Last updated on December 8th, 2023.
The origin of Vedic meditation comes from the Vedas, ancient religious scriptures from India. These texts serve as the foundation of both yoga and Hinduism.
There is no fixed Vedic meditation definition. Meditation invokes a feeling of tranquility and serenity. However, that can happen only when you practice Vedic meditation consistently and accurately.
Many people believe they can never mediate because they can’t stop their thinking or reasoning. For that reason, it is essential to learn Vedic meditation from someone who’s an expert or a master.
Without clear instructions, you may have trouble meditating the right way. When you watch a live demonstration from a master, you learn all the aspects of Vedic meditation.
How do you practice Vedic Meditation?
Although Vedic meditation can be challenging, it is not impossible to perform. To practice this unique and popular type of meditation, it is essential to allow your mind to settle down by using a mantra.
However, the first thing to do is to sit comfortably in a chair that offers support to your back. Close your eyes and repeat your chosen mantra silently in your heard. In this type of meditation, there are no chants. The only focus is to control your mind and zoom in your thoughts. Since you never ‘try’ to meditate, these techniques seem and feel more natural and effortless.
If this is your first time we recommend checking out are article on some of the best Vedic Meditation Training out there.
You never have to push away your thoughts. There is no image that you must imagine or no CDs or headphones to follow instructions. You don’t have to ‘visualize’ certain things. That’s one of the reasons why Vedic meditations allow you to meditate almost anywhere. You don’t have to worry about sitting in a quiet or dark room, to focus on following instructions.
As you gently begin to think your mantra, the process takes the energy of your awareness away from your thoughts. As a result, your body relaxes, and your mind becomes free. This state allows you to release every ounce of stress that is stored in your body. If you find your mind wandering, you return to your mantra to re-tune your focus.
The process is not as complicated as it appears. The best places to do Vedic meditation include a park, the beach, or even a busy setting.
If you think that your mind is too busy to meditate, remember that you don’t have to clear your mind to begin meditation. All you must do during the meditation session is to keep re-focusing on your mantra.
Many people find Vedic meditation more exciting and beneficial because it is a more natural form of meditation. You don’t have to rely on any physical sensations, and there is less focus on controlling your breath or movements.
Don’t feel guilty about thinking during a session because it offers clarity to our thoughts, and we manage to identify stress triggers. As a result of this unique type of meditation, you end up carrying less psychological baggage, which is an excellent thing for improving our well-being.
What is the difference between Vedic meditation and transcendental meditation?
The founder of Transcendental Meditation is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is an effortless, simple, and natural technique to meditate, without concentration or contemplation. Maharishi learned the technique from his mentor with whom he trained for several years before launching an international community to make Transcendental Meditation a global phenomenon in 1957.
If you want to practice transcendental meditation, you have to use a mantra to settle down your thoughts. As you close your eyes, the mantra serves as a vehicle to calm your thoughts for 20 minutes and twice a day. Through this form of meditation, the mind discovers its potential, and the conscious mind becomes aware of comprehending the whole range of its existence, silent and active.
This type of meditation is not a philosophy or a set of beliefs. It is a mental technique or an experience that you can practice every day once or twice a day. If you are interested in trying this type of meditation, check out these transcendental meditation courses!
How do you become a Vedic Meditation Teacher?
To become a Vedic meditation teacher, you must show commitment and have an undying passion for mastering this form of meditation. Enlightenment and transcendence are every individual’s birthright.
Before we dive in, in addition to Vedic meditation there are also other forms of meditations and meditation teacher training courses which offer similar benefits as well as certifications to continue to spread wellness practice of meditation.
However, only a few acknowledge this reality. By becoming a Vedic meditation teacher, you can offer the world a profound gift.
Generally, a Vedic teacher training course comprises of four components:
Physical and Mental Conditioning: to transform you into a vessel for channeling pure consciousness and expand your knowledge. You become more robust with clear energetic blocks in your body. You give-up toxic habits and engage in a progressive fitness program to strengthen your physical and emotional health.
Expansion of the senses and heart: Through yoga, pranayama, and meditation, you elevate your consciousness to a superior level. As you learn to meditate using this technique, you become more sharp and attentive. Your must becomes more powerful and open as a result of which your bodily energy improves.
