Transcendental Meditation: The Essential Teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The classic text revised and updated

by Jack Forem

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a simple, natural method of allowing the mind to go beyond thoughts and gain access to the silent inner field of creativity, energy, peace, and happiness that is our own essential nature, our Self. Widely known and prescribed by physicians for its powerful stress-reducing effects, TM is much more than that. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1918–2008), who brought TM to the West, said that TM offers any individual not only a gateway to the highest spiritual unfoldment (Enlightenment), but also "sound physical and mental health, greater ability in action, a greater capacity to think clearly, increased efficiency in work, and more loving and rewarding relationships with others." Five million TM practitioners around the world and more than 360 published, peer-reviewed scientific studies have consistently corroborated these lofty claims. Described as "a great book, by far the most comprehensive on the TM Program" when it was a bestseller in its original version, Jack Forem’s study of TM became a much-loved classic. This updated edition contains all the features of the original plus much more. Clear, easy-to-read diagrams explain scientific research showing TM’s beneficial effect on the brain and a broad spectrum of contemporary concerns, from health, self-actualization, and development of intelligence to post-traumatic stress (PTSD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and much more. In these pages, Oprah Winfrey tells how she has offered TM to everyone on her staff. Dr. Mehmet Oz explains the benefits of TM for heart health. School principals describe the dramatically positive effect on their students when TM is introduced in the classroom. Interviews with celebrities as well as men and women of every age, background, and religion provide a lively testimonial to the efficacy of TM in making anyone’s life happier, healthier, and more creative.

Genres: Meditation, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Self Help, Religion, Philosophy, Health

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

Reviews

[Terry Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introductory book to Transcendental Meditation (TM). This book explains what TM is about and bulk of the book is about the benefits of TM.

I was a little disappointed that this book doesnt have anything on how to practice TM, but it does explain TM is a strictly taught practice, one on one with a qualified teacher.

However, this book gave me great interest in TM and meditation in general, which I've attempted to try meditating two 20minutes sessions each day just like TM. This has helped me through tough times and eventually I would like to learn TM properly (the courses are quite expensive...).

[Moonstone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Describes in great detail the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh but this book does not teach you how to do transcendental meditation. It only tells you what it is and what it is not, or rather how it effects you. After searching the internet it appears that TM can only be taught by a `qualified` teacher at great cost. But others state that it just basically a Mantra Meditation. I have been using meditation for many years but am always open to inquiry when I hear of something that I am not familiar with. After reading this book I decided to stick to what I know.

[Clayton Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The thing about Transcendental Meditation is that you can't possibly learn it from a book. It's impossible. It requires a skilled teacher, a willing student, and seven classes or sessions. Jack Forem knows all of this. Therefore his book serves as an entry point for the TM curious crowd skeptical about its benefits. Even if your mind is closed this book will open it.

Forem lays out the profound impact that TM can have on health and wellness with exhaustive case studies and medical evidence. I don't know how anyone could remain skeptical after finishing this book!

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly interesting collection of scientific studies on meditational technique TM. It made me learn TM, which has now become an integral part to my life and well-being.

[Zhao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I have some meditation experience based on the concentration (mindfulness) approach. This book introduces me another type of meditation techniques - Transcendental Meditation (TM). The book is written in small chapter that makes it very easy for me to read. It contains a lot of references to scientific research that back up and shows how TM will benefit all of us.

It definitely makes me curious about TM and leads me to find out more. When I begin the book, I thought the author will describe the technique but I was wrong. After a bit of researching, I am disappointed that I have to fork out a few thousand dollars just to learn the technique and join the tribe. Also there are few skeptics online that target TM specifically and documented the side effects - but I do not know whether to believe or not.

Overall, this book is well written on what TM is, its benefits and effects. Good introduction for people that are new to meditation.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d been doing TM for around a year when I read this book. I was looking for a deeper understanding that what I found in individual and group discussions. I didn’t necessarily find anything new. The book is a great sales pitch for TM (you won’t learn how to do it here though). But it dragged at the end. I could tell he was trying to build to something great, but he never really got there. Read it (and skim if necessary) if you want to learn about TM, but actually learning TM through an instructor is 1000 times better

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched

great material on what seems to be a great and much needed movement, but i finished the book with no instruction on how to do it. At one point you are told that it cannot be learned from a book, but only from a qualified instructor. Very disappointing. I got the book to learn how, not to be sold on it. The book is one long sales pitch for TM.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if you're either thinking about doing TM or are already practicing it. Makes you realize that this is a proven and effective way to organize and relax your mind.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking the next class that fits my schedule.

