The Basics of Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditaion is a meditation technique that is effective and easy to learn. If you seek refuge from the hustle and bustle of eternally ringing mobile phones, endless traffic jams and disgruntling screaming kids, transcendental meditation could well be that refuge you are looking for. It is a serene escape from the insanity of everyday living. In the medical arena, and in various settings such as the school, in the home and in the workplace, transcendental meditation is now practiced. In fact, to combat stress and anxiety disorders, medical practitioners and doctors now recommend transcendental meditation. The transcendental meditation technique was introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1958.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has trained 40,000 individuals to be teachers of transcendental meditation while he wrote several books, conducted lectures and extensively made tours all over the world since that time to propagate this meditation technique. You may wonder- What is transcendental meditation? How is it different from other forms of meditation? In a matter or moments, you can learn transcendental meditation. All you need is the right focus and dedication. This is what makes transcendental meditation so appealing - it is easy and uncomplicated to practice. Transcendental meditation should be done in a calm and relaxed environment, one with minimal or no distractions at all.

Your body slips into a deep and tranquil state of relaxation, yet your alertness and clearness of mind is still sustained during the transcendental meditation session. Initially, you must choose something to focus your concentration on – an image or a word that could be of religious or cultural significance to you. Something that is deeply meaningful for you. As you replay this symbol again and again, your body will then plummet in a state of peacefulness that goes deeper and deeper. The whole procedure can last from 10 minutes to about 1 hour. Extensive reasearch and studies have been done on transcendental meditation more than any other meditation method.

In studies done by the International Journal of Neuroscience, transcendental meditation can actually reverse the aging process. Those who practiced TM were found to be 12 years behind in biological age than their chronological age. During transcendental meditation, the brain falls into a state similar to sleep and deep relaxation, i.e., the Theta brain wave pattern. This state is then carried into the state of wakefulness. Mental focus and comprehension, creativity and retention are enhanced. Age and stress related conditions like high blood pressure, insomnia, depressed cerebral blood flow and decreased visual acuity were also alleviated. Transcendental meditation has its roots from Hinduism, but it is applicable in any cultural context.

Regardless of religious affiliation, so many individuals have chosen to learn transcendental meditation. Learners of this meditation technique are encouraged to concentrate on images that have personal and significant value for them. For instance, an agnostic can choose to focus on a sunset or a beautiful meadow or the moon or any symbol from nature, or a rabbi can choose to focus on a symbol that has its roots on Judaism as well as anybody with his or her own religious beliefs can do the same. The beauty of this meditation technique is that it is open to anybody as long as one is an avid seeker.