How Does Transcendental Meditation Work?

What is Transcendental Meditation?

Transcendental Meditation (TM) was the idea of an Indian man named Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He led the first groups in the mid to late 1950's but it didn't catch on worldwide until about 20 years later. Transcendental Meditation is based in Vedic principles and aims to quiet the mind through the use of audio mantras.

Learning TM

Beginners can learn the practice of TM by participating in a seven-step course led by a certified instructor. The fee associated with the course includes a lifetime resource for individuals who wish to have periodic checkups to ensure they are doing the practice correctly. True TM can only be learned from a certified professional. However, it is possible to learn to practice a form of TM at home for free.

The Practice

Unlike other forms of meditation, TM does not involve contemplation or concentration. The goal is to quiet and free the mind to reach the root of thought. The sensations involved with TM include a feeling that one has left the body behind.

During meditation, sit quietly with your eyes closed. Sit in a lotus position or in any posture that is comfortable. If you have taken part in a course, the TM instructor will have chosen a personal mantra for the meditator to be played during practice. Otherwise, you may choose another sound that is soothing and non distracting. There are many meditation and sounds of nature CDs that are perfectly suited to this purpose. Let the sounds wash over you, taking deep and even breaths. Any thoughts should simply be recognized and then let go. This will get easier with long term practice. Do the meditation for 20 minutes twice per day.

Benefits

The benefits to regular meditation practice are numerous. Taking the time to pause for twenty minutes twice per day will have the almost immediate effect of making the individual feel less stressed. Over time, the individual may feel that their thinking is much clearer and their memory is sharper. Not only do regular practitioners of TM feel better, they actually are in better health. Experts from the Transcendental Medication Association purport that long term meditation practice can lead to lowered heart rate and blood pressure as well as more efficient breathing. Many individuals also find that their personal and professional lives improve with the increased clarity meditation can provide.

Comments

gargamael200 said

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on 7/28/2009 Learning how to do Transcendental Meditation can be tough.

It is always best to read a few guides to get the most out of TM.

Here is a free TM guide

http://www.alternative-spiritual-healing.com/how-to-do-transcendental-meditation.html

david882 said

on 7/28/2009 If you find that these absurdly short instructions do not work for you, or if you have questions about your practice or resulting experiences, you should get actual instruction in transcending from a trained teacher. Get details at www.tm.org.