Transcendental Meditation

Some decades ago, Transcendental Meditation became popular as millions of people worldwide followed the techniques of this mantra meditation. This meditation technique was introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India during the mid 50s. Many individuals got hooked with this technique since they were looking for ways to relieve themselves from the grind of daily living. According to the TM website, a mantra sound is uttered during the 15-20 minute meditation wherein one is sitting with eyes closed. This meditation is practiced twice a day for desired results that claims “ supernatural powers�. Not only common people like students started practicing Transcendental Meditation but famous people like Hollywood celebrities and world leaders as well. Most of the followers of this meditation technique came from the United States. Later, the TM institute promoted training of people through the TM Sidhi program who wanted to learn more advanced techniques that included levitation. According to some TM practitioners, the meditation is adequate to create a peace-inducing field which was questioned by a publication that discussed epilepsy.

Transcendental meditation involves using mantra words which is believed to have its origin from Hinduism. Certain mantra words are believed to have been part of the Tantric tradition according to a new age writer named Williamson while other experts trace back the mantras from the old Vedic tradition in ancient India. The founder himself, Mahareshi Yogi ( who passed away some years ago) claims that using a certain thought or words to connote a thought can be significant since such thoughts have unlocked powers that can be discovered as one learns the discipline of meditation. Moreover, he added that the thoughts when translated into words such as “oooommmm� release vibrations that have power. Mainly, this is the underlying concept behind Transcendental Meditation. For this reason, many individuals became practitioners of meditation hoping that they would acquire positive energy vibrations.

Transcendental Meditation has also its critics since it claims to be scientific as contrary to its religious origins. Even the famous astrologer Carl Sagan refutes the philosophy and practice behind Transcendental Meditation since it does not really have a concrete scientific basis for its techniques. Nevertheless, until today, many people worldwide still practice the meditation techniques from Transcendental Meditation which supposedly clears their mind and helps them relax.