1. What is meditation?
Meditation is a state of mind when mind is thoroughly inactive - still, blank, calm, void of thoughts.
2. What is Patanjali Meditation?
Patanjali Meditation follows the techniques from Patanjali, the first author of the Yoga treatise in Sanskrit, called Yoga-Sutras or Yoga-Darshanam.
3. How does Patanjali Meditation differ from other techniques such as Mindfulness Meditation?
Patanjali Meditation is based on Patanjali's eight-fold path, called Ashtanga Yoga. It consists of: 1)Yama (abstentions - duties to the society), 2)Niyama (observances - duties to self), 3)Asana (body's sitting posture conducive to meditation), 4)Pranayama (controlled deep breathing precursor to meditation), 5)Pratyahara (instructing mind to disconnect from the outer world), 6)Dharana (concentraion), 7)Dhyana (meditation - blank mind) and 8)Samadhi (a spiritual experience). Mindfulness corresponds to the 6th Step of Dharana (concentration) whereas Patanjali Meditation corresponds to the 7th Step of Dhyana (meditation). It is a bit more challenging but can bring enormously more benefits. The difference is similar to between sleep with dreams and dreamless deep sleep. If you wish, you could call Patanjali Meditation as Mindlessness.
4. How is Patanjali Yoga different from the prevalent Yoga classes?
Patanjali's Yoga is the authentic Yoga to bring mind to a calm state. What is commonly known as Yoga is actually Hatha-Yoga. Both Yoga and Hatha-Yoga are two distinctly different things. Their methods and benefits are altogether different. There is a great deal of confusion because Hatha-Yoga borrowed Patanjali's terms of Asana and Pranayama (a bit incorrectly!) in an altogether different context.
5. How does Gayatri Meditation differ from Patanjali Meditation?
Patanjali Meditation encourages a practitioner to treat the self as a composite of body, mind and soul. The attempt is to bring body and mind to a calm state so that the owner, the soul is restful for some moments. Patanjali teaches us how to reach such a state (the 7th state of Dhyana) efficiently. Whereas Gayatri Meditation takes recourse to a Vedic verse called Gayatri Mantra, meaning: The brightest light exists in our mind; may it guide us! If interested in a spiritual experience then this may suit you. Essentially, Patanjali Meditation emphasizes disconnection from mind whereas Gayatri Meditation achieves the same by connecting to the light within, hoping that the connection will help the disconnection we seek. The final objective is same: disconnection from mind.
6. How can an atheist reconcile with meditation practice?
If one sees self as without soul and as body and mind only then one may tentatively accept Patanjali Meditation's techniques and adopt the practices. Nobody is forced to accept the concept of soul within. Indeed, even if one were to consider the self as body and brain only (no mind and no soul!) then also there is no problem. The steps are explained as if one is a composite of body, mind and soul - for semantics only. Everyone can preserve his/her beliefs. It is encouraged to make the inner exploration with an open mind which is very important.
7. Is Patanjali/Gayatri Meditation a Hindu practice?
Religions are faith-based whereas meditation is a reality-based personal experience for personal benefits without hurting anybody else. However, if some Hindus believe that meditation is their copyright because Patanjali's book is in Sanskrit then this cannot be true because true knowledge is open to all whatever language it may be in. As far as non-Hindus are concerned, if Hindus do something then it need not be taboo for others. Say, if Hindus eat apple then it is not the case that non-Hindus will not eat apple.
8. What benefits can accrue from meditation?
At the first level: mind gains relaxation and one develops a harmonious relationship with mind. Daily life may become more relaxed and energetic. It may become easier to enter into sleep. Sleep quality may improve because of less dreams. More relaxed behavior may improve relationships at home and work. Tasks may be performed with less distractions and in less time with improved quality. There may be greater focus and clarity in all aspects of life. The usual breathing pattern may become deeper and that may bring enormous improvement in physical health, vigor and longevity because one begins to induct greater amount of oxygen for the body system - the most essential survival substance. Even body figure may improve because excess oxygen can burn away unnecessary fat and produce energy. One may overall feel more energetic throughout the day.
At the second level: there is soul-mind separation and transformation in mind may take place leading to a marked change in ones personality. A stressful person may be shedding stress away. What was very important in life may not seem to be that important; there is some sort of detachment that one doesn't get affected from certain events which were very disturbing. You are able to view the mind as mere 'desktop' and it is not necessary to be affected by everything appearing on the desktop.
At the third level: one may notice flashes of new insights which is very important for those engaged in creative and/or intellectual functions. One may find meditation as a pleasant experience as dreamless sleep is. One may find a new confidence that one need not depend on certain objects/persons for the happiness within. One may notice that there is improvement in the overall quality of life. This may be the onset of an exploration within: who am I, what is mind, what is consciousness, etc.
9. How often and how much time should be devoted to meditation?
A beginner may start with 10-20 minute practice everyday. Our sessions of guided meditation will take 20-30 minutes, including instructions. Though one is encouraged to attend the sessions weekly, it is important that you perform it everyday. The suggested time is early morning and evening - light/empty stomach - bladder and bowel should be ideally empty. Locate a quiet corner in your home. A folded blanket may provide the support. If required, a cushion may be used under the sit bones. If knees cannot bend then sit on a simple armless dining chair. If the entire day passed without meditation then try doing it just before bedtime.
10. When can one expect to see the benefits of meditation?
There can be no hard and fast rule. The biggest challenge for a new learner is to reach the blank/blind spot of mind when one is void of thoughts. One can attend the guided sessions until one is comfortably able to hit this spot - say, about 5-10 second duration on a regular basis. Counting from this point, one may begin to see some of the first level of benefits in about six weeks of daily practice. We emphasize six-week trial period; until then, don't give up and be persistent. Thereafter, you may decide whether to continue or not. Most likely, you will fall in love with it and notice that your investment of 10-20 minutes a day brings back 40-80 minutes due to the changes in sleep pattern and work style. Most likely, you will decide to meditate longer and even make it twice-a-day habit.
