Transcendental Meditation

What is Transcendental Meditation?

Transcendental Meditation by Usha Shantharam

Transcendental meditation, or as it is commonly abbreviated as TM, is a simple form of meditation. It involves sitting in a relaxed position with your eyes closed and repeating a mantra. You find a comfortable place to sit, close your eyes, and repeat a mantra. This is done for 20 minutes twice a day. It's recommended that you have a professional teach you how to practice TM, but it isn't necessary. The mantra is meaningless and usually taught to you by a professional, but some can be found online. Many sources try to over complicate TM. Keep it simple and don't stress about having a teacher unless you can afford it and think it might help. Sit, close eyes, mantra, twice a day for 20 mins. That's it.

What are the Benefits?

It can help to reduce stress and anxiety, improve brain function, and help cardiovascular health. Meditation can help your brain to actively grow and change. If you practice focusing on a daily basis, then it is much more likely that you will be able to focus when you need to. Meditation is often encouraged by mental health professionals and doctors.

Who Recommends it?

In addition to therapists and doctors, there are many familiar faces that would recommend transcendental meditation as well.

Emily Blunt

In one of Vouge's 73 Questions, Emily Blunt said, "Best way to decompress, I do transcendental meditation everyday."

Hugh Jackman

When discussing TM Hugh Jackman said, "I'm a way different person from when I began meditation, completely different." Jackman and his family all practice TM, he mentioned that it helped them to be happy and alert.

David Lynch

David Lynch started using TM in1973 in his personal life. In 2005 he founded the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace. The foundation teaches children and adults all over the world how to meditate to find peace.

Katy Perry

Katy Perry referred to TM as a, "great workout for your mind" and continued on to say, "it helps me to find moments of peace." Often times, Perry will meditate before working on a song or going on stage.

Transcendental meditation may sound a bit intimidating, but 20 minutes twice a day is much more of a goal to build up to than the minimum. What is important is creating the habit of meditating and slowly, gently, pushing your brain slightly more. Meditation is a wonderful tool to have in order to improve yourself. It is free and simple. If you try it out please let me know on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook!