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Transcendental Meditation, also known as TM meditation, is a very simple, natural, and effortless technique of avoiding distracting thoughts and letting your mind settle down into an extremely calm and wise state of rest. The TM meditation technique has been derived from the ancient Vedic tradition of India.
One interesting fact about TM meditation is that the famous English music band ‘The Beatles’ were a big fan of this practice who had traveled to India in the 1960s to learn it. And since then it’s popularity has been on the rise especially among the Western world. What may have been once considered something for the hippy set of culture has become a growing trend in the wider world. No wonder it’s the most popular type of meditation around the world, and also the most scientifically studied.
Unlike other meditation techniques that usually focus on breathing or chanting and clearing your thoughts, TM meditation encourages a restful state of mind that goes beyond thinking. That is to say, you learn to go beyond the surface level of your awareness. Moreover, it’s one of the relatively easiest and quickest meditation techniques to master. This practice is effective for everyone, especially for busy minds like us.
What is Transcendental Meditation?
The person practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique sits in a comfortable position and silently recites mantra repeatedly. The mantras used are often Sanskrit sounds or words. This mantra can be different for every individual based on their personal characteristics and expected to be a good fit.
Transcendental meditation or TM may not be a mantra-based meditation because its main core is directed towards transcending, though this meditation technique may involve the use of mantras. Mantras are used in this technique as a vehicle to help the mind settle down. The aim of focusing on your mantra is to achieve a state of perfect stillness and consciousness. This constant focus of mantra channels your mind on a single mantra that is repeated over and over again.
TM meditation technique has been found to be greatly beneficial in health conditions related to stress, brain function, and cardiovascular system. Just spending about 20 minutes twice a day on this meditation will produce great effects.
Science of Transcendental Meditation
The TM meditation seems to turn on the whole brain and make it function as a holistic unit. This common feature can be observed in those people who report peak performance in art, sports, or business. Scientifically proven to be a stress buster, the positive effects of the Transcendental Meditation practice are usually evident from the initial session itself.
How to Practice Transcendental meditation
Consider taking the journey of Transcendental Meditation by finding a certified and experienced TM meditation teacher. Ideally, TM meditation is practiced twice daily, one before breakfast, and the other before dinner. Here’s how a typical TM meditation practice proceeds.
Benefits of Transcendental meditation
The benefits of Transcendental meditation cover every aspect of our life. Its wide-ranging benefits are as follows:
Imagine just sitting quietly in a chair for a few minutes of very enjoyable deep meditative relaxation could leave you in mental and physical bliss, with a calmer and more alert mind, and increased energy and clear thinking.