Transcendental meditation mantras are sounds or sets of words that have no literal meaning.
A TM Mantra can simply be a single word or a simple short sentence.
Practitioners use these mantras during meditation as a means of “resting” their attention which allows the mind to settle into increasingly subtle levels of thinking, and ultimately into silence.
In this article, we’ll explore some useful information on Transcendental meditation and Transcendental meditation mantras and their benefits, processes, purposes, and more…
So, let’s jump in!
Table of Contents
What is Transcendental Meditation?
Transcendental Meditation is a type of meditation that uses a word or a sound like a mantra in order to transcend the mental ruckus created by the mind.
In contrast to other types of meditation (which usually focus on gaining more control over the mind), transcendental meditation actually aims to drive the mind inwards to the source of thought.
The mantra acts as a focal point for the awareness to rest upon. This allows the mind to be detached from thoughts that arise from stimuli of the senses.
As I said before, the word or sound that is used as a mantra doesn’t have a literal meaning. This is because using a word with meaning would keep the mind on the surface (inevitably thinking about the word and its meaning), instead of allowing it to transcend that level of the mind.
The mantra is supposed to be chosen for you by a certified TM Teacher. This is because these certified teachers have been given a selection of mantras which have been passed down through a long line of people over the span of thousands of years. The word or sound will vary from person to person according to age or gender.
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How Transcendental Meditation Works
To understand how transcendental meditation works, it would be helpful to look at it with an analogy: Look at your mind as if it was an ocean.
When looking at the surface of the ocean, we can see a lot of activity (waves, storms, rainfall, etc.). However, when taking a dive we can see that in the depths of the ocean, it’s completely silent.
That’s the true nature of the ocean, active on the surface, but completely silent in its depths.
Our minds are actually quite similar. The surface of our mind is active with all the thoughts that arise throughout the day (with its own occasional storms).
However, there is also a deeper level of mind. In the depths of our minds, there is a natural calmness and stillness that leads to a natural state of bliss
Some ancient scriptures say that it’s the source of our unbounded creativity, unbounded intelligence, happiness, focus, and clarity.
However, unfortunately in the fast pace of modern life, we’ve lost access to it. We’re simply stuck up on the surface level of the mind.
Because we discriminatory assign a lot of meaning to the thoughts arising in our minds throughout the day, we unintentionally keep our minds held up on the conceptual or intellectual level of the word.
By focusing on “meaningless” TM mantras during meditation, we can reach the depths of our creative and unbounded minds.
The technique for transcendental meditation is actually quite natural and effortless. It is usually practiced for about 15-20 minutes, twice a day, sitting with the eyes closed while using the silent mantra.
You can see a list of 33 examples of Transcendental meditation mantras below.
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A List of 33 Transcendental Meditation Mantras
| Age | Mantra |
| 0-11 | eng or ing |
| 12-13 | em, aim, im |
| 14-15 | enga or inga, ayinga |
| 16-17 | ema or ima |
| 18-19 | ieng or aying |
| 20-21 | iem or ayim, ayima |
| 22-23 | ienga or ayinga, inga |
| 24-25 | iema or ayima |
| 26-29 | shirim, shrim |
| 30-34 | shiring |
| 35-39 | kirim, krim |
| 40-44 | kiring |
| 45-49 | hirim or hrim |
| 50-54 | hiring |
| 55-59 | sham or shyam |
| 60 | shama or shiama |
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Benefits of Transcendental Meditation
According to a study from the American Heart Association in 2017, practicing Transcendental Meditation can yield numerous health benefits.
Though experts agree that Transcendental meditation should not be used as an alternate treatment for mental health conditions, many studies have reported the following benefits:
- Positive effect on Psychological, Psychosocial, and Physiological Responses to Stress
Numerous studies, across both healthy and disease‐based populations, have explored the effects of TM on psychological and psychosocial outcomes. Most published studies report some improvements in levels of perceived stress, mood, anxiety, depression, quality of sleep, or overall well‐being
This is because TM facilitates deep mental relaxation and inner peace. The mind is enabled to heal itself from past traumatic experiences and negative stored impressions. Stress is simply the outcome of irregulated thought patterns brought about by our vivid sense of memory and imagination. Regular practice of Transcendental Meditation rests the mind inwards, which enables it to properly handle outer sensory perceptions.
- Positive effect on blood pressure
The effects of Transcendental Meditation on blood pressure have also been reported to be positive. A study of 298 university students randomized to Transcendental Meditation or wait‐list control found significant reductions in blood pressure (5/3 mm Hg, respectively) in those at high risk of the development of hypertension.
Therefore, scientific studies from the American Heart Association recommend that Transcendental Meditation may be included in clinical practice for treating hypertension.
- Positive influence on insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
In a study of 103 patients with coronary artery disease randomized to Transcendental Meditation or active control (health education), Transcendental Meditation improved insulin resistance.
Other reported health benefits are a positive effect on Subclinical Atherosclerosis, Inducible Myocardial Ischemia, and the reduction of Cardiovascular Risk Factors.
Other non-health-related benefits are reported to be improved relationships and improved social life.
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Where do Transcendental Meditation mantras come from?
The mantras used in Transcendental Meditation come from the ancient Vedic tradition of India. They are in fact Sanskrit sounds.
According to spiritual teacher Sadhguru, the Sanskrit language is a device, not necessarily a medium of communication. Sanskrit is like a blueprint of existence. Every form in the existence is reverberating in a certain way and creates a certain form. What is in form, we converted into sound.
Some mantras have healing power for specific parts of the body, but the Transcendental Meditation mantras are for transcending, which has an enormous healing effect for the whole body and mind and more.
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How do you choose the Transcendental Meditation mantra?
There are many different Transcendental Meditation mantras. However, only a small number of which the effects are known are used. As I said before, the mantra should be received from a fully trained Transcendental Meditation teacher.
There are a lot of different teachers that you can find by simply searching for “Transcendental meditation teacher” online.
Conclusion
Transcendental Meditation is one of the most popular and loved meditation in the world.
It is loved because it has so many benefits and is also beginner-friendly. You just receive a mantra, sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and start the meditation.
In addition, it even works for the more skeptical among us. You don’t necessarily have to believe in spirituality or any other particular thing.
Transcendental Meditation is the simple, natural, effortless technique that paves the way to inner peace.
If you have any questions, feel free to let me know in the comments below!
