What is the Transcendental Meditation Technique?

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, natural and effective procedure for allowing the mind and body to gain a profound state of relaxation. Anyone can easily learn the practice, including children. It is not a religion or a philosophy. It does not require a change in one’s beliefs. It does not prescribe a code of behaviour. It is practised for 15 to 20 minutes, twice daily, while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed.

TM allows the mind to experience a state of restful alertness—a state where the mind is very settled while remaining awake and alert. The process of allowing the mind to settle down is known as transcending and is achieved quite easily once the TM training has been completed. While the mind is experiencing this state of “restful alertness” or transcendence, the body similarly experiences a very deep state of rest as measured by heart rate, breath rate and the reduction of stress hormones in the body.

Proper personalized training from a qualified teacher is essential in the success of this technique. It is critical that each student learns TM with a qualified teacher so that a proper understanding of TM can be given based on his or her own practice of the technique. It cannot be learned from a book, a tape or an app.

Benefits of TM

TM has been shown to be very effective for stress related disorders such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and high blood pressure. TM does not target specific symptoms, rather it elicits a general relaxation response, allowing the body to heal itself. The benefits derived from regular practice can vary among individuals, depending on how their particular physiology responds to stress.

In order to practice the TM technique, an individual does not have to forgo any other treatment modality recommended by a health professional, or any other technique for health or self-development that he or she practises. TM can be used in conjunction with traditional types of health treatments.

Canadian Womens Wellness Initiative