Learn all about the Transcendental Meditation technique!

The transcendental meditation is a tradition of the ancient Veda culture, people who are considered the embryo of what later became Hinduism. Unlike some other meditations, it does not require much effort to achieve the expected results.

Recent research from IMT (School for Advanced Studies Lucca), in Italy, shows that the feeling of comfort and mental wellbeing caused by transcendental meditation helps in decision making in moments of stress in everyday life. So, follow the reading and discover with Astral Dream everything you need to know about this ancient technique, as well as its benefits.

Understanding about Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental meditation uses mantras and sound techniques in order to calm the mind and relax the body. Unlike some other meditations, it does not require much effort to achieve the expected results.

Source

Around the year 800, the concepts of Vedic culture were reformulated by Adi Shankaracharya, and thus established the non-dualistic philosophy. Around the 18th century, Swami Saraswati established four monasteries to revive the ancient philosophical culture of Adi, which remained restricted to these monasteries for about 200 years.

The civilization known today as Vedic, inhabited the area of the Indian subcontinent, where currently is the territory of Punjab, in India itself, as well as the Calibre, in Pakistan. The Vedic culture remained alive until the 6th century, when it began its gradual and natural process of transformation into the current Hinduism.

History of Transcendental Meditation

Around 1941, soon after graduating in physics, Madhya Warm, popularly known as Mahesh, became a disciple of the Saraswati tradition. Then, in 1958, after adopting the name Maharishi, Mahesh founded the Spiritual Regeneration Movement, and spread the techniques and concepts of transcendental meditation.

From the 1960s, a year after going to the United States to spread his techniques, the practice of transcendental meditation became very popular. This fact occurs mainly after Maharishi's appearance alongside members of the Beatles, such as John Lennon and George Harrison.

What's it for?

Transcendental meditation is a technique that allows its practitioners to experience states of relaxation, tranquility, and full attention. In addition, it also seeks to control the mind, and thus greater concentration power.

Thus, with the help of trained teachers, the adepts of this practice reach in a simple way a state of consciousness, in which one is not asleep, but neither awake. That is, the fourth state of consciousness.

How does it work?

Unlike other forms of meditation, to obtain the result of the transcendental techniques it is necessary at least to begin with the help of a certified master. During the process, one learns the individual and secret mantras, which are prepared for each person, as well as correct posture, and other details of the practice

This type of meditation should be done at least twice a day, and each session lasts 20 minutes on average. During this period, using the correct techniques, the mind becomes quiet, one experiences a pure, transcendent consciousness. As a result of this quieter state of mind, one awakens to peace of mind, which is already within each one.

Studies and scientific evidence

Currently, the benefits of the transcendental meditation techniques are supported by more than 1,200 scientific studies around the world. With various hypotheses, these studies confirm the benefits in various areas of personal and professional life of meditation practitioners.

In short, these researches demonstrate a great biochemical decrease related to stress, among them: lactic acid, cortisol, brain electrical wave ordering, heartbeat, among others. One of these researches even demonstrated a difference of 15 years between chronological and biological age among the adepts of the practice.

Cautions and contraindications of Transcendental Meditation

Some preliminary research points out that a very small portion of practitioners of transcendental meditation, with deep dives into their minds, can bring up unpleasant sensations.

In other words, in some people deep relaxation can have the opposite effect to the one expected. This is a phenomenon known as "relaxation-induced panic", which leads to increased anxiety, and in some cases causes panic or paranoia.

In general, those who practice transcendental meditation usually love the exercise and also praise the practice very much. However, for everything to occur in a healthy way and to achieve the expected goals without setbacks, it is really important to look for an accredited teacher.

Benefits of Transcendental Meditation

Meditation holds promises that appeal to most people. After all, who doesn't want to be relaxed? However, transcendental meditation is not just about relaxation.

It is also about expanding brain consciousness, and consequently bringing benefits to everyday situations of its practitioners. Follow the reading and find out more about these benefits.

Stimulates self-knowledge

The rush of everyday life, so many products to consume and so many faces to wear - all this means that many people are always busy with something else. As a result, these people cannot be at their true frequencies.

Sometimes they lose their essences as individuals, and become just automatic parts of a system of routines. Transcendental meditation has the power to provide a deepening into ourselves.

Soon, it is possible to acquire a self-knowledge about oneself, which those who practice it could not even imagine to be possible. As a result, once one has a better self-knowledge, the person starts to choose better situations for his/her life.

Provides emotional stability

Emotional stability, in a way, can also be described as emotional intelligence. That is, it is the intelligence to deal with stressful situations of everyday life. A practical example is the airline pilot, who can have all technical training with excellent grades, but who also needs to have a lot of emotional stability.

Thus, transcendental meditation is a great option to improve emotional intelligence. For this reason, it is sought by professionals in various areas that need a lot of attention and self-control for certain situations.

