Introduction to Various Meditations: Transcendental Meditation

in #health6 years ago

Transcendental meditation is one of the more well known meditation practices. Many explanations, however, will group generic meditation into the transcendental category. Meditation in general is simply the act of clearing one's mind of thoughts. Transcendental meditation, however, has the purpose of overcoming mental boundaries.

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Generic meditation is an attempt at mental clarity, while transcendental meditation involves the use of a mantra to focus on. A mantra is simply an affirming statement, and if the mantra is spoken out-loud it is usually in a language that utilizes soothing vowel sounds. This mantra becomes the focus and vehicle of the meditation. While generic meditations are used to clear the mind, transcendental meditation allows the mantra to shape the patterns of one's thoughts. Another way to think of this difference is that transcendental meditation is subject-based, while generic meditation is not.

An example of a useful mantra for transcendental meditation is the word "Elohim," which is Hebrew for "when one is in need of guidance." To use this mantra, sit with your spine straight, your shoulders rolled back, your eyes closed, and fix your breathing into an easy rhythm. During each exhale, mutter the word "Elohim" over the extent of your entire exhale so that the vowels are stretched out over time. Allow the thought of this word to orient your state of mind, and accept whatever train of thought this leads you towards.

Further popular mantras are, "El Shaddai," Hebrew for "God Almighty;" "Om," Hindu for "to become;" or even an English phrase such as "Today will be good." The affirming aspects of these phrases can provide a positive reference for your thoughts during transcendental meditation, and so the transcending element derives from orienting your thoughts towards a positive realm to push past whatever your hang-up or limit may be.

There are many advocates of transcendental meditation. The Beatles swore by it, and even helped to spread the practice by traveling and becoming associated with their yogi. The director David Lynch is another strong advocate of the practice. Try introducing a mantra into your normal meditation routine to experience the benefits a positive mantra can have for whatever problem you may be facing.

Previous Introductions to Various Meditations:
Why Practice Meditation?
Body Scan
Dark Night of the Soul
Walking Power-Breath
Exposure to Fear
Sleep Induction
Mind Clearing
Wing Chun
Diekman Contemplation
Tibetan Light Meditation

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My vote's not worth much, but you've been doing a great job priming people to start meditating!

Thanks for the encouragement! I haven’t gotten many votes or engagements so this means a lot!!

No problem man, you put in some good work, your stuff is better than most the crap I see haha. Whats your favorite style of meditation, or most frequently used?

Well thanks a ton, I like Steemit and hopefully quality posts will help the platform survive.

I like Tai Chi most, I’m usually too restless to settle into a seated meditation so I like the movements to focus on, and it’s had a huge effect on my spine and how I generally carry myself. Highly recommend it!

Nice, that seems like something I should try out because I'm the same way, I used meditation during runnning and yoga to start, my meditation is my own, I don't really pick one thing I just do it whenever I can and however I want to in the moment.

I'll check out your tai chi post!

I have never officially tried TM but i know someone who is a long time practitioner. Im.off to the Australian Meditation conference this weekend.. cant wait. Check it out.. what would you go to? Work paid for my gold pass... yay.

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To support your work, I also upvoted your post!

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