Trans Meditation: A Guide To Self-Discovery

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a form of silent meditation developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It involves silently repeating a mantra for 15-20 minutes, twice a day, and is practised sitting with closed eyes. TM is taught by certified instructors in four sessions, and it is recommended to meditate twice a day, in the morning and afternoon. TM is not a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle, but a method for achieving a greater sense of peace and calm in daily life.

How to find a certified TM teacher

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a form of silent meditation developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It involves the silent repetition of a mantra or sound and is practised for 15-20 minutes twice per day while sitting comfortably with closed eyes. TM instruction encourages students not to be alarmed by random thoughts that may arise and to easily return to the mantra once aware of them.

TM can only be taught by certified TM teachers in a course carefully personalized for each individual. All certified TM teachers have successfully completed an intensive 5-month in-residence Teacher Training Course and they maintain their certification through ongoing professional courses.

In the US, Transcendental Meditation is taught by the Maharishi Foundation USA, a federally recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization. The Maharishi Foundation USA has 180 TM centres across the country and you can contact them on 888-532-7686 to get in touch with a certified TM instructor.

Outside of the US, Transcendental Meditation is taught by a non-profit organization. You can find out more about learning TM outside of the US and get in touch with a certified instructor by selecting your country on the official TM website.

The benefits of TM

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a form of silent meditation developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is a technique for avoiding distracting thoughts and promoting a state of relaxed awareness. TM has been described as a non-religious method that promotes relaxed awareness, stress relief, self-development, and higher states of consciousness.

TM is practised for 15-20 minutes, twice per day, while sitting comfortably with closed eyes. It is taught by certified teachers through a standard course of instruction, which costs a fee that varies by country.

Reduced Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

One large review study found that TM reduced anxiety in people who practised it. Those who benefited included individuals with high anxiety levels, such as people with chronic anxiety, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and prison inmates. TM has also been shown to reduce stress and blood pressure, comparable with other lifestyle changes such as weight-loss diets and exercise.

Better Sleep

In a study on healthcare workers under high stress, those who practised TM twice a day for three months had less burnout, anxiety, and insomnia.

Improved Heart Health

TM has been shown to lower the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. A five-year randomised controlled study published in 2012 found that TM practitioners with established coronary heart disease were 48% less likely to die of a heart attack or stroke than subjects in the control group.

Improved Quality of Life

Meditation, including TM, is generally safe and may improve your quality of life. However, experts agree that meditation should not be used as a single treatment for any particular health condition or as an alternative to conventional medical care.

The history of TM

The history of Transcendental Meditation (TM) dates back to the mid-1950s when Maharishi Mahesh Yogi began teaching the technique in India. Building on the teachings of his master, the Hindu Advaita monk Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru Dev), the Maharishi expressed his teachings in spiritual and religious terms and taught thousands of people during a series of world tours from 1958 to 1965. In 1955, the Maharishi began publicly teaching Transcendental Deep Meditation, which he later renamed Transcendental Meditation.

TM gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s as the Maharishi shifted to a more technical presentation, attracting celebrities such as members of the Beatles and the Beach Boys. During this time, he also began training TM teachers and developing a teacher training program to accelerate the spread of the technique. The worldwide TM organization expanded to include educational programs, health products, and related services.

TM involves the silent repetition of a mantra for 15-20 minutes, twice per day, and is taught by certified teachers through a standard course that costs a fee. The technique is described as non-religious and is reported to promote relaxed awareness, stress relief, self-development, and higher states of consciousness. However, it has been characterized as both religious and non-religious, with some critics labelling it as a cult.

The TM movement continued after the Maharishi's death in 2008, with leadership passing to neuroscientist Tony Nader. Today, TM is reported to have millions of practitioners worldwide and is one of the most widely practiced and researched meditation techniques.

How to perform TM

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a form of silent meditation developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is a non-religious method that promotes a state of relaxed awareness, stress relief, self-development, and higher states of consciousness. TM is not a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle, but a method for achieving a greater sense of peace and calm in daily life.

TM involves silently repeating a mantra for 15-20 minutes, twice a day, while sitting comfortably with your eyes closed. The mantra is a meaningless sound used to help the mind settle down and achieve a state of perfect stillness and consciousness. Unlike some forms of meditation, TM encourages thoughts to come and go, like watching a cloud float by.

TM cannot be learned from a book and must be learned over four sessions with a certified TM teacher. The first session is one-on-one with the teacher, who will give you a mantra and teach you how to use it effectively. Sessions 2-4 involve small groups and provide more detailed instruction on the practice, corrections, and information about the benefits of regular practice. After learning TM, you will have access to free follow-up sessions to refresh and refine your technique.

TM is recommended for 20 minutes, twice a day, usually once in the morning and once in the afternoon. It does not require any hard effort or concentration. Students are instructed to breathe normally and focus their attention on the mantra.

TM vs mindfulness

TM and mindfulness are two different meditation techniques with distinct approaches, practices, and benefits.

TM, or Transcendental Meditation, is a form of silent meditation that involves the repetition of a mantra or sound. It was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and is typically practised for 15-20 minutes, twice a day. The technique is taught by certified teachers and is said to promote relaxed awareness, stress relief, self-development, and higher states of consciousness. It is described as effortless and does not require concentration or control of the mind. The goal of TM is to transcend thought and experience a state of "pure awareness" or transcendental consciousness.

On the other hand, mindfulness meditation originates from the Buddhist tradition and was popularised in the West by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It typically involves passive attention to one's breathing, sensations, and thoughts, without judgement. This practice is often referred to as "open monitoring". The goal of mindfulness meditation is to focus on the present moment and cultivate a judgement-free awareness of the present experience.

In terms of differences, TM uses a mantra, while mindfulness meditation uses anchors or home bases, such as one's breath or body sensations. TM is described as effortless, while mindfulness meditation involves training the mind to be attentive and immersed in the present moment. Additionally, TM can only be learned from a certified teacher, while mindfulness can be learned through various sources like books, websites, apps, or structured courses. TM also requires a more significant time commitment, with recommended practice being 20 minutes, twice a day. Mindfulness meditation, on the other hand, is more flexible, with shorter and infrequent sessions still providing benefits.

Both TM and mindfulness meditation share the ultimate goal of enhancing inner calm and promoting peace of mind. However, they differ in their approaches, practices, and the specific benefits they offer. Ultimately, the best meditation technique depends on individual preferences, lifestyle, and personal inclinations.

Frequently asked questions