Meditation is effective for bringing about mindfulness, reducing stress, and manifesting personal goals. Vedic meditation, in particular, has profound roots traceable to India, drawing upon ancient wisdom and thus taking approaches that are rather different from modern techniques. Today, I will take you through everything you need to know about Vedic meditation: how to practice it and why it works so effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Easy Practice: The methodology of Vedic Meditation is tailored in a manner that makes it as effortless and natural as possible, requiring just 20 minutes, twice daily
- Mantra: One gets a personal mantra that may ring in his or her ears at the time of meditation, hence it’s personal.
- Deep Rest: It allows the individual deep rest and stress relief, rejuvenating his body and mind.
- Manifestation Potential: This can be used for quelling the mind and setting one’s intention on something he desires to manifest that thing.
- Community Support: In itself, the fact that there is a growing global community of practitioners and instructors who can share insights and support each other is an appeal.
Introduction
Vedic Meditation is rooted in ancient Indian traditions derived from the Vedas, originating over 5,000 years ago. Unlike most modern meditation techniques that often deal with either mindfulness or concentration, Vedic Meditation involves easy transcendence with the use of mantras. This method allows thoughts to naturally flow by softly bringing one’s attention back to a pre-chosen sound or vibration.
Vedic Meditation vs. Modern Meditation Techniques
There are several types of meditation, each with its benefits. Where modern techniques, like mindfulness meditation, are more well-known and perhaps applied in today’s society, Vedic meditation is an ancient, simpler practice that touches base with traditional Indian culture. In modern techniques, one might find great attention being paid to breathing or scanning over the body process which requires much focus and deliberate control.
On the other hand, Vedic meditation is without effort; it uses a mantra as a point of focus. The mantra allows the mind to settle into a deep state of rest without trying to suppress thoughts. It’s a method that fosters a strong connection with oneself, ultimately supporting gratitude and manifestation by creating clarity in one’s mind.
Difference Between Vedic Meditation and Transcendental Meditation
Vedic and Transcendental Meditation almost share similar characteristics and are usually confused with each other, but they differ in some minute ways. Both use mantras; the main difference is in the training and approach.
- Vedic Meditation is more relaxed in the slackness of flexibility and has fewer restrictions in form and can be done by one’s self once one has learned general basics.
- Transcendental Meditation is a patented technique taught exclusively by certified TM teachers. The process is much more standardized and generally includes additional classes beyond the initial ones for advanced study by the participant. TM teaches many of its concepts for a transcendental experience in which the mind surpasses its normal state of thought.
Put differently, while both build stillness, Vedic meditation is less demanding and rather casual; it is therefore ideal for those starting the practice.
Step-by-Step Guide to Practicing Vedic Meditation
1. Find a Quiet Space
Spend 20 minutes in a quiet space free of distractions. Vedic meditation can be done anywhere, but as a course for a beginning course, it is preferred that you first practice in a quiet and comfortable space.
2. Sit Comfortably
Vedic meditation does not require sitting cross-legged or holding rigid postures. Just sit in a position where you feel relaxed, whether it be on a chair or the floor. You must be comfortable enough that you release all physical tension.
3. Close your eyes and breathe normally
First, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, releasing any restlessness in the body or mind. Work with a released sensation in your breathing throughout the practice, not manipulating it in any way the breathing be freed up as much as possible; it should be natural.
4. Introduce Your Mantra
Now, this is where Vedic meditation gets a little different. You’re going to be working with a mantra-a very simple sound or word to focus your mind. In the Vedic meditation tradition, the mantra is usually personalized and provided by an accredited teacher during personal instruction. If you’re meditating on your own, though, you can select a neutral sound to focus on, such as “Om” or “Ahm.”
Silently, softly, to yourself inside your head, repeat the mantra. Don’t push it; let it just float lightly through your awareness.
5. Let Your Mind Drift
As you meditate, thoughts will come and leave. Vedic meditation doesn’t need you to remove them or even focus on them. However, if this should be the case with your mind, gently bring it back to the mantra. You are not trying to reach a point where complete emptiness is achieved in the mind but allow your mind to settle down little by little.
