meditation has nothing to do with religion and spirituality. We tend to associate it with spirituality because different religions in the world use it as a tool to bring awareness and presence to the moment and possibly for other reasons. But when it really comes down to it, meditation is just a brain exercise. It's a way of focusing the mind. That's it.
Very true. I think that's why they're also shifting the term used to word like "sophrologie" instead of calling it meditation in France, probably because they understand the appeal of keeping a scientific perspective. Of course it can be just broken down into brain exercises, though I don't like the idea of it, just the same way I don't like the idea of love being just "chemical compatibility", I like to create stories around facts 😄.
I think I know which peer reviewed research you're talking about, one of the article was mentioning it.
Yeah I agree. "Brain exercises" doesn't have the same ring to it like "meditation" does lol. But in the case of school, I do think a word with such a strong religious/spiritual association could be problematic. Some people will only see it as a religious exercise and likely get all uptight about it, which sounds like is already happening. You know there will be devote Christians that are convinced that the school is trying to convert their children to a Buddhism haha
Using a different term could help that scenario
🤷♂️