Transcendental meditation (TM) is an alternative practice of
relaxation, wherein a person undergoes a calming ritual for 20 minutes every
day. In this soothing process, a sacred verbal formula or mantra is repeated
rhythmically to further ease the mind.
The chief proponent of this ancient ritual is Sankara, an
outstanding medieval Hindu scholar. However, the most popular leader of TM is
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a disciple of Guru Dev, one of the four religious
leaders in polytheistic India. Maharishi introduced TM in 1955, and brought it
later to England. He also founded a university in the U.S. in 1973, the
Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa.
Maharishi has his very own definition for meditation. He
clearly distinguishes it from concentration or the act or process of focusing
attention. He believes that the reverse of it is required for his technique.
The mind should be passive during meditation. In fact, there shouldn't even be
any conscious effort on the part of the person. According to Maharishi, the
mind should simply be left alone and naturally dive into "the great ocean
of Creative Intelligence." The individual mind should be constantly and
unconsciously infused with the power of "Being.” This only means that a
successful living demands a continuous intake of that meditative power.
It is necessary in TM that the thought is suspended to
achieve a certain sense of unity with the Being. Maharishi's discussion of
transcendental meditation ethics also delves into the recognition of the different
ethics of the various religions in the world. Moreover, it is also not absolute
since there are no written standard of what is acceptable or not.
In transcendental meditation, the ceremonial initiation is
distinctly religious. This consists of the "puja" or worship ritual
wherein the TM beginner offers six flowers, three pieces of fresh fruit, and a
white handkerchief. The teacher puts these offerings to an altar where the
picture of Guru Dev is placed.
