Meditation-Yoga Teacher Dadaveda on Key Benefits of Meditation

What can we gain from meditation? In this short presentation, Acarya Vedaprajinananda Avadhuta (“Dada Veda”) summarizes the benefits and gives succinct examples for the benefit of those new to meditation as well as experienced in this mental exercise. Dada is an accomplished meditation-yoga teacher and has given lectures and workshops throughout the world. Dada Veda is also an unusual singer-songwriter, and a social worker as well. This presentation was recorded in the home of John Elliott, near Atlanta, Georgia, USA, in October 2008. It was edited by Millennium Communications, Inc. ( www.mcicom.com), under the direction of Mr. Elliott. His name ‘Dada Veda’ is a shortened form of his full monastic name Acarya Vedaprajinananda Avadhuta. ‘Dada’ means respected elder brother. Dada was born in NYC, and shortly after completing his college education he met an Indian monk who taught him meditation. In the years 1971-1976 he worked as a volunteer for the Ananda Marga Society, teaching yoga as well as editing the society’s nationwide journal. During his time as a yoga volunteer, Dada immersed himself in the devotional songs (‘bhajans’) and mantra chanting (‘kirtan’) that play an important role in his meditation-yoga practice. Dada often led chanting sessions, playing his guitar and singing. In 1977 Dada became a full-time monk and his first assignment was in France, where he lectured and taught extensively for the next five years. In subsequent years he taught meditation in the …