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tehnica MT este unică în mai multe moduri. În primul rând, aceasta este diferită de alte programe de autodezvoltare și de cele mai multe (dacă nu de toate) forme de meditație în sensul că această tehnică este predată și practicată în mod sistematic. Predarea acestei tehnici este atât standardizată (există un program în șapte pași care necesită aproximativ zece ore de instruire), cât și flexibilă: tehnica este împărtășită fiecăruia în ședințe individuale, în care profesorul ghidează delicat
fiecare elev, pas-cu-pas, pe baza experienței elevului. Tehnica în sine nu lasă loc de presupuneri sau de neclarități: este specifică și exactă, iar în timpul cursului, elevul învață cum să se ocupe de fiecare tip de experiență în parte (gânduri, distrageri și așa mai departe), care ar putea surveni în timpul meditației acasă. Oricine a încercat să mediteze într-o clasă de yoga, de exemplu, va aprecia natura exactă a MT.
În al doilea rând, în mod paradoxal, deși MT este exactă, fiind predată și exersată în mod sistematic și analizată pe larg de oamenii de știință, de asemenea, aceasta este în întregime naturală și ușor de stăpânit. După cursul inițial de instruire, noii meditatori sunt pe deplin pregătiți pentru a practica pe cont propriu, deși aceștia sunt încurajați să se consulte periodic cu un profesor de MT pentru a verifica corectitudinea practicii lor și a găsi răspunsuri la întrebările pe care le pot avea.
(Acest serviciu este oferit gratuit pe viață, oriunde în lume, pentru oricine care urmează un astfel de curs.) Cu toate că, așa cum este în orice situație, trebuie să faci aceasta, pentru a culege beneficiile, practica în sine nu necesită disciplină, concentrare sau control și nici nu este solicitantă din punct de vedere emoțional. Aceasta nu implică nicio schimbare a stilului de viață (nici o dietă specială sau ținută), nu cere nimănui să adopte noi credințe și poate fi practicată oriunde, în orice poziție
confortabilă.

[Gabriela G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Първоначално научих за трансценденталната медитация от Дейвид Линч, който е силен пропонент в използването й с цел увеличаването на творческия потенциал и оттам се заинтересовах в практикуването й.
Тази книга не е наръчник как да практикувате трансцендентална медитация, а е нещо като сборник (или реклама), в който са изложени подробно всички предполагаеми ползи от нея. Самата организация - Transcendental Meditation movement, (основана от Махариши Махеш Йоги) е бизнес, целящ да продаде курса за TM. В голяма степен дължи популярността си от Бийтълс през 60-те, след което се превръща в световно движение и в бизнес. В Англия курсът струва около 400£.
Главната идея зад всяка медитация е да се постигне 'осъзнатост' (mindfulness) - завръщане към текущия момент. И това може да се случи чрез всякакъв вид медитации - випасана, трансцендентална медитация, водена медитация... Всеки метод си има своите привърженици, но това което липсва на повечето е че не дават обяснение за смисъла на медитацията от гледната точка на Будизма. Без този контекст медитацията се превръща в ню ейдж дейност за разтоварване отколкото за постигане на духовно знание.

[Alex Badila · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is, without exaggeration, one of the worst books I've ever read. It made me go from open and curious about TM to skeptical to outright hostile to it. I am now convinced that TM is just another New Age cult. According to this book, they literally believe that by meditating, positive vibrations go out into the world and JUST THAT stops the bad things in the world from happening. They also believe in Yogic Flying, which is exactly what it sounds like. Meditate hard enough, and you can levitate and even fly, and this makes your brain all good and stuff. This is absolute lunacy. I'm going to be avoiding TM like the plague because of this book.

