Hesychasm, Meditation in Christianity

In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, there is a practice called hesychasm, which is a meditation on the Jesus prayer.  Western religions aren't typically known for practicing meditation, but this is a rare exception.  It's controversial in Christian circles for supposedly being based on Pagan traditions, like those seen in Hinduism and Buddhism.  But meditation doesn't have to be exclusive to certain religions.  Anyone practicing a religion should be able to do it.  There's nothing heretical about meditation, which could be interpreted as a form of prayer anyway.  If the goal is mental focus, and communication with or imitation of God, they may as well be the same thing.  “Prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening", goes the adage.