Transcendental meditation is not Meditation
Transcendental meditation was introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in
the west and
it has become one of the most popular meditation method practiced in the west. But
sadly, Transcendental meditation has nothing to do with meditation. It is been wrongly
associated with the meditation. It does not even come close to be called
a meditation technique.
Transcendental meditation is a method of chanting mantra and has nothing
to do with being conscious or being aware in any way. In the
east, for thousands of years people are chanting the name of Gods and
that practice is still very much followed in the eastern countries. Many
religious people chant mantra's through out their life and one of their
main desire is to take the name of their beloved god with their last
breath (while dying). Chanting mantra is a good religious practice but certainly not meditation.
If some one talks about meditation, then transcendental is not a
meditation technique. It is just a mechanical way of chanting any mantra
or name. It does not add any awareness or alertness in us. Meditation is
all about effortless awareness in our actions.
Thumb rule for deciding the validity of any meditation technique is that
it should add awareness to our action. Any technique which makes the hold
of mind on us stronger can not be a meditation technique. On the other
hand, Any method which makes us more conscious and at the same time
relax is Meditation. Meditation is a state of 'effortless relax
awareness'. Meditation should make us more alert and conscious rather
than sleepy.
Transcendental
meditation works within the realm of mind and it can not take us beyond
the mind. Transcendental meditation has nothing to do with
meditation except that the word 'meditation' is associated with it. Real
Meditation is all about dis-identifying with the mind, witnessing the
thoughts, actions and feelings. Meditation is all about going beyond the
mind. Real Meditation makes the hold of mind on us weaker and weaker.
With meditation we become the master of the mind.
If some one chant the mantra consciously then it is a meditation but a
person who practice transcendental meditation may never have any idea
about alertness or awareness. Transcendental meditation will definitely
have some health benefits like it is good for insomnia but it is not
meditation.
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