Use Transcendental Meditation to Find Inner Happiness

Probably the most well known and popular form of meditation happens to be transcendental meditation, also well-known as TM. This is a practice that is non-religious and simple (like many meditation styles) and it helps to relax the mind, eliminate stress, and more. This is a mental technique that allows the mind to find a deeper level of thought and quiet and as the mind settles, the body is able to settle as well, helping to dissolve away worries and stress. The main goal of transcendental meditation is to develop the mind so that people are able to get above the noise that comes along with everyday life.

Maharishi Majesh Yogi, 1968

See and hear the Guru Maharishi who founded TM in the 60s.


The History Behind It

There is a rich history behind transcendental meditation. In fact, it traces back to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who developed this technique of meditation. He was one of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati's disciples. Maharishi started a tour around the world in 1958 teaching this technique to those in the Far East. Later he would give lectures in Europe and the United States as well on this method of meditation. Soon he would have to train instructors to help him teach others, which led to the explosion of this movement.

One pinnacle of success for RM was in the middle of the 1970s. At this point there was a grant given by the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. This grant was for experimentation with levitation classes. There are many learning centers across the world for this type of meditation, and advanced courses can be given for enrichment, teaching, and more. Millions of people through history have been educated in transcendental meditation and it has been successful because it is easy, successful, and is not affiliated with any religion.

A Few of the Benefits

Transcendental meditation can provide you with many benefits. One of the main benefits is a great state of alertness mentally. Many people report that they have better small and large muscle coordination as well as faster reaction times. You may also notice that you have improved short and long term memory, it can help top relieve stress, it provides relaxation, and can give you a better sense of purpose in your life as well. This technique can bring about great results. Many people report that after using this type of meditation they feel at peace and calm. They also feel alert and have great clarity. Some research even suggests that when used before a test, scores may go up.

A Researched Technique

Quite a bit of research has been done on transcendental meditation and it is one of the most highly researched meditation practices out there. In fact, because of its great benefits, it is highly respected within the science community. Research has shown that people who have problems like ADHD, hypertension, and other conditions related to stress and tension can be treated with this type of meditation. Transcendental meditation has been proven to be a solution for these problems that is reliable.

Well Known People Who Practice It

There were many different people who became disciples of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's transcendental meditation. The Beatles made it hugely popular after their trip to India to learn it in the 1960s. Quite a few well known people have learned this form of meditation and practice it yet today. Just a few of the well known people who practice it include Seinfeld, Clint Eastwood, Howard Stern, Mick Jaggar, and Heather Graham.

The Steps to Follow

The first step to transcendental meditation is to find a place that is silent and away from others. It may be your room, in the park, at a lake, by the ocean, or any other place that is silent and comfortable for you. Then you need to get into a position that is comfortable to you, whether sitting, standing, or lying down.

Once you are comfortable, become aware of your breathing, working to focus on taking slow, deep breaths. Use this to focus on the breathing instead of other thoughts. Then, close your eyes and begin visualizing something that makes you feel calm. Now you'll want to focus on even fuller and deeper breathing, continuing to focus on this calming picture in your mind.

If you learn with an instructor (which is how TM is usually taught) you will receive a mantra to silently repeat to yourself. This is a special word. If you don't have a teacher then come up with your own word like love, peace, harmony, etc. Repeat is over and over during your meditation. Keep using this word in future meditation so that it becomes a comfortable aid to your meditations.

As you concentrate on breathing, let everything else fade away. You can absorb the surrounding natural sounds as well or you can create them in your mind. Keep holding onto that image you created and keep your breathing controlled. You should begin to feel relaxed, your muscles should loosen, and more oxygen should be getting to your brain. Now you can open up your eyes again and come back to the world. You'll feel calm and relaxed. Make sure that you practice this routine of transcendental meditation on a regular basis. As you continue to practice, you'll find it easier and easier to reach that relaxed, meditative state.

Return from Transcendental Meditation to Types of Meditation



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