So far, we’ve learned that TM is a simple, effortless technique to experience deep relaxation, and that this deep relaxation is responsible for a wide range of scientifically verified benefits for our mind, for our health and wellbeing, and for our relationships. Now we want to look in more detail at how TM works, and why it is different from mindfulness and other forms of meditation.
The big question is: How does this work?
How do you go from the active, thinking, gotta gotta gotta level of the mind to these quieter and quieter and quieter levels, to the source of thought?
And how do you get there effortlessly?
In theory, it's there right now.
We don't have to muscle it, we don't have to believe in it, or try to clear our mind of thoughts… that's like trying to stop the waves on the surface.
The key thing is, 'It's a satisfying experience.'
I'm going to give you three examples of daily life of why this is important, and then tie it in with Transcendental Meditation.
You're sitting in a room and you're listening to some music, and it's dreadful music, really bad music.
And in the other room some elegant, excellent music comes on that you just love…
Where does your attention go?
You don't have to think it through, your attention is drawn to that just beautiful music, wonderful music.
You turn that off, I want to listen to that, right?
Or you're at a dinner party, and you're stuck in a corner somewhere, and you're in a really boring conversation...and just a few feet a way you can overhear a really interesting conversation...Where does your attention go?
You're trying to pay attention, but you keep being drawn to that more fascinating conversation.
Or, third example, you go on vacation and you have two books.
The first book is boring, you can't read it.
The second book is great, you're absorbed in it, hours fly by.
Those three examples are examples of what we call 'the natural tendency of the human mind to be drawn towards some field...something more satisfying, more charming …
Inside is a field of great satisfaction...the source of thought...a very charming field.
In Transcendental Meditation we learn how to give the attention of the mind an inward direction.
Instead of outward through our senses towards that nice music, that interesting conversation, that...you know, is it hard to watch a great movie?
No, your attention is drawn to it.
But that all goes out through the senses.
Now, like that cross-section of the ocean, we learn how to give the attention of the
mind an inward direction, and automatically the attention is drawn towards settled quieter and quieter and quieter levels...because quieter levels of the mind are increasingly more satisfying…more satisfying.
It's like you teach a child how to dive...you say, "Just stand like this, stand here, now get those initial conditions, bend over like that..." the rest is automatic.
Gravity, nature takes over.
In the same way, with Transcendental Meditation we learn to give the attention of the mind an inward direction, and automatically the attention is drawn inward.
And as the mind settles down, the body gains a profound state of rest and relaxation…and this rest and relaxation releases stress, dissolves stress, rejuvenates the body, and then we're ready to go for the next 6, 8, 10 hours of our day or evening.
So for the attention of the mind to settle down effortlessly in Transcendental Meditation, we use a mantra.
A mantra is a word or a sound that's used silently, that, has no meaning.
If it had a meaning, then we're stuck on the surface…
What does that mean, what does that mean… the intellect kicks in.
It's also a word or a sound, used silently, that has a positive effect. It’s known to be positive, life supporting...it's a good sound for the mind to settle down.
It's a sound...a mantra that's been used for thousands of years for just this purpose.
So how does this differ from other forms of meditation?
To answer this we look back to scientific research, because, as I said, research shows that every experience changes the brain, and basically we know from science that there are three different, major types of meditation.
The first type of meditation is called 'Focused Attention,' and Focused Attention is something like Zazen meditation, or Vipassana meditation...any meditation that involves some concentration or control of the mind...trying to clear your mind of thought, trying to concentrate on your breath...it's like trying to stop the waves from moving
It's a focus, it's a concentration.
2. The second type of meditation is called 'Open Monitoring,' and that's a mindfulness form of meditation, and that's really about how to emotionally disengage, to just observe and be present and mindful of your environment, mindful of your thoughts, and that would just be observing the rise and fall of the waves on the surface of your mind.
Transcendental Meditation does not involve any concentration, and it's not just an observational tool.
3. It’s an actual technique called 'automatic self-transcending,' which allows the active mind to experience quieter and quieter levels of thought, and then transcend thought and experience the Self, experience our own unbounded nature.
Unlike some meditation and relaxation techniques, TM comes from a tradition that stretches back many thousands of years. Our next video will look at where TM comes from, and how you can learn.
