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Ayurveda

Treatments: Meditation

Meditation is a cornerstone practice in Ayurveda. Published studies (American Heart Association) show that meditation significantly reduces high blood pressure, a risk factor in strokes and heart disease. With practice, meditation quietens the mind and brings a sense of peace and clarity, and a deeper connection to all that surrounds us. It can also bring a sense of connection to oneness or godliness. It does not, however, require adopting a different faith or specific religious beliefs. Many people who practice meditation experience benefits within days, including a sense of calmness, confidence, and increased alertness. Many experience profound shifts of consciousness with continued practice.

There are many studies and scientific research conducted to document the benefits of meditation practiced regularly, including a reduction in conditions and bodily states (including increasing DHEAAlso known as dehydroepiandrosteron, DHEA is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands and which is converted to other hormones like estrogen and testosterone production) which cause premature aging. Other beneficial effects include:

• Morning sickness/nausea
• Headaches
• Backaches
• Swollen legs and ankles
• Constipation
• Stress and anxiety
• Bladder control issues
• Pain

There are many different methods of meditation that have been published, but common to many forms of meditation is a steady, rhythmic breathing with focus on a word or an object (such as a candle). Meditation may also include the repetition of a mantra. This may be a mantra provided to you that resonates with your dominant dosha.

Before beginning meditation, a comfortable position is found which can be held for 15 minutes or longer. This may be done sitting in a chair or lying down on a bed (be careful you don’t fall asleep if you are lying down!). A traditional meditation posture used is to sit cross-legged on the floor where a cushion is placed beneath the seating bones. The eyes are closed and deep, rhythmic breathing is begun. As the mind is quietened and all other thoughts released. Awareness is then brought into the present moment. At first, it may be extremely difficult to quieten the mind of daily thoughts, worries, concerns, and flitting memories. By simply accepting these thoughts and then releasing them, the mind will become clear with time and practice. Moments of quiet will begin to increase with each meditation and a deepened sense of peace and tranquility will begin to infuse the entire being.

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditation (TM) is a meditation technique created by Maharishi Mahesh YogiThe founder of Transcendental Meditation (1917-2008) and is based on the teachings of the Vedas4 Hindu scriptures, called the Vedas, documented in archaic Sanskrit. It was introduced to the mainstream public in 1958 as the Transcendental Meditation movement. In TM, a simple technique is used to guide the mind into experiencing subtler and subtler states of thought, until the experience of absolute silence is experienced (also known as bliss consciousness, or the experience of a sense of oneness with all creation). Maharishi Mahesh Yogi states that the practice of TM will eventually allow the mind to experience and maintain the state of bliss consciousness at all times, no matter what the situation or how chaotic the activity being engaged in. This state of being gradually brings more and more of the sense of bliss consciousness into all aspects of life.

TM is very easy to learn. It is practiced with the eyes closed for 20 minutes, twice a day. The mind and the body are quietened into a state of restful alertness. As the body becomes more relaxed, the mind becomes more still, more alert, and more silent, until the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the essence of creation – transcendental consciousness.

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