Transcendental Meditation is meditation practice with an emphasis on transcending the mind to the state of thoughtlessness using an affirmation or mantra to over-ride thought patterns and invoke thoughtlessness as a default mindset. The main intended out come of Transcendental Meditation also known as TM is to bring the body to a state of relaxed restfulness and the mind to a state of peaceful alertness.

Who invented Transcendental Meditation?

An Indian man named Maharishi Mahesh Yogi developed the practice in the 1950s. Maharishi was a guru of consciousness and he created TM based on ancient meditative yogic practices, but then he introduced the technique as a science not a religion or philosophy. Maharishi wanted to establish the meditative state as the fourth state of consciousness, after waking, sleeping and dreaming as the first 3 states of consciousness.

How does Transcendental Meditation work?

TM is a simple and easy technique that requires no equipment or certain environment to practice. Simply sit comfortably on a chair or on the floor with your eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day.

All you need is to repeat a short affirmation or mantra silently in your head for 20 minutes. A mantra is a word or phrase that you focus your attention on consistently (Mantra just means ‘a chant’ in English), if your mind wanders to an intrusive thought you can simply just bring your attention back to the mantra and keep transcending.

How can I learn Transcendental Meditation?

To learn the technique you can practice using a mantra of your choice and see what works best for you through trial and error. Keeping a journal of the experiences that you encounter during your practice can help to assist self awareness and help to improve and refine your practice. Enrolling onto TM classes and sessions and practicing with others will then further your practice. Many gurus claim that you must work with them to receive a mantra from them, that they have plucked from the ether that is just for you, claiming to have 5 months of ‘in-residence training’ to reflect on but it is down to preference. I like to use mantras such a Ho’oponopono (thank you, I love you, for give me, thank you!) or even just ‘Do-Re-Mi’ so that I achieve total thoughtlessness with no concept in mind at all. Again it’s down to preference.

What benefits can I expect?

Research proves and shows evidence for a huge range of potential benefits including physical, mental, cognitive and emotional health benefits. Physical benefits including, lower blood pressure, in some cases research has proven TM can be as effective as blood pressure medication and can sometimes be an alternative. Improved sleep is also a widely reported benefit of TM and also improved self-esteem. Cognitive benefits include increased productivity, performance and problem solving skills. Creativity, intelligence and awareness have been reported to increase with TM and also Improved energy, focus and memory. Emotional benefits include, enhanced clarity of thoughts and feeling, increased compassion and gratitude and also a general sense of improved quality of life and inner peace.