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Transcendental meditation or TM meditation is becoming more and more prevalent in the modern stress-ridden world due to its numerous benefits on human body and mind. It can help lower your risk of suffering a stroke or heart attack, and it is also capable of taking away the edge of stress-induced anxiety we experience almost on a daily basis while trying to juggle between responsibilities and tasks that are constantly being imposed on us. If you’re wondering how to do transcendental meditation to improve your sense of well-being or don’t know what TM exactly is, read on to find out more about it and bring positive changes into your life!
What is Transcendental Meditation?
Transcendental Meditation or TM can be defined as either a special form of mantra meditation technique that promotes deep relaxation and mental awareness, or it can sometimes refer to the organizations that form the Transcendental Meditation movement. It was first introduced in India by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who started spreading it all over the world from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s, when it became particularly popular especially among celebrities and thus took a more practical course. It is a simple and easy way to achieve the peace of mind and calm down distracting thoughts by quietly repeating a particular mantra.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on arrival in Australia
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This type of meditating has been practiced by George Lucas for decades and it probably contributed to his inspiration to create the character of Yoda in the Star Wars.
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It gained great popularity by charming first the Beatles and later also David Lynch and Katy Perry who says that Transcendental Meditation is a “great workout for your mind without working out, but you get all the effects of working out.”
Cameron Diaz claims that what blew her away the most about TM was that it was the easiest thing she has ever learnt – it is simple to practice, yet you get the benefit across your life.
Numerous researches confirm that it can boost your immune system and play a role in reducing not only anxiety but also chronic pain and cholesterol among other things. Extremely busy and very successful businessmen and some sportsmen swear by it, so it definitely seems worth trying out. Let’s check out the proper way to do it!
How to Do Transcendental Meditation?
This meditating technique is said to be completely effortless – it doesn’t require any special conditions, learning how to concentrate and it doesn’t involve mindfulness or “emptying your mind”. You simply need to spend 15-20 minutes of quiet time every day sitting still with your eyes closed, repeating the mantra that is usually chosen for you by your teacher. Mantras will keep your mind off any disturbing or depressing conscious thoughts, but generally speaking in transcendental meditation it is perfectly ok even if you mind tends to wander from time to time – there is no need for hard practice in order to learn how to focus on your breathing or certain preset ideas while meditating.
What are the Evidence-Based Benefits of Transcendental Meditation?
If you learn how to do Transcendental Meditation and manage to practice it on a regular basis, the first things you should notice are that your mind and body will be recharged with positive energy and that it will be easier to look on the bright side of life. If stress and anxiety make havoc in your routine, you will experience a relief from it and it shouldn’t take long before your mind bounces back to its natural relaxed state we all enjoy so much. You are supposed to feel more energetic, curious and creative and your possible problems with insomnia or mild depression are very likely to subside over time. Some patients with ADHD and PTSD have reported improvements after having meditated for several months. TM meditation is also supposed to lower your adrenaline and cortisol levels and thus minimize your risks of suffering from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes or immune system or eating disorders. It can certainly do you good in many ways, but always consult a doctor first to see if you need any medical treatments or medication.
Is it Expensive to Learn Transcendental Meditation?
TM meditation is usually taught at 4-day courses and the fee varies from country to country, but most of the time you’ll need to spend several hundred dollars to study with a certified teacher. You can set a paying schedule or even opt for a scholarship if available in your area. It can definitely seem expensive, but at the end of the day it’s always about money well spent – if you have the means and if it can help you live a happier and more fulfilled life, then it’s definitely worth investing some of your funds in something that is bound to pay off in the long run.
Why is Transcendental Meditation so Popular?
Generally speaking, TM is popular because it is easy to learn and very easy to practice. Moreover, it is simply a technique and not a religion, philosophy or some drastic change in your lifestyle, which makes it fully applicable throughout the world. Our lives are packed with duties and modern society rules push us beyond the limits in order to finish everything on time, which sometimes creates a massive amount of stress. This kind of situation makes us search for any possible means to feel better and more relaxed, and TM meditation certainly deserves to be among them as a widespread and efficient road towards your inner balance. It is popular among celebrities who claim that it has helped them transform their lives, and sportsmen are incorporating it in their training practices. It absolutely seems worth trying, especially because it can only do you good.
What do you think about Transcendental Meditation? Share your experiences with us!