Meticulous Application of Wisdom and Knowledge: As you learn to master the technique, you integrate and challenge traditional Vedic thoughts through logical and scientific explanations. You broaden your capacity for logical exposition, memorization, and crystallize complex ideas into truthful and powerful teachings.
It is uncommon for a modern Vedic teacher to be a shallow thinker. As the Sanskrit aphorism, Satyam Eva Jayate (Truth alone triumphs) guides us at all times; we let go of self-doubt, ignorance, or any limiting ideas.
Numerous schools and training centers offer Vedic meditation teacher training courses. Once you graduate, after completing an extensive curriculum, you become an influential mentor and guide to channel your positive energy.
With a deep understanding of the Vedic culture, traditions, and teachings, you serve as an expert leader in the Vedic meditation community.
Most schools offer a combination of meditation, retreats, and yoga studies. Some programs also include wellness and holistic programs and an introduction to Indian Culture and Spirituality. You can enroll in a beginner or an advanced training program to become a successful Meditation Trainer. Typically, such programs take place in a resort or a serene place that offers stunning mountain or garden views. As a participant, you get to avail of accommodation and other benefits that are included in your fee package.
Where do Meditation mantras come from?
The most popular mantras that are commonly used in Vedic and Transcendental meditation come from the ancient Vedic tradition. Most phrases that are popular mantras come from the Sanskrit language. Some mantras offer dominant healing power for individual body parts. However, the transcendental meditation mantras have a more significant impact as they provide a substantial healing effect on the whole mind and body.
Here are some of the most famous Vedic meditation mantras that are used.
Om or Aum: Hindu/Sanskrit: it means ‘to become.’
Om is the most sacred mantra in the tradition and is believed to have the vibration of intention that manifests in the physical sphere. You can also consider it as the vibration of the universal consciousness. It is also used in other traditions, such as Buddhism.
El Shaddai: Hebrew word that means God Almighty
Elohim: Hebrew word which means the one who we turn to when we require guidance
Hare Krishna, Hare Rama: from Sanskrit which means to free the mind
So Ham: Sanskrit words which mean ‘I am That.’
I change my thoughts; I change my world: from Norman Vincent Peale
I am that I am: comes from one of God’s answers when Moses asked for his name
Love is the only miracle there is: from the Indian mystic and guru Osho. It means that to live a fulfilling life, you have to love deeply. Loving others is one of the greatest gifts we can enjoy.
Maranatha: Christian word for ‘Come Lord’
Om Namah Shivaya: Hindu phrase which means ‘I bow to Shiva’
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti: from Hinduism and Buddhism. Represents the starting of Om followed by the peace of mind, body, and speech
Sabbe Satta Sukhi Hontu: phrase from Buddhism, which means ‘May all beings be happy.’
Sat, Chit, Ananda: from Sanskrit. Popularly used by Deepak Chopra.
Benefits of Vedic Meditation
As with all things, practice will improve your meditation technique which will in turn improve your well-being. It’s of benefit to you to begin with as little as 5 minutes a day. Many seasoned practitioners will meditation between 15 – 20 minutes twice a day. Consistency is also important. We wish you good health, a strong mind and a true spirit on your journey!
Stress release
Vedic Meditation technique helps release stress and boosts energy levels. It is also a popular technique that helps alcoholics and substance abuse victims to overcome their addiction.
Better sleep
Soon after you learn to meditate, you can regulate your sleep patterns as your mind learns to relax.
More creativity
Vedic meditation is famous for helping creative artists and musicians come up with masterpieces.
You Learn to Live in the Moment
As Vedic meditation reduces brain chatter, you start focusing on the present and focus on what is happening, not on the future or your past.
Better Decision Making
Within weeks of meditation, you feel as if you have mower power to make difficult and life-changing decisions. For those reasons, famous leaders and entrepreneurs like to learn Vedic meditation.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know so much about meditation, you can choose the mantra that suits you most. Vedic meditation offers an incredible meditation experience that provides incredible effects to improve the well-being of your mind and body.
