Let's Start Meditating!

Are you ready to begin meditating, or to recommit to a regular meditation practice? Swami Saradananda, meditation and yoga teacher and author of Sitting Comfortably discusses the benefits of a regular meditation practice and how to overcome obstacles to beginning and continuing one. 

Swami Saradananda has been practicing and teaching yoga and meditation for over 40 years. She holds an MA in Traditions of Yoga and Meditation from the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. She has written several books on various aspects of yoga and meditation including the book being discussed in this episode, Sitting Comfortably: Preparing the Mind and Body for Peaceful Meditation. Swami Saradananda worked with the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers for 26 years and directed centers in New York, London, Toronto, New Delhi and the Himalayas. She is now teaching independently and offers personal mentoring for yogic and meditation practices.

THE YOGA HOUR TEAM COMMENTS: It was a delight to hear Swami Saradananda talk about meditation and all the supportive ways we can help ourselves stay steady in our meditation practice.  And asking why we stay steady in our practice, she says, is like asking "Do I want to be happy?" She shared that meditation helps with mental and physical wellbeing as well as spiritual awakening. There were so many small actions and steps Swami Saradananda shared with our Yoga Hour audience. This session can be listened to again and again to understand the importance of meditation as well as how to prepare our mind and body for our practice.

DR. TRUJILLO’S COMMENTS: This conversation will be supportive for those who want to begin a meditation practice and for those who want to recommit to a steady practice.  I enjoyed our conversation about happiness, and understanding that when we tie our happiness to external things, that happiness is transitory.  Our discussion of the many benefits of meditation included reducing stress, insomnia, anxiety, and depression; alleviating pain; increasing patience, compassion, energy, stamina and resilience.  We also discussed the importance of steady practice and letting go of preconceived ideas about what meditation should be like.