An hour-long session.
What we teach. Why it works.
(You won’t be bored.)
Meditation
for Modern Life
Have you been fascinated by meditation but don’t think you can do it?
Maybe you’ve tried meditating but couldn’t stop your thoughts?
Download that app and never use it?
Do you want to feel better?
You’ve come to the right place.
About Us
We’re Michael Miller and Jillian Lavender, founders of New York Meditation Center. We’ll teach you Vedic Meditation in a way that fits with your busy life.
We’re experienced (we’ve taught thousands of people and have been meditating for decades). We’re all about practical (you’re not going to get lots of ooby-gooby). And we’re normal (we’re parents and we’ve worked real jobs.)
How to Learn
Step 1
Come to a Free
Introductory Talk
Step 2
join a basic
meditation course
Four in-person sessions over 4 days.
You’re meditating the very first day.
Changes happen right away.
Corporate Programs
We lead seminars on wellbeing, creativity and stress.
We also teach meditation courses for teams and private courses for executives.
GET INSPIRED
Michael’s podcast:
Speaking of Meditation
Real-life stories from people who meditate.
Why they do it, and how it’s changed
their lives.
Jillian’s book: Why Meditate? Because it works
A modern, accessible and trustworthy explanation of what meditation is, and most importantly, what it will do for you.
IN THE PRESS
We’re really pleased to have been recognised by the national and international press.
Here are just a few places we’ve been featured:
Here are just a few places we’ve been featured:
More productive and less anxious
“Overall, I am more productive in both my home and work life. I feel more in control rather than constantly worried.”
—Peter, President of Global Sales
Stress levels down
“I feel noticeably calmer and have more focus. I’ve told all my friends about meditation and will continue to do so.”
—Tina, Project Manager
Authentic and expert teachers
Jillian and Michael both have a warm, genuine humility and an unwavering authenticity, combined with their expertise and mastery of this beautiful practice.
—Lee, Headteacher
Immediate results
“Meditation worked immediately for me, after the 4-day course I felt already less anxious.”
—Pauline, Finance Assistant
No more insomnia
“My insomnia is cured: I sleep well and I feel calmer and happier than before.”
—James, Novelist and Academic
Meditation changed my life
“I have no doubt I would be on anti-depressants and spending a fortune on therapy had I not discovered this technique.”
—Joanna, Advertising
Great teachers
“I thought Jillian and Michael were both brilliant. Approachable, welcoming, passionate and down-to-earth.”
—Katia, Former CEO and mother of two
Ongoing support
“The group sessions are a fantastic way to keep inspired and to meet others who have discovered the wonders of daily meditation.”
—Martin, Company Director
Better than an app
“This has been so much more interesting than listening to Headspace or similar audio apps. I can’t recommend these guys highly enough!”
—Eugene, Student
What a special time we had on our New Year Retreat @broughtonsanctuary in the UK last week.
We were joined by a wonderful group of students willing to jump into the unknown and dive deep into their meditation practice. The incredible setting of Broughton Sanctuary – the food, the space and the people – brought everything together to be an unforgettable retreat. Bring on 2025…
“Give the talk you’ve never given before.”
This was the instruction from the team at @thedolectures.
Five days before #Do2023, an amazing four-day gathering of change-makers that happens every year in the wild west of Wales, I was asked to be one of the speakers.
I talk a lot about meditation. I speak much less about my journey and how #VedicMeditation has impacted my life.
This talk had to be different. I wanted it to be personal, and to stretch beyond simply talking about the benefits of sitting around with your eyes closed.
It was a leap. It was new for me to ‘go for it’ in this way. I knew this would be a super-sharp audience and I didn’t know how it would land. Yet it was absolutely the thing to do.
The response was amazing and it was one of the highlights of my teaching career.
You can watch my talk at the link in bio.
~ Jillian
@miller_ji’s in New York this week, and would love to see you.
For meditators, he’s offering a #GroupMeditation on Wednesday (message us for details).
If you’re new to #VedicMeditation and ready to learn, join him on Tuesday for an Intro to Meditation talk, then sign up for the course this weekend. You’ll be an expert meditator by Sunday. Link in bio to sign up….
#ToolForLife
#VedicMeditation
#StudentSupport
At the hairdressers the other day, I was chatting with a guy about meditation. He’s tried a few different styles, mainly guided meditations, but hasn’t stuck with it.
He’s frustrated – he knows it’s good for him but he’s questioning whether he’s cut out for it. He said, “I think my mind is just too busy. Maybe I’m one of those people who can’t meditate?”
