Wel Come Dr. Sanjoy Mukerji's Mental Health Website

Ciero, the Roman orator said, "A happy life begins with tranquility of mind." Sounds simple, doesn't it? Yet this quest has confounded sages through the ages. For a special few, meditation has proven to be the answer. Although practiced throughout human history, in many remote regions of the world - especially in India, it still remains an esoteric art.

Meditation as per dictionary means, "thinking deeply and quietly." The true meaning of meditation extends much beyond this. Thus, it is worthwhile to consider what meditation is and to become aware of what it is not. Meditation is an inner method of working with the mind for profound relaxation of body and peace of mind, and then going beyond mind - getting in touch with the self. It is not a religious practice. It involves applying a series of systematic steps to produce certain desirable and helpful changes in one's state of consciousness, which is called an altered state of consciousness.

In meditation, one reaches deeper levels of mind, alpha state (alpha brain waves/frequencies), subconscious, soul, spirit, or whatever we call it. Actually, it is a state in between wakefulness and sleep. It can be called as "trance." Meditation is not a way to see vivid colors, have intense sensory experiences, or get "high." It is a method whereby we become fully acquainted with ourselves in an independent and self-reliant manner. Besides relaxation (physical and mental), we become more soul conscious.

Any form or all forms of meditation, per se, are good for peace of mind, general good health and a sense of well-being; if done sincerely and with conviction.

Meditation is the first step towards "peace of mind," followed by positive thinking and ultimately being in the present. Of all the techniques available for managing stress, meditation is surely the finest. It operates at the most subtle level of stress causation, the realm of the mind. Stress is an emotional response that arises in the activity of both the conscious and unconscious/subconscious dimensions of the mind - it is a result of the way we perceive and think. Accordingly, the degree of our underlying mental attachments determines the intensity and duration of the emotional response that we call stress. When the mind is quiet, balanced, and open - as during the state of true meditation - it is impossible to experience stress.

More Than A Relaxation

Though meditation is often portrayed as a relaxation technique, this is an incomplete picture of its purpose. Meditation is indeed intended to relax the body and discover silence in the mind, but making this discovery is not really the same thing as simply relaxing. The ancient sages of India were already quite relaxed by the time they began to meditate. Their intention was something much more profound. Through the practice of any systematic meditation, we can create an internal reference point of Spirit/Soul/Self than ego. We can enter the silent spaces between our thoughts, the gap in which ego-based concerns disappear and the thinker, the process of thinking, and the object of thought are revealed as one. As said in the Gita, "In that thoughtless state, sustained through meditation, the self knows the self and rejoices in the self." (VI,20)

The Ancient Description

Meditation as described above is distinct from the common meaning of meditation as a process of pondering or ruminating on some topic. "Meditation" is the English equivalent for the Sanskrit word dhyana. This term is clearly and very specifically defined in a number of classical yoga texts. The ancient yogis, who were interested in methods to overcome suffering and achieve self-development, carefully systematized, studied, and described the practice of meditation. One of the clearest descriptions of meditation can be found in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, a classical text on yoga practices.

According to Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, meditation actually encompasses three aspects; and they are: concentration, meditation and absorption (almost thoughtless state). Concentrating on some thing is the first part or starting of meditation. Then comes meditation, when you are in it, feeling the trance. And finally or sometimes follows the absorption, almost thoughtless state, where you are in a deep meditation, with no thoughts, almost asleep.

Method Simplified

Dr. Herbert Benson, an associate Professor of Medicine at The Harvard Medical School and Director of the Hypertension Section of Boston's Beth Israel Hospital, has done probably the most extensive study and research on meditation. He in his book The Relaxation Response says - "Evoking the Relaxation Response is extremely simple if you follow a very short set of instructions which incorporate four elements: (1) a quiet environment; (2) a mental device such as a word or a phrase which should be repeated in a specific fashion over and over again; (3) the adoption of a passive attitude, which is perhaps the most important of the elements; and (4) a comfortable position. Your appropriate practice of these four elements for ten to twenty minutes once or twice daily should markedly enhance your well-being."

In a Nutshell

Meditation program is your key to clearer thinking, better health, more fulfilling relationships, and a peaceful world. It’s easy to learn, enjoyable to practice and enriches all areas of life. Best of all, the benefits are cumulative—day by day and year by year, life gets better and better.

