Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Transcendental Meditation technique?

The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique is a simple, effortless mental technique practiced 20 minutes twice a day, sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. During TM, the active mind settles down naturally to quieter and quieter levels of the thinking process until the practitioner experiences the source of thought — the most settled, yet fully awake state of awareness, also called "pure consciousness." As the mind settles down, the body also settles down and gains a state of rest and relaxation that is, in many respects, deeper than the deepest part of deep sleep. This unique state of "restful alertness" eliminates stress and fatigue and is the basis for increased creativity and intelligence, improved health, and improved relations with others.

What is the evidence that the TM technique works?

During the past 30 years, hundreds of scientific studies validating the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation technique have been conducted in 33 countries at 210 independent research institutions and universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and UCLA Medical School. The earliest research on the physiological correlates of the TM technique was published in Science, the American Journal of Physiology, and Scientific American in 1970 and 1972. This research found that the TM technique produces a physiological state of restful alertness, distinct from ordinary waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. During practice of the TM technique, the physiology becomes deeply rested, as indicated by significant reductions in respiration, minute ventilation, tidal volume, and blood lactate, and significant increases in basal skin resistance (an index of relaxation). At the same time, the physiology is alert rather than asleep, as indicated by an increased abundance of alpha waves in the EEG.

These initial physiological findings led researchers to investigate the long-term effects of TM practice on health. Since then, extensive research has been published in well over 100 peer-reviewed scientific journals, including The Lancet, the American Journal of Cardiology, the American Journal of Hypertension, and the American Heart Association's journal, Hypertension. During the past 15 years, the National Institutes of Health in the USA has awarded over $20 million to study the effects of the TM programme on heart disease, hypertension, and stroke.

Doesn't exercise or simple relaxation do the same thing as the TM programme?

Going out with friends, listening to music, playing sports or reading a book can all be relaxing enjoyable activities. They provide a change of pace, a break in daily routine. However, while these activities may seem relaxing do they actually release deeply rooted stress and tension? No. This is because even though they may feel relaxing they keep the mind and body engaged in some activity.

What is nature's antidote to stress? Deep rest — and the deeper the better. The TM technique is not just another form of activity or recreation. It is a scientifically validated technique that provides the entire system with very deep rest — far deeper than ordinary eyes-closed rest or relaxation — and gives us an opportunity to unfold the full range of our own consciousness. This deep rest has been shown to release accumulated stress and tension that nothing else comes close to eliminating — not hanging out with friends, listening to music, playing sports or reading books.

Does the TM programme involve adopting a new lifestyle?

No, TM does not require a change in lifestyle, nor is it a philosophy or a religion. Over six million people of all ages, nationalities, and religions, including medical doctors, business and government leaders, lawyers, teachers, and students — have learned the Transcendental Meditation technique during the past 50 years. TM practitioners report that the reduced stress and increased clarity of mind has helped them to appreciate life more fully.

Is TM a spiritual practice?

No, if you use "spiritual" in the sense of a religious practice. But yes, if you define "spiritual" as the nonreligious, holistic development of mind, body, emotions, and sense of self. In the latter case, the TM technique is a deeply healthy and satisfying spiritual practice.

Will my practice of the TM programme conflict with my religious beliefs?

No, if anything it will enhance your religious beliefs. Millions of people of all religions — including clergy — practice the TM technique. They report that the technique, by increasing energy and intelligence and eliminating stress and fatigue, allows them to better follow the tenets of their religion. It is a technique, pure and simple. It involves no religion, belief, philosophy, or change in lifestyle.

Rev. Dr. Craig Overmyer explains this point: "I would say to any Christian — to anyone of any religion — that Transcendental Meditation would benefit your life. It's a technique, a simple process that requires no belief. It is not a religion. There are so many thoughts that clutter the mind, and Transcendental Meditation is like taking a bath — it's very cleansing and very refreshing."

Why do people learn to meditate?

For a wide range of reasons — for peace of mind, for better health, for better coping ability to handle the stresses of daily life, to do better in school. And the research confirms the benefits. Studies have consistently shown that regular TM practice increases creativity and IQ and improves learning ability among students, decreases anxiety and depression, reduces drug and alcohol abuse, and improves memory.

