While Mindfulness may be defined as a state in which one passively observes the ebb and flow of thoughts while not getting involved with them, the ancient Eastern meditator seeks to unite their awareness with the “space between the thoughts” in order to achieve mental silence, such as in the practice of Sahaja Yoga meditation. Thus, while mental silence is a specific experience that can be preceded if not facilitated by present-moment observation and other Mindfulness methods, it is distinguished from Mindfulness by its sine qua non, the elimination of thought activity, elimination of the effort of thought in addition to the disengagement of attentional processes from thinking. All of this course occurring without the meditator losing any sense of self control.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
Posted in meditation, research, thesis excerpt | Tagged dr ramesh manocha, health, meditation, mental silence, ramesh manocha, research, sahaja, sahaja yoga, sahaja yoga meditation, wellbeing |
Psychologically speaking, the objectives of yoga mirror those of conventional methods designed to enhance self-control and self-regulation. For example, yoga-psychology proposes that negative-affect states, even transient ones, are pathological states of mind. Such states include gloominess, doubt, procrastination, sloth, attachment, hallucination, inability to concentrate and instability. Ideas like this delineate an understanding of health that, like the contemporary trend toward holism and wellbeing, extends beyond detection of diagnosable disease to include the day-to-day experience of the average person. This subtle perception of mental wellness has been mirrored in Western culture by schools of thought such as “mental hygiene” “emotional intelligence” and “positive psychology”.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
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William Shakespeare describes an understanding of the unity between mind, mood, the organs of the body and general health in Twelfth Night:
when the rich golden shaft
Hath kill’d the flock of all affections else
That live in her; when liver, brain and heart,
These sovereign thrones, are all supplied, and fill’d
Her sweet perfections with one Self king!
Dr Ramesh Manocha
Posted in complementary and alternative medicine, medicine, meditation, research, thesis excerpt | Tagged dr ramesh manocha, health, meditation, mental silence, ramesh manocha, research, sahaja yoga meditation |
Eastern mystics have often asserted that the presence or absence of altered states of consciousness (such as mental silence) comprise the crucial difference between religious ritual and religious experience. Western scholars such as William James (1902) mirror the Eastern ideas:
In just the degree that we come into a conscious realisation of our oneness with the Infinite Life, and open ourselves to this divine inflow, do we actualise in ourselves the qualities and powers of the Infinite Life, do we make ourselves channels through which the Infinite Intelligence and Power can work. In just the degree in which you realise your oneness with the Infinite Spirit, you will exchange dis-ease for ease, in harmony for harmony, suffering and pain for abounding health and strength…
James particularly pointed to the Indian tradition of yoga and meditation as a source of such systematic knowledge about the interconnectedness of health, personal development, consciousness and spirituality.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
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Simple lifestyle changes directed at modifying the physiological environment can be effective in treating menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. For example, there is evidence that regular exercise, elimination of smoking and the avoidance of stress can reduce the impact of hot flushes.
A study by Casper (1985) reports cessation of hot flushes immediately upon exposure to a cool environment. This supports the idea that hot flushes may be due to irregular hypothalamic regulation of core body temperature and consequently strategies such as taking cold drinks, reducing the intake of spicy foods and providing room air circulation, may also be helpful in ameliorating vasomotor symptoms, especially hot flushes.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
Posted in medicine, meditation, research, thesis excerpt | Tagged dr ramesh manocha, hot flush, medicine, meditation, menopause, mental silence, ramesh manocha, research |
Relaxation-based meditation is a generic meditation technique based on Western ideas of meditation as contemplation and relaxation. It involves a combination of modifying and focusing thinking activity and visualisation. Participants are instructed to sit comfortably, to breathe regularly and commence their meditation by reflecting on the day’s events. They are then shown how to focus this mental activity by reflection and visualisation. Troublesome experiences during the day are recorded in a notebook for self-assessment of progress.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
In this excerpt from his thesis, Dr Ramesh Manocha introduces a study with which he examines the use of Sahaja Yoga meditation as a treatment for asthma.
The studies reported in previous chapters, have suggested that there is a health effect associated with the practice of Sahaja Yoga meditation (SYM) which has been imputed as to the experience of mental silence. Much of the apparent effect however, could equally be explained as arising from the result of non-specific factors common to any behavioural intervention and not necessarily due to mental silence or even meditation. So as part of the methodological progression of this dissertation, a more rigorous experimental design was conceived in order to control for these non-specific effects: A parallel group, double blind RCT was designed into order to compare SYM with a recognised stress management intervention in the management of asthma. The study was designed in such a way that while enabling both groups to learn a credible strategy and techniques to reduce stress, one group would receive skills in achieving and maintaining the mental silence experience whereas the other would not. All non-specific aspects of the two interventions were matched as closely as possible.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
Posted in asthma, medicine, meditation, research, thesis excerpt | Tagged asthma, dr ramesh manocha, meditation, mental silence, ramesh manocha, research, sahaja yoga, sahaja yoga meditation |
In general behaviour strategies of therapy focus on moderating the impact of illness by modifying cognitive appraisal of the symptoms, ameliorating negative mood states and/or reducing physiological arousal (sympathetic activation) associated with stress. They include: breathing exercises, relaxation, cognitive behavioural therapy and biofeedback. Meditation may also appropriately be included in this category.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
The Hathayogapradipika is a tract of almost 400 verses on the so-called Hatha Yoga. The first chapter of the Hathayogapradipika describes a variety of bodily postures, diet and general topics. The second deals with the control of the life force to be achieved by breathing exercises. The third chapter describes the 10 mudras which are said “to destroy ageing and death”. The fourth chapter describes the liberating experience of Samadhi (a meditative state) which is the culmination of the whole training process wherein “…when the “great force”, i.e. kundalini is awakened, the life force dissolves and mental activity ceases”.
Dr Ramesh Manocha
Future research emphasis should be placed on the evidence in my thesis and elsewhere that suggests that mental silence is not only a therapeutic tool, but a method that changes cognitions and perceptions. In health behaviours, interpersonal relationships, the management of organisations, and society, the “human factor” is both the key weakness and the most precious resource. The limitations of people, organisations, and indeed society, are often a manifestation of the limitations of individuals to overcome their ingrained personal cognitive, emotional and behavioural patterns. A technique that facilitates positive transformation of such patterns would be an invaluable tool for the betterment not only of health but society in general.
Dr Ramesh Manocha