I have always sought out ways to relax and work with my depression and anxiety. I have tried many different kinds of meditations, from guided meditation, to the Shivananda strict quiet meditation and lately Transcendental Meditation (TM).

I am a certified meditation teacher from the Shivananda Organization. My group spent 14 days with our teacher, Swamin Sita (Swami Sitaramananda) in Paradise Island, Bahamas. We had a rigorous schedule that included meditation twice a day. yoga twice a day, karma yoga. We spent10 of those 14 days silent. A very powerful experience. I can say, without a doubt ,that this experience changed my life. I had spent 11 days in the yoga farm in California learning yoga and the Sivananda teachings. And that was in itself a life changing experience. But learning to meditate gave me the tools to begin to heal. I was one person before this class, but another emerged from it.  was more calm, secure and less anxious.

The 12-Step Guide to Meditation by Swami Vishnu Devananda

Meditation is the core of the practice of Yoga. It is both its main tool and its ultimate destination. The Shivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers practice  a classical approach to the yogic path of meditation, which is  called Raja Yoga. This knowledge dates from very ancient times and has been handed down from generation to generation through an unbroken lineage of teachers. The following are practical points regarding the basic techniques and stages of meditation. They are primarily intended for the beginner. Be gentle and patient with your mind, do not expect miracles. The more care you give to the preparation the more positive the results.

Positive Thought by Swami Vishnu Devananda

“Positive” and “negative” are relative terms, something negative for someone can be positive for another person, something can be positive now and negative later.  To note the long list of words to express the same idea of “positive” and “negative”. How do you know then when something is positive or negative when you are in a dilemma?  

Formula to find out what is negative and what is positive:

Positive is anything that will bring you up to your true Self, to your Godhead or Divine nature.  Negative is something that is bringing you down to your animalistic, instinctive lower nature.