Meditation is a learned technique for refocusing attention that brings about an altered state of consciousness. The process usually consists of concentrating on a particular sound, syllable, picture or thought and allowing the body and mind to relax. Meditation improves health, decreases blood pressure, oxygen consumption, slows aging and the practicing individual feels happy and satisfied.
Meditation techniques are different across traditions. For example, the eastern Zen Buddhist monks practice Zen Meditation, which seeks to understand one’s identity and Buddha’s enlightenment. Through various meditating positions, such as the Half-Lotus and Burmese positions, they merge their body, mind and soul. Meditation is also practiced by Hindu sages who seek to understand themselves and the purpose of life.
Although the process of finding one’s identity and the meaning of life through meditation is complicated and incomprehensible, practicing meditation can help improve an individual’s daily functioning. It increases productivity and adds quality to life. The anxiety and stress levels decrease, making the person more relaxed.
Transcendental meditation, derived from the ancient Vedic tradition of India, is one technique that refreshes the mind and body through simple procedures.
What is Transcendental Meditation?
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi popularized Transcendental Meditation which is a simple, effortless and natural relaxation technique. It is practiced for fifteen to twenty (15-20) minutes, twice a day, while sitting in a comfortable position with the eyes closed.
During this process, the individual’s awareness settles down and experiences a unique state of restful alertness. As the body becomes deeply relaxed, the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness or Transcendental Consciousness, where consciousness is open to itself. This is also called the Self-Referral State of Consciousness.
The experience of Transcendental Consciousness develops the individual’s latent creative potential while dissolving accumulated stress and fatigue through the deep rest gained during the practice. This experience enlivens the individual’s creativity, dynamism, orderliness, and organizing power, which result in increasing effectiveness and success in daily life.
The Transcendental Meditation technique is scientific, requiring neither specific beliefs nor adoption of a particular lifestyle. The practice does not involve any effort or concentration. It is easy to learn and does not require any special ability. People of all ages, educational backgrounds, cultures, and religions in countries throughout the world practice the technique and enjoy its wide range of benefits.
A meta-analysis (a procedure for drawing definitive conclusions from large bodies of research studies) of all available physiological research on the Transcendental Meditation program found that the practice of this technique produces a state of deep rest, as measured by reduced respiration rate, reduced basal skin conductance (increased skin resistance) and reduced plasma lactate.
Who is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi?
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the founder of the Transcendental Meditation Program and Maharishi’s Global Country of World Peace. He is a representative of the Vedic tradition.
Maharishi has trained over 40,000 teachers, opened thousands of teaching centers, and founded hundreds of schools, colleges and universities. Maharishi Vedic Science programs are being applied in private businesses, public institutions and homes in every country. Maharishi has established Maharishi Ved Vigyan Bhavans throughout India to teach the Transcendental Meditation Program.
About 50 years ago, Maharishi introduced Transcendental Meditation to the world, restoring the knowledge and experience of higher states of consciousness. When Transcendental Meditation technique is taught today, the same procedures used by teachers thousands of years ago are still maintained for maximum effectiveness.
How is Transcendental Meditation different from other Meditation Techniques?
There are many forms of meditation, with many goals. Some practices most often involve some concentration or control of the mind and others involve contemplation. These practices keep the mind engaged, for example, by focusing on an object or on breathing. Others keep individuals aware of thoughts, or images. These practices keep the mind active on the surface thinking level. A popular example of engagging the mind during meditation is the repeated chanthing of “Om”, a syllable known to produce healthy vibrations.
Transcendental Meditation, however, allows the mind to naturally and effortlessly transcend thinking and to experience a deep state of restfully alert consciousness. It does not require any forced concentration and is one of the simplest forms of relaxation. The holistic benefits that have been found to result from the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique are the automatic result of this unique experience.
More than five million people worldwide have learned this simple, natural technique. People of all ages, cultures, and religions practice transcendental meditation, making it one of the most popular of all meditation techniques.
Source and Links:
Feldman, R S (2004). Understanding Psychology. Tata McGraw Hill Publications
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Transcendental Meditation: Mechanics of the technique (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi)
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