How it works
TM does not involve concentration or
control of thoughts. It’s a natural
technique which allows both body and
mind to experience deep rest,
automatically resulting in rejuvenation
and relaxation. And it’s easy! All you need
is to be able to think a thought.
TM is a mental technique which is practiced for around 20 minutes, twice a day, sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. It uses a ‘mantra’, a word-like sound, without any meaning. Because the mantra has no meaning, the intellect is not involved and therefore the mind is free to let go and to sink into quieter, finer, subtler levels of mental activity, an experience which is very satisfying and enjoyable. What’s more, it’s easy because the process is completely effortless and there’s no concentration or control involved. All you need is to be able to think a thought. Which is why we say: if you can think you can meditate!
The Natural Tendency of the Mind
During the practice of TM the mind turns inwards as it’s natural for it to move towards what offers more satisfaction. And quieter, more subtle levels of thought do indeed provide a unique, experience of feeling good. Think of it like this: is it hard to watch a good movie or pay attention during an interesting conversation? No! But it is hard to carry on reading a book that we don’t find fascinating or engage in a conversation that we may find boring. It’s the natural tendency of the mind to seek out what is most enticing and that’s why it’s easy to settle down mentally using the TM technique, because quieter levels of the mind are more satisfying and the mind is naturally drawn in this direction, when given the opportunity. This is exactly what the TM technique accomplishes and this process of progressive refinement and settling down of mental activity is what is called ‘transcending’. It leads to a state of mental stillness, while remaining wide awake, an utterly delightful, liberating experience of unboundedness, an experience of ‘pure awareness’. It’s like coming home. We’re taking a vacation within our innermost Self.
What is transcending?
Dr Tony Nader, director of the Transcendental Meditation organisation, explains.
The Natural Tendency of the Body
Because body and mind are so closely intertwined, when the mind quietens down, so does the body, sinking into a state of deep rest and relaxation. This has been demonstrated with numerous scientific studies. They show, for example, a significant drop in oxygen consumption during TM. When the body achieves such a profound degree of rest, by nature it does exactly what every living organism does, once given the chance: it cleans up, rids itself of harmful material and straightens out what has become distorted over time. By virtue of such automatic repair work, our organism regenerates itself to new vitality. In this lies the secret of what is called ‘resilience’. When the body, during the practice of TM, reaches this state of rest again and again, experiences of stress that are stored in the organism, gradually dissolve. This repeatedly occurring ‘stress release’ accounts for much of the benefits resulting from meditating regularly. In other words, the TM technique, when practiced regularly, uses and enhances the natural faculty of resilience that our organism is born with.
Universal and individual
TM is unique because it’s universal and at the same time highly individual. How can this be? Well, it’s taught in a standardised manner which ensures that the teaching remains genuine and authentic no matter where in the world you learn it. And it’s individual because you get from it what you need. Some people learn TM in order to lower their blood pressure, others to improve their sleep, others still for their own spiritual development. They learn the same technique for very different reasons.
Take time to make time
Perhaps you’re wondering how you’ll find the time for it but by taking this time for yourself, you emerge from meditation with greater clarity and creativity, more focus and happiness. You work more efficiently, needing less time to make decisions and carry out tasks because you’re more connected to your Self and so your actions spontaneously lead you along the right course of action. In short, by taking this time to meditate, you’re actually gaining more time!
12 million TM-ers worldwide
TM is a tried and tested technique used by millions of people all over the world, from celebrities like actor Hugh Jackman to singer Katy Perry to hedge fund manager and one of the richest men in the world Ray Dalio. But it’s not just for celebrities, it’s for everyone who is looking for more in life, more prosperity and contentment, better health and relationships. With regular practice, TM delivers whatever is necessary to enhance the quality of your life.
“The conscious mind becomes powerful when the deeper levels of the ocean of the mind are activated during the process of Transcendental Meditation.”
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Founder of Transcendental Meditation