It was even preliminarily discussed in 2020 in the Brazilian Senate the benefits that transcendental meditation would bring to the country if it were practiced in schools.

Stimulates intelligence

Scientific studies from several universities around the world already state that the practice of transcendental meditation stimulates the frontal cortex of the brain, making it healthier to process information. In other words, this meditation, when well practiced, improves and accelerates the learning process.

To have an idea, some companies offer free of charge to their employees the practice of transcendental meditation. By the way, they are already obtaining positive results in several corporate human development indexes.

Improves relationships

Sometimes when one is irritated, with a high level of stress due to day-to-day problems, one ends up dumping all this anger on the nearest person. Soon after, with a cool head, the person realizes that he did not do the right thing, but it is already late, after all, the word said does not return.

Therefore, transcendental meditation helps you to maintain balance when you are about to explode. You begin to really listen to others and seek a more harmonious solution to relationship problems.

Reduces anxiety

Anxiety is a problem that affects a large part of the world's population. Besides fear, it provokes stressful thoughts that cause discomfort and worries. Often a tea or a flower essence is enough to calm anxious people.

However, there are more serious cases that transcendental meditation can help, along with specialized medical treatment. And it is through the deep dive into the mind, into the transcendental field that meditation practice can reassure the hearts and minds of its practitioners.

In other words, talk to your doctor and look for a specialized teacher for best results.

Combats ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is an increasingly common problem that affects the quality of life. Besides bringing a lot of mental wear, ADHD can disrupt the personal and professional life of people with the syndrome.

In view of this, this situation becomes more constant in studies regarding the use of transcendental meditation as a complement of treatment for this disorder. As a result, the vast majority of research suggests the practice of transcendental meditation as a treatment aid. This is because meditation practitioners get:

- Improved cognitive ability;

- Increased brain function;

- Better blood flow;

- "Exercises" the frontal cortex, aiding in learning and memory;

- Improved concentration;

- Better emotional control.

Finally, we emphasize again that transcendental meditation is not yet considered a cure for ADHD, but a good treatment aid. Anyway, studies are advancing, and who knows, in the near future, we may bring other good news.

Fights hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis

As in ADHD, Transcendental Meditation is considered a good complement in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerosis. These are risk factors that affect more than 20% of the Brazilian population, being some of the main causes of death in the country.

Therefore, some complementary practices are important to decrease these high levels. As it is an ancient practice, the use of transcendental medication has been researched in various sectors of medicine. And because of many positive results, meditation is already being used in several medical clinics, as a complement to traditional treatment.

Helps to improve sleep quality

As already proven by medicine, a good night's sleep is important for the body to function well, thus providing better health and a better quality of life. However, recent researches show that in Brazil, around 40% of people do not get a good night's sleep.

One of the biggest causes of insomnia or poor quality sleep is stress, which drastically decreases the level of serotonin. As proven in studies at the University of Alberta in Canada and the Japanese National Institute of Industrial Health, transcendental meditation raises the level of serotonin.

Consequently, this ancient practice has been indicated by doctors and clinics that treat sleep disorders.

Controls addictions

Because it is a practice that seeks mental deepening, transcendental meditation makes its practitioners full of consciousness to make decisions. Therefore, it is a great tool for those people who need to recognize their addictions and make decisions about them.

Moreover, by confronting the origin of thoughts and feelings, the practice of meditation can help those who need to face their addictions head on. For this reason, we have more and more news about recovery clinics for drug addicts adopting transcendental meditation as a treatment support.

Transcendental Meditation in practice

Now that you know more about the origin and benefits of transcendental meditation, it is time to know a little more about the practice. In the next topics, we will talk about: age to practice, conduct, confidentiality, mantras, environment, duration, course and sessions. So, stay with us, and discover much more.

Age

In addition to the benefits brought by transcendental meditation, it also draws attention for being easily practiced, even by children as young as 5 years old. This is possible due to the fact that it is a meditation that does not require much effort to control and silence the mind.

Conduct

Transcendental meditation is not linked to a religion, which means that practitioners do not need to have any theological knowledge. There is also no need to give up values, beliefs or behaviors.

Therefore, there is no code of ethics, morals or conduct for those who want to practice the ancient meditation. It is even possible to easily find people of different religious beliefs practicing transcendental meditation together.

Confidentiality

Transcendental Meditation is very confidential, this does not mean that you have to tell your life to the teacher. What we mean is that since it was passed from teacher to teacher, being spread over the centuries, the mantras are taught only to accredited masters of the method.

The people responsible for the practice believe that by keeping the methods confidential, they will keep the tradition away from malicious outsiders.

Mantras

Mantras are words or sounds, which despite having no meaning, have positive energy when recited aloud or mentally. Besides sound and vibration, mantras, as shown by some studies, have an effect on the mind through their meanings.

