How is Transcendental Meditation different from other meditation practices?

Meditating Man

1. Effortless transcending
Unlike other forms of meditation, this technique involves no effort, concentration, or control of the mind. Transcendental Meditation allows you to effortlessly transcend: to settle deeply inward, spontaneously - beyond the busy or active mind - to the natural, rejuvenating state of restful alertness or pure awareness.

Practices that keep the mind actively attentive or engaged in thinking have not been found by scientific research to produce the deep relaxation or holistic benefits associated with TM.
Transcendental Meditation in contrast is designed specifically for transcending. To "transcend" means to go beyond. TM allows the mind to effortlessly settle to the state referred to as "pure" consciousness. This is consciousness by itself, in its simplest state — the mind's essence.

People practising TM often describe this silent, peaceful state as a reservoir of unlimited creativity and intelligence. Research shows that twice-daily experience of this state of "unbounded awareness" rejuvenates all aspects of life.

Is brain functioning and physiology different in TM, compared to other practices?
Neuroscientists have found that the practice of TM produces a style of brain functioning very different from other forms of meditation. Neural imaging and EEG research shows that TM is the only meditation technique known to consistently create widespread brain wave coherence, bringing the different parts of the brain into a more harmonious whole — resulting in more efficient brain functioning and improved mental performance outside of meditation.

Studies on the physiological changes during Transcendental Meditation show a marked drop in biochemicals associated with stress and anxiety, such as cortisol and plasma lactate, while breath rate and other measures show profound physiological rest — a state that is the opposite of the body's stress response.

According to researchers, practices that tend to keep the mind more active or engaged in thinking do not consistently produce this deeply settled, rejuvenating state of restful alertness.

You can learn more about how TM is different from other practices at a free introductory talk given by an accredited TM teacher in your area.

2. Evidence based
Over 350 peer-reviewed, published scientific studies from 250 universities — including medical schools at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, UCLA and many others — have documented TM's wide range of benefits. Research findings include reduced stress and anxiety, improved health and well-being, more orderly and holistic brain functioning, and heightened self-actualisation. Evidence Based Benefits

3. Standardised for maximum effectiveness
Learning meditation from an accredited TM teacher ensures consistent, positive results. In many other forms of meditation, the nature and quality of instruction varies widely from teacher to teacher.
While the process of learning  Transcendental Meditation is standardised, it is also a personalised process in which each student progresses step-by-step at their own pace. To maintain the highest standard of teaching, TM teachers undergo rigorous professional training and attend regular re-certification. They often have thousands of hours of experience.

Where did Transcendental Meditation come from?

Maharishi brought this long-lost technique to the West in 1957. He trained 40,000 teachers and founded non-profit teaching centres, schools and universities worldwide.

"In this meditation we do not concentrate or control the mind. We satisfy the mind."

 

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Founder of Transcendental Meditation

Uniqueness of
TM

  • Easy to learn
  • Effortless to practice
  • Scientifically validated
  • Effortless transcending
  • Holistic, cumulative benefits

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Dr Mehmet Oz, MD

"Speaking as a scientist, the amazing thing about Transcendental Meditation is the very well-established research showing that the technique impacts things that we didn't think were changeable."

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