Transcendental meditation (TM) is a meditation technique introduced in the 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is a simple, natural, relatively effortless meditation technique where the mind looks into the source of thought and achieves a settled state of mind known as the transcendental consciousness. This is said to be the pure consciousness which is the source of all creative processes in the human mind.
Transcendental meditation’s origins can be traced back to sometime in 1955 when the Indian ascetic Maharishi Mahesh Yogi started teaching a new meditation technique that he said was derived from the Vedas. Maharishi had previously studied with Swami Brahmananda Saraswati. In 1957 Maharishi began the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in Madras, India, at the conclusion of a festival that was held in remembrance of his deceased teacher. Maharishi then began a series of worldwide tours promoting and disseminating his technique.
Maharishi’s goal was to establish one TM teaching center for each million of the world’s population in 1978. At that time, it would have meant building about 3,600 TM centers throughout the world. Since then, Maharishi has continued the teaching of transcendental meditation from the Netherlands through an organization called the Global Country of World Peace. This organization has reported that over six million people all over the world have learned the transcendental meditation technique since it was introduced.
The transcendental meditation technique is taught in a standardized, seven-step process. The process is comprised of two introductory lectures, a personal interview, and a two-hour meditation instruction session given on each of four consecutive days. The instruction starts with a short ceremony that is performed by the teacher. After that, the student learns and starts practicing the technique. The following sessions further enhance the correct practice of the meditation technique as well as provide more information that the student might need to know.
The goal of practicing the transcendental meditation technique is, according to Maharishi, to achieve enlightenment. He states that enlightenment comprises seven major states of consciousness. The first three are commonly known as waking, dreaming, and deep dreamless sleep. The fourth state, transcendental consciousness, is said to be achieved and experienced during the practice of TM.
Maharishi says that a person who practices transcendental meditation will eventually learn how to maintain the experience of transcendental consciousness even while living everyday life. This is what he refers to as enlightenment and calls it the cosmic consciousness, the fifth state of consciousness. The sixth and seventh states, the God consciousness and unity consciousness, are further improvements on the cosmic consciousness.
More than 500 clinical studies have been done on transcendental meditation. One study shows that practitioners who are in their 50’s feel much younger. Another study shows that it improves academic achievement, creativity and intelligence.
Those who have been practicing it claim that it reduces problems such as anxiety, insomnia and stress. Even those who have had addictions to alcohol or drugs say that it has helped them kick the habit.
In short, transcendental meditation is able to improve your physical health. Members of this movement have fewer medical problems than those who are not.
Transcendental meditation can be practiced for as little as 15–20 minutes in the morning and evening. It is usually done while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. While practicing transcendental meditation, a person begins to experience a unique state of relaxing alertness. As the body becomes deeply relaxed, the mind begins to transcend all mental activity in order to experience the simplest form of awareness, which is the transcendental consciousness. This is the state where the consciousness is open to itself. The meditation technique is said to involve neither concentration nor contemplation.
It should also be pointed out that transcendental meditation is scientific, so you don’t have to abandon your current religion. In fact, it can be done with little effort so it is possible for you to achieve pure consciousness regardless of your age, gender, educational background, culture or religion.
Transcendental meditation makes you look inward so you are able to turn your dormant potential into reality. Over time and with practice, you will be able to experience an endless world of possibilities.
Related Reading