So many of us think we can't meditate. We've tried it, lasted forty seconds before the to-do list arrived in our mind, decided we were doing it wrong and never went back. But according to today's guest, that experience doesn't mean you failed at meditation. It means nobody taught you how to actually do it.
In this episode of The Health Review I sit down with Jillian Lavender — one of the UK's leading Vedic meditation teachers, co-director of the London Meditation Centre and author of Why Meditate? Because it Works. Jillian has been teaching meditation for over 20 years and has helped thousands of people build a practice that genuinely transforms their lives. Her own journey began in the corporate world, exhausted, running on caffeine and wondering why nothing was helping — until a mentor mentioned that meditation had transformed their sleep. What followed changed everything.
This is one of the most accessible, myth-busting and inspiring conversations I've had on the show. If you've ever thought meditation wasn't for you — this episode will change your mind.
We cover:
Jillian's own story — from corporate exhaustion to becoming one of the UK's most respected meditation teachers
The three types of meditation — concentration, mindfulness and Vedic — and why the differences matter enormously
Why Vedic meditation is so different — a mantra-based practice the mind loves and that becomes effortless once learned
Why you can meditate anywhere — on the tube, in a waiting room, between meetings — using either your voice or your mind
The most common myths around meditation — you don't have to clear your mind, sit still for hours or be spiritually inclined
Why if you can think, you can meditate — and what that actually means
20 minutes twice a day — how this practice makes your day so much more productive that you genuinely make back the time
Spirituality, essence and what meditation opens up when you go deeper into the practice
How to connect with your true self through a consistent practice — and what that feels like
This episode is for you if:
You've tried meditation and given up, you think you're too busy, too restless or too much of a sceptic. Or you're simply curious about what Vedic meditation actually is and why so many people describe it as life-changing.
About Jillian Lavender:
Jillian Lavender is one of the UK's leading Vedic meditation teachers and co-director of the London Meditation Centre. She has been teaching meditation for over 20 years and is the author of Why Meditate? Because it Works. She teaches people from all walks of life — from complete beginners to seasoned practitioners — and is known for making meditation feel completely accessible and natural.
This episode is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your own clinician before making changes to your health.
Topics: Vedic meditation | how to meditate | learn to meditate | meditation for beginners | types of meditation | mantra meditation | mindfulness meditation | Jillian Lavender | London Meditation Centre | why meditate | meditation myths | meditation and productivity | meditation and sleep | meditation and spirituality | meditation and burnout | corporate burnout | meditation practice | if you can think you can meditate | meditation for busy people | meditation and essence | spiritual practice | meditation transformation | why meditation works
Jillian's website: http://www.jillianlavender.com/
The London Meditation Centre: https://www.londonmeditationcentre.com/
This week's sponsor, vagus nerve stimulator SONA has offered The Health Review listeners 15% off SONA. Use code THR at checkout or access the discount automatically here: https://sona.help/?im_ref=SkfXugw-kxyZWz0TwYRUY2%3AdUkuReuR-SzLO0Q0&sharedid=&irpid=7022575&irgwc=1&afsrc=1
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