Widely practiced and highly researched, the mental technique of Transcendental Meditation (TM) sets itself apart from other meditation and stress reduction techniques. The mind-body connection of TM lays a foundation which makes it beneficial to both mind and body, more so than other practices.
Furthermore, the ease of entering the restful experience of this meditative state contributes to its uniqueness. Even more powerfully, immediate benefits contribute. Other techniques, including exercise, music, meditative practices and more, require time, even years, to master and achieve results. Let’s look at this in more detail.
Quickly Mastered
N.Y.U. Medical School Neurologist, Gary Kaplan, M.D., states that “TM allows the mind to settle very deeply inward—in a natural way. TM teachers call this effortless transcending.” This easy mastery makes TM useful to the mind and body after minimal training.
Studying TM
Through a standard course of instruction, teachers share this technique with students throughout the country and around the world. After paying a fee, students experience four sessions (90 minutes each) of one-on-one instruction with free lifetime support.
At the close of the first of the four sessions, students begin meditating at home. Regular follow up sessions with the student’s teacher encourage consistent practice with proper technique. This support ensures benefits are experienced.
Practicing TM
Furthermore, the practice requires only 20 minutes two times per day and no equipment. Even on the fast-paced, stress-filled calendars of this century, most people can prioritize 20 minutes in the morning and evening. In short, TM offers a doable solution which gets results.
On the contrary, other stress-reduction techniques such as yoga or exercise take longer (30 to 60 minutes recommended daily) with some equipment involved. Mastery requires more practice than TM. And, results lag as well.
Produces Consistent Results
While more quality research is needed, current studies and TM practitioners claim positive health effects of this discipline. Stress and anxiety reduction and quicker recovery from stress as well as decreased depression, insomnia and lower blood pressure and chronic pain levels result. Increased brain functioning in TM practitioners is also reported. Below are just a few examples of the benefits of TM.
Stress Reduced
In a Stanford University meta-analysis study, the TM technique proved two times as effective as other stress and anxiety relief strategies. In a study by R. Jevning, et.al., TM reduced the stress hormone cortisol with daily practice while significantly decreasing it in long-term practitioners.
“No other ‘stress management technique’ has anywhere close to this amount of hard data in support of its claims to reduce stress.”, states Dr. Norman Rosenthal, a psychiatrist at Georgetown University Medical School.
Sleepness Nights Cured
Since stress contributes to insomnia, it seems natural that TM practitioners also report improved sleep. TM creates a state of “restful alertness” which differs from other relaxation techniques such as exercise and music. The expanded awareness which accompanies the deep relaxation produces feelings of calm leading to more restful nights.
Brain Power Enhanced
Research indicates clarity and academic performance increase with the regular practice of TM. A two-year longitudinal study matched the findings of previous similar studies. Researchers concluded that participating in a curriculum involving twice-daily TM led to increased general intelligence.
Also, mental clarity and creativity are also reported. Practitioners including celebrities such as Hugh Jackman and Katy Perry claim TM opens the mind, boosts the creative process and makes thinking sharp. Clear ideas and epiphanies result.
Recommended by Professionals
An estimated 80 percent of doctor visits result from stress-related concerns. The stress-reducing TM technique naturally decreases these concerns and their health-related risks. The deep rest of TM enables the body’s healing mechanisms to function well.
Medical Professionals
Due to its easy mastery and quick health benefits, doctors and other medical professionals recommend TM to their patients. The American Heart Association also recommends this technique (the only meditative practice it recommends) with its claims to effectively lower blood pressure, lower heart attack and stroke risk, and improve cardiac health.
Mental Health Professionals
Counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists use TM as a supplement to professional therapies. Anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD and other mental health conditions respond favorably to this meditative practice, according to research.
Not Reserved for the Religious
The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of TM, originally conducted world tours to impart spiritual and religious teachings. The development of TM marks a shift toward a technical approach for the Maharishi.
Since the 1960s and 1970s, this secular approach has grown in popularity among the masses. TM does not rest in religious or philosophical beliefs. For this reason, it does not hinder religious beliefs or practices as other meditative practices might.
Experiencing the Difference
TM offers practitioners a unique approach to experiencing deep rest and alertness. Unlike other techniques, TM is quickly mastered and produces immediate, consistent results. Adding to its unique flavor, this practice is recommended by medical and mental health professionals and is not reserved for the religious.
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