Just like water, the true nature of mind is peaceful stability. The thoughts are small impulses at the surface that causes the ambiguity but if we allow the impulses to settle without attaching effort on them, the mind too comes back to its original state. In such a state, perception becomes clear about everything. Be it nature of the self, nature of the outside environment, or that of the universe, all is clearly visible. The concept of Transcendental meditation is the same. The thought is natural and it will come to mind through various channels of sense organs.
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Understand the concept of Transcendental meditation
Buddha and his disciple Anand were once taking a long journey through dense forest. Anand found this to be a good time to clear his doubts for he knew once Buddha reaches any village or city, devotees will not leave him alone. So he started with a series of questions which was basically about self-awareness and the monkey mind, Buddha just smiled and asked him to wait for answers.
Buddha and Anand crossed a resting cavalry and a small water stream on their way, Buddha noticed this and after a certain distance asked Anand to get some fresh clean water as he is feeling thirsty. Anand ran back to the stream where the cavalry was now passing after the rest. The clean and pristine looking water was now muddy. Every time he tried in haste to collect some clean water in the pot, the hoof of a horse or stomping of soldiers would disturb the mud. He got restless and went back to Buddha. Buddha, upon listening to his story asked him to go again and wait till the cavalry has passed.
Anand, unhappily went back to the stream and waited in restlessness. Once the cavalry passed the stream, the mud particles began to settle down. Soon enough Anand could his image in clean shining water of the stream. He collected some water in the pot and returned to Buddha elated.
Buddha reverting Anand
Buddha gently asked Anand, it was the same stream and same water when he went first. But he couldn’t get even a pot of drinkable water in first attempt. What changed when he went their second time? Anand thought for a while in contemplation and as the answer took shape in his mind, all his doubts about self awareness and working of a monkey mind were cleared.
Just like water, true nature of mind is peaceful stability. The thoughts are small impulses at the surface that causes the ambiguity but if we allow the impulses to settle without attaching effort on them, mind too comes back to its original state. In such a state, the perception becomes clear about everything. Be it nature of self, nature of outside environment or that of universe, all is clearly visible.
The concept of Transcendental meditation is the same. Smell, touch, hearing, taste and vision are the receptors of impulses of the outer world. They bring the information for evaluation to the mind. Now it all depends upon the mind how to process it. Mind can attach its faculty of intelligence, its power of imagination or can attach certain preconceived notions to it. The more effort is put by mind into the thought, stronger the thought becomes.
Putting efforts is everything in Transcendental Meditation
By constantly putting effort to each and every impulse brought by sense organs, mind tends to be in a state of constant flux. And with time it so happens that the original true nature of mind is forgotten.
The analogy of the sea is the best example to further elaborate on this principle. A 20 feet high wave seems to be a huge thing if you are fishing in a small boat. The reference frame here is the size of the boat. But if you consider the miles of depth the ocean is totally stable, peaceful, and tranquil, even a 50 feet wave seems minuscule. Just by looking at the enormity of the wave, we forget the exponential depth of the sea that is calm. Similarly by the bombardment of thoughts and attachment of mind to them easily gives an impression that a mind is basically a place of great disturbance. The reality, on the other hand, is just the opposite.
The technique and concept of Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation or TM technique is one of the many ways developed by Sages of the East, to help humanity reach its true potential and eventually strive towards its true goal of ultimate freedom. To the western world, TM was introduced by an Indian Sage- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Disciple of Brahmanand Saraswati, the then highest teacher of his order of Veda schools, Mahesh yogi propagated the wisdom of ancient Indian Vedas in the west. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was ordered by his dying Guru, to spread the wisdom, message of peace and universal brother hood to the world. He, did the same relentlessly He became extremely famous during late sixties and early seventies. His disciple grew in millions when The Beatles decided to learn TM under his guidance.
The popularity of Transcendental meditation by Mahesh Yogi grew primarily because of three reasons. First, it is very simple. Second, anybody can do it and third, it does not require faith. So even for an honest skeptic, the technique works as effectively as it for a staunch believer. Particular eligibility criteria like age, sex, religion, caste, nationality, etc is not required so it’s truly universal in its approach. Though many hardliner teaching institutions in India were against such a setup Mahesh Yogi kept traveling and teaching.
Sarvyoga takeaway
There are thousands of registered transcendental meditation centers across the world with train TM teachers. If one wishes to learn this technique he can get enrolled and practice under a learned Guru. This technique is not designed to be learned by reading a self-help book or learning through video so to enjoy full benefits go to an accredited institute.