Primordial Sound Meditation is based on primordial sounds and is a silent sound meditation technique. Luvena Rangel tells us more…
Despite the age we live in, the search for inner peace and calm is one of the lasting quests that humankind has repeatedly embarked upon. Every generation has had the experience of turmoil – physical, mental and socio-political even – turmoil that urges one to seek a state of sustainable rest and calm – both of the body and the mind. Nothing has changed and even today millions of people the world over, regardless of their status or background, are constantly in that search of inner stillness. It seems improbable to attain this in the midst of chaos that we indefinitely find ourselves in, but it isn’t impossible, as many have experienced.
Primordial Sound Meditation is one such technique derived from the Vedic traditions of India that was systematized by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. Being experienced meditators themselves, Dr. Chopra and Dr. Simon spent many years in India studying sacred texts and scriptures under revered teachers and eventually designed a technique that could easily be taught and learnt by people all over the world, helping them in their search for calm and inner joy.
Primordial Sound Meditation is a mantra based meditation technique – using primordial mantras, specific sound vibrations that the Universe was making at the time of your birth using Vedic Mathematical formulae. Silently repeating mantra, through regular meditation, enables the space, the ‘Gap’ between your thoughts to expand gradually bringing the meditator to a state of expanded awareness – pure consciousness. It is from this gap that we bring back to our present awareness, the gifts of intuition, creativity, bliss, harmony, equanimity and so on – the gifts of pure conscious awareness.
Meditation has often been the tool of choice when it comes to managing stress as the conscious slowing down of breath eventually calms the nervous system and reduces stress hormone levels in the blood. However, stress management was not the initial purpose of meditation. Patanjali’s Yogasutras indicate a flow of evolution of awareness – helping the practitioner to move their awareness, with earnest practice, from the gross reality of our physical bodies to the subtler aspects of our mind. Meditation, thus, falls under the limb of Ashtanga yoga called pratyahara – or moving within.
Primordial Sound Meditation is a non-aggressive, gentle practice that meets you where you are without forcing your body to conform to a rigid method. While routinely is beneficial, the practice is taught in a way that the practitioner is given the opportunity to willfully make the choice to include meditation where possible in their current lifestyle and routine. The meditator is encouraged to remain in a comfortable posture for the duration of the practice. Eventually, through meditation, the practitioner is invited to experience the silence and pure, infinite potential that already exists within.
A point to be noted is the difference between meditation and relaxation. While relaxation is sometimes used as a gentle preparation to meditate, deep relaxation often comes as an after effect of a meditative practice. For example, walking meditation is a practice of dynamic movement that includes conscious effort to be aware of every step, every object, sensation, breath and so on. It takes physical effort while practicing, but the energized sense of being present is a state of relaxed awareness after the practice. Relaxation is a state of letting go, usually of the physical body, while thoughts may or may not be transcended. On the other hand, meditation is a state of restful awareness and alertness, a practice that not only rejuvenates the mind and body but also expands the conscious awareness of thoughts and potentiality.
While the benefits of meditation are vast and spread across physiological as well as emotional well-being aspects, some of the commonly experienced effects of a regular practice have been documented as improved sleep, better managed stress response, lowered blood pressure, improved interpersonal relationships, creative work-based skills and a calmer state of mind as well as a sense of inner quiet and peace. The bottom line is that a well-managed stress response helps to better manage or even arrest the onset of stress-related, lifestyle diseases. At worst, it gives us a sense of calm and a happy disposition.
Undoubtedly, these skills are something we all aspire for and a simple, but regular meditation practice can introduce us to these free gifts – and everyone is welcome to receive them. There is no limitation to who can meditate – home makers, teachers, students, children, artists, doctors, engineers, shift workers, political leaders…. Anyone can make meditation a part of their routine and reap the rewards of pure potentiality.
While there are numerous meditation techniques, unique in their own way, the goal remains the same – to accompany the meditator towards the final union – the yoga of mind, body and spirit. See you in the gap!
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Luvena Rangel
Born and raised in Kuwait and after 15 years in Dubai, Luvena Rangel is currently one of Bangalore’s leading Yoga Anatomy expert faculty with over 1000 training and teaching hours in Hatha Yoga, PreNatal Yoga as well as Power Yoga. Luvena comes with a background in Medicine and Holistic Health, Ayurvedic Lifestyle, Meditation, ThetaHealing, Coactive Coaching & Counselling. She was the first Deepak Chopra certified teacher of Primordial Sound Meditation and Perfect Health Ayurveda in Dubai and continues to share the teachings of this timeless wisdom through her various articles, motivational talks and workshops. As the founder of The Curvy Yogi, Luvena actively advocates living a purpose-driven and passionate life and promotes yoga for all bodies without prejudice and regularly assists individuals with limitations in accessing yoga postures as well as using asana for emotional wellness or to overcome trauma and abuse.