There are 5 categories of meditation:
- Concentration Meditation
- Reflective Meditation
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Heart-centered Meditation
- Creative Meditation
Of these 5…this article will focus on the Concentration Meditation category:
Concentration is at the heart of all the types of meditation, but in some techniques, focus is predominantly on building concentration. This is because in order to gain the fruits of meditation, you need to train the mind to concentrate and focus on an object or nothingness, that is to cut all distractions. This allows your mind to be calm and awaken beyond thought elaboration and even beyond your sense of self. Once you hold this view of awareness, you can use it for your wellness and for the greater good. It is more correct to say that it affects positively all the beings, yourself included.
There are several types of meditation techniques in the concentration meditation category:
- Zen Meditation
- Transcendental Meditation
- Om meditation
- Shine Meditation or Samadhi
- Chakra Meditation
But this article will focus on just one type of meditation technique: “Transcendental Meditation”.
Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation a.k.a. TM, is a form of meditation that helps its practitioners in avoiding thoughts that are distracting. It also promote a state of relaxation and awareness. Transcendental Meditation grew from the works of late Indian guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. A technique which he derived from the ancient Vedic tradition of India. He then went on to bring this technique to the United States in the 1960s.
While a practitioner is in the process of Transcendental Meditation, the person will have to sit in a comfy position, with their eyes shut, whilst calmly repeating a mantra. A mantra is any seemingly meaningless sound derived from the Vedic tradition, that has been assigned by a certified meditation instructor.
Transcendental Meditation is neither a cult religion nor some philosophy. It doesn’t require any sort of lifestyle changes. It also doesn’t require its practitioners straining themselves by virtue of making an effort. It doesn’t require contemplation; just by breathing normally and focusing their attention on the given mantra, practitioners have indeed begun to practice TM.
Transcendental Meditation is so unique in many ways than one. It seems to help give the brain a coordination, that makes it work as a functional holistic unit. Little wonder people who practice TM experience peak performances in their vocations, from business to sports.
One other unique feature of the Transcendental Meditation technique, is that you don’t get to see any difference between the brainwaves of both experts and rookies. It is because TM is a technique that can be mastered quickly. It is such that the benefits of its practice are usually evident right from the very first session.
Some reports have been bandied around that meditation can actually worsen symptoms in patients with some psychiatric conditions, or induce disorientation and anxiety. How true this is, is yet to be full ascertained. However, some other school of thought believes that Transcendental Meditation actually helps in reducing anxiety in some patients. If you have a psychiatric condition, please consult the right doctor before beginning with the TM technique practice.