We have a section on depression that you might want to check out (although it does need updating).

I wouldn’t say that people who are depressed shouldn’t meditate, but just that it should be undertaken with care, and preferably under supervision. People who are depressed can be overly critical of themselves, and meditation, with its emphasis on paying attention to inner processes, offers ample fodder for self-analysis and even self-criticism. So the combination can be — well, let’s say things may or may not go well.

There’s actually a considerable body of research showing that for people who suffer from depression, meditation can prevent relapse. But usually these studies have been done with people who have experienced depression but are not actually depressed at the time they learn to meditate. There’s not much research that’s been done (that I know of) involving people who are experiencing depression while learning meditation, although I’d imagine a lot of Jon Kabat Zinn’s MBSR students were depressed at the time they underwent “treatment.”

So I’d say the ideal is to learn to meditate with a teacher present, or at the very least that your mother take things easy and start with short sits, and that she not expect too much. It would be helpful if you were sitting with her (if that’s possible) and available to give encouragement and support.

I hope this helps. If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

All the best,
Bodhipaksa

The advice I’ve received from mental health professionals is that it’s not wise for people with schizophrenia to meditate because it can become a basis for delusive experiences.

As for where to learn meditation in India, I’m afraid I don’t know.

All the best,
Bodhipaksa