TMI is a meditation technique based on Buddhist traditions, which aims to provide a universal path to classical awakening. TMI is an acronym for The Mind Illuminated, a book by Culadasa, which serves as a foundational meditation manual. The book outlines a 10-stage model for the entire meditative journey, combining Buddhist teachings with cognitive psychology and neuroscience. TMI meditation involves cultivating stable and focused attention through nine progressive stages of Samatha meditation. It is a systematic approach that guides practitioners from being total beginners to confident intermediate independent meditators.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Based on | The Mind Illuminated |
Inspired by | The nine-stage model of meditation originally articulated by the ancient Indian sage Asanga |
Type of meditation | Samatha |
Number of stages | Nine or ten |
Author of The Mind Illuminated | Culadasa |
Co-authors of The Mind Illuminated | Matthew Immergut and Jeremy Graves |
What You'll Learn
- TMI is a meditation system based on Buddhist traditions, aiming to outline a universal path to classical awakening
- TMI is a next step beyond TM (Transcendental Meditation)
- TMI is based on the book 'The Mind Illuminated' by Culadasa
- TMI meditation has 10 stages, from beginner to adept meditator
- TMI is a combination of Buddhist teachings, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience
TMI is a meditation system based on Buddhist traditions, aiming to outline a universal path to classical awakening
TMI is based on The Mind Illuminated, a meditation manual written by Culadasa and two of his students, Matthew Immergut and Jeremy Graves. The book was first published in 2015 and quickly became a foundational book in the western meditation scene. Culadasa's combined interest in various Buddhist practices and background in neuroscience is reflected in the book, which is why it has become especially popular in the pragmatic meditation community.
The goal of TMI is to make it easy for anyone to succeed in meditation, from a complete beginner to someone who has practised for decades. The ten-stage system is a customisation of a nine-stage system created by the ancient Buddhist monk and author Asanga. It gives specific and detailed advice based on the practitioner's level and provides a path to follow. Stage One is about establishing a practice, and Stage Ten is an advanced stage.
TMI is a maximalist meditation system that is relatively more detailed and prescriptive than other meditation practices. It is focused on the "how" of meditation development. It is based on traditional Samatha meditation and the scientific approach of The Mind Illuminated. TMI systematically guides practitioners through nine stages of Samatha meditation to build stable and focused attention.
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TMI is a next step beyond TM (Transcendental Meditation)
TMI (The Mind Illuminated) is a meditation system based on Buddhist traditions that purports to outline a universal path to classical awakening. It is a maximalist meditation system that is more specific and focused on the "how" of that development. It is based on the book "The Mind Illuminated" by Culadasa and two of his students, Matthew Immergut and Jeremy Graves. The book was first published in 2015 and quickly became a foundational book in the western meditation scene.
Transcendental Meditation (TM), on the other hand, is a minimalist mantra-based instruction that is a simplification of traditional Hindu practice. It was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and involves the silent repetition of a mantra or sound. It is practiced for 15-20 minutes twice per day and is taught by certified teachers through a standard course of instruction, which costs a fee that varies by country.
TM is a relatively elegant meditation technology. However, it has been criticised for a lack of progression and for being expensive to access further instructions. TMI, on the other hand, provides a rigorous yet inspiring framework for meditation practice and is accessible to anyone.
While both TM and TMI are called meditation and both have the potential to deliver deep transformation, TMI is much more detailed and focused on the specific steps to achieve that development.
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TMI is based on the book 'The Mind Illuminated' by Culadasa
TMI is an acronym for The Mind Illuminated, a book written by Culadasa (John Yates, Ph.D.) and two of his students, Matthew Immergut and Jeremy Graves. The book was first published in 2015 and quickly became a foundational text in the Western meditation scene. It is a detailed and comprehensive meditation manual that draws from both Buddhist practices and the author's background in neuroscience. The book is divided into ten distinct, easy-to-identify stages, with thorough explanations and instructions for practitioners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned veterans.
The first stage, "Establishing a Practice," focuses on developing a daily meditation routine and overcoming mind-wandering. Subsequent stages address topics such as overcoming gross distraction and strong dullness, subduing subtle distractions, and cultivating meditative joy. Each stage builds upon the previous one, providing a progressive path towards achieving a calm and focused mind.
The Mind Illuminated has received widespread acclaim for its rigorous yet inspiring framework. It offers a unique blend of ancient Buddhist wisdom and modern scientific insights, making it particularly popular among practitioners of pragmatic meditation. The book provides a step-by-step guide to training the mind, helping readers develop greater focus, mindfulness, and overall well-being.
In addition to the book, Culadasa also offered teachings and guidance through various platforms, such as his website, audio recordings, and online forums. He was a meditation master with over four decades of experience in the Tibetan and Theravadin Buddhist traditions and had a strong commitment to making his teachings accessible to all.
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TMI meditation has 10 stages, from beginner to adept meditator
TMI meditation, based on the book The Mind Illuminated, is a modern take on samatha meditation, which likely predates the Buddha. It is a framework/path/map that doesn't require licensed teachers and is based on Buddhist teachings. The meditation is divided into ten stages, from beginner to adept meditator.
The first three stages are for the novice:
- Establishing a Practice
- Interrupted Attention and Overcoming Mind-Wandering
- Extended Attention and Overcoming Forgetting
The next three stages are for the skilled meditator:
- Continuous Attention and Overcoming Gross Distraction and Strong Dullness
- Overcoming Subtle Dullness and Increasing Mindfulness
- Subduing Subtle Distraction
Stage seven is a transition stage:
Exclusive Attention and Unifying the Mind
The final three stages are for the adept:
- Mental Pliancy and Pacifying the Senses
- Mental and Physical Pliancy and Calming the Intensity of Meditative Joy
- Tranquility and Equanimity
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TMI is a combination of Buddhist teachings, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience
TMI is a modern take on Samatha meditation, likely predating the Buddha. It is a 10-stage model for the entire meditative journey, combining Buddhist teachings with cognitive psychology and neuroscience. The nine stages of Samatha meditation are designed to help practitioners build stable and focused attention.
The first stage of TMI is about establishing a daily practice and overcoming mind-wandering. This involves setting aside expectations and focusing on the process of diligently doing the appropriate exercises for the current stage. It is recommended to meditate for at least 45 minutes a day, starting with shorter sessions and gradually increasing the duration.
TMI also incorporates the practice of Metta (loving-kindness meditation), which can be done at the beginning or end of each session, or dedicated sessions can be allocated for it.
The combination of Buddhist teachings, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience in TMI makes it a definitive, modern meditation guide. It provides a clear and practical path for practitioners to follow, drawing from ancient wisdom and modern scientific understanding.
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Frequently asked questions
TMI stands for "The Mind Illuminated", which is the name of a book and the meditation practice it's based on. TMI is a modern take on samatha, which is likely to predate the Buddha. It is a maximalist meditation system based on Buddhist traditions that purports to outline a universal path to classical awakening.
TMI meditation is said to bring about inner peace, serenity, and a reduction in stress and anxiety. It is also believed to increase energy and awareness, making it easier to focus on daily life activities.
The book "The Mind Illuminated" is a good place to start. It provides a rigorous yet inspiring framework for meditation practice. It is recommended to start with short meditation sessions of 10-20 minutes and gradually increase the duration over time. It is also important to be gentle with yourself and not get discouraged if progress seems slow.