Transcendental Meditation

Abstract

Considers Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a nonprofessional psychotherapy. According to the theory of TM, all thoughts originate at the deepest, most refined level of consciousness. Each thought rises through the levels of the mind, becoming progressively more gross until it reaches the surface level of consciousness, the ordinary level of thinking, where it is cognized (i.e., appreciated) as a conscious thought. TM reverses the thought process, training the mind to experience thoughts at earlier and earlier stages of their development. Eventually the source level is reached, establishing contact with the principle of creative intelligence in humans. The resulting transcendence of all thought is said to increase the power of the conscious mind and bring about a state of pure consciousness or self-awareness. During meditation there is likely to be decreased metabolic activity, increased bodily relaxation, and increased interhemispherical synchronization. Reported effects of practicing the technique twice daily for 20 min over a period of months include a reduction of tension and neurotic symptoms and increased creativity. Practice of TM by psychiatric patients has been shown to expedite discharge and decrease the likelihood of readmission. Special techniques of meditation have been developed for the alleviation of specific physical or mental health problems.

Keywords: Transcendental Meditation