It’s a question I hear a lot. And it`s asked in different ways:
“Have you ever had anyone who hasn’t been able to meditate?”
“Are there some people it doesn’t work for?”
“What % of people learn and then don’t stick with it?”…
The quick answer: “If you can think, you can meditate.”
The longer answer: “It depends on what you’ve been doing. Very often it’s not you, it’s the technique that’s off.”
Here are three signs you might not be practicing the right technique:
It feels like hard work, and you don’t look forward to it.
You’re not noticing enough benefits to keep meditating every day.
You’re not sure you’re doing it right.
If this sounds like you, then it’s time to look at what you’re doing.
You’ll know you’re meditating properly when:
it’s easy – and you look forward to doing it
it works – you feel better in every way
you get it – you feel confident about what you’re doing
If this isn’t your experience, it’s not that you can’t meditate. You may not have learned the best way to do it.
~ Jillian
The final episode of Season 3 of @miller_ji’s podcast is out today.
His guest is Megha Mohan, the BBC`s first global Gender and Identity Correspondent.
Megha`s work takes her across the world, covering women`s rights, LGBT communities, and race and ethnicity. She`s interviewed Finland’s all-women coalition government and Samoa’s first woman Prime Minister, as well as pop star #BillieEilish and actor #ElliotPage.
Meditation surprised Megha. She stopped smoking, and drank less. ("I`d no intention of cutting down on either!"). Now, in a life where routine is hard to come by, her practice is foundational.
“Wherever I am in the world, I have those two 20 minute slots.”
Link in bio to listen.
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
“By regular meditating you could alter your gut microbes, have microbes that are less stressed…”
@miller_ji’s latest podcast guest is @tim.spector, award-winning professor of genetics, author and founder of @zoe.
Listen now to hear about the science behind #meditation and the gut microbiome, and why Dr Tim’s been meditating since the 70’s.
Link in bio.
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
#ScienceOfMeditation
The new episode of @miller_ji’s podcast is out now!
His guest is @tim.spector, award-winning Professor of Genetics, author and founder of the worldwide phenomenon @zoe.
Dr Tim`s work is renowned in the scientific community. He`s hailed in popular culture as the straight-talking doctor who`s changing the way we eat, with best-selling books such as The Diet Myth and Food For Life.
His current project, the Zoe App, tracks the power of the gut microbiome on overall health and longevity.
Tim`s been meditating since the 70`s. Learning as a teenager to aid his studies ("I got bored so easily"), he had no clue if he`d keep it up. Surprisingly to Tim, he`s been doing it regularly for almost five decades.
“I surprised myself I’ve carried on… I thought I was too much of a rebel.”
So speaking of meditation, here`s Tim...
Link in bio to listen.
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
#LongTermMeditator
#GutMicrobiome
“I have all these thoughts that go around, I tend to ruminate, I have to #calm myself the hell down.”
@miller_ji’s latest podcast guest is #SarahLyall, writer for the @nytimes. She shares her unconventional journey into #VedicMeditation and how it’s become the source of her stability.
Link in bio to listen now.
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
#GroupMeditation out on the terrace in #NewYork last week…
Wonderful to see you all. Thank you so much to @fizzgrrl for hosting.
#VedicMeditation
#GroupEffect
The latest episode of @miller_ji’s podcast is out now.
His guest is Sarah Lyall, prominent writer for @nytimes.
Her career spans two decades as their London correspondent, now covering international affairs, culture and media. Her recent feature on acclaimed psychologist @estherperelofficial was hailed by Esther as “wonderful”.
Sarah`s journey into meditation isn`t conventional — she admits she wasn`t interested when she signed up. She learned only because her daughter wanted her to.
"I can be the centre of gravity for my kids now... I can tell them everything will be okay."
So speaking of meditation, here`s Sarah…
Link in bio to listen.
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
“I come out of #meditation able to make better decisions with my family. Better decisions at work. I give myself time before making decisions.”
The latest episode of @miller_ji’s podcast features Philip Knatchbull, CEO of #CurzonCinemas. Philip grew up on the sets of old school movies such as the original Agatha Christie’s, and A Passage to India.
He came to meditation knowing he needed to work on himself. The rewards, he says, keep on giving. “I thank everyday for meditation.”
Listen now at the link in bio and wherever you get your podcasts.
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
The latest episode of @miller_ji’s podcast is out now!
Philip Knatchbull is the CEO of Curzon Cinemas, and member of BAFTA. He was awarded an OBE in 2019 for services to film distribution.
