In recent years, the benefits of meditation have been acknowledged not only by spiritual leaders, but also by scientists and researchers alike.

The Dalai Lama says meditation can change your life. Celebrities from Oprah Winfrey to pro athletes praise the positive effects of meditating.

But meditation is no newcomer: It's been in existence for more than 2,500 years as a way to connect with your inner self and the world around you.

A study done last year by UCLA found long-term practitioners of meditation displayed better-preserved brains as they aged than did people who did meditate.

Given the busy lives Americans lead, the appeal of meditation (which stems from the Latin verb "meditari," which means "to think, contemplate, devise, ponder") can be obvious. But with dozens of meditation styles to choose from, someone looking to begin the practice faces plenty of options.

The good news is that the offerings for meditation are rich in both Corvallis and Albany. In Corvallis alone, there are five different mediation resources in addition to The Mind Spa, which is offered by Oregon State University, but is limited just to faculty, students and staff.

Jared Martinsen teaches meditation at his house in Corvallis every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Martinsen also runs the Facebook group Corvallis Meditation.

His experience with meditation began 18 years ago in Corvallis, when he attended a guided meditation. It was an unforgettable experience.

The first time I went there I had an experience where I saw a white haze in the room at the end of the meditation," he said. "I thought, 'What is this?' I thought I had something in my eye but it didn't go away when I rubbed them. I was agnostic and didn't really want to believe in anything strange but I felt so loving and peaceful that I had to come back and try some more. Over the years, meditation completely changed my life from being extremely shy and having a hard time relating to people to having more friends and dating.

If you are new to meditating, Martinsen suggests meditating with a group of people or a class:

You might need to find people that you connect with, so try a couple of groups," he said. "Have a daily practice, even if it's just five minutes a day at a set time. Just a habit, like brushing your teeth. Meditation is not about not having thoughts. It's about being aware of yourself having thoughts. Meditation is about becoming more aware and training the mind. Focus the mind on something more interesting than thoughts.

Meditation doesn't need to be a solitary practice.

Five Stones Sangha began in Corvallis more than 10 years ago with a handful of people coming together to support each other. The Sangha practices the teachings of Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese monk, a poet, and peace activist.

Ken Oefelein runs the Five Stones Sangha. We have developed into a group of about 25 regular members who meet once a week," he said. "We have become good spiritual friends, trusting each other; we learn from each other. About 3,000 years ago, a very wise person said that such friendships are the essence of this practice. We provide a refuge for anyone to feel safe and secure, and enjoy the present moment.

In Albany, Love Yoga Studios holds a meditation class which encourages beginners and seasoned practitioners alike to engage in introductory tips and techniques and a little neuroscience to get started and then 20 minutes of blissfully golden silence.

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Meditation for beginners: Mid-valley offers plenty of places to start ... - Corvallis Gazette Times