The following feedback is from individuals who attended the follow-up meditation classes at the Rensselaer Senior Center, Schodack Senior Center, Hindu Cultural Center, and Columbia Internal Medicine (my daughter Dr. Padma's medical office).
November and December
Counting mode X 5
Feeling mode, Counting mode x 2
Feeling mode, Counting mode, Tip mode x 2
Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode x2
Feeling mode, Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode X 4
Tip mode, Segment mode
Feeling mode, Counting mode, Tip mode, Staring mode, 911 mode x 2
Counting mode, Tip mode, Staring mode, 911 mode
Feeling mode
October
Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode x 2
Feeling mode, Counting mode
Feeling mode x 3
Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode x 3
Counting mode x 2
Tip mode x 1
Segment mode x 1
Counting mode x 2
Feeling mode, Counting mode, Tip mode x 1
Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode, Staring mode
Counting mode, Tip mode
September
Counting mode
Feeling mode
August
Tip mode, 911 mode
911 mode
Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode
Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode, Resonance breathing
Feeling mode, Counting mode, 911 mode (I chant Hare Rama ... mantra instead of counting the breaths)
Segment mode, Staring mode, Resonance mode
Feeling mode, Tip mode, Segment mode, 911 mode
Feeling mode, 911 mode
Feeling mode, Staring mode, 911 mode
Counting mode, Tip mode, Staring mode
Feeling mode, Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode
Feeling mode
July
Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode
Feeling mode, Counting mode x 2
Feeling mode, Counting mode, Tip mode, Segment mode, 911 mode
Counting mode x 3
Feeling mode, Counting mode, Tip mode, 911 mode
Feeling mode, Tip mode
June
Counting mode
Feeling mode, Counting mode
December
To fall asleep, Waking up, waiting at the stoplights x 3
Before and after sleep x 2
Get back to sleep
At the traffic signal
In between working and when overwhelmed with anxiety or negative emotions
Get back to sleep, waking up in am, stoplights, walking
Walking
Fall asleep, Get back to sleep, Waking up, Stoplights, Waiting in line, Doing chores, Walking
Fall asleep
Fall asleep, Waking up, to leaving the bed
Fall asleep, Get back to sleep, Waking up to leaving the bed, Walking
November
To fall asleep, After I get mad I try to stop & meditate in my mind
Get back to sleep, Waiting in a line, While doing chores
To fall asleeep, Get back to sleep, Before interviews
Waking up (lying in the bed), Waiting at the stoplights, While doing chores
Fall asleep, Get back to sleep X 2
Fall asleep, Get back sleep, Waiting at stoplights, While doing chores, Walking
Fall asleep, Get back to sleep, When feeling tensed in day for taking decisions.
Waking up (Lying in the bed)
Whenever I feel nervous or have unhelpful thoughts.
Interviews.
Fall asleep, Getting back to sleep, At stoplights, During my regular prayer.
October
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep, Waking up, While doing dialysis
To fall asleep, When feeling stressed
Get back to sleep x 2
To fall asleep, While talking to my kids
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep, Waiting in a line
While doing chores, Driving
To fall asleep, Waiting in a line, Walking
To fall asleep, Waking up, At work
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep, While doing chores
Waking up, In the evening.
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep, Waiting at stoplights
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep, During dialysis
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep, Waking up, After prayer
Morning, Evening before dinner.
Fall asleep
Random times during the day
September
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep
To fall asleep, Doing chores
Walking
August
Doing chores, Bedtime
Walking
Doing chores, At other free times
To fall asleep, Waiting at the stoplights, Seated meditation with 'Insight meditation' group.
To fall asleep, get back to sleep, Waiting in a line, Doing chores,
Walking
To fall asleep, To get back to sleep
On waking up in the am, Walking, Waiting at the stoplights.
To fall asleep, get back to sleep, waking up, waiting in line, walking
To fall asleep, Waking up in the morning, Waiting at stoplights,
To fall asleep, Get back to sleep, Waiting in a line, While doing chores, Walking
To fall asleep, Waking up in the am
July
To fall asleep, On waking up, Stoplights, Waking up in am
To fall asleep, Waking mid-sleep, Walking
Lying on the bed, Daytime
Bedtime, Waking mid-sleep, Waking up on the am, waiting at stoplights, When I feel stressed/ and or angry
Bedtime, Waking up in the am
Bedtime, Waking up in the am.
Lying on the bed, Walking.
Bedtime, Walking
To fall asleep, Walking
Doing chores
Getting back to sleep, Walking
Walking
Doing chores, When sitting idle or waiting
On waking up in the am
June
Bedtime, Waking mid-sleep, Stoplights
Bedtime, Waiting at stoplights/in a line, Doing chores
Practiced during the working hours, breathing for a couple of minutes once in a while. He recommended this class to his friend.
Practicing at bedtime and during the day, off and on.
While driving, stoplights, bedtime
April
I used meditation about 4 times at night to slow my mind for restful sleep.
November and December
Staying more relaxed
Noticed a calming effect
A relaxed feeling
It helped me fall asleep & it helped me calm me down, but it didn't last long.
Present at the moment. More awareness
Present at the moment x 2
Relaxed, Focused, Calm
Calm relaxed breathing
Calms me down, Focused, able to sleep soon.
I am aware of positive feelings in my walking mode, but not yet when trying to fall asleep and getting back to sleep. This is my challenge area.
Calmer, Less upset when things go wrong.
