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Transcendental Meditation

(Inspired by Wikipedia)

Transcendental Meditation, or TM, is the trademarked name of a meditation technique introduced in 1958 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Transcendental Meditation technique is practiced for twenty minutes twice a day while sitting with the eyes closed, enabling the mind to "transcend" to a quieter state. The technique is said to be effortless, not involving concentration or contemplation. Research has been done on the effects of this meditation technique on mind and body, ranging from investigating its effects on cardiovascular disease to studying the physiological and psychological correlates of "higher states of consciousness" which practitioners say result from its practice. The technique is said to have been taught to over six million people worldwide.

The Transcendental Meditation technique is the experiential aspect of Maharishi Vedic Science.

Procedure

Maharishi explains that the Transcendental Meditation technique is derived from the ancient Vedic tradition of India. The technique, taught worldwide, in a standardized, seven-step procedure, includes two introductory lectures, a personal interview, and a two-hour instruction session given on each of four consecutive days. Instruction begins with a short ceremony performed by the teacher, after which the student learns and begins practicing the technique. Subsequent sessions provide further clarification of correct practice, as well as more information about the technique.

Research on the Transcendental Meditation technique

Medical indexes, such as PubMed, show that over 200 studies have been conducted on the Transcendental Meditation technique. The universities and medical centers where this research has taken place include Harvard Medical School, Yale Medical School, Stanford University, Princeton University, MIT, Purdue University, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC Berkeley, the University of Chicago, the University of Michigan Medical School, and the University of Texas.

Effects on the physiology

Research studies have described specific physiological effects that occur during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique. The first of these studies was published in the early 1970’s in Science, American Journal of Physiology, and Scientific American.

This research found that the Transcendental Meditation technique produced a physiological state that was termed "restful alertness." During the practice of the technique the physiology becomes relaxed, as indicated by significant reductions in respiration, minute ventilation, tidal volume, blood lactate, and significant increases in basal skin resistance, yet EEG measurements showed increased coherence and integration of brain functioning, indicating that the physiology was alert rather than asleep. Studies suggest that this state of physiology promotes regulation of cortisol and other hormones associated with chronic stress and a healthier regulation of serotonin (a neurotransmitter associated with mood).

Maharishi's theory of consciousness

According to Maharishi's theory of consciousness, there are seven major states of consciousness, of which the first three are commonly known. The last three states describe aspects of enlightenment (a state in which the human being is said to be fully developed ), that, according to Maharishi, is the ultimate goal of long-term practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique:

• Dreamless sleeping state of consciousness
• Dreaming state of consciousness (REM)
• Waking state of consciousness
• Transcendental Consciousness, said to be a fourth major state of consciousness, distinct from waking, sleeping or dreaming. According to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique thought becomes increasingly subtle, until the finest level of thought is reached. From there the mind can further experience the source of thought, or transcends thought, and is no longer bound by thoughts or perceptions but experiences awareness of itself alone.This state is said to be an experience of "am-ness", or "Being"experienced at the source of thought. Maharishi calls this state Transcendental Consciousness, and has said that Transcendental Consciousness is experienced via dhyana, a Sanskrit term which he equates with Transcendental Meditation. While dhyana is often characterized as involving concentration or contemplation, Transcendental Meditation, according to Maharishi, makes use of the "natural, expansive response of the mind." Maharishi believes that concentration is a mistranslation of dhyana and that meditation that uses concentration can result in a failure to transcend.
• Cosmic Consciousness, the fifth state, is said to be the state of "enlightenment" which results from alternating the experience of Transcendental Consciousness with the activity of our daily lives. Through repeated practice, the non-changing state of Being of Transcendental Consciousness becomes permanently maintained along with waking, sleeping and dreaming. This all-inclusive state - "cosmic" - is said to be marked by a peacefully, non-changing, restfully alert, inner state that is maintained while one is actively engaged in the constant changes of life.
• God Consciousness is said to be the state where, during waking, sleeping and dreaming states, the awareness of Cosmic Consciousness is accompanied by refined sensory perception and awareness of the mechanics of creation. This perception is said to lead to a devotion for and love of creation and its creator.
• Unity Consciousness, the seventh state, is said to be a state in which the perception that all aspects of life, from gross to subtle, are nothing but expressions of one's Being, or pure consciousness. The outer and inner realities of life are said to have been bridged in Unity Consciousness.

For more information please refer to wikipedia entry

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