Learn to Meditate Q&A

Meditation Q&A

with Lisa Guyman

What is Primordial Sound Meditation?

“Primordial Sound Meditation is a healing practice that allows us to experience inner calm and deep relaxation. For thousands of years, people have used meditation to move beyond the mind’s busy activity and emotional turbulence into profound peace and expanded awareness.” (Chopra.com)

Primordial Sound Meditation is and easy to learn silent mantra-based meditation technique that can be practiced by anyone. It doesn’t require any specific beliefs, postures, or discipline, other than taking the time to meditate.

Why Meditate?

As Jerry Seinfeld says “just being human is hard.” In a speech Jerry Seinfeld was giving on the difference meditation has made in his life, he exclaimed that if he were a meditation teacher giving an introductory talk on meditation and explaining the reason why everyone should learn to meditate it would be that “simply being a human is hard.” That’s it.

There isn’t a better tool for helping us to navigate the landscape of life with greater ease and grace. The beauty of a regular mediation practice is that overtime the sense of peace/stillness/relaxation in meditation gets infused into the daily experience of life helping you to experience calm amidst the stress, chaos and busyness of life. At the same time, when practicing meditation regularly one can experience greater flow and synchronicity at work in their lives.

What is the best meditation technique?

When Deepak Chopra was asked what’s the best form of meditation he said “it’s the one you practice!” Here’s the beauty of Primordial Sound Meditation. It’s profoundly beneficial and yet exceptionally easy to learn and practice. And you can do it anywhere and anytime. While I enjoy guided meditation, too – Primordial Sound Meditation is my “go to” meditation. I was trained and certified at The Chopra Center in 2004 and have been teaching Primordial Sound Meditation (a silent mantra-based technique) since.

Where did Primordial Sound Meditation Originate?

Primordial Sound Meditation is rooted in India’s ancient yogic tradition. It was revived by Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. David Simon. It is a powerful mantra-based practice for moving beyond the mind’s constant stream of thoughts into the stillness of pure awareness. As you meditate, you let go of stress and enter a state of deep restful awareness.

When can I Learn?

Learning Primordial Sound Meditation may be the best decision you’ll ever make to deepen your experience of meditation, expand your consciousness and enrich your spiritual journey. You can now learn online LIVE with me from anywhere in the world, February 25-27!

Primordial Sound Meditation Workshop

February 24-26, 2023

What mantra-based meditations are there?

Transcendental Meditation and Primordial Sound Meditation are both classic meditation techniques that are mantra-based. They are both easy to learn and practice. Being a practitioner of TM for over 20 years and a teacher and practitioner of Primordial Sound Meditation for over 17 years the practice is identical with the exception of the mantras used by the two techniques.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the founder of Transcendental Meditation and doctors Deepak Chopra and the late David Simon are the founders of Primordial Sound Meditation.

Primordial Sound Meditation is likewise an ancient technique from the Adi Shankara tradition of India and does not require any particular beliefs to practice. People from all walks of life and those that are non-religious and those from many religious traditions practice Primordial Sound Meditation.

Lisa Guyman first learned Transcendental Meditation at the age of 16 and attended the Maharishi University of Management for her sophomore year of college (where everyone practiced Transcendental Meditation). In 2004 she completed the Chopra Center certification and became a teacher and practitioner of Primordial Sound Meditation.

What are mantras?

Mantras are sounds that are repeated internally. They act like an anchor and take us within. The word mantra can be broken down into ‘man’ for ‘mind’ and ‘tra’ for ‘instrument.’ So a mantra is an instrument or vehicle for the mind. When used correctly, these mantras guide the awareness from the level of activity to the realm of silence.

What are Primordial Sounds?

The mantras used in this meditation are made up of Primordial Sounds – the basic, most essential sounds of nature. These mantras are personal for each participant. When we silently repeat Primordial Sounds as part of the mantra, they help to take our awareness away from the frenzy of daily activity of the mind to the stillness of our spirit. The effect soothes our entire physiology-mind, body and soul.

What is the true purpose of meditation?

