Achieve inner peace through mantra meditation
This is an expansion on the topic of Transcendental Meditation introduced in the Unveiling Meditation series.
Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a form of meditation deeply rooted in the ancient Vedic tradition of India. The Vedas are the oldest scriptures of Hinduism, believed to have been composed around 1500 to 500 BCE. The term “Veda” translates to “knowledge” or “wisdom” in Sanskrit. The Vedic tradition is a broad and complex spiritual and philosophical system, encompassing a wide array of practices, ideas, and texts.
The TM technique itself, was introduced to the western world by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the mid-20th century. Maharishi learned this technique from his teacher, Brahmananda Saraswati, who was a well-respected guru in the Shankaracharya tradition, a lineage of spiritual leaders in India that dates back to the ancient philosopher Adi Shankara. The technique was first publicly taught in the west by the Maharishi in 1955 as Transcendental Deep Meditation, and later renamed as Transcendental Meditation. The Maharishi began a series of worldwide tours to promote Transcendental Meditation.
In 1959, he founded the Spiritual Regeneration Movement and in 1960, the International Meditation Society (IMS). Henry Nyburg of England was the first teacher to be trained in this new technique. He went on to be the first European teacher. The School of Meditation in London was established in 1961 in collaboration with The Study Society and the School of Economic Science.
Several organizations promoted TM during this period, including the Spiritual Regeneration Movement and the International Meditation Society. These organizations helped to validate the techniques and the movement along with endorsements from celebrities. Scientific research further validated the technique which increased its popularity. TM has been taught to millions worldwide, and the movement itself has become a large multinational organisation.
TM involves sitting comfortably with eyes closed and silently repeating a specific mantra for 20 minutes, twice a day. The mantra used in TM is typically a word or sound, which is assigned to each student individually, and usually derives from the Sanskrit language. Sanskrit is the primary liturgical language of Hinduism and was used to compose the Vedas. The use of mantras is a common practice in the Vedic tradition. The mantras are assigned to the individual by a trained TM teacher and are based on the practitioner’s personal factors. These personal factors include the time of their initiation as well as their age and gender. Other factors may also be included, depending on the teacher’s background. The importance of the mantra is its vibrational quality, which must resonate with the practitioner for best effect. The mantras are also designed to be a sound to which no meaning is attached by the practitioner to prevent their mind from attaching to the “word” rather than letting go and allowing the vibrational quality of the sound to permeate their being.
The uniqueness of TM lies in its approach, which aims to allow the mind to effortlessly transcend or go beyond the normal levels of thinking to achieve a state of deep silence and restful alertness, also known as transcendental consciousness. This state is believed to be a fourth major state of consciousness, distinct from waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states. It’s a state of heightened awareness and inner calm, where the mind is silent yet fully awake.
The practice of TM does not involve concentration, contemplation, or monitoring of thoughts, which distinguishes it from many other forms of meditation. Instead, the effortless repetition of the mantra is used as a vehicle to allow the mind to naturally settle down to quieter levels of thought until it transcends thought altogether. This is often described as a process of “dive” or “sink” within one’s own consciousness.
TM has been studied extensively in scientific research, with numerous studies suggesting various physical and psychological benefits. Some of these benefits include:
1. Stress reduction: Regular practice of TM has been shown to lower stress levels and improve the body’s response to stress. This can result in decreased anxiety and improved mood.
2. Improved cognitive functioning: Some studies have found that TM can improve memory, creativity, and focus, and may even lead to higher levels of cognitive performance.
3. Cardiovascular health: There’s evidence that TM can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
4. Increased overall well-being: Many practitioners report an overall increase in quality of life, including improved emotional health, better sleep, and increased happiness and satisfaction.
It’s important to note that while these benefits have been observed in many studies, individual experiences with TM can vary greatly. Also, TM is typically taught by certified instructors in a standardized process, and learning from a trained teacher is generally recommended to ensure the correct practice of the technique. In addition, the above benefits are not exclusive to TM. They have been noted to arise from most forms of meditation practice
While the technique itself originates from the Vedic tradition, it’s important to note that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi presented TM as a non-religious practice. He emphasized that it was a simple, natural technique that could be practiced by anyone regardless of their religious or philosophical beliefs. The TM movement stresses the practical benefits of the technique, such as stress reduction and improved cognitive functioning, rather than any specific religious or spiritual beliefs.
Despite this, the broader TM movement does incorporate many concepts and practices from the Vedic tradition. For example, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi taught the “Science of Creative Intelligence,” which he described as the study of the laws of nature described in the Vedic texts. TM-associated organizations also promote a variety of other practices and ideas derived from the Vedic tradition, such as Ayurvedic medicine, Vedic architecture (also known as Maharishi Sthapatya Veda), and yogic flying (a practice found in the Yogic Flying technique.