4. Do I need a special meditation room to
meditate in?

No. The technique is completely portable.  You can practise it anywhere  - on a train, bus, plane, at your desk, in a park.  You don’t need absolute silence in order to practise it – all you need is a place to sit.  It can be practised in noisy environments.  It’s very useful for people who travel a great deal, as it assists with jetlag and fatigue.

5. How long will it take until I feel benefits?

Most people report feeling calmer, having greater physical energy and mental clarity in the first week they start practising meditation.  Actually many people feel the benefits after their first meditation. Friends and family will probably comment that you seem calmer, happier and less stressed.

6. Will it take years to master?

No.  By the end of the beginner’s meditation course you will be able to meditate on your own.  Group meditation meetings are provided to ensure you stay on track with your practice.

7. How does Vedic Meditation differ from other types of meditation? Are they all the same?

The Vedic Meditation technique is unique and essentially different from other forms of meditation and relaxation.  Other types of meditation generally involve concentration (focusing the mind through effort) or contemplation (thinking about the meaning of something) - both of which keep the mind active.

Vedic meditation is a completely effortless technique that de-excites the mind in a natural and spontaneous way.

8. What is the relationship between Vedic Meditation, and “Transcendental Meditation,” as taught and promoted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi?

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a revered spiritual teacher from the Shankaracharya lineage of the Vedic tradition.

Limor Babai teaches Vedic Meditation and was trained to teach this form of meditation by Thom Knoles. Thom was trained as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation (“TM”) by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (“Maharishi”), and taught it for over 25 years with organizations affiliated with Maharishi. Since 1997, Thom has continued to teach this meditation as he learned it from Maharishi, and has done so independently and separately from the TM organizations, using the terms “Vedic Meditation". Thom Knoles trained Limor to teach meditation as Thom was trained to teach meditation by Maharishi.  Limor teaches Vedic Meditation independently and separately from TM organizations, and is not affiliated with those organizations. 

9. What does the scientific research say about this form of meditation? 

The form of meditation that Thom Knoles* teaches, and taught for over 25 years with the TM organizations as “Transcendental Meditation,” has been the subject of hundreds of scientific studies showing a wide range of benefits from regular practice. These studies, which refer to this form of meditation using the name “Transcendental Meditation” or “TM”, support the benefits obtainable from regular practice of Vedic Meditation. These benefits include:

 •Increased resistance to stress
• Increased levels of energy
• Relief from depression and anxiety
• Relief from insomnia
• Improved relationships with other people
• Improved, memory, concentration and learning ability
• Reduced risk of heart disease and tumours
• Relief from migraines, headaches and asthma
• Normalisation of blood pressure
• Reduced cholesterol levels
• Normalisation of weight
• Reversal of ageing
• Increased self esteem
• Faster reaction times
• Improved sports performance
• Reduced use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs

 * Thom Knoles trained Limor Babai to teach meditation as Thom was trained to teach meditation by Maharishi.