What is Transcendental Meditation? Let's talk about it simply!

Do you feel like you're constantly worrying about something? Do you feel like your thoughts are constantly running through your head, like you can't even think straight for a second? Then this is something that can help you a lot. It's a simple, yet very powerful way to calm your mind. We call it Transcendental Meditation.

Simply put, what is Transcendental Meditation (TM)?

This is also a form of meditation. But it is not as complicated as other meditation techniques that you might think of. What you do here is that you silently repeat a mantra , a specific word or phrase, in your head. The main goal of this is to quiet your mind, relax your body, and bring you into a state of restful alertness .

Simply put, your body is deeply relaxed, but your mind is fully alert. As you continue to practice this technique, your mind goes beyond the level of ordinary thoughts and into a state of pure awareness. The English word "transcend" means "to go beyond." So that's what this meditation does.

Like other meditation techniques, Transcendental Meditation (TM) can have many positive effects on your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. But remember, it's important to talk to your doctor before starting any new treatment or complementary therapy.

How does this system work?

This method is very simple. All you have to do is sit in a comfortable place with your eyes closed for about 10 minutes, twice a day. It may take 10 minutes at first, but as you continue to practice, you can gradually increase this time.

You don't need a special app or guide to do this meditation. All you have to do is silently repeat the mantra given by your teacher in your head.

What is the mantra?

The mantra given here is not a word that we use every day. It is not a word that has any meaning, that describes an object, a feeling, or an experience. These are special sounds . These sounds can take your attention away from the unnecessary thoughts running through your mind and take you into a state of deep mindfulness.

How exactly do you learn this?

This is the most important part. To learn Transcendental Meditation (TM) properly, you must learn it from a certified teacher . You can find information about it in books, YouTube videos, or other apps, but you cannot learn it properly through those methods.

A certified teacher has undergone five months of special residential training. They also continue to update their knowledge through additional training.

The learning process usually goes like this:

1. First meeting: This is always a one-on-one meeting between you and the teacher. Here, the teacher will explain everything about the method to you. At the end of this meeting, the teacher will choose a mantra that is special to you .

2. Follow-up sessions: After that, there are three more sessions. These can be done face-to-face with the teacher or online. Here you will meditate under the teacher's supervision and learn more about the method.

3. Self-Practice: After these four sessions, you can practice this meditation on your own, twice a day, daily. If you have any problems or need further guidance, a certified teacher is always ready to help you.

What are the benefits of this method?

Research has found that the Transcendental Meditation (TM) method provides numerous physical, mental, intellectual, and emotional benefits.

How is this different from Mindfulness Meditation?

You may have also heard of Mindfulness meditation. While both methods are useful, there are slight differences in how they work.

• Mindfulness meditation involves focusing your attention on the present moment . You simply observe your breath, your body sensations, and the thoughts that come to your mind. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the present moment.
• Transcendental Meditation (TM) involves using a special mantra to focus your attention inward . The goal is to quiet your mind and go beyond the present moment.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have a health condition such as high blood pressure, chronic pain, stress, anxiety, or depression, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a new treatment like this.

Your doctor can tell you if this is right for you. He or she may also be able to help you find a certified TM teacher in your area if you need one. Remember, this is not a replacement for any medications you may already be taking. It should be used as a complementary treatment.