The Importance of Viewing Transcendental Meditation as an Asset for Life Versus an Accessory to Life
How a relatively small investment in one’s self returns lifelong dividends
In our fast-paced, device saturated modern world, stress and distraction are seemingly ubiquitous — be it doom scrolling via Social Media or being drawn in by one of the various news stories of late — making it increasingly difficult to find moments of genuine peace and clarity. Amidst this chaos, Transcendental Meditation® (TM) emerges as a powerful tool, offering a sanctuary for both mind and body. However, the true transformative potential of TM is realized only when it is regarded not as a mere accessory to life, but as an indispensable asset. This article explores the myriad benefits of adopting TM as a core life practice, grounded in my academic background, research, and personal journey with this ancient technique — both as a practitioner for more than a decade and a half as well as the Director and Certified Teacher, along with my wife, Mina, serving Cambridge and the larger Metropolitan Boston community for more than a decade now.
Understanding Transcendental Meditation
As you may or may not know, Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, and effortless mental technique that allows the mind to settle inward, transcending even the subtlest levels of mind and thought to experience a state of restful alertness — often referred to as Pure Consciousness. This state is characterized by deep inner peace, mental clarity, and an enduring experience of unity within one’s self, with fellow humans, and the universe itself.
Presented to the West in 1958 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and rooted within the ancient Vedic tradition, TM has been adapted to meet the needs of contemporary life; thereby making it accessible to and beneficial for individuals across diverse backgrounds to great effect. To date, both my wife and I have had the privilege of working with those learning TM emerging from the breadth of the socioeconomic spectrum as well as from the various religious traditions the world over. In short, everyone can benefit from a regular practice of TM without question. As a result and based on our observations of and conversations with those undertaking the process to learn TM and regularly practicing the technique, they quickly recognize it as being among the best investments one could ever make in addition to the pursuit of educational goals — be said pursuit within a vocational training program or a traditional college or university. Stated simply, Transcendental Meditation as an asset is indeed a one-time investment that returns lifelong dividends — a truly beneficial asset. Let us briefly consider but three ways TM may be thought of as such — an asset that will produce life-long dividends in at least three areas — alongside exploring what is lost by not viewing it accordingly.
Enhances Mental Clarity and Focus
In the realm of personal and professional development, mental clarity and focus are viewed as necessary assets for one to possess. In this vein, Transcendental Meditation has been shown to significantly enhance cognitive functions — including attention, memory, and executive functioning. Research indicates that regular practice of TM, twice daily for best results, leads to increased coherence in brain functioning, facilitating more efficient information processing and decision-making. This enhanced mental clarity thus translates to improved productivity and performance in various aspects of life — be they academic endeavors, professional responsibilities, and/or personal relationships.
Reduces Stress and Promotes Emotional Well-being
Stress is a pervasive issue in modern society, contributing to a myriad of physical and mental health problems for all concerned — be it the individuals who suffer, their family members who witness the results of said stress, the drained public coffers due to increasing medical care costs, or lost employee productivity that impact corporations of all sizes and stripes. Rampant stress impacts every aspect of one’s life. However, TM offers a potent antidote to stress by promoting relaxation and emotional stability. Studies have demonstrated that one’s practice of Transcendental Meditation reduces the production of stress hormones such as cortisol, while simultaneously increasing the production of serotonin — the daytime neurotransmitter associated with feelings of well-being and happiness. By incorporating TM as a cornerstone of one’s daily routine, one can effectively manage stress, thereby leading to enhanced emotional resilience and overall mental health.
Fosters Sought After Personal Growth and Self-Realization
Scan the shelves of the Self-Help section of many bookstores, listen to any of the many podcasts discussing our need to become better in every area of life, or heed the words of those who know us best as they seek to provide guidance in our efforts to realize our latent potential for action, it becomes evident that many are on a quest for betterment in all areas of life. We are a species of Seekers. In my case, as a result of my now more than a decade and half practicing TM including more than a decade of teaching the same, I have directly experienced Transcendental Meditation as not merely a tool for stress reduction or cognitive enhancement — it is a gateway to deeper personal growth and self-realization. Without question, the practice of TM facilitates the journey inward in a subtly beautiful manner, allowing me and others to explore inner consciousness and uncover life-refining insights about ourselves, our fellow humans, and the universe. This process of self-discovery and self-awareness is essential for personal development and fosters a sense of purpose and direction in life. As a result of viewing TM as an asset, individuals commit to a path of perpetual self-improvement and holistic growth. However, should one only view the practice of TM as an accessory to life, such is akin to leaving money on the table in a high-stakes negotiation. And as many successful negotiators will advise, doing so is never a good idea.
Superficial Engagement and Inconsistent Practice
When TM is viewed as a mere accessory to one’s life, it is often practiced inconsistently and without genuine commitment. This superficial engagement limits the potential benefits of TM, as the practice requires regularity and dedication to affect meaningful change. Such becomes evident when we consider that anything at which we have become incredibly proficient came as a result of consistency of both thought and action in the direction of achieving the desired result. And when we consider it from a neurological perspective, think neuroplasticity, we have trained our brain around the task and way of thinking about the same that produces an automatic response when the thought about the task or thing to be undertaken is initiated from within. Stated succinctly, inconsistent practice can lead to frustration and the misconception that TM is ineffective; when in reality, it is the lack of commitment that undermines its efficacy.
