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Transendental Meditation is practiced for fifteen to twenty minutes twice daily while sitting with the eyes closed. In essence, the TM technique comprises the silent mental repetition of a simple sound known as a mantra. The goal of this meditation, according to practitioners, is called pure consciousness (in Sanskrit: turiya or samadhi). The TM organization emphasizes in its teaching that the procedure for using the mantra is very important, and can only be learned from a trained teacher of TM.

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Since 1958, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has trained more than 40,000 teachers in the practice of Transcendental Meditation or TM. These teachers have taught more than six million people worldwide this simple, natural procedure which allows its practitioners to gain deep rest and contact their inner reservoir of creativity, energy and intelligence. This information comes from the official Transcendental Meditation website at www.tm.org.

What happens during meditation

During the practice of TM, the mind and body experience a unique state of restful alertness. As the mind becomes more silent, the body becomes deeply relaxed. At the most settled state of awareness, the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness, Transcendental Consciousness. Hundreds of scientific studies have shown that experiencing this state correlates with greater creativity, improved learning, higher IQ, better grades, higher moral reasoning, increased brain wave coherence and improved neurological functioning of the body.

Practicing TM helps develops increased energy, creativity and intelligence. This in turn helps awaken the unlimited potential of the meditator’s mind and body. The result is that those who practice TM enjoy greater health, happiness and success in all aspects of life.

How to meditate

Anyone can learn how to meditate. No special lessons, books or equipment are required. People of all ages, cultures and educational backgrounds can practice TM.

TM is an easy and enjoyable experience that takes only 20 minutes twice a day. You can do it alone or with others in a group. Pick a time and place where you will not be disturbed. Then just sit comfortably with your eyes closed. No effort, no concentration, no special skills nor change of lifestyle are required. Thoughts will enter and leave your mind as you meditate. Attend to them or not as you choose.

People can benefit from TM even if they don’t believe it will work. Try meditating regularly for 20 minutes twice a day and you will start to see results in the form of improvements in your life.

Back in the 1960’s when TM first became popular in the United States, practitioners were known to chant “OM” or another single syllable sound while they meditated. This is no longer considered necessary, though it can be done if desired. Most people now meditate silently.

The benefits of TM

Practitioners of transcendental meditation start noticing positive changes in their lives within a few days or weeks after they start meditating. These benefits include clearer thinking, improved memory, enhanced creativity and sharper intellect. These changes can enable people to achieve more in their work by becoming more creative and effective without having to work harder. Other people have said they feel healthier, more rested and relaxed, and have increased immunity to disease, reduction of aging effects and greater energy and vitality after starting to meditate.

TM can even help in relationships with others. It can help you enjoy closer friendships, become calmer and more self-confident and feel less anxious and stressed out. By radiating this increased harmony and lack of stress to the outside world, TM may even contribute to world peace.

The Maharishi teaches that by practicing Transcendental Meditation regularly, you can choose what you want to be and begin to achieve that goal. Why not try practicing TM now and see how your life improves?

Scientific research has shown that the most beneficial meditation technique is Transcendental Meditation (TM). The striking reduction of stress and anxiety caused by TM are 3 times greater than the effect caused by most meditation and relaxation techniques.

Transcendental Meditation has been taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi since 1958. The first articles about the beneficial effects of TM were published around 1970 on important magazines and scientific journals such as

• Science (167, 1970)
• American Journal of Physiology (221, 1971)
• Scientific American (226, 1972)

The basic research was conducted by two medical doctors from Harvard University, Herbert Benson and Robert Wallace. This research was made on dozens of American people who used to practice this technique regularly. These people were of any race, sex, age, job, and with different personal political or religious belief.

Later, a lot of research was made about this technique by several doctors and scientists, who wrote several articles on important scientific journals such as

• International Journal of Neuroscience
• Psychosomatic Medicine
• Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology
• Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
• Journal of Clinical Psychology
• and many more.

Dr. Benson never practiced this technique himself (Dr. Wallace did). Dr. Benson created his own relaxation technique, that is described in his book The relaxation response (HarperCollins, 1975, 2000), a best-seller that sold 5 millions of copies since 1975. Dr. Benson claims that his technique achieves the same results as Maharishi’s TM. However, the actual results achieved by TM are 3 times greater than those achieved by the relaxation response technique, as shown by further research (Journal of Clinical Psychology, 45, 1989; and Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 6, 1991).

Around 1995, Dr. Deepak Chopra created the Primordial Sound technique, that is very similar to Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation (TM) and can be considered as much as effective. Unfortunately Maharishi’s TM and Chopra’s technique are very expensive: the price of TM is prohibitive (US$2500.00). Chopra’s technique is expensive also (starting at US$325).

Further on, a mystical atmosphere has been sorrounding the TM technique for years, and the Maharishi organization deals with several peculiar and weird projects that stun common people. This has prevented TM to be appreciated as it deserves. Transcendental Meditation is a simple, precious, effective technique that can help anybody to be more intelligent and creative, to live better and to reduce or remove stress, anxiety and other disorders.

That’s why former TM teachers have started teaching this precious technique for less. For example check the websites: www.tm-meditation.co.uk (TM Independent UK) and www.natural-stress-relief.com.

For more information: http://transcendental.meditation.onwww.net>http://transcendental.meditation.onwww.net

Can a meditation supply item help you go into a deeper state of inner awareness? If you choose the right item, there is a good chance that it can help you get more comfortable and allow you to become more relaxed.

A common problem with meditation is that many people are not flexible enough to sit in a position for a long time without starting to feel some discomfort in their bodies. If you are not comfortable in the traditional crossed legged or Lotus positions, you might benefit from one of the following meditation supply items.

Meditation Chair – This can be a very useful accessory if you tend to experience pain in your lower back when you sit for long periods of time. Chairs support your upper back and some have lumbar cushions that you can adjust to provide the maximum level of comfort for your lower back.

Meditation Bench – If your hips are not very flexible, this item can help you sit more comfortably by providing extra support for your legs and knees. Some of them tilt slightly forward to help you maintain good posture while meditating.

Meditation Cushion – This can be useful if your hips are relatively flexible but you still want to take some pressure off your legs. You can use one or more cushions so that your seat is raised high enough to allow you to sit comfortably, while still maintaining proper spinal alignment.

Other meditation supply items that might help you achieve a greater level of stillness include:

Eye Pillows – These are used when you are lying down while meditating. They are often made of flax seed covered with silk and they are placed directly over the acupressure points that surround your eyes. They relieve tension and block out light. Some include aromatherapy oils to promote a deep feeling of relaxation.

Meditation Blanket – You can use one to cover a cushion, chair, or bench. You can also use it to cover yourself during your meditation to provide you with warmth. Some are made from very soft fabrics, which help promote a deeper sense of relaxation.

Meditation Music – Using soft music can help you relax fully so you can experience a deeper meditation practice.

Meditation Timers – If you are concerned about spending too long a period of time in meditation, you will not be able to focus fully within. Set one of these timers so you can let go and be fully present in your meditation. At just the right time, you will be gently alerted that your practice time is over.

There are a variety of items that you can try during your meditation to see which ones you like and to discover which ones help you go deeper within. Remember, the goal of meditation is stillness. When your body is comfortable, then your mind has the ability to become still.