Transcendental meditation (TM) is a method of relaxing the body that became popular in many countries during the 1970’s. It was developed in the 1950’s by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a Hindu monk from India. He used the word transcendental to describe the process of reaching a state of pure consciousness, where the mind is not aware of anything in particular. He declared that people who used this technique became happier and more relaxed and creative. Centers that teach TM operate in many countries, including the United States and Canada. Followers of the Maharishi call TM the Science of Creative Intelligence.
People practice TM by sitting quietly in a comfortable position. They close their eyes and silently repeat their mantra, a pleasant-sounding word from the Hindu scriptures. Teachers of TM select a personal, secret mantra for each student. A person who practices TM meditates for 15 to 20 minutes in the morning and evening, before meals.
Scientific studies show that certain bodily changes occur during meditation. For example, the rate of breathing and the amount of oxygen taken in by the body decrease during meditation. The blood pressure and the rate of heartbeat also decrease while a person meditates.
In addition, scientists found that alpha waves (brain waves that become prominent when a person is relaxed) increase in intensity during meditation. Psychologists report that many people who practice TM feel less anxious and aggressive than before and can handle stress more easily.
The Maharishi claimed that people cannot meditate effectively without training from a TM teacher and the use of a mantra. However, many scientists declare that other forms of meditation and relaxation can produce the same results as TM.
