Transcendental Meditation Web Page






 
 
Transcendental Meditation: A hearty recommendation
 

Meditation is probably the single most important spiritual discipline one can undertake. Newcomers to the Craft and to other Pagan paths often ask for advice on meditation techniques; while there is an abundance of information out there, but it can often get confusing because “meditation” means very different things to different people. Some forms of “meditation” involve concentration or visualization, and those may be useful for specific purposes. (But for the sake of clarity I prefer to call such techniques something other than “meditation.”)

I prefer to reserve the term “meditation” for those techniques and practices, generally derived from Eastern paths, that aim at attaining a primal, unique state of consciousness that is sometimes called “pure consciousness” or “samadhi.”

Of the eastern techniques, I've found that "focus" or "concentrative" type meditation methods didn’t really help me much, and just tend to cause more stress. Vipassana meditation (Buddhist “mindfulness”) was less stressful, but didn’t really have much effect. However, my experience with TM (Transcendental Meditation) was nothing short of miraculous.

TM is an effortless technique that doesn't involve concentration at all; it's easy, natural, and refreshing, and it's extremely pleasant. And it results in a unique state of very deep relaxation that allows one to release accumulated stresses.

I feel that TM, more than anything else, has helped me to release long-held emotional wounds; and has cultivated a sense of delight in everyday life .(Not to mention, opening up psychic/spiritual levels that I didn't even know were there.)

TM is perhaps the best-known meditation technique in the west; that's what the Beatles learned - with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, back in the 1970's.TM is derived, ultimately, from the yogic tradition of India ; thus it has its roots in Pagan spirituality. Yoga is much more than stretching; it’s an entire mystical training system of profound potency and subtlety. In its higher levels is supposed to result in the awakening of the “serpent power” and various forms of psychic awareness. Beyond that, its primary purpose is to lead to total spiritual enlightenment.

Despite the fact that TM derives from such an ancient Pagan tradition, however, it is not in itself religious. It is a technique, pure and simple, and does not require the adoption of any new beliefs or any change in lifestyle.

That's the good news. The bad news is that it's very expensive to learn TM from the TM organization, which is the only authorized method of instruction. They alone have access to all the instructional tapes, and they can offer follow-up checking of your meditation technique, offer advanced courses, etc.

And while the TM technique itself is very effective, the TM organization seems to have gone off the deep end in terms of wacky involvements in world affairs.(Too much to get into now; but if you check out their website you'll get some idea.)

It's sometimes possible to find a former TM teacher who no longer has ties to the organization, and who can teach you for a very low fee, or for free. If the Gods bring you such an opportunity, then by all means jump on it.

It's also possible to find information on the web, regarding the secret instruction method they use to teach TM. But I doubt very much whether it would be possible to learn it by reading about it. It's an experiential process, like learning to ski or play the violin; it requires interactive feedback from a trained instructor. But maybe; who knows?

There was also a book called "The Relaxation Response" by Herbert Benson; it was an attempt to imitate the effects of TM, but without specifically using the TM mantras, and with a slightly altered technique. Personally, I think the specific mantras TM uses are chosen for a reason, and I wouldn't want to experiment with another mantra.

But it's conceivable that someone who could not afford the actual TM instruction could check out Benson's book, and also find a list of TM mantras and instructions on the web; and perhaps construct an effective technique from all that. It would also help to get some of the books on TM itself, either Robert Roth's intro book (available at the website below) or Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's book titled "The Science of Being and the Art of Living." An understanding of the theory of consciousness, which is behind how the technique actually works, can be very helpful.

In any case, it requires discipline; twice a day for twenty minutes, regularly. Not just whenever you happen to feel like it. You can do it anywhere, silently sitting in a chair, so it shouldn't be a problem to keep it up. Done regularly, the effects of TM are simply quite amazing.

Oh, and why the plug? Quite simply, because I feel that an effective meditation discipline is just about the single most important thing a person can do to enhance their spiritual life, no matter what religion they happen to practice.

And because meditation methods are not all the same; ome involve considerable effort, for example, whereas TM involves no effort. Some are unpleasant, where TM is pleasant in the extreme. And so on.

My experience with TM, and my conversations with those who practice TM versus those who practice other types of meditation techniques, has led me to conclude that TM is quite unique among meditation methods, both in its approach and in the beneficial results it produces.

Finally, I should add that, in the context of training Wiccan coven members, I do teach a method of meditation very similar to TM, and based upon it, at no charge.