The yogic idea that one’s state of mind, if not one’s level of consciousness, is a major determinant of one’s general health conveniently combines a number of fashionable notions from popular psychology, alternative medicine and New Age spirituality. Thus it is not surprising that many relatively well educated and discerning Western consumers are attracted by the promise of yoga or meditation as therapeutic tools.
Seemingly, as a result of these influences the mass media, organisations and a plethora of self-described “experts” are promoting meditation as a universal panacea. For instance, in 2002 Time Magazine ran a feature issue on meditation, in which the question was posed as to why it was becoming so popular. The answer was given in a subheading: “Because it works”. Commercialised meditation techniques frequently promote themselves as “cure-alls”.
Dr Ramesh Manocha