American Yogi.

 American Yogi.

Year (1995).

It was an opportunity to experience inner silence and total bliss with the global community. Being an Indian, I had never given much thought to this age-old technique of meditation. Maybe the level of ignorance was quite high, and that kept many Indians away from their own ancient wisdom.

This great ancient science is still valid and has great relevance in the modern era. India continues to offer the best of meditation techniques, yoga, Ayurveda, and Gandharva Veda. Thanks to the spiritual leaders of India for preserving and propagating this precious knowledge to the whole human race.

I had the opportunity to join the worldwide Transcendental Meditation movement as part of my musical activities. I travelled to the USA in 1995. That was my first journey into spirituality through Western eyes. However, there was also a great curiosity about the Western world somewhere in the back of my mind.

I landed at JFK International Airport in the evening. The coordinator of the meditation movement drove me to New Jersey. I stayed at the Berkeley Carteret Hotel, a five-star hotel owned by the movement. It was one of the most beautiful spots, right by the ocean, with a breathtaking view from the luxurious hotel room.

It was such a pleasant feeling to stay in a hotel surrounded by meditators and spiritual people. It felt like a very different world. The philosophical aspect was completely new to me, and it presented a highly intellectual way of looking at life.

It was a great surprise to discover that these Americans were so serious about this ancient Indian knowledge. Many had been practising meditation for the last 40 years and were experiencing remarkable results and higher levels of consciousness. They understood the importance of inner silence—the secret behind all creation.

I also came to understand that Indian classical music is an integral part of Vedic science. As a musician, my work was to perform music for meditators in churches, temples, universities, schools, on radio, and on television. I also taught music for many years at Maharishi University of Management (MUM) in Fairfield, Iowa.

Their way of listening to music as Gandharva Veda, and the philosophy behind Vedic knowledge, was very deep and pure. Until then, I had developed a performance-oriented approach to music. But being part of this community gave me the opportunity to experience the deeper and more profound aspect of Gandharva Veda.

All credit goes to His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. What a great contribution he made by sharing this ancient Indian wisdom with people around the world!

Millions of people around the globe are benefiting from it. Thousands of Indian doctors, including Ayurvedic practitioners, Vedic scholars who chant mantras, Jyotish practitioners, and classical musicians are travelling around the world to teach and perform. Many Indians are contributing their knowledge and skills globally.

Most of the Westerners involved in the organisation are working with dedication for the betterment of global society—to harmonise differences between communities, reduce stress in the environment, and bring greater peace to the world.

In the field of spirituality, India has been a Guru to the whole world. No other nation has quite this kind of ancient knowledge to offer. Meditation has also been scientifically studied and shown to have many benefits.

If one practises meditation for 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening every day, the results can be profound. In this modern age, we do not have the time to sit in the Himalayas for 12 years at a stretch. But we can still practise for just 15 minutes, and the results can be deeply transformative. It may help us live a healthier and more fulfilling life.

With regular meditation practice over many years, the awakening of the Self within becomes possible—an experience often described as self-realisation. One may begin to experience a higher state of consciousness, fully awake within, and a connection with the field of all possibilities.

From there, one may gradually develop greater mastery over different aspects of life and whatever subject one chooses to pursue. A clear mind and clear thoughts can help us fulfil many of the demands of life.

That is the essence of meditation: it can support us physically, mentally, and spiritually, helping us move towards a more successful and fulfilling lifestyle and, ultimately, towards the highest goal of human life.

This is the pure knowledge of Yoga and one of the greatest gifts of the ancient Yogis to the human race—an eternal gift from India to the world.

Vedang Dharashive.

(From old blog).

https://www.instagram.com/vedangdharashive