How Do I Learn Vedic Meditation?

Frequently Asked Questions:
What will I learn during the 4 days of instruction? 
You will learn how to meditate directly from me, in-person or virtually.  You will learn how to meditate over 4 consecutive days, for approximately 1-2 hours each day.  This ensures you are comfortable and confident with Vedic Meditation (VM) and it's benefits.  During the 4-day course, you will be given a personalized mantra and we will discuss the benefits of twice daily, 20-minute meditation, how to find the time to meditate twice a day, and we will also review the many benefits of this meditation practice. You will also learn how to allow all distractions and thoughts, as they are a part of this meditation practice and not something to be avoided.  I once meditated during a street festival with a DJ playing music next to me and it was a wonderful experience.  You will be able to as well!

Is Vedic Meditation (VM) similar to other types of meditation that use mantras?
Vedic meditation stands apart from other mantra-based practices through its unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern simplicity. Rooted in the Vedic tradition of India, this technique is over 5,000 years old and employs a personalized sound as a mantra that is silently repeated in the mind. Unlike many other forms of meditation, Vedic meditation emphasizes effortlessness and naturalness, without any need for concentration, visualization, or specific postures other than sitting comfortably with your back supported.  Many books, websites and apps teach meditation, and some use mantras. While there is no downside to this, learning from a trained Vedic Meditation Teacher has many advantages. You get personalized instruction, learning in-person or virtually. You have your teacher for life, as well as access to other teachers and resources within this tradition, and you can repeat the training as many times as you like without additional costs.

I've tried meditation before and I'm afraid I won't stick with it. What should I do?
This is another great question and one I asked myself back in 2015 when I first learned VM. I had tried so many different things and nothing stuck. I went to learn from my teacher and a year later, I couldn't believe that with her help and support, I was able to find 20 minutes twice a day to meditate consistently.

That is why this technique is different. You have a hands-on approach by having me as your coach, mentor, and teacher. Additionally, once you learn VM from me, you can repeat the course as many times as you like. Many students like to repeat the follow-up sessions 4-6 weeks after they initially learn, as questions will arise. Each time you repeat the follow-up days, you learn and retain more, which further supports your meditation practice. I also host a free weekly group meditation session with additional teaching and reinforcement of wellness principles to address any barriers that may arise in your busy daily life. This support helps you maintain your meditation practice.  As a teacher, I want to make sure you have a positive hands-on experience.

What are the benefits of Vedic Meditation? 
Everyone reports something different when they learn to meditate, and it ranges from feeling more fulfilled in their daily life, living their life more fully, being happier and less stressed and less anxious and worried. Many people report sleeping better, a lowering of their blood pressure and and overall sense of well-being. Other benefits include stress reduction and an improved ability of coping with stress, improved mental clarity, improved emotional well-being, increased creativity and other physical health benefits. Additionally, many people say they are more confident and self-aware. There is an increase in compassion and emotional resilience which leads to improved relationships and overall wellbeing. You can expect this as well when you learn to meditate.

Scientific research, including a comprehensive review by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has shown that a regular practice of Vedic Meditation can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while also improving focus, emotional resilience, and overall well-being. Physically, meditation has been linked to improved cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, improved sleep, and better immune function, all contributing to a healthier and more balanced life. Explore how meditation can transform your health by reading the NIH's literature review here, and start your journey to a calmer, healthier you.

I can't find 20 minutes twice a day to meditate. What do you suggest?
Again, I felt the exact same way. I was working a corporate job with insane hours. Meetings starting at 6am and days ending at 6pm. Adding in a commute, activities with friends (or for many of you raising kids), how was I going to find the time. I attended an Intro Talk and realized the benefits of this meditation. Taking 20 minutes twice a day paid huge dividends for me. I had more energy, certain tasks didn't take as long, and I felt more rested even without a good night's sleep.  I found ways to be creative about finding the time to fit meditation into your busy schedule. This topic is one that I always cover in the Intro Talk, so I recommending attending one to learn more about how you can fit this practice into your busy day and accomplish just as much, and even more than before! Believe me, you can and will find the time, and the return on investment will be exponentially paid back and worth your time.

What is included in the training?  
Once you learn this technique, you have access to me as well as my colleagues, literally from all over the world.  It is such a worthy investment, and the benefits you will achieve are literally second to no other training you have taken before.  It is also a sliding scale "pay what you can afford" training, with some paying as little as $100 and/or in installments...the price of a cup of coffee a day!  Sign up for an Intro Talk to learn more or feel free to reach out to me directly at Info@ImperfectionWellness.com for any additional questions.

