How long until I feel the benefits?

By the end of the first week most people already feel the benefits of this meditation practice; they feel calmer, more relaxed, less stressed. They notice they have more energy and sleep better; also an improved mental clarity. Sometimes the shift will be dramatic and other times it will be more gradual; the truth is that the benefits begin from the very first meditation and are cumulative over time. Don’t be surprised when friends and family notice that you seem calmer, happier and less stressed. 

I have an active mind and I don’t think I will be able to stop thinking. Will I still be able to meditate?

Vedic meditation is not about controlling the mind or trying to force the mind to stop thinking. If you can think you can literally do this meditation. No focus required. We use a Bija mantra and the mind’s natural tendency to move in the direction of what is more charming to achieve deeper states of consciousness. The mantra has the special quality of drawing the mind into deeper, quieter layers of awareness, naturally. During the 4-day course you will receive guidance on how to use your personal mantra to reach a relaxing thought-free state. Students find the whole process to be easy, automatic and enjoyable.

Will it take years to master?

No. By the end of the 4-day course you will be able to meditate on your own confidently and with ease. And most people already notice the benefits by the end of that first week. No apps, no subscriptions required. 

I work at a highly demanding job. I don’t think I have time to fit meditation into my busy schedule. Can I still learn?

Meditation actually increases productivity, and a rested mind is more efficient than a tired, stressed mind. In today’s fast paced, hyper-connected world we need time to refresh and renew, time to give our mind a reset. And minute-for-minute, meditation provides greater rest than can be achieved by sleep. What could be more important than taking care of your mind, the basis of your very consciousness? Think of meditation as a daily regimen for the mind, keeping you in top form and performing at your best. Plus, in the 4-day course I will help you find ways to fit meditation into your day. You deserve to feel both well rested and super productive. With meditation, you will have more energy and a greater capacity to creatively address all the demands your busy and exciting life present to you.

Will I have to sit in a weird position or chant?

Our goal is to be as simple, natural and unassuming as possible. You just sit easily in a comfortable chair, back supported, with your eyes closed and think your personal mantra quietly on the inside - no chanting and no yogi-like flexibility required. Vedic Meditation is so simple and easy it can be practiced anywhere, by anyone.

Is this a religion?

Vedic meditation is a practice-based technique that provides immediate and sustained benefits in every area of an individual’s life – mind, body, behavior, and environment. You don’t have to take on a belief system for it to work. There are people from all the world’s religions who practice Vedic Meditation. The only thing you need to do to enjoy the many benefits of Vedic Meditation is simply sit down each day, close the eyes, and practice the technique as taught in the 4-day course.

Can I learn to meditate over Zoom?

There are many things one can learn online but we believe that learning a profound meditation technique is not one of them. Some things are best experienced in person, molecule-to-molecule, like riding a bike or eating a sandwich. Learning in-person with a teacher lends itself to a richer and more enjoyable experience, and it also tends to lead to a more integrated, consistent, and sustainable daily practice. Your depth of experience of meditation and your continuing practice will be facilitated by in-person guidance that can be tailored to your learning experience.

What makes Vedic Meditation different than other forms of meditation?

There are many types of meditation that you could try. Based on my experience, Vedic Meditation is unique in its ability to rapidly and effectively calm the mind, effortlessly. A good rule of thumb is: a meditation practice you DO is a good meditation practice for you. Enjoyment and ease of the experience, and the ability to do it in your home setting are important factors to consider. 

Most forms of meditation available are either concentration-based (focus on the breath or another point) or contemplative (they involve thinking a positive word or phrase). In both cases the mind is actively working; engaged in staying on task. When the mind is active it reduces the body’s ability to achieve deep rest and release stress. These concentrative techniques were developed in monastic traditions, where adepts have long hours and years to perfect their meditation practice, and their lives are structured with few external demands. 

Vedic Meditation was designed specifically for householders, people with families and busy lives, which means it can be practiced in just a few minutes a day as part of an active life.

We use a particular type of mantra to allow the mind to step beyond all thought, naturally bringing the body into an extremely deep state of rest spontaneously. This process allows stress to be released effortlessly. No concentration required. Having a practice you enjoy allows your practice to flourish; and this leads to more profound life changes as a result.

I am pregnant. Is meditation safe for me and my baby?

Yes. In fact, meditation is highly beneficial to both you and your baby. It is a great way to get extra high-quality rest during this period when your body is busy building a new human nervous system. Also, the bliss chemistry produced by your meditation not only feels good to you, but also permeates the placental barrier and has an incredibly positive effect on the development of your growing baby. 

Can my child learn?

Yes. We can teach children between the ages of 4 and 10 an eyes-open technique and children over 10 an eyes-closed technique. One parent must be a practitioner of Vedic Meditation for the child to learn. Please get in touch for details.

Do I have to attend all four consecutive days?

Yes. Each day builds on information covered in the previous day and the home practice between sessions is an important part of the program. The course is designed to allow time for students to ask the questions that only come up after independent practice. We teach over four days to ensure that you graduate with a solid, confident, self-sufficient home practice. If you are concerned about scheduling reach out and we can schedule a time that works for you.

Do I have to pay a course fee?

To obtain anything of value in this world requires an exchange of time or energy of some kind. Traditionally, if a person wanted to learn to meditate, she would have had to hike to an ashram in the Himalayas, bringing along about a week’s earnings as a contribution, probably in the form of rice or food. The point is, we ask for a meaningful and significant contribution in exchange for a meaningful and significant practice that will revolutionize your life. In other words, we pay for things we value, and you want to value your practice. In today’s world we use currency to represent this. Anything of value, by definition, is paid for in time, energy or currency. If you would like to discuss donating time or energy contact me and we can come up with a reasonable exchange. I am open to various means of payment.

Why should I pay for this course? Can’t I just use a meditation app?

Online apps can be great for some people, but based on reports from those who have used them, they produce a limited experience of meditation. Learning with an expert teacher can lead you to a deeper experience and a confident and sustainable meditation practice that you can do on your own, anywhere, anytime. The support of a teacher leads to a richer and more enjoyable experience and a more integrated and consistent daily practice. The meditation course allows you to ask questions that would otherwise remain unanswered, getting in the way of your personal practice. Being able to take part in a community is supportive - it helps sustain your practice.

I have a diagnosis or a predisposition to a disease or condition. Will Vedic Meditation help with that?

Meditation reduces stress chemistry in the body and chronic stress is known to be detrimental to human health. It is estimated that 90% of all human disease is stress-related. A large number of scientific studies have shown that meditation improves outcomes for a wide range of diseases from heart disease to depression and diabetes, and has been shown to reduce the effects of chronic pain and inflammation. Studies have also shown that meditation slows the aging process and increases longevity. While meditation alone will not cure all conditions or predispositions, it can certainly help by slowing the body’s aging process and reducing stress in the body. We don’t make medical promises, but we invite you to experience how your life will be improved as mediation releases the stored stresses in your body.