Impact of Meditation on Quality of Life of Employees

Introduction

Research identifies meditation as an integral component to enhance the quality of life of an individual by controlling aggression, stress, emotional regulation, memory and concentration, clinical conditions, thereby creating a need to understand the effects of meditation (Avvenuti et al.,2020; Bhandari et al., 2010). Meditation has shown the way for nation-building by improving power productivity, excellence in work and the peaceful life of human beings (Sadhguru, 2015). Meditation ensures alertness in every activity concerning operations (Pradhan, 2016). It is possible to achieve an unparalleled performance level with dedication and commitment among employees of any organization. A sound mind in a good body is the precondition for such an attitude (Sharma, 1995).

Meditation is an ancient technique that helps to sharpen the mind. Meditation teaches to do a deed with a zeal that the universe's future depends upon it but laugh at everything as if the resultant consequences do not affect your happiness (Rastogi et al., 2021; Lykins, 2014). While engaged in any activity, he forgets everything so that only the work remains. Get so involved in the work that the performance becomes a great meditation. When work is transformed into meditation, excellence is achieved. That is the secret of 'flow'. The work is productive, and this is how the Japanese reached the acme of economic activity from a mediocre nation nearly fifty years ago. Work is worship, which remains at the Indian ethos and philosophy (Bhavanani, 2017).

Music which is one of the kinds of Vedic Meditation is undoubtedly one the best way of relaxation of the human mind (Sorensen et al., 2019). Classical Indian music has a great depth of healing and mind balancing ability. Each melody (raga) has its mood, time of the day, and season to be played. Music is rhythm; it gives the listener peace and relaxation in time. There are a variety of mantras based on resonant seed words like Aum, Ham, Yam, Ram, Vam and Sam to strengthen our endocrine glandular system (Sharma, 2001). All the mantras help refine the breathing process until it ceases to flow inconsonance with delta brain waves. The ceasing of inhalation and exhalation occurs spontaneously during the final stages of the meditational practice, imbuing one with serenity and bringing much mental and physical healing, alertness and calm (Pandya, 2009).

Soham or Sohum is a powerful mantra. The yogic mantra “Sohum” is a contemplation meditation that allows the “thinking mind” to dwell on the wonder of existence. “I am that” (so = “I am” and hum = “that”) is not just a reflection of the sound of the breath but also a thoughtful meaning. All Mighty God is referred to as “that.” It imbues one with the feeling of divinity - it means that the consciousness animates my body as a part of the super consciousness; I am cast in his image, his divinity flows in me. The mental chanting of this mantra yokes one with the super-conscious energy field to draw vital life energy from the infinite source (Sharma, 2001). The word 'S' originates from the breath center located just below the navel center, and it promotes more rhythmic deeper and slower breathing, characteristic of diaphragmatic breathing, helping to supply oxygen and vital energy to all the body cells hence energizing the body organs to meet the challenge of stress and disease with optimum breathing. The word 'H' is symbolic of the brain; 'M' is the seed word of the pineal gland, a pacifying gland. It strengthens our total body/brain endocrine glandular system against all body ailments. It conveys resonant sound vibrations to the various energy centers of our body through intensive meditation (Sharma, 2001). This study will evaluate the possible Vedic Meditation or Transcendental Meditation Technique.