There are several Vulcans on Star Trek: Voyager, although we see Tuvok’s perspective the most often. He meditates on his own, often keeping his quarters dark with only candles, and also teaches other crewmembers when the need arises. I have included key quotes, concepts, and meditative aids used on the starship.

“Do not fear your negative thoughts—they are a part of you. To pretend they do not exist is to create an opportunity for them to escape.” — Season 2 “Cold Fire”

“Think of how your mind is working—how it plans for the future, visits the past. Notice those thoughts and set them aside. Turn your attention to the white light that is your breath.” — Season 2 “The Basics: Part 1″

“You are allowing your fears to guide you. You must learn to exercise control of your own imagination. First you must focus on the object of your fear. Picture it clearly in your mind. That image is accompanied by an emotional response. If you could see the emotion in physical form, what would it look like? Describe it. If it is a black cloud, imagine a strong wind pushing that cloud away. Watch as your fear grows more distant. It is no longer a part of you. Once you begin to detach yourselves from your emotional responses, you come closer to controlling them.” — Season 2 “Innocence”

“Your thoughts are a turbulent ocean. Visualize yourself floating above them.” — Season 3 “Warlord” Tuvok tells Kes not to deny the emotional impact of experiences when meditating. Disturbing experiences force us to adapt, transform, and take a new course in life.

“To see through an emotional complex is to rob it of its power. The first step is to identify the complex in which you have been caught, followed by the intellectual deconstruction of emotional patterns.” — Season 3 “Alter Ego”

“Infinite diversity in infinite combinations is the cornerstone of Vulcan beliefs.” — Season 5 “Gravity”

“Emotions can be a powerful tool. To deny their existence is illogical. But you must learn to control them. Question constantly.” — Season 5 “Gravity”

“Self pity can be overcome by seeing beyond yourself—to see what is behind you through memory and the knowledge of why control was lost. Love is most dangerous, because it produces other emotions like shame, rage, grief, and jealousy that can consume a person.” — Season 5 “Gravity”

“The flame, like emotion, is a primitive force. Left unchecked, it is chaotic and destructive, but if controlled, it can be a powerful tool. The lamp controls the flame, as you must learn to control your emotions. The point of this exercise is not to atone for past transgressions, but to prevent future ones. Your eyes may be open or closed—whichever allows you to focus your mind. When ready, envision the flame burning within you. The flame grows hotter—a point of white light. Follow it backward through the years to a time when you were younger…a child…your earliest memories. try to recall a time when you experienced uncontrollable anger. Then your anger was a source of strength—it protected you and gave you courage. The rage within you runs deep and has been with you for many years. You must learn to master it.” — Season 5 “Juggernaut”

“Imagine your lungs filled with light. As you breathe out, let it bring you to the past and a time without fear.” — Season 6 “The Haunting of Deck Twelve”

Candles
- “Cold Fire” Tall natural beeswax candles that are not smooth sitting on a low table. There are two lit as Tuvok is instructing Kes. They sit on pillows beside it.
- “Tuvix” Prayer tapers are large white candles shaped like broad leaves. They are used as a meditation during times of grieving.
- “Flashback” Tall natural beeswax dripping candles on a two-branched metal stand.
- “Flashback” Tall candles that are smooth and offwhite with a simple classic shape.
- “Night” Aladdin’s lamp style candle placed on the floor while sitting on a blanket. He uses it in several other episodes as well, including the series finale. In “Repression” he sits cross-legged on a burgundy cushion with the lamp in front of him.

Cathira
“Flashback” While sitting at a table, slowly stack various shaped grey blocks of triangles, squares, etc. Each has lines across them in colourful geometric patterns. Keeping the eyes closed and creating a structure purely on feel, recite the following mantra: “Structure. Logic. Function. Control. A structure cannot stand without a foundation. Logic is the foundation of function. Function is the essence of control. I am in control. I am in control.” The Structure of Harmony (Cathira) is used as a meditational aid to refine mental control and focus thought. The form of the structure is not predefined—it simply reflects the builder’s state of mind and is thus different each time.

Hand Position
- Fold the two hands together with fingers intertwined. To allow energy to release and flow through the body to that point, extend the first one or two fingers after the thumbs either upward or out. For more intense moments, press the tips of those fingers together into a forced arch. Nothing else heard or felt while in the position is important. let the outside world fade away. You exist only inside your mind.
- Prayer offered at funerals while placing the right hand onto the person’s forehead: “May your death bring you the peace you never found in life.”

Clothing
On Vulcan, all meditate while in traditional robes. Usually Tuvok does as well, although he has been seen in comfortable silk PJs and occasionally meditating in uniform.

Incense
There is an occasional use on the show of incense during meditation, although the significance is not explained.

Nature
- Tuvok sometimes meditates in nature, kneeling with the classic hand position mentioned above.
- Astrological phenomena help focus the mind “I imagine that each star represents a single thought”. Tuvok has been known to go to the Astrometrics lab to meditate, much to Seven of Nine’s confusion, such as in episode “Night”.

Designs
“Gravity” There are several Norse style and geometric designs in a meditation cavern along with an altar.

Special Days
Kal Rekk – The Vulcan Day of Atonement is a time for solitude and silence.