M
editation is seen by a number of
researchers as potentially one of the
most effective forms of stress reduction.1
While stress reduction techniques have been cultivated and studied in the West for approximately
70 years, the data indicates that they are not consistently effective.2
Meditation however, has been developed in
Eastern cultures and has a documented history of
more than several thousand years. Eastern meditative techniques have been developed, trialed and
refined over hundreds of generations with the specific intention of developing a method by which
the layperson can regularly attain a state of mental
peace and tranquillity, ie. relief from stress. It is astrategy that can easily be adapted to the needs ofclinicians and their patients in the West.
How does meditation work?
Parasympathetic response
Most theories are based on the assumption that
meditation is a sophisticated form of relaxation
involving a concept called the parasympathetic
response. Psychological stress is associated with
activation of the sympathetic component of the
autonomic nervous system which, in its extreme,
causes the ‘fight or flight response’. Meditation and
any form of rest or relaxation acts to reduce sympathetic activation by reducing the release of
catecholamines and other stress hormones such as
cortisol, and promoting increased parasympathetic
activity which in turn slows the heart rate and
improves the flow of blood to the viscera and away
from the periphery.
Sahaja yoga meditation
Sahaja yoga meditation (SYM) is the technique of
choice in the MRP. Sahaja yoga meditation aims to
promote the experience of ‘thoughtless awareness’
based on the original meditative tradition.
Meditators in the MRP consistently describe the
ability to achieve this experience. They are encouraged to practise twice daily for approximately 15
minutes. Sahaja yoga meditation is well suited for
the general population and for research, because it
is easy to learn and is taught free of charge. Sahajayoga meditation is currently used in three Sydneyhospitals for patients, staff and public. Feedback
from management teams and anecdotal reports
from patients and carers are favourable. As yet no
adverse effects have been reported in the MRP’s
trials, clinics or in the literature.
The MRP has conducted a number of small and
large trials on SYM which have generated promising results in Australian conditions. A randomised
controlled trial of meditation for moderate to
severe asthma compared SYM to a relaxation
control. SYM was more effective in a number ofcontrol. SYM was more effective in a number of
objective and subjective endpoints.
A number of locally conducted pilot studies
examining the effect of SYM suggest that it may
have a beneficial role in menopausal hot flushes,
severe migraine and psychological stress.
Randomised controlled trials are underway in order
to obtain definitive data. Studies in India suggest
that SYM is more beneficial than mimicking exercises in the treatment of epilepsy and hypertension.
https://www.sahajayogaportal.org/papers/whymeditation.pdf
Dr Ramesh Manocha
Natural Therapies Unit
Royal Hospital for Women
Locked Bag 2000
Randwick, NSW 2031
Email: R.Manocha@unsw.edu.au
A simple and effective rule of thumb when
choosing or recommending a meditation technique is
to assume that ‘the best things in life are free’.
Organisations involved in the commercialisation and
marketing of often costly ‘meditation’ techniques,
courses and ‘master classes’ are least likely to be
selling an authentic method. Unfortunately in these
situations the welfare of the individual and the community usually become secondary to profit or fame.
