Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation. It is a specific form of silent, mantra-based meditation introduced to the West by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the mid-20th century. The practice is taught through a standardized course by certified teachers and is associated with a wide range of claimed benefits for mind and body. The organization behind it has grown into a global movement with its own institutions, products, and philosophical framework.

History and origins

The technique was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a graduate of Allahabad University and a disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math. Maharishi began teaching it in India in 1955 and launched his first global tour in 1958, establishing the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in Los Angeles. The practice gained significant prominence in the West during the 1960s after The Beatles and other celebrities like Mia Farrow and Mike Love of The Beach Boys studied with Maharishi. This period included a highly publicized training course in Rishikesh at the Ashram of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Throughout the 1970s, Maharishi founded the World Plan Executive Council and established the Maharishi International University (now Maharishi University of Management) in Fairfield, Iowa.

Technique and practice

The practice involves the use of a personalized mantra, a sound without specific meaning, assigned by a teacher during a formal initiation ceremony. Practitioners are instructed to sit comfortably with eyes closed and silently repeat the mantra for 15–20 minutes twice daily, allowing the mind to settle into a state of restful alertness. The teaching method is standardized worldwide, delivered by teachers trained through the Maharishi Foundation. It is presented as a mechanical, effortless technique, distinct from concentration or contemplation, and requires no change in lifestyle, belief system, or philosophy. Advanced programs, such as the TM-Sidhi program, are offered, which includes practices like yogic flying.

Effects and research

Proponents claim it reduces stress, improves health, and enhances cognitive function. Research on the technique began in earnest at Harvard Medical School and UCLA in the early 1970s. Studies, often affiliated with institutions like the Maharishi University of Management, have investigated its effects on blood pressure, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The practice is associated with a specific electroencephalography pattern called frontal alpha asymmetry. Key researchers have included Robert Keith Wallace, who published in Science, and David Orme-Johnson. However, some meta-analyses and reviews by organizations like the American Heart Association have questioned the quality and independence of much of the supporting research.

Organization and movement

The global organization is complex, comprising educational, charitable, and commercial entities. The teaching arm is the Maharishi Foundation, a non-profit. The movement established the Global Country of World Peace, a non-territorial nation, with Tony Nader as its leader. It operates the Maharishi University of Management and the Maharishi European Research University in Vlodrop. Commercial ventures include Maharishi Ayurveda products and Maharishi Vastu architecture. The movement has also been involved in political initiatives, such as the Natural Law Party, which ran candidates including John Hagelin in U.S. presidential elections.

In popular culture

Its popularization was heavily influenced by celebrity endorsements in the 1960s. The most famous adherents were The Beatles, whose association with Maharishi was documented in songs like "Sexy Sadie" and during their stay in Rishikesh. Other notable practitioners have included filmmaker David Lynch, who founded the David Lynch Foundation to fund instruction for at-risk groups, and comedian Jerry Seinfeld. It has been referenced or featured in numerous media works, from The Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour to episodes of The Simpsons. Prominent advocates in sports include coach Phil Jackson and the National Basketball Association.

Category:Meditation Category:New religious movements Category:Alternative medicine