It is to lose the illusion of separateness and to recognize and experience oneness, peace and bliss. It is to become enlightened and almost better, lightened. People seek meditation out often because of stress or distress and meditation is very helpful in empowering and grounding us so that we can navigate life better.

Is this a chanting technique or one that is vocalized?

Primordial Sound Meditation is a silent mantra-based meditation that is easy to learn and practice. You’ll utilize your mantra silently and thus you can meditate anywhere. It’s completely portable because it doesn’t require any technology to practice. Anytime you can find a place you can sit comfortably and close your eyes for 20 minutes you can meditate.

About Your Teacher, Lisa Guyman

Hi! I’m Lisa Guyman. Meditation has been a passion of mine for a long time. In 2004, I got certified as a Primordial Sound Meditation instructor and as a Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga instructor at The Chopra Center. And I actually independently sought out and took a Transcendental Meditation at the age of 16. (No one else in my family practiced meditation). At the age of 19 I attended the Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa, a university where everyone practiced Transcendental Meditation. I finished college at the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in psychology. I’ve been guiding meditation and facilitating Reiki workshops since 1998 and I’ve been leading Primordial Sound Meditation workshops since 2004.

In 2020 I began leading Reiki and Meditation experiences online. And love it. My students love my highly experiential online classes and learning from home. I hope you join me at one of my LIVE online Meditation or Reiki trainings. You’ll be glad you followed that impulse in your soul…and took the next step on your spiritual journey. I promise you’ll absolutely love learning and practicing Primordial Sound Meditation.

What differentiates meditation from relaxation?

In meditation, we slow down to a halt. The body settles down into a state of deep rest (deeper than sleep or in eyes-closed relaxation). This allows the body to begin erasing accumulated stress and explains the dramatic health improvements meditators experience. And yet while the body rests in meditation, the mind remains alert.

What do I learn in the Primordial Sound Meditation Class?

You’ll learn everything you need to know to practice meditation on your own as a regular part of your daily routine. The course ranges from the practical (the four correct experiences in meditation, dealing with a busy mind, what time to meditate, where to meditate, what happens if you fall asleep, the ideal amount of time to meditate, fitting meditation into your life, the research on meditation, the benefits of meditation) to the esoteric (higher states of consciousness and synchronicity).

After taking the course you’ll have the skills necessary to meditate easily and successfully.

How do I sit when practicing Primordial Sound Meditation?

In one word – comfortably. In Primordial Sound Meditation the most important thing is being comfortable. You can sit in a chair with your feet on the floor. You can sit in a chair with your legs stretched out on an ottoman. And of course, you can choose to sit on a meditation cushion or cross legged or in lotus or whatever is most comfortable for you.

Do I need a teacher to learn to practice a classical meditation?

No, and yes. You can utilize guided meditation to get started. However, to learn a classical form of meditation it is very difficult to meditate successfully from an article, book or a two-hour course. Why? It is not because meditation is difficult, but because meditation is the easiest thing you could ever do! And because it is so simple . . .we complicate it, and find it impossible to do easily and effortlessly. We then think “I can’t meditate.” and we quit. So I believe a course is nearly essential so that the student can both successfully experience meditation and get all their practical questions answered.

How do I know if I’m doing it right?

If you are being effortless and easy with the process and not ‘trying to meditate’ then you are meditating correctly. You’ll also know you’re doing it right if you notice the effects of meditation in your daily life i.e. you’re happier, more relaxed, less stressed, etc.

But my mind is really active and I can’t turn off my thoughts or make it go blank?

Contrary to popular belief, thoughts are actually a part of the meditation process. Yes, there will be moments of quietude in meditation, but there will be times when thoughts seem endless. And this is OK. Thoughts in meditation actually indicate the successful release of stress.

“Meditation is not a way of making your mind quiet. It is a way of entering into the quiet that is already there.” Deepak Chopra

How do I receive my mantra?

During this course, you will receive your personal mantra, which is calculated specifically for you by The Chopra Center one-on-one with Lisa Guyman.

How is the mantra selected?

Your mantra is based on your time, place and date of birth and is calculated by The Chopra Center according to a Vedic process.

