The Science and Spirituality of Meditation - Documentary

Filmed over a period of 5 years across 3 continents, this documentary provides a unique look at how meditation influences us physically, psychologically and spiritually - through a series of exclusive interviews featuring a spiritual guru who believes that meditation is the key to personal healing and transformation, scientific experts who share their insights based on their latest medical research and practitioners - some of whom are using meditation as means to well-being even in the face of terminal illness. 

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY

This 30-minute documentary captures a journey of 5 years and 3 countries to look at a growing body of scientific research, spiritual teachings and personal stories to gain a deeper, holistic understanding of how meditation influences us. It’s the first documentary of its kind to provides unprecedented visual explanations and exclusive interviews featuring:

Dr. Frederick Hecht
Professor and Research Director at the Osher Center for Integrative Medicine
at the University of California, San Francisco

A renowned professor and research director, who has built one of the largest and most productive cohort studies of early HIV infection in the world along with a research program that focuses on mind-body intervention (particularly yoga and meditation), shares what his team has observed in recent clinical trials that incorporate meditative and yogic practices.

Fahri Saatcioglu
Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology
at the University of Oslo, Norway

A molecular biologist who has spent over a decade researching with leading university around the world and published over 60 papers on the topic, provides insights on how meditation practices influence us biologically and physiologically.

Shri Ram Lal ji Siyag
Yogic Guru, Founder, Patron of Adhyatma Vigyan Satsang Kendra
in Jodhpur, India

Hailed as a contemporary saint and revered by thousands of disciples across India, Guru Siyag gave up his ordinary materialistic life in the mid-1980s to quietly spear-head a spiritual revolution. Today, even at the age of 89 years old, he continues to teach yogic and meditative practices to aid thousands of people at no charge.

Technical Specifications

Running Length: 30 mins
Video Resolution: 1920 x 1080 (2K)
Audio Format: 48 kHz Stereo Channel
(Desired format can be provided on request)

About Producer

My name is Chayan Vinayak Goswami and I am an independent filmmaker and owner of G-Productions LLC based in Menlo Park, California.

I have funded this non-profit documentary myself and have no affiliations with any of the organizations mentioned in this documentary. For the past 5 years, I've worked with a small team of people to connect the dots behind the spirituality of meditation, which has been explained in ancient scriptures thousands of years ago, with modern day scientific research taking place around the world.

Why Meditation?

Meditation, a centuries-old practice that has been highly regarded for its ability to heal and transform both the body and mind, has seen a significant rise of people practicing meditation to maintain their wellbeing along with being increasingly accepted by the scientific community for the benefits it provides. However, have you ever wondered what takes place in our bodies and minds when we practice meditation and what do these transformations look like?

My documentary, the Science and Spirituality of Mediation, investigates the answer to these questions.

Other Related Articles: 

Meditation: What you need to know by National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
By NCCIH, originally published in December 2007 and updated in November 2014.

Genetic Evidence of Yoga’s Impact on the Immune System
By Tom Jacobs, published on April 23, 2013 in Pacific Standard.

It’s not just for your brain: Meditating can actually change your DNA
by John Paul Titlow, published December 17, 2014 by Fast Company.

How meditation boosts your health beyond the brain
by John Paul Titlow, published February 13, 2015 by Fast Company.

Neuroscience reveals the secrets of meditation’s benefits
by Matthieu Ricard, Antoine Lutz and Richard J Davidson, published November 2014 in Scientific American.

Measuring meditation
By Leyla Kokmen, published in October 2005 in Experience Life.

Nationwide survey reveals growing use of yoga, meditation
By Bonnie Benton, published February 20, 2015 in PT Today.

Thank you for your time! :)

Looking forward to hear back from you.

Best Regards,
Chayan Vinayak