The Transcendental meditation technique is a form of mantra meditation introduced in India in 1955 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1917–2008). This technique is reported to be one of the most widely researched and practiced meditation techniques worldwide. It is in a standardized seven-step course by certified teachers, which many have criticized as being too expensive at about $2,500.
This psycho-physiologic exercise is designed to lower levels of tension and anxiety and increase tolerance of frustration. TM has been described as a state of consciousness that does not require any physical or mental control. During meditation, a person enters a state that enables them to slow down and get into a state that has many health benefits. As a result of this, TM is practiced by people of many diverse religious affiliations, as well as atheists and agnostics. Now that you know what transcendental meditation is, let’s find out about the transcendental meditation movement.
What is the transcendental meditation movement?
The Transcendental Meditation movement (also referred to as Transcendental Meditation (TM), “Maharishi’s worldwide movement”, and the Transcendental Meditation organization) is a world-wide organization founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late 1950s.
The movement reached its peak in the 1970s, before it began losing followers. The followers claimed they were being put off by Yogic flying, a technique in which practitioners claim they can levitate. It is estimated to have tens of thousands of participants, with members running into several million people. The global organization of the transcendental movement consists of close to 1,000 TM centers, and controls property assets of the order of USD 3.5 billion according to the 1998 estimate.
In 1977, the Los Angeles Times reported that the movement said there were 394 TM centers in the U.S., and about half of the 8,000 trained TM teachers were still active. It also claimed that about one million Americans had been taught the technique. Let’s examine what this technique is really all about.
What are the Basics of the Transcendental Meditation Technique?
The technique involves the silent use of a sound or mantra and is practiced for 15–20 minutes twice per day, while sitting comfortably with closed eyes. This kind of meditation has many benefits for health conditions like high blood pressure; best of all, without side effects and long lasting positive effects. If you want to know more about the transcendental meditation technique, the best place to get the full seven-part course is on their official website. According to their website, the only place you can learn TM is through one of their teachers. Even though they offer free introductory lectures; the official cost is about $2,500. What warrants this high cost may be because of the benefits.
What are some of the Meditation Benefits of the TM Program?
Research studies and proponents claim that the TM program helps to decrease stress, reduce cost for medical care by improving health; improve relationships; increase self-knowledge, increase personal effectiveness like clarity of thought, creativity and energy. You have seen that these are things people will spend any amount of money for in order to get. This is why many health professionals recommend TM for certain health conditions.
Transcendental meditation is one of the most popular forms of meditation you can do. The transcendental movement proves that not only is it very effective but a great marketing organization. You can do TM anytime knowing that your efforts are supported by research and human success stories.