Transcendental meditation, the road to calmness and peace

Transcendental meditation, the road to calmness and peace
11-Oct-2008

Broadly speaking, Maharishi has the following to say on what happens in Transcendental Meditation: "In Transcendental meditation, the conscious mind comes to the simplest form of awareness where consciousness is the unified field of Natural Law. Super symmetric unified quantum field theories describe this state which through its self interacting dynamics manifests as all phenomena in creation.

On what it is and its effects generally, Maharishi continues: "Transcendental meditation is that simple procedure to enliven the most basic level of life and thereby raise every individual and every society to its full dignity. Problems will be absent and perfect health, happiness, peace and a rapid pace of progress will be the natural features of life."

As to what happens to the mind Maharishi goes on" During Transcendental Meditation the activity of the mind settles down and when the activity of the mind settles down, the mind is in the character of unbounded( unlimited ) awareness. This is what results from the practice of Transcendental Meditation - mind settling down, settling down it settles down. Like the wave in the ocean settling down, settling down it settles down - calm quiet, collected level of the water. So Transcendental Meditation creates this Transcendental consciousness.(the fourth state of human consciousness after waking, dreaming and sleeping states)

The brain functioning becomes more coherent, more orderly. This gives rise to the orderly behaviour of the individual and orderly behaviour of a few individuals in society promote orderly behaviour of the whole society.

This raises national consciousness to a state of integration and this forms the basis of the nation to enjoy invincibility.

All the results (of meditation) follow - only we have to understand the mechanics of generating coherence by taking recourse to Transcendental Meditation."

Robert Roth in his book Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's TM Transcendental Meditation talks about why people learn to meditate. People start Transcendental Meditation for a wide variety of reasons. Some may learn the technique at the recommendation of their doctor to help treat a specific stress - related problem, such as high blood pressure. Others may be quite healthy but decide to start because they want to use more of their mental potential. Others may want to start because they want to improve their relationships or help create a more peaceful society.

I might add that people also start because they feel nervous or tense and have worries or anxieties or are overweight or under weight or want to feel peaceful and happy and want material satisfaction and a bright future.

Irrespective of the reasons one has to learn Transcendental Meditation positive benefits to the mind, body and behaviour naturally develop through regular practice of the technique. Transcendental Meditation technique is that one procedure that strengthens all aspects of life at the same time. It is like watering the root of a tree to enrich the entire plant in one simple operation.

The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique is a scientific, systematic, effortless, easy to do, easy to learn mental technique which we practise twice daily for 20 minutes sitting easily with eyes closed. It is not a philosophy or religion nor does it require changes in behaviour, lifestyle or diet. Although TM not a religion, by eliminating stress and fatigue and increasing energy and intelligence it enables one to follow the tenets of one's religion better. Millions of people of all religions including clergy of all religions practise TM.

The TM technique is learnt in a systematic, standardised course of instruction by qualified professional instructors who have completed extensive training. Following an introductory presentation, the course is taught in four 90 - minute sessions and includes personal instruction There is also a thorough follow up to ensure correct practice.

As Robert Roth puts it; “The TM technique provides the mind and body with a unique and profound state of restful alertness. The body gains an extraordinarily deep state of rest while the mind settles down to a state of inner calm and wakefulness. This process dissolves deeply rooted stress and tension, rejuvenates the entire system, infuses the mind with creativity and intelligence and enables a person to perform dynamic, successful, efficient work in the course of the day."

A question may arise: Does exercise or simple relaxation do the same thing as T.M.?
Activities such as tennis, jogging, fishing, golfing, gardening reading a book, listening to soothing music are all enjoyable relaxing activities. They provide a change of life's pace, a break to the routine. While these activities seem relaxing, do these activities actually release deeply rooted stress and tension? No.

This is because even though they may feel relaxing, nonetheless, they keep the mind and body engaged in some activity. What is nature's answer to stress? It is deep rest.

Transcendental Meditation is unique. It is not just another form of activity or recreation. The T.M. technique is a scientifically tested technique for providing the entire nervous system with very deep rest - far deeper than other means of rest or relaxation.

"This deep rest releases accumulated stress and tension that nothing else comes close to eliminating - not even a good night's sleep, a restful vacation, relaxation exercises, a great tennis match or a stroll in the park," according to Robert Roth.

Is Transcendental Meditation like hypnosis or other types of meditation techniques?
Transcendental Meditation is unique in nature. Hypnosis involves suggestion.

Transcendental Meditation is natural and involves no suggestion.

All other forms of meditation or self development involve either concentration or contemplation which prevents the experience of peace, energy and inner happiness that is only available at transcendental level of the mind (deep within). TM is easy to learn and effortless to practise and involves neither concentration nor contemplation.

Research comparing Transcendental Meditation with other meditation or relaxation techniques have found Transcendental Meditation to be far more effective in reducing anxiety, increasing self actualization(realization of one's hidden potential for full individual development), improving psychological and bodily health, and reducing use of cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.

Another question that often arises is: Can one learn Transcendental Meditation from a book or a video tape?

The answer is no. Each person is unique; each of us has a different nervous system and learns at a different pace. To ensure that one learns the technique properly requires personal instruction from a qualified Transcendental Meditation teacher. Reading a book or listening to a tape cannot provide the experience of pure consciousness and the corresponding profound state of rest and alertness. A book cannot anticipate or answer all of the questions, at the right time, that every person might have while learning the practice. With proper personal instruction, one can enjoy the technique for the rest of one's life as well as all the benefits that it naturally brings.

Life is meant for enjoyment - not for suffering, strife, conflicts, disharmony, stress, anger and ill health. If one wants to rise above these negativities and gain a profound state of peace, happiness, success, affluence and inner contentment, the best way is to learn and engage in the practice of this wonderful technique of TM. The taste of the pudding is only in the eating. There is more than adequate research to prove that the technique is universal and works for everybody.

Source:
http://fijidailypost.com/feature.php?date=20081011&index=631