The Who, What, When, Where and Why
Who:
Holly Caraappa is a teacher of Vedic Meditation (VM) as taught by Thom Knoles (Maharishi Vyasananda Sawaswati). Thom was a student of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s for 25 years. Holly has been studying with Thom since 2015 and earned her certification to teach after 2 years of prerequisite work which culminated in a 12 week, residential teacher-training in the Himalayas under Thom’s direction.
As to whom this practice is for, Vedic Meditation is relevant for any person looking to fully potentiate themselves in the world—be that the art of juggling work and family, wrestling with economic insecurity and personal woes or maximizing one’s athletic performance. VM quiets the nervous system by triggering a deep--or transcendent state--that proves more rejuvenating and restful (in 20 minutes) than 5 hours of sleep. From deep rest, springs great possibility--for enhanced creativity, amplified productivity, increased eveness during tumult and beyond. For those uninterested in the spiritual dynamics of the practice, the physiological benefits alone are compelling as peer-reviewed studies have illuminated a litany of physical benefits including improved sleep/insomnia, lowered blood pressure, increased energy and reduction in anxiety/depression. A comprehensive list enumerating the physical benefits follows below.
What:
Vedic Meditation is an ancient practice originating in the Himalayas that remains relevant for modern living in a stress laden world. Scientifically proven to release accumulated stress powerfully and sustainably, VM is simple, effortless and transformative. The practice consists of twice-daily, 20 minute sessions where one utilizes a personalized mantra (or sound) to dive into a deeply restful state that naturally releases stress and--in doing so--creates space for bliss, creativity and ease in everyday living. If the body is one’s home, than VM is the daily house-cleaning that keeps everything shiny and sparkling. Upon completion of the course, participants emerge self-sufficient meditators who can access deep rest on their own without relying on a teacher or app.
When:
Vedic Meditation is learned over 4 consecutive days. The first day consists of a private initiation ceremony, for each student, during which the initiator (Holly) leads a small gratitude ceremony (puja) before giving the student his or her customized mantra and instructions on how to use the mantra. The subsequent days, participants meet jointly for 2 hours each day to learn the science and philosophy of how and why to meditate. This time will also include group practice and QA.
Where:
Holly, a New Hope, PA native, currently calls Manhattan home, but regularly teaches in Philadelphia as well as Bucks County. A troubadour at heart, she’s available for courses elsewhere where nature organizes interest.
Why:
There is never one, succinct reason to meditate. Some come to calm themselves and others to contemplate the meaning of life. Some yearn to have more patience with their kids and others just want to sleep through the night. At its core, Vedic Meditation wipes the slate clean and helps an individual return to their most blissful, balanced and dynamically responsive state. Thusly, it can be said that it is a natural prerequisite to all other learning: for the more one gets in touch with her own inner being, the more she stabilizes bliss so to more gracefully and competently perform whatever endeavor she undertakes. This is the result of operating from one’s least excited (aka: least stressed) state of being--the transcendent state that Vedic Meditation cultivates.
Stress is inevitable. Getting stressed is not the issue: staying stressed is. Modern medicine tells us that the root of all disease is inflammation and we likewise know the root of all inflammation is stress. Vedic Meditation washes away the daily wear and tear, the accrued worry, agita and indecision that inhibits fully embodied, potentiated living. Suffice it to say, Vedic Meditation meets one where she is, offers her what she most needs in the moment, and provides a path back to one’s simplest form of being which, paradoxically, allows for the full blossoming of her potential. We cannot control this world nor what happens to us--but we can control our responses by cultivating infinite adaptability. VM develops the extraordinary ability to meet the demands of ordinary, daily living with elegant, easeful resiliency.
As Krishna says to Arjuna on the battlefield in the Bhagavad Gita “established in being, perform action”. VM establishes embodied being so that natural, right action springs forth from us effortlessly allowing us to serve nature fully and freely. Joy--unfettered inner contentedness deriving from nowhere but everywhere, not from a thing but from all things--is every human-merely-being’s birthright. Vedic Meditation plants the seed and with practice the fruits of bliss and joy grow abundantly.
What’s the origin story with Vedic Meditation? Is it the same as Transcendental Meditation?
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Founder of Transcendental Meditation, was a revered spiritual teacher from India’s Shankaracharya lineage of the Vedic tradition.
Holly Caracappa teaches Vedic Meditation and was trained to teach this form of meditation by Thom Knoles. Thom was trained as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation (“TM”) by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (“Maharishi”) and taught it for over 25 years with organizations affiliated with Maharishi. Since 1997, Thom has continued to teach this meditation practice as he learned it from Maharishi and has done so independently and separately from the TM organizations using the term “Vedic Meditation". Thom Knoles trained Holly to teach meditation as Thom was trained to teach by Maharishi. Holly teaches Vedic Meditation independently and separately from the TM organization. While not affiliated with TM, any meditator who has learned TM is welcome to join Holly for group meditations or other offerings as fellow members of the Shankaracharya tradition.
Scientific and Physical Results of Regular Practice
The form of meditation that Thom Knoles* teaches, and taught for over 25 years with the TM organizations as “Transcendental Meditation,” has been the subject of hundreds of scientific studies showing a wide range of benefits from regular practice. These studies, which refer to this form of meditation using the name “Transcendental Meditation” or “TM”, support the benefits obtainable from regular practice of Vedic Meditation. These benefits include:
•Increased resistance to stress
• Increased levels of energy
• Relief from depression and anxiety
• Relief from insomnia
• Improved relationships with other people
• Improved, memory, concentration and learning ability
• Reduced risk of heart disease and tumours
• Relief from migraines, headaches and asthma
• Normalization of blood pressure
• Reduced cholesterol levels
• Normalization of weight
• Reversal of aging
• Increased self esteem
• Faster reaction times
• Improved sports performance
• Reduced use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs
* Thom Knoles trained Holly Caracappa to teach meditation as Thom was trained to teach meditation by Maharishi.
Guru Dakshina
In the Vedic Tradition, students typically pay one week’s earnings as Guru Dakshina for initiation into the tradition. The belief is that for any great transformation to happen (through this ancient as well as proven practice), an equal and considerable exchange must first be made between student and teacher.
I understand the world abounds with free yoga apps and guided offerings that a course fee approximating one week’s earnings seems incredulous--especially during this time of societal flux and insecurity. But consider what one of my Vedic colleagues says: that free meditation is often the most expensive kind (as it can delay one’s learning a truly transformative technique that develop one’s consciousness and potential).
Upon completion of the 4 day course, you will be a self-sufficient meditator for life. All you have to do is make the time to sit and say your mantra. Moreover, I will remain your dedicated teacher and you’ll be welcome to any knowledge meeting or event run by me or any other Vedic initiator internationally. Conversely, if you take just one guided meditation class per week at the average drop in rate of 20 dollars and go just 42 weeks out of the year (allowing for sick weeks, vacation etc), you’ll be investing 840 some dollars in meditation, for the year, in exchange for 42 individual sessions. For a similar investment in learning the life-long skill of Vedic Meditation, you’ll be able to drop into your practice anytime, anywhere, twice a day, everyday with or without a teacher for the remainder of your life. You won’t just be able to do this daily: you’ll want to.
I truly understand that we’re living in a time of great flux and hardship; a time that’s ripe for spiritual regeneration. I believe we change the world by first changing ourselves. I also earnestly believe everyone has something to offer; so please be in touch if you’re curious and committed to learn as I am confident we can work out a fair exchange. Where there’s a will, there’s a way and nature will support those that genuinely seek knowledge so to cultivate relevant change.
