What is transcendental meditation? The benefits explained, plus how to give it a try.
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You may have heard of meditation in a yoga session, a therapy appointment, in pop culture or in various wellness circles.
Meditation is a broad term that includes many types of practice: There's mindfulness meditation, yoga nidra and transcendental meditation, to name a few. Maybe you've tried it before but weren't certain which type you were doing, but the exact approach may not matter all that much.
Meditation is all about being in the moment, experts say.
Transcendental meditation, often also called TM by those who practice it, is a subtype of meditation, and it gets a lot of attention. Read on to understand why.
What is meditation?
No matter the type of meditation, the premise is generally the same.
Katelyn Miskevics, a licensed marriage and family therapist at LifeStance Health, says that in general, “Meditation is a form of mental training that emphasizes living in the present moment to increase one’s attention, focus and awareness.
"It is a skill that allows one to focus on being with what is, rather than trying to change existing circumstances. Think of meditation like exercise for the mind, a skill that can be grown with time to help increase acceptance and self-regulation.”
How is Transcendental Meditation done?
Miskevics explains that transcendental meditation is a practice that was initially developed by Indian yoga guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is a simple practice: sitting comfortably with eyes closed for 15-20 minutes, two times each day, with no need to control the mind or exert any effort or exercise. The goal is to achieve a restful state of mind – the simplest form of human awareness. (Miskevics cites Robert Roth’s 1987 book titled: "Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s Transcendental Meditation.")
As many may have experienced, this can be a difficult task. It’s normal to get antsy or even bored. It’s important to emphasize that meditation is a skill that requires practice.
What are some of the benefits of meditation?
Miskevics is a proponent of meditation – no matter the kind – because it seems as though the potential benefits of meditation are limitless.
“When practiced regularly, mediation has been known to improve in the management of mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD and schizophrenia,” Miskevics says.
She also outlines some of the other potential benefits:
More alertness in the mind
Heightened awareness
Deep relaxation in the body
Better health, including slowed aging and deeper connections with yourself and others
“The benefits gained from meditation are going to be specific to each person, so give it a try!" Miskevics says. "Notice how you feel before practice, versus after, and once it becomes a longer-term practice, you may be surprised just how valuable this skill is in obtaining inner peace.”
Read more about stress, yoga and mediation here:
What is mindfulness meditation? How to get started and the health benefits you should know
How to meditate properly: Tips from experts to get the most out of meditation.
What does yoga do for your mind and body? All the benefits, explained.
Feeling stressed? Tips for how to reduce stress in your daily life
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Transcendental meditation: WHat it is and how to practice it