6. Gradual Release
After about 20 minutes, stop repeating the mantra and sit in complete silence for a minute or two. Then, slowly open your eyes. The transition period helps you to face your day calmly.
Benefits of Vedic Meditation
1. Sharp Mind and Serenity
Vedic meditation works to make one’s state of mental being much more peaceful, quite literally quieting that never-ending chattering in our brains. With a clear mind, more attention will be brought toward things that matter, like practicing gratitude or reaching goals within yourself even manifestations.
2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety
Vedic meditation can force a deeper rest in both body and mind, hence releasing stress. It has been said that the level of cortisol, which is the stress hormone, can be drastically reduced by the practice.
3. It Develops Appreciation and Emotional Balance During the performance of Vedic meditation, we are more sensitive to and appreciative of the life that is present in each moment. With that comes naturally the feeling of gratitude, which will help us build up positive things in our lives.
4. Improves Creativity and Productivity
Restfulness availed by Vedic meditation unlocks creative potential and boosts productivity immensely. Most of the practitioners gain phenomenal problem-solving skills and make better decisions.
5. Manifestation Goals
Vedic meditation cultivates calm, focus, and gratitude in the mind, hence helping align our minds towards our manifestation goals. When the mind is clear, it is easy to visualize and work towards what we want in our life.
Here is a great insightful video on Vedic meditation:
Vedic Meditation Mantras
Vedic meditation focuses on the use of mantras. Each is generally given a mantra specific to them, most often a meaningless sound that allows the mind to settle. Unlike most mantra meditations where the word has meaning, the mantras utilized in Vedic meditation are specifically chosen because they do not evoke thought, but instead allow the mind to transcend ordinary thinking patterns.
Basic mantras are as follows:
“Om”
“Shreem”
“Ahm”
Conclusion
Embarking on your journey with Vedic Meditation opens doors not only to inner peace but also enhances your capacity for gratitude and manifestation in daily life. Remember that consistency is key even short sessions can lead to significant transformations over time.
FAQs
1. How long should I practice Vedic meditation each day?
For starters, it is good to practice 20 minutes, twice a day. Later, once you get comfortable, you may extend the duration or increase the frequency according to what your schedule and requirements permit.
2. Do I need a teacher to learn Vedic meditation?
It is very important to learn Vedic Meditation from a certified teacher. The teacher will give you personal tuition, hence providing you with your mantra, which would be personalized for you. This ensures that you understand the subtleties of this technique and integrate them into your daily life in the best way possible.
Also, a teacher provides guided learning and support as you begin to work out and get through tough times in the practice over time. While some of these are accessible online, the Vedic Meditation is best learned with direct teaching that involves a relationship between the teacher and the student. This will particularly help one learn better and experience the practice more skillfully. For this reason, it is of great importance to take one’s first steps with a certified teacher who can provide proper instruction in Vedic Meditation.
3. Can I use Vedic meditation to help with manifestation?
Of course, you can! Vedic meditation cuts away mental clutter while you grow in calm focus, important for effective manifestation. It increases gratitude, a huge attractant.
4. How is Vedic meditation different from mindfulness meditation?
One important difference is that mindfulness meditation tends to cultivate present-moment awareness, often through intentional awareness of the breath or sensations. Vedic meditation uses a mantra to effortlessly transcend active thinking and allows the mind to settle into a restful state.
Reference
Hankey, A. (2006). Studies of advanced stages of meditation in the Tibetan Buddhist and Vedic traditions. I: a comparison of general changes. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 3(4), 513-521.
Rao, P. S., & Murthy, P. N. (2006). Corporate perspectives on the Vedic meditative practice Upasana. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies, 25(1), 9.
Lowe, S. (2011). Transcendental meditation, Vedic science and science. Nova religio, 14(4), 54-76.
Travis, F. (2014). Transcendental experiences during meditation practice. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1307(1), 1-8.
Mindfulness Meditation vs Vedic Meditation (youtube.com)
Is Vedic Meditation Easier Than Other Sorts of Meditation? (themeditationspot.com.au)
