Question 1

Is this religious or a cult?

Accepted Answer

No. Vedic Meditation is not a religion, nor is it a cult. Though the practice is embedded in ancient wisdom from India, it doesn't require any belief system, worship or lifestyle change. People of all backgrounds - including those with no spiritual or religious beliefs - practice Vedic Meditation. It’s a simple, natural technique that helps reduce stress and improve quality of life.

Question 2

I’m a highly sensitive person (HSP). Will this meditation work for me?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Vedic Meditation naturally de-excites the mind, making it a wonderful antidote to the overwhelm and insomnia that can arise from stress and sensory overload. It’s a natural and effective way to soothe, re-balance, and revitalise yourself after a day of stimulation or activity.

Once you've been taught the technique, you’ll be able to practise it on your own — no apps, no external tools, no concentration or effort required. You’ll experience pure consciousness and deep rest while the mind remains alert. It also offers the quiet solitude many HSPs seek.

Question 3

What if I’m too busy to meditate twice a day?

Accepted Answer

Vedic Meditation is designed to support people with full lives. Many students are busy for various reasons—and they discover that setting aside 20 minutes twice a day gives them more energy, clarity, and time to handle life’s demands. Rather than being another “to-do” activity, this practice becomes a valuable anchor that supports everything else.

Question 4

What if I can’t sit still or stop thinking?

Accepted Answer

In Vedic Meditation, you don't need to sit perfectly still or try to stop your thoughts. Thoughts are a completely natural part of the process due to the natural tendencies of the mind and body when dissolving stress. During training, you'll learn how to use your personalised mantra effortlessly to transcend thoughts into pure consciousness where stillness and silence can be experienced naturally without resistance and strain.

Question 5

Can I use this technique as part of my 12-step program?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Vedic Meditation aligns beautifully with Step 11 of a 12-step program, which encourages conscious contact with your higher power through prayer and meditation.

This technique is easy to learn, simple to practice, and incredibly effective. Through regular meditation, which releases long held stresses, many people experience greater calm, clarity, emotional stability, and connection to inner wisdom. It can support your ongoing healing, recovery, and alignment with your higher self’s guidance.

Question 6

I’m afraid I’ll lose interest or get bored, like I have with other techniques. What makes this different?

Accepted Answer

Feeling bored, agitated, or restless often stems from resisting the present moment. In Vedic Meditation, we don’t resist anything. Instead, we use a personalised mantra (a harmonious sound thought as a word) to effortlessly guide the mind beyond the active surface layer of thinking.

This natural process allows you to experience calm, happiness and fulfilment - you come out of meditation feeling revitalised and more present. There’s nothing boring about feeling better and becoming a calmer, happier version of you.

Theres’s also the opportunity to expand your experience and growth by exploring the vast body of  Vedic knowledge and other related techniques through additional courses, once you’ve become a meditator.

Question 7

Can I practise Vedic Meditation while under medical or therapeutic treatment?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, yes. Vedic Meditation is a supportive, complementary practice that can sit easily alongside both medical and therapeutic treatment. It’s been shown to reduce the impact of stress on the mind and body, support emotional regulation, improve sleep, and promote overall wellbeing—all of which can assist with recovery and resilience.

As everyone’s circumstances are unique, feel free to contact me directly for a confidential chat if you’re unsure.

Question 8

What is consciousness?

Accepted Answer

Consciousness is pure awareness—it’s the essence of who we are beneath all the thoughts, feelings, and experiences. It’s the silent witness that observes everything we think, feel, and do.

In Vedic Meditation, we learn how to move beyond the active surface layer of the mind and experience this pure state of Being—where we’re fully aware and calm. With regular practice, this state of Being becomes more familiar and accessible, enabling greater clarity, inner contentment and calm in our daily lives.

Question 9

What is the relationship between Vedic Meditation, and “Transcendental Meditation,” as taught and promoted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi?

Accepted Answer

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a revered spiritual teacher from the Shankaracharya lineage of the Vedic tradition.

Liliana 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 organisations affiliated with Maharishi. Since 1997, Thom has continued to teach this meditation as he learned it from Maharishi, and has done so independently and separately from the TM organisations, using the terms “Vedic Meditation". Thom
Knoles trained Liliana to teach meditation as Thom was trained to teach meditation by Maharishi.  Liliana teaches Vedic Meditation independently and separately from TM organisations, and is not affiliated with those organisations.

Question 10

What does the scientific research say about this form of meditation?

Accepted Answer

The form of meditation that Thom Knoles* teaches, and taught for over 25 years with the
TM organisations 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
• Normalisation of blood pressure
• Reduced cholesterol levels
• Normalisation of weight
• Reversal of ageing
• Increased self esteem
• Faster reaction times
• Improved sports performance
• Reduced use of alcohol, cigarettes and drugs

* Thom Knoles trained Liliana to teach meditation as Thom was trained to teach meditation by Maharishi.