Is there any religious implication or affiliation with meditation?
It is possible to practice meditation without subscribing to any particular religious views. However, meditation has been and still is a central practice in eastern religions for developing spiritual sensitivity. Christians also practice forms of meditation and prayer that bring them closer to God.
Meditation has been and still is a central practice in eastern religions, for contacting “God” or one’s higher Self. Christianity also has semblances of meditation, such as the biblical statement “The kingdom of heaven is within you”. Churches have a meditative atmosphere. Meditation deals with contacting something within us that is peaceful, calm, rejuvenating, and meaningful. Whether one calls this something “God” or “soul” or “the inner child” or “theta-wave activity” or “peace” or “silence” is not important. It is there and anyone can benefit from it regardless of what they believe. Most people in the world have already meditated. If you have relaxed looking at a beautiful sunset, allowing your thoughts to quiet down, this is close to meditation. If you have been reading a book for awhile, then put it down to take a break and just sat there quietly and peacefully for a few minutes without thinking, this is close to meditation.