Philip`s enjoyed a fascinating career in the film world, growing up on the sets of `old-school` movies such as the original Agatha Christie pictures, and Passage to India. He’s worked with greats such as @paulmccartney.
Meditation wasn’t on his radar until a few years ago, when he realised he was “sleep-walking my way through life”. After trying the apps, he found #VedicMeditation, and hasn’t looked back. “Now, I treasure each day”.
So speaking of meditation, here`s Philip... link in bio to listen.
#TreasureEachDay
#MeditatiionPodcast
#SpeakingOfMeditation
“Meditation’s the gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving…. It makes everything in my life better.”
Podcaster and executive coach @noominatan speaks with @miller_ji on his podcast, discussing how #VedicMeditation changed the trajectory of her life.
Listen now!
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
#Inspiration
#LifeIsBetterWithMeditation
So great to catch up with fellow #VedicMeditation teachers in New York last night after #groupmeditation with @newyorkmeditation students!
Chapati, chai and good friends.
@marisalowenstein
@simplymeditateny
@nato911
@christopherpomeroy
@truing_sj
@matt_schruben
@jyotivm.aly
A new episode of @miller_ji’s podcast is out now!
His guest is @noominatan, executive coach and host of the Female Inner Power podcast.
"I`ll talk about meditation whenever anyone will listen. It`ll change your life!"
Noomi clocked the power of meditation right away. "I realised I had inner work to do. I could no longer repress what wasn`t working for me." Empowered to face this head on, the trajectory of her life completely changed.
Noomi`s now particularly inspired to help women escape the shadow of the `good-girl` persona and tap into their full power.
Link in bio to listen now.
—
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
#MeditationInspiration
“I’m consistently feeling less tired.”
Kitty is 5 months into her meditation practice - we loved hearing from her the other day, sharing how she’s been getting on.
Kitty says:
"I wanted to share that my practice is going strong. My boyfriend asked me this morning if I felt any difference after 5 months (of meditating everyday).
The clear answer is YES.
I’m consistently feeling less tired. This shift is bringing much peace to my way of being.
Making the time for meditation twice a day has helped me realise how easy it is to unconsciously sign away my time, as if I don`t control how I choose to spend it. I feel more aware of this now, and it inspires me to live more consciously."
—-
#TimeWellSpent
#ConsciousLife
#MeditationInspiration
The last five days in Olhão @casafuzetta for our #VedicMeditation retreat were stunning, nourishing and transformational on so many levels.
Thank you to @chef_ricardosantos and the whole team at Casa Fuzetta for your care and attention to detail.
It was a real joy to witness this great bunch of meditators stepping into the unknown and changing before our eyes.
#lifechanging
#meditationretreat
The latest episode of @miller_ji’s podcast is out today!
His guest is Peter Magnani, founder of Beam, a new app that improves people’s mental, physical, and financial health.
Advertising exec Peter certainly didn`t see himself as the "tree-hugging type", and thought meditation was cultish.
It took hitting a personal rock bottom for him to realise something had to change.
Meditation changed everything. He left his high-level job to become the founder of Beam, a data-led, self-management tool which enables people to use their own data to track and improve their wellbeing on every level.
"I want to really help people. No catches."
So speaking of meditation, here’s Peter…. Link in bio to listen.
——
#meditationpodcast
#lifechange
#whymeditate
Have you listened to @miller_ji’s podcast #SpeakingOfMeditation yet?
Such great feedback on Season 3 already:
“I forgot to tell you how much I’m enjoying the latest season of the podcast, it’s fab. One of the best ever”
New episode dropping very soon!
#meditationstory
#whydopeoplemeditate
#podcastinspo
The latest episode of miller_ji`s podcast is out today.
His guest is #RenéeElliot, founder of @PlanetOrganic, the UK`s original organic supermarket.
Recognised as one of Britain’s 100 Most Entrepreneurial Women and London’s 1,000 Most Influential People, Renée has changed the way people think about food. In her most recent business, #WomenTree, she gathers groups of women to nourish, fulfill, empower and belong.
Renée has been meditating since 1991. They have a fascinating conversation about the twists and turns of her career, and how meditation has provided the "golden thread" running through the whole thing.
She says: "Thank the Lord for meditation. I am a different person because of it."
Link in bio to listen.
- -
#VedicMeditation
#SpeakingOfMeditationPodcast
#WhyMeditateBecauseItWorks
#Inspiration
#LifeChanging
