Results to date suggest that meditation could work via at least 2 mechanisms: Producing a relaxed state that counters excessive activation of neurohormonal pathways resulting from repeated stress Developing the capacity for metacognitive awareness (the ability to stand back from and witness the contents of consciousness), thus theoretically helping patients not react to stress automatically (with highly conditioned, learned patterns of behavior) and helping them tolerate and regulate emotional distress better Most meditation practices were developed in a religious or spiritual context; their ultimate goal was some type of spiritual growth, personal transformation, or transcendental experience.