Meditation techniques are several, and every individual chooses the one that is convenient for them. With the need for increasing both the physical and mental well-being, practicing meditation became extremely popular. While the Zen meditation drew everyone closer towards it, the other form of meditation that became extremely famous is the Transcendental meditation.
Transcendental meditation, also called TM in short, is a form of practice where the practitioner would allow themselves to attain a state of mind of complete awareness. Staying aware of the thoughts is one of the most important things that makes this meditation a powerful practice. This meditation is derived from the philosophies of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi with the association of Vedic tradition.
This meditation technique has been broadly accepted in the West, mostly in the United States of America. One must know that this meditation isn’t free like the other forms of meditation; hence, learning it from the institution becomes essential. Let us quickly get to learn more about the techniques and the benefits that you can achieve by practicing Transcendental meditation.
Transcendental meditation is, in total, a 7-step systematic procedure that has to be followed under the guidance and supervision of a certified Transcendental meditation instructor. As already mentioned, the only way to practice the TM is by attending the course as prescribed by the meditation center. There are numerous benefits that one gets by practicing TM through a proper channel.
There have been several pieces of evidence where people’s physical and mental health has improved drastically through this meditation. In this form of meditation, practitioners can attain more profound levels of consciousness by paying complete and undivided attention to the normal thinking process. While doing this, the practitioner is encouraged to observe the silence and stillness that they go through. There shall be perfect harmony between the mind, body, and soul as you experience the absolute absence of all the thoughts. You would be transported to a state of trance with this meditation.
Steps to perform the Transcendental meditation:
The first phase is to get enrolled in the course. One can choose to visit the official website or even scroll down through the internet and get their hands on some of the courses conducted by licensed teachers of Transcendental meditation. Once you enroll in the course, you would be entirely guided by them, and all the information related to the course would be shared with you. This can be considered to be the induction phase of Transcendental meditation. The induction program would last for an hour, and this is the point where you get to clarify all the doubts related to the course and the overall meditation technique.
The first hour would be a general introduction related to the course, whereas the second lecture or the session that lasts for straight 45 minutes would be specific. This detailed lecture can again help you clarify all the thoughts you have in mind related to the course. Throughout the class, you would be introduced to the techniques and benefits you can reap by practicing this meditation.
Later, after the general and the specific lecture of 60 and 45 minutes, the individuals that choose to attend the course would have a 15-minute exclusive interview with the teacher. This is where you get to spend more time knowing everything that you want to regard the Transcendental meditation. After the 15 minute conversation, you would be then taken through an elaborate session of 1-2 hours where a Mantra or the chant would be taught. The teachers expect you to keep this chant for yourself, which is considered highly confidential. The meditation is mantra centric, and that is what you would be meditating upon.
During the first three days, there would be a lot of things that require improvements. You would be getting an opportunity to speak one-on-one with the teachers and gain more control over the techniques as they would be identifying the mistakes and helping you in correcting them. During this phase, the teachers would make you understand the deeper dimensions and perspectives of Transcendental meditation. They would also take you through the benefits and also the other significance of practicing this medication regularly. This is the time where you could ask your tutor to correct things for you.
After the instructions phase is completed, you would be all by yourself practicing meditation regularly. Now, the tutors would get in touch with you after a couple of months, initiate a conversation, and make sure that you follow the technique taught appropriately.
Generally, the practitioners are expected to perform their meditation for 15-20 minutes before breakfast and once before lunch or dinner. Both the sessions are to be performed for 15-20 minutes without any strain. When you take a look at the entire process of the Transcendental meditation, it is not strenuous, and you do not have to sit for hours together to practice the meditation.
- Like the other forms of meditation, you need to choose a comfortable spot that can ignite positivity in you by making you feel comfortable
- Sit either on a chair or floor with spine erect when you are performing Dhyana
- Start chanting the mantra and focus on the breathing process. You must also pay complete attention towards the mantra as well
- It is important to breathe normally and maintaining the pace of it neutrally is mandatory
- Once the meditation is practiced regularly, you must start observing the changes, improvements, or other unusual conditions in your health.
Now that we have understood all the steps of Transcendental meditation, it is quite essential also to get to know the benefits that revolve around meditation. Of course, several advantages can be obtained by practicing Transcendental meditation regularly, but knowing them all beforehand can help you adapt yourself quickly to the practice sessions.
- Can tackle anxiety:
The regular practice of TM can easily tackle anxiety. Most of the people get themselves inducted into the Transcendental meditation to relieve themselves from stress. With the hectic lifestyle, it becomes extremely difficult to dedicate hours together to sit in one place. Since Transcendental meditation is just about 15-20 minutes split practice sessions, people find it more convenient to get used to it. Along with health, one can easily concentrate on their professional lives without any hassles. - TM can help reduce Alzheimer’s:
The condition of Alzheimer’s can be dreadful. No one would certainly like to forget things that have happened in their lives, nor would anyone love to forget the moments spent with their dear ones. Several types of research reveal how practicing TM can help reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This condition of the brain does not have any medicines so far, but relaxing the minds through the regular practice of certain meditation techniques can help prevent the symptoms. - Easy for professionals:
When you are working, it becomes difficult for professionals to spend a lot of time on something other than work. Transcendental meditation makes people comfortable, and it is one of the best stress management techniques that one can adapt too. It can be performed at your convenience and can yield a lot of benefits. - Can help you fight insomnia:
Since you would constantly be focusing on the mantra or the chant along with the breathing, you would be able to fight those sleepless nights easily. Also, when you take a look at the practice of Transcendental meditation, it is easier for you to understand. It follows a systematic approach to help you to calm your senses and brain cells.
You practice one session in the morning before breakfast and one during the evenings before dinner. While the morning sessions help you stay calm and focused at work, the evening sessions would help you introspect and draw conclusions on the activities during the day. With this method in place, it becomes easy for you to sleep well and prepare for the next day. - Other psychological disorders:
TM can help you keep many other psychological disorders like OCD, Bipolarity, spectrum disorders, and even autism, to a greater extent. These disorders require treatment from the psychologists, but, along with this meditation, the symptoms can be drastically reduced. - It is guided:
This is one of the meditation forms where you are completely guided. The teachers hold your hands at every step and make the necessary corrections as required. With their strict invigilation, it becomes pretty easy for you to keep up with the pace and the practice sessions.
After knowing all these things, it becomes mandatory for you to work more towards developing and implementing this meditation practice. When you have a chance to improve upon your health, it must not be delayed any further.