Curious to know more? Take a read of our FAQs
Have more questions? Come along to a free intro talk where you can ask Laura anything and have her respond live to your questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Vedic meditation falls into the category of a 'transcending technique'. The term 'transcending' refers to the experience of the mind naturally settling down into deeper states of awareness. Other systems of meditation typically involve concentration or control of the mind. Vedic meditation on the other hand is an easy and effortless style that absolutely anyone can learn. Note: this practice is only ever taught face-to-face, with a qualified teacher who will perform a traditional ceremony during the first session before you receive your personal mantra.
-
‘Vedic’ is an English version of the Sanskrit word ‘Veda’ which means ‘to know’. This technique and its teachings draw from the cognitive sciences and the 5000+ year-old body of wisdom derived from India known as the Veda — knowledge governing the unity of the laws of nature and human consciousness from which meditation, yoga and Ayurveda are derived.
-
Yes you will! The 4-session course is designed to take people from no meditation experience (or some experience) all the way through to mastering the Vedic meditation technique. The practice itself is simple and natural, and you will experience the benefits of the technique from your very first session. Absolutely anyone can learn, kids through to adults, and there is continual support after the course to help you make meditation a daily practice.
-
The word mantra comes from the ancient Sanskrit language and translates as; manas = mind and tra = vehicle. In Vedic meditation, we use the mantra as a vehicle to draw the mind inwards into deeper more restful states. The mantra you receive is a simple sound with no intended meaning and this ‘mind vehicle’ will be selected for you to create the most effortless meditation experience. There are thousands of different mantras or 'mind vehicles' that are used in different techniques, each with their own function and outcome. Receiving a personal mantra and correct instruction for Vedic meditation gives you a deeper experience and allows you to advance your practice over the years.
-
No, this technique is not about controlling the mind or body, emptying the mind of thoughts or creating a perfect state of stillness and silence. Thoughts are actually welcomed in this technique and mean you’re practicing correctly! In Vedic meditation the body spontaneously relaxes and naturally becomes still without any force or effort.
-
Not at all. When you learn in the course, it will be sitting comfortably on a lounge. When you practice this technique at home, all that’s required is that you sit upright with the back-supported.
-
Yes! You’ll be meditating from your very first session and be able to meditate on your own at home. Self-sufficiency and confidence in meditating is the goal of the practice and the 4-session course is designed to teach you just that.
-
You will begin to feel a difference in your mind and body after your very first session. The benefits then continue to exponentially increase as you make meditation a daily practice. Some will notice big changes immediately in the quality of their thinking and relaxation of their body. For others it may be a gradual experience of more self-awareness and increase of energy. Basically the more stressed you are, the greater the contrast, and therefore the benefits are more immediately recognised.
-
Yes and we highly recommend it! Meditating while pregnant is a great way to get the extra rest you need to keep yourself in the healthiest state possible. Meditation also produces all kinds of wonderful hormones that will benefit the development of your growing baby.
-
I teach in Noosa, Melbourne, Sydney, and Byron Bay. I also travel to teach private courses and I run retreats India. If you would like me to come teach in your area, I'm more than happy to facilitate courses in different locations nationally and internationally. Please email me for details.
-
There is an independent network of Vedic meditation teachers worldwide who can teach you this effortless practice. Head to the Global Vedic Meditation Directory to find a teacher. If you’d like a recommendation for a teacher in your area please send me an email and I will refer you to the right person.
-
The first session is either a private or in a small group of 4 people. For sessions 2-4 the group size is anywhere from 3-20 people. During the course you will receive individual attention and instruction, be able to ask any questions you have, and feel confident in making meditation a daily practice.
-
Rather than being a therapy session the course is geared towards facilitating an engaging learning process. You won't be sharing your life stories - you'll be listening to the knowledge and then putting it into practice. Learning in a group also allows you to hear other people’s questions, which stimulates great discussion and helps everyone understand the practice of meditation in greater detail. If you’d prefer to learn privately that is also an option. Please contact me for more information.
-
The course investment is a one-off payment that gives you a lifetime membership to Vedic meditation. You get the 4-session course, plus unlimited access to weekly group meditations with Laura or any affiliated Vedic meditation teacher worldwide. You also have the option to re-sit the course any time as a refresher. This means you have support on your meditation journey for the rest of your life. With the worldwide community of Vedic meditation teachers and students, if you move locations or go travelling, you can find a teacher and group meditation in your area to be a part of.
-
People from all walks of life have learned this technique and all of them have benefited from the practice. But if you feel like it’s not working, you can rely on me to give you continued training and guidance until you feel confident to become a self-sufficient daily meditator.
-
Personal interaction with a teacher face-to-face really is the best way to learn meditation. The mind can be complex, layered and full of paradoxes. Having an experienced teacher who has been trained to understand its complexity and show you how to navigate the terrain will save you years of confusion and misunderstanding. A true teacher will teach you techniques to awaken the full potential of your mind without becoming dependent on them – they make you self-sufficient. Online courses and apps can be a great way to start your meditation journey, however learning face-to-face with a qualified teacher will always give you a deeper and richer experience.
-
We don't recommend doing this. Many years of training and experience both practicing and studying have gone into becoming a Vedic meditation teacher. For the most successful experience, we suggest you recommend people learn with a qualified Vedic meditation teacher. Although the technique may appear simple in its nature, the sequence of instruction is exact. The success of learning is entirely dependent on being able to follow the instruction exactly. To teach this, requires you have an in depth understanding of the mechanics of the mind and the technique. If you want to become a Vedic meditation teacher yourself, please get in contact and I can give you details of the training process.
-
No, Vedic meditation is a simple and effortless mental technique that allows the mind to naturally settle down and the body to fall into deeper states of rest. You don’t need to believe in anything or change your current religion for the technique to work. Vedic meditation originated in India therefore we acknowledge the roots of the tradition in the first session. However anyone can practice Vedic meditation and experience the benefits no matter their religious, spiritual or non-religious backgrounds.
-
We all have 24 hours in a day to work with. And where you invest your time, depends on what you learn, experience and receive. The ancient wisdom traditions have always said that spending a small amount of time meditating has a profound impact on your eyes open experience of life. 2 x 20 minute sessions of Vedic meditation, morning and afternoon, takes up about 3% of your day. And the affect that has on the other 97% is supremely life changing. Considering the average person invests about 8% of their day on Facebook alone, taking 3% of your time to meditate seems a pretty worthwhile investment. Especially if you're wanting more balance, less stress and greater creativity.
-
In Vedic meditation thoughts are a part of the process, so there is no need to still the mind or focus on any one thing. During the 4-session course you’ll learn just like everyone else that you actually can meditate effortlessly and will gain a greater understanding of what meditation is. You’ll also find your attention span is likely to increase as you dissolve stress and settle the over-activity of your nervous system. This means more calmness and clarity with the ability to focus on tasks in daily life.
-
No, you don’t have to give up anything! Instead add meditation into your daily routine and see the benefits positively influence every aspect of your life.
-
Stress definitely distorts and limits the fullness of ourselves and what we're capable of. So by meditating and dissolving stress you’ll see a decrease in the negative aspects of yourself and an increase in your innate positive qualities and strengths.