Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, effortless mental procedure which takes the mind to deeper levels of the thinking process until the conscious mind arrives at the source of thought, the field of pure consciousness—Transcendental Consciousness, Bliss Consciousness.

This process can be likened to a river which naturally and effortlessly flows into the ocean and gains the status of the ocean.

Transcendental Meditation is practised for fifteen to twenty minutes in the morning and evening, while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. It dissolves deep stress in body and mind, and opens to our awareness a new experience of a relaxed life that is more alert, more creative, and more fulfilling.

Transcendental Meditation is a programme to unfold the full potential of life. It is the most direct way for the fulfilment of the supreme philosophy of life, where the individual lives life in full enlightenment, and where the individual breathes life in Cosmic Reality. It is universally applicable for the well-being of the individual and society as a whole. It has been learnt by over six million people of all cultures and religions, and every walk of life.

Transcendental Meditation is an effortless meditation technique whereby you can settle down to this silent level of yourself. It is not a technique where you just merely close your eyes and try to be still or mindful of the present. How many of you have tried quieting your mind and find that instead of being silent, your mind is flooded with thoughts and even restlessness?

Transcendental Meditation doesn’t require clearing your mind of thoughts or concentrating. It is so effortless that within just a few minutes your mind automatically settles down and transcends the thinking level, going beyond worries and agitation.

How does this happen? It works because the mind will naturally go to a field of greater happiness and charm. For example: if during the day your favorite song comes on the radio, your mind will naturally go there without any effort from your side, because it is enjoyable. Similarly, the quieter levels of the mind are inherently more pleasing and charming than surface levels. Given the proper direction—a tool to turn within—the mind will automatically settle down to these quieter levels.

The healing rest gained in each sitting of the TM technique (normally practiced 20 minutes twice a day) allows emotional, mental, and physical stress to wash away—in both mind and body. These subtler, more settled levels of the mind are very refreshing and the mind and body gain a deep, restorative rest—much deeper than ordinary relaxation, as indicated by research which shows reduced cortisol and plasma lactate (major indicators of stress) during TM practice. One comes out of meditation feeling refreshed and ready to take on the activities of the day.

Over 600 research studies have been conducted on Transcendental Meditation at more than 200 universities and research centers (including Harvard, UCLA, and Stanford). Over 330 of these studies have been published in over 100 peer-reviewed journals and have shown that regular TM practice leads to a wide range of personal benefits—decreased anxiety and depression, reduced high blood pressure, decreased illness, longer lifespan, improved memory and clearer thinking, and more harmonious relationships.

Ultimately, meditation can help unfold your full human potential—the state of enlightenment!

Benefits of Transcendental Meditation

It can amp up your workout

Not only does a regular Transcendental Meditation practice increase energy, improve your focus, and help you sleep sounder every night, it also increases your pain tolerance, says a study in the journal NeuroReport. Higher tolerance for discomfort means higher tolerance for banging out another mile or another set of reps.

Additionally, in a study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, researchers compared the brain waves of elite athletes to those of TM meditators and found certain similarities in brain functioning. That’s not to say that meditating can get you a spot on the podium one day, but it can help you to develop traits shared amongst Olympians and other top athletes. In fact, the Seattle Seahawks reportedly practiced meditation in the week leading up to their massive Super Bowl victory this year. Just something to think about!

It can slash your risk for heart disease and stroke

A study published in the journal Circulation found that practicing Transcendental Meditation can lower blood pressure and your risk for heart attack and stroke. It could also cut your risk for Alzheimer’s Disease by strengthening the communication between different parts of your brain. 

It can help you thrive at work

Research shows that regular TM practice improves productivity and creativity. So if you’re struggling to come up with a solution to a tough work dilemma or need a fresh idea to impress your boss, devoting time to meditation each day can certainly help give you that clarity of mind necessary to break through mental barriers. 

It can help you lose weight

By decreasing your stress levels, you won’t be as tempted to stress eat—and your body wont produce as much cortisol, which makes it tougher to shed pounds. But Transcendental Meditation also helps mitigate your food cravings, since it helps to balance your mental and physical state. In other words, you’ll be more in tune with your body and what it needs, so you won’t be as tempted to reach for that pint of ice cream. You’ll be better able to differentiate “I’m hungry” from “I’m anxious.”

It can improve your relationships

From your mom to your boss to your partner, TM can help you strengthen your relationships. We touch on this in the story: Meditation: Fight Depression and Stress. But here's more: In one study, those who practiced Transcendental Meditation had a significantly higher appreciation for others than those who did not. “By strengthening synaptic connections in the brain, TM helps us to gain patience, be a better listener, and see more value in others and our relationships.

It can make you grow younger

Well, it can’t reverse the aging process, but it can help your body function on a level that’s several years younger than your chronological age. Research published in the International Journal of Neuroscience found that subjects with an average chronological age of 50 years who had been practicing Transcendental Meditation for over 5 years, had a biological age 12 years younger than their chronological age. (Translation: a 55-year-old meditator had the physiology of a 43-year-old.)