The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1917-2008) is known to have founded Transcendental Meditation or simply TM, inspired from his teacher and guru Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (who died 1953), and drawing upon the ancient Indian traditions of Vedic. He introduced the technique to the United States in the 1960s, where the British rock band the Beatles and other celebrities embraced the teachings adding to its popularity.
Transcendental Meditation is a meditation method that attempts to avoid distracting thoughts while promoting a state of relaxed awareness. Somewhat different from other types of meditation methods, TM teaches practitioners to stay focused on a mantra which is a specific phrase. The mantra is then repeated internally within one’s inner dialogue of their thoughts. Transcendental Meditation came to be taught and practiced as a non-spiritual nor religious path toward mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
The goal when meditating, is to “transcend” the regular thought process. It is replaced by a state of pure consciousness. In this state, the practitioner seeks to achieve perfect stillness, rest, order, stability, completely without of mental boundaries. This state of being is thought to lead to increased contentment, creativity and vitality.
From a physiological perspective, Transcendental Meditation can relax and revitalize the body and the mind by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system where stress and anxiety are reduced, blood pressure (hypertension) decreases, and changing the blood chemistry to help relieve depression.
A typical TM practice session might follow this progression:
- Sit in a comfortable chair keeping the feet on the ground and hands in your lap. Legs and arms are uncrossed.
- Eyes are closed while taking a few deep breaths in order to relax the body.
- Repeat a mantra in your mind.
- When you recognize you’re having a thought, return to the mantra.
- After about 20 minutes, begin to move the fingers and toes, easing yourself back to the world.
- Open your eyes.
- Sit and relax for a few more minutes until ready to continue with your day.
References:
https://themindfool.com/transcendental-meditation-and-its-various-benefits/
Edlin, G. PhD, Golanty, E. Phd (2020), Health & Wellness, 13th edition, Jones & Bartlett Learning
https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/transcendental-meditation-benefits-technique
How to Practice Transcendental Meditation – DOPE YOGI
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