Limited Integration into Daily Life
Treating TM as only an accessory often results in limited integration into daily life. Leading to sporadic practice or only during moments of crisis — think crisis meditator — rather than as a foundational element of one’s daily routine. This approach fails to harness the full potential of TM and its impact on the brain and physiology as its benefits are cumulative and most lasting when practiced consistently over time. By integrating TM into daily life as an essential asset, one ensures that its positive effects permeate all aspects of one’s existence for the long-term thereby allowing one to fully appreciate its potential to affect lasting change and improve quality of life.
Integrating TM as a Core Life Practice
To realize the full benefits of TM, it is crucial to establish a consistent practice. This involves setting aside dedicated time each day for meditation, ideally twice daily for 20 minutes. Creating a conducive environment and integrating TM into one’s daily routine as a non-negotiable practice ensures regularity and commitment. Given, as I have posited elsewhere, that the first word within the word Meditation is Me, and in viewing our twice daily practice as Me Time, it becomes considerably easier to successfully fold the technique into our daily routine. In so doing, we not only effectively turn the hand of giving to ourselves, we then have more to give to our family members, friends, colleagues, neighbours, and random people whom we meet as we cross one another’s path in mutually beneficial ways. At its core, in carving out our Me time, we come to think of our doing so as a form of energy management as opposed to time management. The former being the better as we have added mental energy to then navigate the vicissitudes of life more successfully for all concerned.
And as a result, our lived reality comes to highlight the benefits of viewing TM as an essential component of a holistic lifestyle i.e., an asset that allows us to prioritize rest and relaxation, foster mindfulness in all of our thoughts, words, and deeds and maintain a balanced lifestyle. Here, I am reminded of a well-known quote from Benjamin Elijah Mays, past President of Morehouse College in Atlanta where he wrote, “The circumference of Life cannot be rightly drawn until the center is set.” While Mays does not say “the circumference of Life” cannot be drawn, he does make it clear that it cannot be rightly drawn until our center is set. By regularly practicing TM, individuals can amplify its benefits and promote overall well-being and leverage the same for both personal and professional growth perpetually.
In the personal realm, TM can enhance relationships, improve emotional intelligence, and foster a sense of inner peace and fulfillment. Professionally, the cognitive and emotional benefits of TM can enhance performance, creativity, and mental resilience thereby contributing to increased career success and satisfaction. And as we learn from author Ryan Holiday in his work titled Discipline is Destiny (2022), “Discipline is our destiny.” In summoning the discipline to cultivate a regular practice of TM, we set the stage for an even better life for not only ourselves, we provide a North Star of possibility for others to potentially follow suit with equally beneficial outcomes. In essence, one establishes one’s center for effective actions and as a result benefit the many. Something I submit most, if not all of us, strongly desire.
The Science Behind TM: Empirical Evidence
Numerous scientific studies support the benefits of Transcendental Meditation; underscoring its value as a core life practice. Research conducted at institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and Maharishi International University has demonstrated the efficacy of TM in reducing stress, improving cognitive functioning, and enhancing emotional well-being. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that individuals practicing TM exhibited significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to control groups. Another study in the journal NeuroReport highlighted increased brain coherence among TM practitioners, correlating with improved cognitive performance and creativity. Here, a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe comes to mind, where we learn “Talent develops in quiet places, character in the full stream of human life.” As connected with a regular practice of Transcendental Meditation, we bring those quietly cultivated qualities from the meditative state into daily life for the benefit of not only ourselves but to the great benefit of those within our several spheres of influence. And the positive impact of the same on those encountered daily in one’s travels through life, as I have come to experience personally over the last decade and half, is considerable and lasting. The effect is felt by said persons and often commented upon despite their lacking the language to fully articulate precisely what is felt. They just know things are different and in a good way.
Personal Reflections: My Journey with TM
My journey with Transcendental Meditation has been one of considerable transformation and growth over the course of now sixteen years — filled with many moments of what I have come to refer as elegant transitions. And as a researcher and educator who holds a PhD in Vedic Science, the study of Consciousness and human potential, and as one who regularly guides, along with my wife, Mina, others in realizing the quiet space of Pure Consciousness resting just below the realm of thought, I have witnessed first-hand the remarkable impact of TM on not only my cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life but that of the thousands with whom we have worked over the years. In a nutshell, via consistent practice, I have experienced heightened mental clarity, reduced stress, a deep sense of inner peace and have witnessed the same for others as well. These benefits have permeated all aspects of my life, enhancing my professional performance, personal relationships, and overall sense of fulfillment — even during life’s inevitable downturns. Without question, I am a far better man today as a result of my regular practice of TM.
To sum things up, Transcendental Meditation is far more than an accessory; it is a potent asset that can meaningfully transform one’s life in positive ways. By viewing TM as an essential component of daily life, individuals can unlock its full potential, reaping benefits that extend beyond stress reduction and cognitive enhancement. TM offers a gateway to deeper self-awareness, personal growth, and holistic well-being. As a researcher, practitioner, as well as a Director and Certified TM Teacher, I encourage you to embrace Transcendental Meditation as a lifelong asset, integrating it into your daily routine with commitment and dedication. The journey of self-transcendence and self-discovery awaits — promising a life of greater clarity, peace, and fulfillment. To learn TM in Cambridge and Metropolitan Boston, you may contact me directly by sending me a message: Cambridge (at) tm (dot) org. I await you on this side of the journey.