? What does it taste like? Describe to yourself its shape? Its size? Its contours? The more detail you can describe, the better.

Congratulations! Even if you've never "meditated" before, you just did (if you followed my instructions above). PeopleJam member, Lela Davidson, contributed a post that distinguishes between "meditation" and "religion," while underscoring that even though the practice has health and wellness benefits, many people don't "go there" because they don't understand this important distinction. Yet, in perhaps the most simplest terms, meditation is just "heightened awareness," especially of ourselves. "It's more important to be aware, then it is to be smart," writes NBA Coach, Phil Jackson. By doing this simple raison exercise, you will be able to distinguish between meditation and religion.