Why does transcendental meditation have to be taught by a teacher?

Answer 1

When a person learns the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique they are instructed by a certified TM teacher and they get lots of personal, one on one, attention. This is really valuable because everyone is different and learns at their own pace. An experienced TM teacher can guide you through every step and assure that you learn the technique correctly and gain all of the benefit.

Many people wonder: why can't I learn Transcendental Meditation from a book or a CD? Well imagine trying to learn a Golf swing from just a verbal description in a book or on a recording. It just doesn't work. In fact you could develop bad habits that would hurt your golf game and be difficult to correct later. But a one on one session with a golf pro, well now you're learning! A teacher gives you feedback at each step so you can correct yourself and maximize the learning process. At the same time getting feedback when you practice correctly also helps you to grow in confidence and then meditate successfully on your own at home.

The TM technique is unique among the many forms of meditation available today. It's natural, effortless and anyone can learn. It does not involve any kind of concentration, lifestyle or belief. But it is a delicate process so learning from a TM teacher is crucial. It's a lot easier than playing the guitar or perfecting your golf swing, but at the same time requires that same kind of personalized guidance.

Transcendental Meditation (www.tm.org) differs from other meditation methods in that it teaches the mind to move beyond thinking to the source of thought, pure consciousness. To learn the Transcendental Mediation technique, I suggest you contact your local TM center (or call 888-LEARN-TM) and speak to a certified meditation instructor. Learn about the seven-step, 10-12 hours of training you get during the TM course and the careful personalized instruction you receive. Learn about the one-on-one follow-up-a lifetime of personal guidance, as needed-and the optional, ongoing advanced classes and group meditations at TM centers. Maharishi created a wealth of knowledge and clarification to ensure that your understanding can grow as your experience deepens. All of this follow-up is available to you for the rest of your life when you learn the TM technique-at no further charge after you've completed the initial seven-step course. And learn about the gift of scholarships and grants for people in financial need, to help pay for such comprehensive training. There is significant financial help available so that everyone who wants to can learn The Transcendental Meditation Technique.

Maharishi, the founder of the TM program, spent over 50 years elucidating the principles behind the Transcendental Meditation technique, always emphasizing the need for personal, one-on-one instruction:

"By necessity, the practice of Transcendental Meditation is imparted by personal instruction. It cannot be done through a book [or CD or online training] because it not only involves telling an aspirant how to experience the subtle states of thinking, but an even greater responsibility lies in finding out what the aspirant experiences when he proceeds on that path… The experiences on the path of Transcendental Meditation are very subtle… It takes a while for the beginner to be able to pinpoint his experiences of the subtle state of thought. The practice of Transcendental Meditation must always be given by the expert teachers of Transcendental Meditation who have been properly trained to give it and who have been trained to check the experiences.

"The checking of experiences is a vital point in the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Again, it cannot be done through books…by nature it is delicate and therefore highly technical. But under personal instruction and guidance the way is smooth and easy." [Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, The Science of Being and Art of Living (New York: Plume/Penguine Group, 1963/2001), p. 35-36]

It is important to note that there are alternatives to Transcendental Meditation for those who cannot afford it or believe it is religious. An example is NSR Meditation (www.nsrusa.org), which is different from TM and can indeed be learned successfully by anyone from a manual. TM and NSR are taught by two different but nonprofit organizations.