The Benefits Are Practical

When you learn and practice regularly, any meditation technique, you may be surprised at the wide range of practical benefits that you begin to experience. You may notice you’re solving problems faster or that your memory seems sharper. You might feel fresher in the morning or have more energy at the end of the day.

You could feel more self-confidence or have new insights into relationships with friends and family. Perhaps you’ll find you’re getting along better with others at work or gaining more satisfaction from your job. People may even comment, “You seem less stressed,” or say, “I always feel more relaxed when you’re around.”

Everyone who learns will enjoy a collection of benefits that is unique for them. When your mind uses more of its full potential and your body gains deep rest, the benefits you’ll notice first are often in areas where you need them the most.

The Benefits Are Real

The benefits of meditation are real because they have been verified by over 600 scientific studies at more than 200 independent research institutions in 35 countries. These researches give us confidence that the benefits are based on measurable changes in the brain, body, and behavior.

The benefits are also real because they’ve been experienced by trillions of people around the world for the past many many years. In fact, meditation comes from an ancient tradition of knowledge—the Vedic tradition of India.

The benefits of meditation come naturally and spontaneously. You don’t have to try to achieve them. Just meditate comfortably once or twice a day, and they will come.

It’s like watering the root of a tree and watching all the leaves, flowers, and fruit flourish. Day by day, you’ll enjoy a clearer mind, better health, more harmonious relationships, and success without stress. And you’ll contribute to a peaceful world.

Benefits for Your Mind

Meditation helps in better mind control; as a matter of fact meditation can help to transcend mind. People who practice meditation are internally (mentally) stronger and healthier. You can use it to set fire to old habits and clear the field for better ones. Meditation leads to a better memory, clearer and more orderly thinking, greater creativity and ability to focus (concentrate), use of your whole brain and its full potential, sharper intellect, higher IQ, better grades, more alertness, expanded consciousness, and much more. You will be calm, confident and in control.

Benefits for Your Body

People who practice meditation have more antibodies against disease. Meditation results in less stress, more energy, better health, lower medical expenses, younger body, better sleep, lower blood pressure, reduced alcohol use, ability to stop or reduce smoking, less tension, lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar, faster reaction time, a longer and healthier life, and much more. Meditation may well add years to your life, and most certainly will add life to your years. You will be physically healthy and seldom tired. You will project a sense of quiet strength. Evidence suggests that meditation releases endorphins from the brain during trance. Endorphins are body's natural painkiller and also gives a sense of well-being.

Benefits for Your Spirit

Meditation goes well beyond your mental and physical health. Meditation is the spotlight, which brings enlightenment to the darkest corners of despair. Each time you reach into the limitless well of your potential/abyss/thoughtless state, you will uncover and discover personal treasure. Meditation helps you to get in touch with your true self, to be in your spirit, to be soul conscious. You will then be comfortable in almost any situation. Your life will be full and yet unhurried. You will be relaxed and confident, even when making critical decisions or meeting important people. You will not only have profound peace, but also joy, bliss (peaceful happiness). Your heart will fill with love, slowly and steadily. You get more and more wisdom.

Benefits for Relationships

Practice of meditation also leads to fulfilling friendships and other relationships, inner calm, more self-confidence, bigger perspective on life, increased tolerance, deeper appreciation of yourself and others, more harmonious behavior, ability to feel better about yourself and enjoy life more, less anxiety, anger, and depression.

Benefits for Students

Traditionally, education has focused on what students study—the objective aspect of knowledge—without systematically developing the subjective basis of knowledge, the student’s consciousness. Meditation expands the consciousness of each student, significantly increasing their intelligence, creativity, confidence, inner calm, memory and motivation—all fundamental to successful learning.

Benefits for Professional Life

Meditation as well helps to achieve a stronger self-concept, make right decisions, be more satisfied with your career, do your job better, solve problems faster, enjoy your work more, develop effective leadership, do less and accomplish more, get along better with co-workers, experience less stress at work.

Benefits for the World

At a broader level, meditation leads to improved city life, less crime, fewer traffic fatalities, fewer murders, decreased terrorism, less international conflict, increased harmony between nations, world peace.

In short it has been observed that individuals, who begin to consistently practice meditation daily, basically learn to gracefully control their minds, muscles, nervous systems, endocrine systems as well as fortunes. These inner control skills provide them with an opportunity to develop their fullest potential. The inner skills of meditation serve as a foundation for becoming positive, being in the present, self-development, transformation and prosperity.

No longer be the victim of fortune, but victor of fortune.