Discover all there is to know about Transcendental Meditation here.
Transcendental Meditation, sometimes known as TM, is one of the most widely practised meditation techniques, and we’re here to tell you all about it.
Over time, meditation has come to be recognised as a highly effective therapeutic method for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Transcendental Meditation, or TM, is probably the best researched and scientifically validated type of meditation.
Maharshi Mahesh Yogi first brought TM, a form of mantra meditation, to the West in the 1950s. He spread the technique throughout the world, influencing everyone from politicians to The Beatles. Transcendental Meditation is actually easy to practise, despite the mysticism which surrounds some forms of meditation.
What distinguishes Transcendental Meditation?
Currently, the majority of meditation techniques contain a mindfulness pattern that calls for us to repeatedly and actively return to the present moment, such as by focusing on your breath, a body part, or a sound.
This entails becoming aware of your thoughts and letting them go by focusing on something else, such as the breath. Transcendental Meditation seeks to transcend thought, whereas mindfulness aims to train the brain in conscious awareness. Scientific research shows that blood flow to the front of the brain related to paying attention increases in mindfulness, while in TM blood flow increases both in this area and in the rear of the brain which relates to restfulness – hence TM produces a state of restful alertness different from other forms of meditation which do not involve transcending.
It is stressed by those who teach TM that the mind naturally returns to its calm state. On the other hand, curiosity and inquisitiveness are aspects of the human mind’s nature. So how can one get that mind of calmness without allowing your mind to wander to unrelated ideas? You accomplish that by effortlessly repeating a mantra, a soothing sound which does not hold any intellectual meaning for one, but which is calming and hence aids in diving to quieter levels of the mind.
How is Transcendental Meditation taught?
TM is taught by trained teachers who offer courses face to face or by a combination of face to face instruction and lessons on a TM app with zoom support. Information about the availability of courses can be found on the national TM website: uk.tm.org
