Vedic Meditation – An Ancient Technique

Vedic Meditation is a powerful meditation technique descending from the ancient Hindu Vedic teachings. The purpose of the meditation is a deep rest to purify and re-balance the mind. Vedic meditation allows the individual to reduce stress and anxiety, increase awareness and clarity of mind, improve physical well-being and slow the aging process.

This meditation technique is practiced for 20 minutes twice a day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. It should bring about a state of deep relaxation and inner peace, which is said to bring the meditator into a more profound rest than sleep.

How to Perform the Meditation:

To begin the Vedic Meditation, sit comfortably in a chair with your back supported and straight. Have your eyes gently closed. Allow your mind to settle down and become quiet to utilize the sound of a Sanskrit or Buddhist mantra. There is no focusing, concentrating or contemplating involved. There's no need to try to control the mind in any way using this Vedic Path Meditation. You can optionally use buddhist prayer beads to count the mantras as you chant them.

Mantra, Sound or Visualization:

Vedic Meditation relies on the repetition of a mantra, usually given to you by a teacher or guru as you begin to practice. While repeating or chanting the mantra softly or silently, practice with soukshma - "innocence, faint, and effortlessness." Allow your mind to transcend through the practice.

The word "mantra" comes from the Sanskrit words "mana" for mind and "tra" for vehicle or instrument. Mantras are a vehicle for awareness and insight. Thousands of mantras exist, all for different purposes, which the names have absolutely no meaning. They're essentially just sounds.

Origin + History:

Vedic Meditation's origins date back to about 5,000 years ago in India by and for what they called “householders," or normal people involved in everyday life. The come from the Hindu Vedas, one of the earliest sources of mediation literature. The ancient Rishis realized that meditation was an effective means to help develop consciousness and the inner workings of the mind, body and being.