Transcendental Meditation: A worldwide practice of spirituality to achieve peace and harmony

  • 2018
Table of contents hide 1 What is Transcendental Meditation 2 Origins of Transcendental Meditation 3 Transcendental Meditation Technique 4 Mantras in Transcendental Meditation 5 Effects of Transcendental Meditation on health

“Meditation has to do with the search for nothing. It is like the last rest. It's better than the best dream I've had. It is a quieting of the mind. It is sharpening everything, especially your appreciation for the environment. Life stays fresh. ”

Hugh Jackman

How many times have we heard about the millions of people who practice meditation around the world, or that there are thousands of studies done at universities that prove their benefits?

Meditation seems to make its way as the solution to all the problems of everyday life . That reduces stress, that improves interpersonal relationships, that brings happiness and calm to life.

The Transcendental Meditation is perhaps the most popular in the world, especially driven by the practice of celebrities such as The Beatles, David Lynch, Cameron Diaz, Hugh Jackman, George Lucas, among many others.

Well, in this article we are going to talk about the Transcendental Meditation technique, briefly introducing ourselves to its essence.

What is Transcendental Meditation

Contrary to what one might deduce from his name, Transcendental Meditation is a simple practice . It consists in reaching a state of deep calm and allowing the mind to rest naturally and effortlessly.

The person in charge of introducing this technique and the Transcendental Meditation movement in India was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the mid-50s. This great teacher taught his teachings in a series of trips around the world, in which he spoke of this technique of A very spiritual and religious way.

Having his teachings a technical approach, many celebrities throughout the world experimented with transcendental meditation, and by the year 2000 he had already taught millions of people how to perform this technique.

In this practice the use of mantras is involved. About them, the great teacher of India Maharishi Mahesh Yogi explained: “ The mantra is a specific thought that is comfortable for us, a sound we receive from a teacher trained in the art of Transcendental Meditation.

The use of mantras helps the apprentice to concentrate on the thought of that sound, bringing attention to what that sound produces in oneself until the source of the thought is understood and the conscious mind reaches the transcendental zone of being . ”

This technique, despite being simple and easy to enjoy and practice once it is fully assimilated, is based on traditions that are thousands and thousands of years old.

Origins of Transcendental Meditation

This meditation is born from the Vedic traditions of India. The great teacher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who began with the Transcendental Meditation movement, had in turn learned from his teacher Brahmananda Saraswati . For the death of Yogi in 2008, his technique had expanded to thousands of people thanks to his training program in which he prepared qualified teachers to distribute his teachings.

Despite the emergence of advanced meditation techniques in the 1970s, MT has remained relatively intact since its inception.

Transcendental Meditation Technique

Well, let's go to the technical part.

For this particular meditation, no specific yoga position is necessary . This practice is structured in two sessions per day ranging from 15 to 20 minutes per session. During this time, you should remain seated with your eyes closed . The mantra must be repeated kindly and effortlessly. This will be the vehicle that allows the person's attention to move naturally and peacefully to a much less active, silent and calm state of mind.

Since listening is also a way to use thought, repeating the mantra and letting it go and listening to it in the state it is in, it is that we will be thinking the mantra in a natural and effortless way . This is the basis of the correct practice of Transcendental Meditation.

Thoughts must have permission to come and go, naturally, along with the mantra. In no way should we try to expel these thoughts out of our mind or use the mantra to cover them. They are a natural part of the practice.

When the mantra disappears and the mind is lost in thoughts, we kindly return to it. This means that all we have to do is realize that we are not listening to the mantra, because that will be enough to repeat it again.

Finally, if upon returning the mantra we realize that it is without strength or clarity, we must accept it as it is . In no way should we try to clarify it necessarily.

Mantras in Transcendental Meditation

These mantras are not repeated aloud, as it would keep the practitioner's body, throat and mouth active. They are internal mantras, repeated in a calm mental way.

Mantras are transmitted to TM practitioners by teachers, and are specifically selected in a personalized way, since it is said that not with any mantra the desired state can be achieved. Either way, there are two conditions that the mantra must meet.

First, it must be a word without specific meaning because a word with meaning would keep the mind on the surface, without allowing it to transcend. Second, its vibration must have a resonance, as in the case of the well-known Ohm . This attracts the mind, which begins to hold the mantra gradually getting silence.

In the beginning, these mantras are sounds of Sanskrit, the language that is the human imitation closest to the natural vibrations produced by the dynamism of a unified field, that is, identified as the silent source of all creation. The field of pure awareness.

Effects of Transcendental Meditation on health

There are many effects that this type of meditation can offer us. The most immediate effect of MT is relaxation. According to a study carried out at Vanderbilt University, practitioners usually report "a state of inner tranquility and active awareness" while practicing. Towards the end of the meditation session, they have a sense of rest and greater attention in daily tasks.

This has to do with the meditation quieting the sympathetic nervous system, it takes our mind away from the shocks and worries of life. Heart pressure, breathing, and palpitations that increase with stress, decrease to normal levels.

Other effects are cardiovascular level. Many studies show the benefits in this system . The American Heart Association reported in 2009 that patients who had coronary heart disease and were Transcendental Meditation practitioners suffered 47% less heart attacks, heart attacks and sudden death during the nine years of the study. Even a doctoral study suggested that it could lower the cholesterol level.

On an emotional and psychological level, the studies showed benefits as well. Practitioners show improvements in creativity, higher levels of concentration, fewer cases of depression and improved use of brain reserves. Although it is clear that the most recognized benefit is the significant reduction of stress levels . A study was conducted with war veterans who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress, and the results stated that those who were taught to meditate saw an improvement in their quality of life.

Well, here you have enough information to venture into this type of meditation so simple and beneficial. This may be the difference that allows you to carry out your life in a more balanced and wise way .

You are only two daily sessions 20 minutes away from calm and harmony.

What are you waiting for?

AUTHOR: Lucas, editor in the big family of hermandadblanca.org

SOURCES:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_Meditation
  • https://www.meditationtrust.com/transcendental-meditation-mantras/
  • https://tmhome.com/es/meditacion-trascendental/

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