Transcendental Meditation Mantras: Are They The Best Meditation Technique for Busy Minds
Key Takeaway Points
- Transcendental meditation is one of the most effective techniques for busy minds.
- Transcendental meditation is a type of mantra meditation.
- The mantras used are silent mantras that hold no meaning for the person meditating.
- There are hundreds of published research studies showing how effective it is for stress relief, brain function, and heart health.
- If you would like to learn, the program is taught one-on-one by instructors trained and licensed by the Maharishi Foundation.
If you’re always on the go and find it hard to quiet your mind, you may want to consider transcendental meditation mantras. Transcendental meditation is a type of mindfulness meditation where you focus on a mantra or word to clear your thoughts. It’s considered one of the best techniques for busy minds because it doesn’t require much time or effort once you learn how to do it. You can do it anywhere, anytime, and it only takes a few minutes to do. And the more you do it, the more benefit you’ll get from it.
What is transcendental meditation?
There are many different ways to meditate, but transcendental meditation is one of the most effective techniques for busy minds. Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a very specific form of mantra meditation that involves using a transcendental meditation mantra to help you anchor your thoughts. It’s one of the best-kept secrets of meditation because it’s simple to do and easy to learn.
It’s considered one of the “easier” forms of meditation because it’s not focused on breathing techniques or concentration like some other types. There’s no pressure to force yourself to concentrate or to try to empty your mind. This technique gives your mind an anchor to focus on making it easier to let those other invasive thoughts go.
The Origins of Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation was introduced to the western world in the 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a well-known spiritual leader from India. In the 1960s it gained popularity in the United States and other Western countries. Transcendental Meditation is now used by millions of people worldwide.
Is transcendental meditation the same as mantra meditation?
Well…kind of. Mantra meditation is a type of meditation that involves repeating a word or sound, either out loud or silently, to help you stay focused. This type of meditation uses the mantra for focus and clarity by creating a mental anchor for your thoughts. It’s often used in conjunction with breathing techniques to help you relax and concentrate.
Transcendental meditation is a type of mantra meditation with some key differences. While Transcendental meditation is derived from traditional vedic meditations, the term was trademarked by the Maharishi Foundation in the 1970s. Mantras for transcendental meditation are a silent mantra, so there’s no chanting out loud, you just repeat the sound to yourself in your head. The mantra itself is also unique in that it’s a mantra assigned to the meditator that has no meaning or associations attached to it.
Transcendental meditation mantras
Transcendental meditation is a style of mantra meditation that uses silent mantras that hold no meaning for the person meditating. Traditional Sanskrit mantras for meditation typically hold a lot of meaning. For example the traditional Buddhist mantra om mani padme hum represents the key teachings of Buddhism in that one small phrase.
The idea behind transcendental meditation mantras is that you want to keep things as simple as possible for your brain, so you want to choose a sound with no meaning because it won’t come with any mental baggage.
For example if you choose a word or phrase that reminds you of a co-worker its going to remind you of that horrible presentation that you have coming up, and how you can never get a close parking spot at the office, or how your IT department is a pain to deal with. So because of that association your meditation is doomed to scattered and anything but relaxing.
Instead of using a word for a mantra you could also try focusing on a relaxing sound like singing bowls, birds chirping, rain storms, ocean waves, flowing streams, waterfalls, a heart beat, or just relaxing instrumental music. You can go from memory, or utilize a recording/ sound machine to help you remember the sounds.
If you would like to try a traditional transcendental meditation mantra below is a table of mantras for transcendental meditation you can try, but remember finding good mantras for meditation comes down to individual preference.
| Aim | Em | Hiring | Iema | Sham |
| Ainga | Enga | Ieng | Kirim | Shama |
| Aima | Ema | Iem | Kiring | Shirim |
| Eng | Hirim | Ienga | Ram | Shiring |
How does transcendental meditation compare with other types of meditation
There are various types of meditation, including transcendental meditation, ancient hawaiian mantra practice, mantra meditation, kundalini meditation, and mindfulness meditation. Some types of meditation, like mindfulness meditation and Zen meditation, focus on being in the moment. They may involve counting your breaths or repeating a mantra.
Picking the right meditation practice for you is like picking the right exercise program. You need to find a practice that you enjoy, can stick with and will help you meet your goals. There are dozens of different types of meditation, probably more, but I’ll cover a few more popular types.
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a form of meditation that involves focusing on the present moment, and accepting thoughts and feelings as they are. Mindfulness meditation is often practiced with the intention of reducing stress and anxiety. Being aware entails acknowledging where we are and what we’re doing, and not being overly reactive to what’s going around us
Zen Meditation
Zen is a form of Buddhist meditation that emphasizes living in the moment and having an awareness of your immediate surroundings. Zen meditation usually involves focusing on your breathing following your breath as it moves in and out. The goal is to create a sense of calm and focus in the mind.
