'Transcendental’ means to go beyond; ‘meditation’ means thinking. Hence, ‘Transcendental Meditation’ means to go beyond thinking.

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, effortless mental technique that enables the mind to go beyond thinking to the source of thought.

Thoughts have energy because they flow. They have intelligence because they choose a direction. The source of thought, therefore, is an infinite field of energy and intelligence.

When one brings one's awareness to this transcendental source of thought through the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique one experiences what is called transcendental consciousness. The state of transcendental consciousness is different from that of the waking, dreaming or deep sleep states of consciousness with which we are all familiar. The experience of the transcendental state is one of great charm, peace and bliss. And, it is also characterized by increased energy, intelligence and expanded awareness.

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a technique that uses the natural tendency of the mind. The natural tendency of the mind is to wander toward something of greater charm. In the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique we take a thought, a particular thought, and we experience that thought at increasingly finer levels. Thoughts at more and more refined levels are experienced as being more and more charming. Hence, the mind naturally slips into increasingly finer and more charming levels of the thought until it slips off the finest level of that thought into the source of that thought, which is the blissful transcendental field. Great inner peace is felt.

Morning and evening practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique for a few minutes each day enables the mind to become more and more infused with increased energy, intelligence, expanded awareness and inner peace. Then, on that basis, we perform our daily activity. As a result, our actions are more enjoyable and successful.

The Transcendental Meditation technique is unique in the world today. The Transcendental Meditation technique does not require contemplation. It does not require concentration. It is not a form of hypnosis. No amount of belief will help the practice. No amount of disbelief will hinder its practice. The Transcendental Meditation technique does not require any change in life style, or any philosophical belief. There are no do’s and don’ts.

The practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique can be done by anyone who can think, from the age of five upwards. In practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique we simply use the natural tendency of the mind. It is a technique that does its own doing.

Benefits are experienced from the very first stroke of practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique. One does not have to have faith or a prolonged term of practice to realize results.

The mind and body are related. With the Transcendental Meditation technique the mind automatically settles into experiencing increasingly subtler thoughts. As a result, mental activity becomes less and less. As mental activity becomes less and less, physical activity becomes less and less. The body settles down into a very deep state of rest, deeper than deep sleep. Yet the mind remains fully alert and awake. Expansion of awareness results.

Stress is the leading cause of all disease, mental problems and social disorders. The unique state of deep rest resulting from the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique quickly begins to reduce the stress, strain and fatigue in one’s body, mind and nervous system. Also, because of the increased energy and intelligence (expanded awareness) one gains from practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique, one finds that daily activities are not as stressful as before. The continued practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique produces cumulative effects. People beginning the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique have reported remarkable immediate benefits. So much so, that Transcendental Meditation has gained the attention of the scientific community.

Since its introduction to the western world over fifty years ago, the Transcendental Meditation technique as a means of personal development has been the subject of over 600 scientific research studies conducted at 200 independent universities and research institutions in thirty-three countries. These studies have been published in more than 100 major scientific journals such as Academy of Management Journal, American Journal of Physiology, American Journal of Psychiatry, Hypertension, The Lancet, Science, and Scientific American. No other system of personal development has received such scrutiny and acclaim.

The vast amount of empirical and scientific evidence supporting the Transcendental Meditation technique as the most advanced method available for personal improvement cannot be ignored.

The scientific data echoes the personal experiences of six million practitioners of this ancient Transcendental Meditation technique. Meditators include people of all ages, professions, cultures and religions throughout the world.

Through the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique, the body and mind are rejuvenated. Health improves. There is less of a desire to use tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs. Interpersonal relations improve. Students get better grades. Other measured benefits include: reduced job worry and tension, better mental and physical health, more energy and vitality, increased alertness, increased happiness and job satisfaction, improved productivity and job performance, and improved family life. Further, research has found that groups of people practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique create a peaceful radiance in the community. Repeated studies have shown that the crime rate decreases in cities where more than one-percent of the population practices the Transcendental Meditation technique.

The knowledge of the Transcendental Meditation technique was known in ancient times but was lost for centuries. The teaching was recently revived by His Divinity Swami Brahmananda Saraswati - known simply as Guru Dev. Guru Dev was a master of masters; the most illustrious custodian of Vedic knowledge in the tradition of Vedic masters.

Guru Dev passed this revived ancient wisdom to His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi whom he considered as his most devoted and successful student. Maharishi took the essence of this ancient wisdom and formulated it into a simple program readily adaptable to the active westerner's lifestyle. For five decades Maharishi has labored untiringly with the single purpose of spreading this ancient teaching to all parts of the world. Now, the Transcendental Meditation technique can be learned anywhere in the free world in seven easy steps.

The first step in learning the Transcendental Meditation technique is to attend an introductory lecture. The introductory lecture explains what the Transcendental Meditation technique is, presents the latest in scientific research findings about Transcendental Meditation and discusses the benefits to be derived from its practice. An introductory lecture provides you with the opportunity to ask questions and to discuss various points with the instructor. Introductory lectures are given free of charge at Transcendental Meditation centers throughout the United States and internationally.

The second step, a preparatory lecture, usually follows the first step within a week's time. At this lecture the mechanics of how and why the Transcendental Meditation technique works is discussed in detail. Questions are answered, and an opportunity for enrolling in the program is provided. Preparatory lectures are also free of charge.

The third step is taken at the conclusion of the preparatory lecture. It is the time for enrolling into the Transcendental Meditation program. It consists of a short ten-minute interview with the instructor.

The first three steps are all that are necessary to prepare for learning the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique. The next four steps take about one hour each and are completed over four consecutive days.

The fourth step is personal instruction. It is given on a one-to-one teacher-to-student basis. After learning the Transcendental Meditation technique the student practices on his own for a while, then meets with the instructor to discuss his new experience. The student then meditates at home as instructed and returns the following day for the fifth step.

The fifth step is group instruction. Additional knowledge is provided. The procedure for correct meditation is verified. There is also the opportunity for discussing one's experiences and reviewing the benefits that are already being noticed from the previous practice sessions at home.

The sixth step is also in the context of group instruction. Correct practice is verified. The mechanics of the Transcendental Meditation technique are reviewed and additional intellectual knowledge is provided to complement the experiences resulting from the daily Transcendental Meditation practice sessions at home.

The seventh step is also in the context of a group meeting. Correct practice is verified. At this meeting additional intellectual knowledge of the mechanics of developing higher states of consciousness, beyond the transcendental state of consciousness, is provided. The group meeting is followed by a brief private review with each student.

After the seventh step the Transcendental Meditation organization offers group and individual checking sessions to assure that the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique is being done correctly so that maximum benefits are being realized.

Also, advanced lectures are provided. As one's personal growth is enhanced the thirst for more knowledge grows. At the advanced lectures questions are answered and correctness of practice is verified. Audio or video taped lectures are played that cover a wide range of material relating to the personal growth experienced by meditators. There is no additional charge for attending advanced lectures.

To locate the closest center near you in the United States and Canada where you may learn the Transcendental Meditation technique call 1-888-LEARNTM (1-888-532-7686).