Additional FAQs:
What are the Vedic Meditation mantras?
Vedic Meditation utilizes a specific subset of bija (or seed) mantras, which are short sounds with no inherent meaning that are derived from ancient Vedic traditions. These mantras are not words but primordial sounds believed to resonate with universal vibrations and the mantra is chosen for the student by the teacher based on individual personal factors. The vibrational quality of these sounds, rather than any intellectual meaning, is thought to facilitate deep relaxation and transcendence. Silently repeated during meditation, these mantras serve as subtle vehicles, guiding meditators beyond conscious thought into deeper states of awareness. While kept confidential within this tradition, bija mantras are central to the practice, offering a personalized path to inner stillness.

What is Rounding/Vedic Rounding?
Rounding in Vedic Meditation is an enriching practice that extends beyond standard meditation sessions. This holistic approach interweaves gentle yoga-based stretches, simple breathing exercises, traditional meditation, and restful periods into a harmonious cycle. Practitioners move through these stages, typically spending about an hour to complete a round. This rhythmic alternation between activity and stillness is designed to deepen the meditative experience, accelerating the release of deeply rooted stress and fatigue. By engaging the body through gentle movement, calming the breath, diving into meditation, and then allowing for integration during rest, rounding creates a powerful synergy. It's particularly valued during retreats and by experienced meditators seeking to amplify their practice's benefits, fostering greater clarity, well-being, and transcendence. This comprehensive technique exemplifies the Vedic approach to holistic wellness, addressing both body and mind in its pursuit of deeper consciousness and rejuvenation.

Why is Vedic Meditation so expensive?
Vedic Meditation offers exceptional value through its comprehensive and personalized approach to learning. The training unfolds over four days, with daily sessions lasting one to two hours. On the first day, you receive your personalized mantra along with foundational instruction. The subsequent three days provide follow-up guidance, ensuring you master every aspect of the technique. This intensive initiation equips you to become proficient in meditation. Additionally, the benefits extend far beyond the initial training, as you're granted lifelong access to three-day follow-up courses with any Vedic Meditation teacher, not just your original instructor. Additionally, free weekly knowledge sessions and group meditations help maintain and deepen your practice. This hands-on, supportive approach distinguishes Vedic Meditation from other techniques.

When considering the extensive training, ongoing support, and lifetime benefits, the cost proves to be highly cost-effective. Your investment not only supports your teacher's continued efforts in teaching, but also represents an energy exchange, giving you a stake in your own progress. In Western culture, we tend to value and commit to what we pay for, making this financial commitment a strategic investment in your long-term well-being and personal growth.

Vedic Meditation versus Transcendental Meditation:
Vedic Meditation and Transcendental Meditation (trademarked) can be thought of as two branches of the same tree, both rooted in the ancient Vedic tradition and brought to the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Both techniques involve the use of bija (seed) mantras, practiced for 20 minutes twice a day, helping the mind settle into a deep state of rest. While they share this common foundation, the key difference lies in how they’re taught. Transcendental Meditation is a trademarked technique with a more structured teaching philosophy and formalized training through certified instructors. In contrast, Vedic Meditation offers a more flexible approach through its certified instructors, allowing for a natural, less rigid learning experience to suit individual student's needs throughout the training and follow-up process. 

What's the different between Vedic Meditation and Mindfulness Meditation?
Vedic Meditation involves silently repeating a mantra for 20 minutes, twice a day, allowing the mind to naturally settle into a state of deep rest. It’s an effortless practice that doesn’t require concentration or focus. The goal is to transcend thought and reach a state of restful awareness, helping reduce stress, while no longer storing new stresses, and increasing mental clarity over time. Vedic Meditation offers the opportunity to transcend or go beyond your thoughts, leading to a deeply relaxed state that can also help release stored stresses. This can shift your experience of life, allowing you to start responding to life instead of always reacting to life. 

Mindfulness, on the other hand, is an active practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It involves being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise and observing them without attachment. Mindfulness can be practiced through meditation or incorporated into daily activities, like mindful eating or walking. It generally doesn't go as deep or lead to transcendence and the release of stored stresses in the same way Vedic Meditation does.

That said, both Vedic Meditation and mindfulness are valuable tools on any wellness journey. Each serves a unique purpose, and incorporating either—or both—into your routine can lead to greater balance and clarity.