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Primordial sounds are tone-based mantras, which the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines as a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated by someone who is praying or meditating. When you say a mantra out loud or silently, it serves as a vehicle to help you center yourself and ground yourself quickly. Primordial Sound Meditation is an ancient meditation practice that can be traced back thousands of years to Vedic traditions of India.
On May 4, 2014, I had the honor of beginning my journey with Primordial Sound Meditation (PSM). Prior to learning PSM, meditation had been an important part of my life. It’s been a tool for my mental and emotional wellness, along with being the foundation of my spiritual life.
I had gotten to a point with meditation where I was sold on the concept and had gotten some benefit from trying different techniques. I was ready to take my practice to the next level so I began exploring my options.
After months of research and conversations with practitioners, I found myself stuck with a choice between investing in learning Transcendental Meditation (TM) and Primordial Sound Meditation.
As would be expected in an article about PSM, I ended up choosing to invest in learning it. A few of the reasons that I decided to pursue it over TM:
- It’s a product of The Chopra Center. Since 1996, I have been enjoying the knowledge that I gained from books by Dr. Deepak Chopra, one of the founders of The Chopra Center. I found his work to be very deep and insightful.
- It was cheaper than TM. Cost was also a factor and investing in TM was out of my budget range at the time.
To be honest with you, I was interested in the technique but slightly skeptical because I couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea that it was necessary to pay for meditation instruction. I felt that this idea was in contrast to what I read about meditation from different practitioners and gurus.
Every blog article, book and video made meditation out to be incredibly simple. So what’s the point in paying for instruction?
Regardless, I made the decision to invest in instruction, and I am going to give you my honest review of the experience, what I’ve gotten out of practicing it, and hopefully this will help you make the right decision for yourself.
In my experience, one of the best parts of learning this technique is the unique mantra that my teacher gave me (and I keep a secret). When I close my eyes to meditate and begin repeating it, it produces this warm and comforting feeling inside me that I feel physically. As a person who has struggled with mental health challenges and emotional challenges, I find this to be very comforting when I’m not feeling well.
Who is it good for?
- It’s good for anyone who is interested in learning how to meditate. As I’m typing this, it feels somewhat pointless to say this because I believe that meditation in general is good for everyone. Learning PSM gives you a framework and structured meditation practice that you can do forever.
- It’s good for people who want to take their current meditation practice to the next level.
- The Primordial Sound Meditation on Demand online course is good for people who need a remote learning option due to their schedule or lifestyle. You get the same experience that you would get in person with a certified instructor, however this allows you to get it on your computer, mobile device or smartphone.
The benefits of learning this technique are no different than the benefits of meditation in general. What makes it unique is the subtle details and nuances that you learn through your instruction.
Is PSM a scam?
Absolutely not! If it were, I would not be reviewing it. As I said previously, I was initially a bit skeptical. In fact, I’m often skeptical of everything that I read about, particularly when it comes to meditation.
There are so many “gurus” who claim that their way of meditating is the best way or the most effective way. The Chopra Center has never claimed that PSM is the best or most effective way of meditating.
Ever since I was introduced to the work of Dr. Deepak Chopra in 1996, I have found a great trust in anything that he or The Chopra Center, which he cofounded with Dr. David Simon, publishes. Their material is very thorough and they never claim to be authorities.
I feel like any style of meditation that is its own brand or promoted by a particular organization can appear to be a cult or a scam. Primordial Sound Meditation isn’t either and gives you emotional comfort.
Primordial Sound Meditation is legit!
Pros
- Immediate results. From my own experience, the effects are immediate, however everyone has their own unique experience when learning. When you first learn the technique, you might just feel a little bit more relaxed afterward or you might become completely enlightened. You may have some other experience or no noticeable experience at all.
- Valuable content. The educational content and the supplementary learning materials that you get from a certified instructor or online training are very thorough and detailed. They are full of important information on the subtleties and nuances of the technique. It goes much further than anything you can learn from a blog article, book or video.
- Credibility. As I said previously, it’s part of the education available from The Chopra Center, and Dr. Deepak Chopra is one of the cofounders. Both of those names are trusted names in the field of health and wellness.
Cons
- Cost. For some people, the fee will be a barrier to getting started. Although it doesn’t cost much more than any other professional online course, it could still be unaffordable depending on your financial situation. This makes me angry because I truly believe that meditation should be easily accessible to everyone, but at the same time, I understand the spirit of running a business.
- Information overload. The PSM instruction is very structured and a lot of time is spent on learning what it is, the history, the benefits, etc. To me, it felt a bit too academic in the beginning of the instruction because I just wanted to get right to meditating. Looking back, I am beyond grateful that it was taught to me this way because it helped me better understand the depth of the technique.
- The religious history may cause confusion. To someone learning about PSM for the first time, it can almost appear to be a religious practice simply due to the fact that you’re saying a mantra that is rooted in the Vedic tradition. As a person who doesn’t get involved with organized religion (and supports anyone who does), I was somewhat uncomfortable with this, but I quickly learned that it had nothing to do with religion.
- It may not be a fit for you. Like anything in life, PSM may just not resonate with you. One thing I can guarantee is that even if it doesn’t resonate with you, the education you receive is invaluable and you can apply it to any other form of meditation that you practice.
Is there a money-back guarantee?
At the time of this publication, the Primordial Sound Meditation online course offers a full, no-questions-asked, money-back guarantee if you decide that you are not receiving value from your online course within fourteen days of purchasing it. In regard to learning from a Chopra Certified Instructor, each instructor has their own policies regarding refunds.
Are there better options when it comes to meditation?
In my opinion, no one form of meditation is better than another. It’s all about finding what works for you and being consistent with it.
Final thoughts
When choosing between working with an instructor or taking the online course, I believe that face-to-face communication is more effective than even the best video course. That being said, the reality of your schedule and logistics involved with commuting may make this nearly impossible for you.
Had Primordial Sound Meditation on Demand been available when I decided to pursue it, I would have chosen to go that route because of my busy travel schedule. Also, I’ve had a lot of success with learning through online courses.
Just so you know, you get the exact same instruction from the online course that you get from in-person instruction. You have the option of deciding if you want the in-person experience or not.
As a next step, I encourage you to do whatever feels right to you.
I wish you the best of luck in your meditation journey!
Now I’d love to hear from you. In the comments below, let me know your answer to this question:
What additional questions do you have?
Remember to share as much detail as possible in your reply. Many people are reading this article to transform their lives. Your comment may help someone else open up to a brand new perspective.
