Course overview
With Transcendental Meditation, you learn a technique for independent practice. So once you have completed a course, you are no longer reliant on a teacher, recordings or an app for your daily meditations. Also included are several follow-up meetings, over a six-month period, giving you all the support needed. Both in-person and hybrid options are available.
Preparation
Some initial preparation is required in the form of an online consultation and/or Introductory Talk, both held by a TM teacher and both without obligation, with in-person or hybrid options to choose from. The next step is the Personal Meeting to figure out the individual details of your course.
Consultation (optional)
Schedule a free 30-minute online consultation with a TM teacher. They can answer any specific questions you may have and help you figure out your next steps.
Introductory Talk
In person or online, listen to a qualified teacher give an overview of what TM is, the benefits it offers and how you can learn it. The talks are free, without obligation and last 60 to 90 minutes.
Personal Meeting
Meet your teacher for a brief private conversation about your current state of health, previous experience etc. Here you’ll set the details of the course such as timings and the appropriate fee.
Introduction to TM
Can’t make it to an Introductory Talk? Then watch Bob Roth, teacher of TM for over 50 years, give a concise overview of:
- What TM is and what it is not
- What happens during TM
- How we know TM really works
- TM’s effect on the brain
- What a mantra is
- How TM is different
- Why TM works for everyone
4-Day Course
The course itself takes place over four consecutive days, usually from Saturday to Tuesday, and it is essential that you are able to attend each meeting. Day 1 is one-on-one with your teacher and the rest are in a small group of 3 – 6 people, usually taking place in the evening. If you can’t make it in person, it is also possible to complete days 2-4 using the TM app.
Day 1
Initial individual instruction and experience of how to meditate. Saturday, approx. 75 – 90 minutes, with multiple time slots available throughout the day.
Day 2
Discussion of how to meditate correctly and how to deal with practical matters eg. what to do if someone interrupts you when meditating. Sunday (evening), approx. 2 hours.
Day 3
Discussion of what happens during meditation and how the refinement of mental activity in combination with physiological processes produces specific experiences and benefits. Monday evening, approx. 2 hours.
Day 4
Discussion of what happens when we alternate between meditation and regular daily activity, and how this develops higher states of consciousness. Tuesday evening, approx. 2 hours.
Support
There are several follow-up meetings to avail of, both in group and individual settings. They ensure that you continue to practise TM correctly and provide an opportunity to deepen your understanding and experiences of meditation. All the meetings outlined below can be attended free of charge for six months after your course. Group meditations are always free.
Follow-up meetings
There are three further group meetings to attend which ensure that you are continuing to meditate correctly and allow you the opportunity to discuss the experiences you have had and also to get the answers to any questions that may arise as your practice continues. The first of these meetings takes place around 10 – 14 days after the initial course. The next is after 6 weeks and the final one is after 3 months. Once again, the timing and also the dates of these meetings are fixed depending on the availability of the course participants. They are approximately 2 hours in length and you are welcome to repeat them as often as you wish, at no extra cost, if you would like to freshen up on your knowledge of TM at any time.
Individual checking
You are also welcome to avail of a personal ‘checking’. This is a private session with a teacher of your choice, usually lasting around 45 minutes. During this time, the teacher goes through a specific procedure that ensures you are practising the technique correctly and addresses any points that need clarification. An individual checking of the technique costs CHF 60 and your first one is included in the TM course fee. Please arrange a date and time with a TM-teacher of your choice.
TM Mornings
TM Mornings are a great way to recharge your batteries! We begin with a short sequence of yoga postures, which aims not to strain or overextend the body, but instead to reach a comfortable stretch, without pushing. It’s followed by pranayama, a breathing exercise. This combination of yoga and pranayama effectively prepares body and mind for the meditation which follows. After a short period of rest, this sequence or round is then repeated. It’s 30 minutes by bus from Lucerne and there’s also free parking available. TM Mornings cost CHF 60 but your first one is included in the TM course fee.
TM Evenings
TM Evenings give you a unique opportunity to expand your understanding of Vedic knowledge. We begin with a group meditation which is followed by answering any questions that may have arisen from your TM practice. Afterwards, there is a presentation on a particular aspect of Vedic knowledge, often in combination with a video-lecture by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The topics vary each time, some examples being ‘What is Consciousness?’ and ‘Love – Expansion of the Heart’. These events give you an insight into the fascinating world of the ancient Vedic wisdom of life, theoretically processed and made practically applicable for our age by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. TM Evenings cost CHF 20 but your first one is included in the TM course fee.
Group Meditation
People often report having especially deep, clear and pleasant experiences when meditating in a group. That’s why we hold Group Meditations in Lucerne on the first Thursday of each month at 18:55 – 19:30. Meditators who have learnt at the Lucerne Center are invited to drop by unannounced but those who have learnt elsewhere are kindly requested to contact us one week in advance. Group meditations are free and we ask you to arrive by 18:55 so that we can start promptly at 19:00.
Course Fees
The course fee for learning TM reflects international guidelines and is adapted to the average income level of each country. For participants who are not in full-time employment, a considerate sliding scale is available, and payment in instalments can be arranged if needed. During a consultation or Personal Meeting, we can discuss the fee and the payment option that best suits your circumstances. If you are insured with SWICA, your policy may reimburse part of the course fee.
Child under 10*
400
Child under 18
600
Student under 28
800
Adult
1’800
Couples and families**
2’700
** Includes two adults and all children under 18
Complete days 2-4 with the app
Don’t have time to attend all four days of the course? You can just do the first day in person and complete the rest using the TM app, along with brief check-ins via phone or online with your teacher. The app is very thorough and is packed with useful features!
TM Word of Wisdom*
This special TM technique is for children under the age of 10. It’s practised with eyes open while walking or playing and helps to organise thoughts and soothes in moments of distress.
In-house courses
Bring increased creativity, happiness and productivity into your place of work, school or business by offering TM to your staff or students! We are happy to hold in-house Introductory Talks and TM Courses, and offer attractive discounts starting with a 10% reduction for groups of 5 participants. Contact us directly for further information and to arrange a visit.
“In the practice of transcendental meditation a suitable thought (mantra) is selected, and the technique for experiencing it in its initial stages of development enables the conscious mind to arrive systematically at the source of thought, the field of Being.“
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Founder of Transcendental Meditation