Transcendental meditation is one of the techniques that uses mantras as a fundamental part of its practice. Reciting such sounds makes one achieve transcendental self-consciousness. Finally, it is worth remembering that mantras are unique and personal, and can only be passed on by accredited teachers.

Environment

The transcendental meditation has a method, which after the student learns, he is free to practice in the place and time that best suits him. That is, this is a practice that does not necessarily need a prepared place to do it.

Anyway, some people prefer to organize a place where they feel better, but do not stop reciting the mantras when they are away from it. Keep in mind that meditation when necessary can be practiced anywhere. Enjoy and do it more often a day.

Duration

Do not be fooled by the question of time, this is not always the most important thing, but rather the correct technique and its application by the practitioner. Thus, like the vast majority of other methods of meditation, the transcendental practice does not usually take long minutes. That is, on average, each session lasts around 20 minutes, and is done twice a day.

Course

Nowadays, there are numerous options for courses to teach transcendental meditation. Among them there are in-person and online possibilities, as well as individual courses, for the family or even for companies. Regardless of the choice you make, it is important to observe the credibility of the school and the accreditation of the teachers.

Sessions

To begin, the person interested in learning Transcendental Meditation meets with the teacher for an initial conversation, a short interview. After the introductory moment, the practitioner learns the technique, along with his or her individual mantra, in a session that lasts about an hour.

Thereafter, there are about three sessions, also of one hour, in which the teacher teaches more details of the techniques of transcendental meditation. After the initial sessions of introduction and teaching, the student is able to practice the techniques learned on their own. The next sessions occur monthly, or according to individual need.

Further information on Transcendental Meditation

Now that you know almost everything about transcendental meditation, whether about the practice or its benefits, let's move on to the final chapters of the text. From now on, we will bring you extra tips and other relevant information about this military learning. Keep reading and don't miss out!

History of Transcendental Meditation in Brazil

In 1954, with the death of his master the previous year, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi spent two years meditating in the Himalayan mountains. Soon after this period, he founded the first organization to teach transcendental meditation.

Based on the success of his organization, Mahesh was invited to participate in lectures and trainings in the United States in the early 1960s. Soon after his arrival, Mahesh became close to famous people, and this helped to spread the knowledge about transcendental meditation among Americans.

In Brazil, meditation practice arrived years later, more precisely in 1970, together with yoga. Since then, it has been spreading all over the country, and the International Meditation Society is responsible for the certification of teachers.

How to choose the best type of meditation?

The choice about which meditation technique to practice is very personal, and may depend on some factors. For example, if the person is stressed, he/she may try relaxation exercises, if the problem is depression, a line of self-knowledge is more advisable.

The main tip is to try different meditations, and feel the one that works best for you. Certainly, for some people, a meditation with mantras may work best, but for others a meditation with a focus on breathing may be the best option. So experiment a lot, and not just once with each technique, give them a chance.

Tips for making a good meditation session

The practice of meditation can be practiced in places that are already prepared for it, but also at home, work, or even in transport. Therefore, we will now pass some tips for a better use and thus get better results when meditating alone.

The time of practice: if possible, set aside a time between 10 and 20 minutes a day, even better if you can do it two or more times in the same day. The ideal is to meditate first thing in the morning, and thus start the day lighter mentally.

Comfortable posture: According to oriental culture, the ideal posture for meditation practice is Lotus, that is, sitting with legs crossed, feet on thighs, and spine straight. However this is not an obligatory posture, so it is possible to meditate sitting normally, or even lying down.

Breathing: For a better result of the meditation practice it is also important to pay attention to the breathing. That is, it should be deep, using all the lung capacity by inhaling deeply, through the belly and chest, and exhaling slowly through the mouth.

Price and where to do

Meditation can be done in several specialized places, which are currently expanding throughout the country. The choice of this place should be given mainly by the training of teachers who will minister meditation practices. Other factors, such as structure and environment, go according to the particular taste of each practitioner.

It is possible to find meditation classes starting at R$ 75,00 an hour. Anyway, this value can change a lot according to the region of the country, the chosen practice, the professional qualification and structure provided. In short, you just need to search, and you will find a suitable place with good prices for a good meditation class.

Transcendental Meditation is a universal practice!

As you may have noticed, transcendental meditation is a universal practice, that is, it is already widespread throughout the world. A good example that proves this fact, is that it is practiced by people of different religions, beliefs, cultures and societies. In addition, it is well-liked by scholars from various medical fields.

However, don't think that Transcendental Meditation has already reached its peak of popularity and beneficial knowledge. There is still much to come, and studies pointing to increasingly incredible results are growing yearly.

In other words, be sure that you will still hear a lot about transcendental meditation. We hope that this reading has been enlightening, and may have cleared up some doubts. Until next time.