If I close my eyes my mind is filled with thoughts — how could I ever successfully practice TM?

Unless you are unconscious or deceased, it's normal for your mind to be active. Fortunately, an active mind is not a problem when practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique, because the technique actually uses this active tendency of the mind to dive within. Even if your mind starts out in an active state, it will spontaneously experience more quiet, refined, settled levels of activity during the practice. As the mind becomes more settled and alert, it leads the physiology to a state of very deep rest. The process is easy, natural, and spontaneous. And research has shown that when you have this experience of restful alertness on a daily basis, you naturally start feeling calmer, more clear and focused in activity.

Can the TM technique be learned from a book or a tape?

No. Ensuring you learn the technique properly requires personal instruction from a trained and certified TM teacher through the standardised seven-step course. Although the process of TM instruction is highly systemised — which ensures effectiveness and makes the technique ideally suited for scientific research — TM instruction is tailored to each individual who learns the practice. Every person is different, and every person has a different pace of learning and different personal experiences. When a person learns TM, every instruction given is on the basis of the previous instruction being understood. A book or a CD can't do that. This personalized instruction ensures that everyone learns to practice meditation correctly and gains maximum benefit.

Do all meditation techniques produce the same results?

No. That was what most people, including scientists, thought even a few years ago. But now, with sophisticated EEG and brain imaging technologies, it is clear that all meditation techniques are not the same — they produce very different effects on brain functioning. Research also confirms that different meditation techniques have different effects on anxiety, depression, insomnia, and other stress-related disorders. The unique benefits of the TM technique are well documented by extensive research.

Specifically, what happens to the brain during TM practice?

EEG research shows that practice of the TM technique increases alpha activity (8 to 12 cycles per second) in all brain areas. Alpha activity is the hallmark of restful alertness, inner silence, and wide-awake self-awareness. In addition, TM practice increases coherence in the EEG signals in the frontal lobes—the prefrontal cortex or "CEO" of the brain. Perhaps more significantly, this increased frontal coherence is spontaneously maintained after TM practice during daily activity and has been correlated with improved executive processing — the basis of comprehensive planning, open-minded judgment, and wise decision-making.

What is a "mantra?"

A mantra is a specific sound used during TM practice as a vehicle for the effortless settling down of the mind to the experience of the source of thought, pure consciousness. The mantra has no meaning but is known to produce beneficial, life-supporting effects. When you learn to meditate, you will receive your own mantra — and then, equally importantly, you will learn how to use the mantra properly so that your mind and body settle down to a profound state of restful alertness. It is important to receive complete instruction in how to meditate properly from a trained teacher. The reason is obvious: if you are going to take two 20-minute blocks of meditation time out of your busy schedule, you want to be sure to be meditating correctly and making best use of that time!

Where do you meditate?

The TM technique is practiced sitting comfortably with the eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day. It can be done anywhere — at home, in your office, on an airplane. Anywhere.

Where does the TM technique come from?

The Transcendental Meditation technique is thousands of years old — it comes from an unbroken tradition of meditation instruction from ancient India. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi first introduced the technique to the West over 50 years ago. It was Maharishi's idea to subject the TM technique to scientific scrutiny in order to establish its practical benefits to daily life. Maharishi has trained tens of thousands of TM teachers who are providing TM instruction in all parts of the world.

What if a person is a sceptic?

Being sceptical is a good thing these days. Fortunately, no belief or change in beliefs is required to learn and practice the TM technique — and to gain all the benefits. In fact, you can be 100% sceptical and the TM technique will work just fine. This is because the technique makes use of a natural mechanism within the mind and body — long forgotten by most people — to settle down and take profoundly deep rest. No amount of belief or disbelief will change that inherent ability.

When I start the Transcendental Meditation technique do I have to join an organization?

No. Once you've learned the TM technique, you practice it on your own. There is, however, a complete, optional, lifetime follow-up programme, available to all meditators to ensure that they continue to practice the technique correctly and gain maximum benefits. You can take advantage of this programme at your convenience.