What are some of the things I’ll learn in the class?

You will gain an understanding of the variety of experiences you may have in meditation and the benefits you may notice in life including the higher states of consciousness that unfold through regular practice.

What benefits are possible with a regular practice of meditation?

This is the most difficult question to answer because meditation permeates and positively affects every aspect of our life from our health, to our general happiness, to our success and productivity, to our spirituality, to our intelligence and creativity. In meditation, we get deep rest allowing our bodies to erase accumulated stress. We also become more centered and at peace. There is greater ease within and without. Over 600 studies have been published on mantra-based practices.

Even though meditation should not be considered a cure by itself, research has shown that it contributes to reducing stress and we know that stress is a major factor in disease.

There are countless benefits to meditation. The profound rest that is experienced in meditation is deeper than sleep thus allowing your body to restore, repair and rejuvenate. It helps to erase the effects of stress. And helps you experience less stress in your daily life. People often report that they are able to navigate lives challenges better and that things that used to create anxiety or frustration or annoyance or a sense of hassle suddenly have far less impact.

Meditation has been shown to improve health and vitality, decrease stress, increase creativity, create greater enthusiasm for life, increase happiness, increase intuition, bring greater fulfillment to and from relationships, create a sense of calm and peace, a renewed sense of well-being and increased synchronicity.

What is the difference between Primordial Sound Meditation and guided meditation?

Primordial Sound Meditation is a silent practice utilizing a mantra and is a classic form of meditation that enhances all aspects of well-being. Guided meditation is a form of meditation practice where you work on or enhance specific aspects of healing or manifestation and is an ‘interactive’ process where you are guided to a place of relaxation with voice and music.

Primordial Sound Meditation is about going to a place of ‘being’ whereas in guided meditation you are led to a place of ‘being and doing’ at the same time. I view classic meditation as a daily foundation practice and guided meditation as an amazing supplement to that practice and particularly helpful for anything you want to specifically work on. Listeners of my CD say they use it for chakra work, to help them fall asleep, de-stress, to use while flying, to gain insight and to support their manifestation process.

What is Lisa Guyman’s background?

Lisa Guyman, is a Reiki Master and is certified by The Chopra Center as a Primordial Sound Meditation instructor and as a Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga instructor. She independently sought out and learned to Transcendental Meditation at the age of 16. She then attended the Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa her sophomore year of college where everyone practiced Transcendental Meditation. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelors degree in psychology and is an author on the subject of meditation (Lisa Guyman’s Chapter on Meditation), has produced two meditation CDs and has taught meditation since 2004 and Reiki since 1998.

What is the difference between Primordial Sound Meditation and breathing awareness meditations?

I consider both of these practices to be classical practices of meditation. There are two main types of classical meditations, one is breath-based and the other is mantra-based. For breathing awareness meditation the breath is the point of focus and for mantra practices a sound utilized silently (usually) is the point of focus in the meditation. Both of these can be effective practices, but I personally find that the mantra serves as an anchor helping the new meditator more easily go within.

Warning: Meditation can become so natural that it feels like you are doing nothing. And you are! Doing nothing and yet everything at the same time. And that is great! I’ll conclude with this great advice: “Don’t just do something, sit there.” Osho.

Taking time to meditate is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself and in your life.

In theory, meditation is simple. It’s being, not doing, It’s surrender, not control. It’s lettting go, not holding on. It’s acceptance, not resistance. It’s being truly present, not reflecting on the past and not anticipating the future.

In practice it can also be simple. Contrary to popular belief meditation is not about controlling ones thoughts or emptying the mind. It’s simply about gently shifting the awareness back to center.

Note: If any of you know someone that is in prison – there is a great book out – actually pertinent to all of us -“We’re All Doing Time” with a forward by the Dali Lama, by Bo Lozoff. Check out the Human Kindness Foundation for more information.

Primordial Sound Meditation Workshop

February 24-26, 2023

“If you were to ask me what was the most important experience of my life, I would say it was learning to meditate. For me, that is the most important thing a person can do to restore harmony and evolve to a higher state of consciousness.” — Deepak Chopra, M.D.