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"Learn to meditate quickly ", invites one advertisement. "Increase brain function and eliminate stress" offers another. And if you're looking for something simpler, how about "Meditation machines are the quick and easy way to meditate."?

And there's lots more where they came from. Meditation is presented as invaluable for personal well being, health and peace of mind. And while it's an important part of many faith traditions, you don't need to sign up to any religion to enjoy the claimed benefits.

In this week's "All Things Considered" (Sunday 9 May 8.30am Thursday 13 May at 5.30am) Roy Jenkins asks what meditation is. Why are increasing numbers of people apparently seeking it in order to cope with over busy lives? And just how important is it for developing a faith?

He's joined by Liz Watson - UK coordinator for the World Community for Christian Meditation (in Wales on May 15 2010 to give a talk); Akhandadhi Das - a Vaishnav Hindu teacher and theologian, based near Brecon; Craig Gardiner, a Baptist minister in Cardiff; and Vanessa Hope - teacher of mindfulness meditation, who works with the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice at Bangor University.

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