I felt calmer and less distracted by my thoughts.
Helping me reduce stress, increased my attention.
When I do it, I feel calm and not so anxious
Feel good
Better sleep
Clearer mind, Less anxiety
I could sleep better and easily fell asleep, my mind felt nice and cool
October
Sleeping better, Feeling more calm and relaxed
Better and longer sleep
Realize that my mind is not there
Feeling calmer, Better stress management
I was able to keep myself calm, not giving instant reactions.
Mind fresh, Reducing stress
I have been able to calm my mind, but getting a lot of thoughts, but trying to focus back on counting.
Reduced stress, More calmness.
More relaxed, Peaceful
More relaxed
Sometimes I fell asleep quickly, Sometimes not
Easier to get back to sleep
September
Relaxed, Helps being focused
August
Reduced tension
Feel better, Calmer
Dreams, insight into dreams, insight in general, therapy on myself.
The meditation classes helped me improve my focus.
Helps me sleep and relax.
Meditation on breathing is helping me to improve my anxiety and focus while I am waiting for the boxes to come to me at work.
Relaxation, Self-control, Good sleep, Stress control
Self control, Cal, Stress-free, Self motivation
Does help me to relax physically, mentally, and emotionally.
July
Calmer, Able to keep my train of thought, Easier to fall asleep.
I am less distracted from important things and tasks.
Relieved from body pain, Good sleep (80+ years old, attended two classes before).
Sleeping has improved, helps with stress and anxiety.
Relaxation
I am feeling good, getting more focus, less stress
Better sleep
Feel the calmness, and sometimes feel like falling asleep.
Helps to stop my mind from going in the wrong direction when I am stressed.
June
Falling asleep faster; Sometimes calms my mind
Relaxation, Concentration
April 2025
It helps me when I am stressed. When I wake up, I meditate to go back to sleep.
I used meditation about 4 times at night to slow my mind for restful sleep.
Interesting, helps me when I am stressed, helps when I wake up to meditate back to sleep.
Practiced before bedtime, after lying in bed. I think it helps me.
November & December
"Mr. Surya introduced us to the 1‑2‑3 meditation technique about a year ago. This 'simple-to-practice' novel technique improved the quality of my sleep. Earlier, I would sometimes struggle to sleep until 1 AM, but now I’m able to drift off just by repeating ‘1‑2‑3’ a few times, even on stressful days. It truly feels like magic.” A male IT Engineer who attended some online classes. I have been helping his family manage the issues of their teenage son on the autistic spectrum.
An African 40+ attended several group meetings focusing on 'Meditation" and "Improving Relationships" at my daughter's office over 8-months period. He motivated his mom, 60+, to attend the meditation class at the HCC, and she came on her own to the first class. He has been estranged from his parents and sister for many years, and is in the process of divorcing his wife.
"I found the metaphor of watching my stressful thoughts like an audience sitting in the movie theater and watching the moving images on the screen very helpful."
"I find that just listening to your voice soothing and calming."
( She was perhaps the fourth person to make this comment over the years.)
"You are a good teacher"
(Said a retired professor from India visiting his local daughter)
A woman 70+ attended a few of my classes and brought her adult son and daughter, both of whom continued the classes.
A father 40+ attended a few classes and then brought his 10-year-old son for 2 classes.
A mom attended my class at the East Greenbush Library and then brought her adult son to the classes at the Hindu Cultural Center.
Her subsequent message: "Thank you, Surya! I have been practicing the counting breaths meditation, and I think I am happier because of it. I am grateful! I was reading your biography on your website and thinking about all the changes you have lived through, from childhood on. I feel lucky to have been your student."
A woman 60+ and her mom 80+ attended the beginners' class at a senior center. They came to the next class along with the father, who came in a wheelchair. His goal was to improve his sleep.
October
One female singer said, "When I was feeling tense before my singing performance. I counted my breaths, which helped me get over the tension, and my performance went off well."
September
At the end of their second class, two practitioners commented as follows -
I feel relaxed. I think it will help me sleep starting today. Looking forward to the next session.
I am enjoying the meditation classes. I feel relaxed and calm after the meditation. I plan on making this my daytime and nighttime routine.
August
The class provided valuable insights into the principles, processes, and benefits of mediation. I found it very engaging and helpful for understanding real-world applications with all the examples we discussed during the class.
I would also suggest this mediation procedure to my friends with the learning experience I gained from you.
Overall, the session was informative, well-structured, and has increased my interest in exploring mediation further.
I do the counting meditation when I wake up in the morning. Then, my mind stays steady and calm.
I always feel relaxed when I attend the class. Going through so many issues but trying to keep myself calm and relaxed, which is really difficult sometimes. I am trying to implement the techniques we discussed in class and getting appreciation from my adult son! I really appreciate your valuable suggestions, time, and kindness towards our family.
June
I moved the hand up and down the steering wheel when driving in heavy rain, and couldn't see the car ahead. It was very helpful. (She used one of the techniques from my handout 'Quick fixes to reduce anxiety and stress')
March
After attending 2 classes: "I wanted to thank you for teaching me your counting breaths meditation and sharing your knowledge. I have already noticed benefits, and I am still only using the technique for short periods of time. So I can only imagine the benefits as I continue my practice. On most nights I've been sleeping very well and getting restorative sleep. Also, my overall feeling of being stressed out has lessened.
Again, thank you so much for your time. I probably won't attend sessions again as you have taught me the technique, and it's working for me."
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