Quigong Meditation
Qigong or Chi Kong is a traditional Chinese mind-body exercise that combines physical and mental training. Quigong meditation uses exercises to gain a deep sense of peace and well-being. The practice involves various movements, postures, breathing techniques and visualization practices.
How does transcendental meditation work?
So how does transcendental meditation work? When you repeat the transcendental meditation mantra, it helps to focus your attention and allows your mind to become more settled. As your mind becomes more settled, you enter into a deeper state of relaxation. This deeper state of relaxation helps to reduce stress, relieve anxiety, and relax the body.
The science behind transcendental meditation
Studies have shown that transcendental meditation seems like it takes less effort because it taps into different brain wave activity than other types of meditation. Transcendental meditation helps you achieve an alpha state, which is where your brain waves slow down and you enter a relaxed state of rest.
Alpha state can be described as a happy, relaxed, and focused feeling. This may be one reason why you feel like you’re not trying as hard when practicing transcendental meditation. Other types of meditation tap into theta or beta brain wave activity. While these brain activities can also help you relax it can take more effort on the part of the meditator.
What are the benefits of transcendental meditation?
Transcendental meditation is an evidence-based technique with hundreds of published research studies showing how effective it is for stress relief, brain function, and heart health. The Transcendental Meditation technique is the most widely researched and validated form of meditation.
There are many benefits of transcendental meditation. It has been shown to be effective for reducing stress, improving sleep, improving PTSD symptoms, and reducing anxiety. It can also help to improve overall well-being and quality of life. Because this is a practice that’s meant to work with the mind and the body, the benefits can change your life in a number of different areas.
1. Emotional benefits
Stress and anxiety – Transcendental meditation can help reduce anxiety and stress. It’s been shown to help with calming the mind, which is a key part of stress management.
2. Physical benefits
Cardiovascular health – Transcendental meditation can also help to improve cardiovascular health. Studies have shown it can lower your heart rate, lower your blood pressure, and improve the functionality of your blood vessels. TM can also help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular-related issues.
Insomnia – Transcendental meditation has been shown to help you fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly. It’s also been shown to lower cortisol levels, which is another major factor in poor sleep quality.
Energy – Transcendental meditation can give you a boost of energy, helping you power through the day. It’s can improve your overall energy levels and reduce fatigue.
3. Mental health benefits
Depression – Transcendental meditation can help to reduce symptoms of depression, and in some cases, it can even help to alleviate the problem altogether. It’s been shown to boost mood and decrease feelings of stress.
PTSD – Transcendental Meditation can help to reduce symptoms of PTSD, simply by helping you achieve a calmer state of mind. Regularly practicing transcendental meditation can help to lower your anxiety levels and lessen the number of panic attacks you experience.
Addiction – Studies have shown that transcendental meditation can help to reduce or eliminate your dependency on substances and addictive behavior. It’s been shown to help people struggling with addiction stay sober and get better results.
4. Cognitive benefits
Brain Function – Transcendental meditation can help improve your cognitive function. Some research has shown that an increase in theta brainwaves can help improve cognitive function in people with Alzheimer’s disease. It can also help improve memory. In one study, participants who practiced transcendental meditation for 12 years showed improved memory and increased brain activity. Other research has shown that it can improve working memory.
Focus – Studies show that transcendental meditation can assist in improving ADHD symptoms, memory recall, attention, self-control and reaction times. This makes the practice ideal for students needing to cope with stress and improve their test scores.
How to do transcendental meditation
transcendental meditation instructions: Transcendental meditation is typically practiced for 20 minutes twice a day. You can start by sitting comfortably with your spine straight and eyes closed. If you are especially tense you can start with a body scan to release the tension and allow your body to relax. Slowly introduce your transcendental meditation mantra, and focus on the mantra for 10 to 15 minutes. Breathe naturally, and when distracting thoughts arise, simply return to the mantra.
How can I learn transcendental meditation?
Transcendental Meditation is a very specific method. If you would like to learn the exact practice, the program is taught one-on-one by instructors trained and licensed by the Maharishi Foundation in a personalized and individual manner. If you are interested in the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program, you can visit the Maharishi Foundation’s website.
So…What’s next?
If you have a busy lifestyle and find it hard to quiet your mind, transcendental meditation may be for you. This practice is a simple and effective way to reduce stress, improve overall mental & physical health, and can help you learn to focus and find inner peace. Give it a try and see if it works for you!
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