TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION(TM)
What is Transcendental Meditation (TM) and why do high performers use it?
Transcendental Meditation is practiced by Hugh Jackman, Cameron Diaz, Russell Brand, Oprah Winfrey and even the Beatles! Famous hedge fund manager Ray Dalio credits his success partly to TM for focus and creativity and offers it to his employees at his $140Bn fund.
Meditation is all about the pursuit of nothingness. It's like the ultimate rest. It's better than the best sleep you've ever had. It's a quieting of the mind. It sharpens everything, especially your appreciation of your surroundings. It keeps life fresh. - Hugh Jackman
But what is Transcendental Meditation (TM)!? In short, it is a form of meditation that involves the use of a repeated mantra in a specific way to promote relaxation and reduce stress. It was introduced in the 1950s and is widely practiced as a self-development technique. It is somewhat exclusive as it is only taught by certified teachers and does command a pretty hefty fee £££ to receive your secret personal mantra.
How have I personally found Transcendental Meditation?
I thought if 2 x 20 minutes for 12 hours + of enhanced consciousness is possible, then that’s an impressive ROI! So, I signed up for a 2-day course to get in on the action.
Day 1 - I travelled to a residential street in the northern suburbs of London and rang the bell of what looked like a converted family home. I was greeted by a middle aged, 5ft 5 slightly dazed looking man and I must say my skeptical and analytical brain immediately whispered ‘what the f*** am I doing here’. It didn’t get much better as I had been asked to bring 3 sweet fruits, fresh flowers and a white handkerchief as an offering…. to whom I remain unsure. After a bizarre and uncomfortable 5 minute ceremony to an old picture frame, I was then given my unique mantra which I swore to take to my grave. Once given my mantra I was asked to repeat this singular word over and over again, increasingly quietly, until I was only saying it in my head. That’s it! I was then left alone to do exactly that before I left and was to do the same thing 2 more times for 20 minutes before returning on Sunday. So far so strange, as of yet, no come to god moment.
Would day 2 be any different? Yes, well, sort of….
Day 2 - Today was a group mediation session to embed the practice and build accountability to others in our group. My expectation of a group of middle-aged ex hippies with dreads and beads was soon dashed, when a group of millennials ranging from a private equity fund salesman to tech start-up marketer filled the room. We talked more about what we should expect, watched a VHS video that was genuinely from the 1950s and then proceeded to meditate together for 15 minutes. Within the 15 minutes I genuinely experienced something almost impossible to describe, but subtly different and deeply relaxing vs other meditation I tried. My body changed from fidgety and agitated to deadly still, my mind felt spacious and light. Maybe there was something in TM after all!
Since the course I have continued to practice TM daily, although I will admit I have often only managed once a day, often for nearer to 10 minutes. Practice has been on a packed DLR into the City, in between stressful work Zoom calls, or even on the runway at Gatwick waiting for the plane to take off.
Which of the benefits claimed by the celebrities and influencers have I experienced?
- Improved Mental Clarity and Focus: I have noticed almost immediately that my mind feels very spacious, and my thoughts seem to come out in less of a jumble. Even being able to remember that name of so and so’s long lost 3rd cousin seems to come into my mind without effort or struggle.
- Better Physical Health: I experience back pain almost every day from years of a computer based job, and one of my hopes was that TM could help relieve tension and ultimately fix my pain. I would say that I have seen glimmers of hope, where tension has suddenly released from my tight office-adapted posture.
- Increased sense of Well-Being: For what feels like no reason, even during very average run of the mill days, I feel like I have a slight spring I my step and everything just flows a little more easily. This is not to say I am floating around in a dream world immune from frustration, monkey mind and fatigue from a busy millennial life.
What are the main challenges so far?
Despite scheduling the 20 minute afternoon slot into my Outlook calendar, it seems the infinite stream of Zoom calls, WhatsApp notifications and fires to fight mean I am sitting there at 6pm thinking, ‘shit, I have missed it again’. Compliance is not that easy with 20 minutes to find in the middle of the day.
What are 3 tips for people considering TM or other mindfulness practices?
- Clear time in your diary: Find time that works for your unique schedule, work demands, personal preferences and then commit to it.
- Don’t be harsh on yourself: 10 minutes once a day is better than 0 minutes and losing the habit altogether. Become someone who always gets back on the horse.
- Be patient: you should not expect to feel like Jay Shetty on ecstasy after a few weeks of practice.
Conclusion, what is the bottom line?
If you’re looking to build mental fitness and invest in your well-being then yes, TM does appear to have a positive impact on mental clarity, reducing stress and cultivating a sense of calm.
However, if you do not have cash to burn (we are in a cost of living crisis after all) then other forms of meditation can yield a similar ROI for a much lower upfront investment.
Due to the £££ cost, TM training remains an exclusive practice inaccessible to many who would otherwise benefit greatly.
Resources
TM info:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMg8IzQsdpI
Scientific research from PubMed:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24107199/