[Phil Calandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transcendental Meditation is the foundation of Vedic Science which is described as a simple process which enables the individual to directly experience the "source of creative intelligence" at the deepest levels of mind. The author does an excellent job in explaining the theory and practice of TM in very clear and simplistic terms in addition to proving the efficacy of TM over other modalities. Not only does TM offer the individual the gateway to the highest spiritual enfoldment but offers sound physical and mental improvement to health and the treatment of a variety of conditions including PTSD, ADHD, Cardio Vascular Conditions and others. I would highly recommend this book.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whilst, there certainly are some interesting aspects to this book. Unfortunately, the waffle outweighs the substance. The author's narrative attempt to suggest causation rather than coincidence during the final chapter leave one questionning the benefit of doubt afforded in previous chapters.
I shall not be reading this book again and would not recommend it. Rather, if so inclined, spend the time critiquing TM research directly from source. Or, simply spend the time practicing TM, undoubtedly a valuable technology despite this books overstatement.

[Meg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn’t go into detail about TM

I read this book to learn about the details of the Transcendental Meditation method as it seems shrouded in secrecy. Unfortunately the book doesn’t explain what TM is exactly. There are just several anecdotes and studies of why it works. After about the 20th story of how TM changed someone’s life,the book gets boring and predictable. But there are some bits of good information in between.

[j_ay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good summation of Lots o’ TM things, but too much leaning on “god”….I get we don’t want to scare away those with wild imaginations and/or needing to believe they have a friend in the sky, but opening your mind (Cosmic Consciousness, if you will) alleviates these silly things. Interviewing some anti-theists should have been included in all ‘this brought me closer to Jesus/Allah/Whatever nonsense’ testimonials.
"BCE" takes the places of "BC", too.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sped read it looking for the seven steps of it or at least cool stories. Really just a collection of benefits that any kind of meditation or mindfulness training has shown to improve. Disappointed in the lack of meaty content but could be good fluff for someone in crisis or just starting out. Good bibliography and reference of resources though.

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit frustrating of a book. It goes on about the virtues of TM and the teachings of the Yogi but never really tells you what TM is. Also there are times where there should have been citations for studies where there were none. The last chapter really made me skeptical as the 'studies' seemed rather fantastical and to me from what little the book says shows correlation but not causation.

[Tammy Krcelic · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book details the benefits of practicing TM, supported by anecdotal evidence and scientific research. It does not give the step-by-step instructions to actually practice TM. I read the original book in the early 70’s which outlined the steps for TM and actually had an out of body experience following the practice. I wish I still had that copy.

[Carlos Abundis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doesn't give you the whole technique which you can find on other books and youtube videos but it's very helpful to understand Maharishi's legacy and studies around him. The flying thing is a little bit out there but if the research is properly backed up it's actually amazing.

[Niranjan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The person narrating this and their gurus credentials don’t seem very solid to me. This feels like a random version of someone describing transcendental meditation. Read first few chapters , didn’t like the way info was presented and stopped reading this book

[Ala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the Transcendental Meditation technique, providing a foundation for understanding its principles.

While informative, it may not provide enough practical instruction for those seeking a deeper, more hands-on guide

[Dee Goulet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simplistic.

[Darren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need to change how it's taught. It should be billed after you take the course. If it works so well people will happily pay.

[Jason Trevino · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were a few inspiring things in this book but mostly just felt like a 300 page infomercial. Looked into the price of TM training about 50 pages in and immediately understood why.

[Gregg Puluka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of information on the importance of the topic but very little practical information

[Gary Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and worth the read. Hopefully motivated me to get back into meditation.

[Omar Misdaq · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent overview of the main benefits of practising TM, both for the practitioner in his personal life, and in his relations with the wider world. The writing is workmanlike, and while not gripping, it does the job. Lengthwise, a bit too long... could've been cut by 100 pages, and often reads as one long advertisement, but as a former skeptic who's been practising TM for 4 weeks now, I can say I've definitely experienced surprising benefits from day one and therefore all the hype is not without substance. Give it a chance.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

Discussions of neuroscience and "neuroplasticity" and a body of extensive research from credible universities and articles on TM in medical and psychological journals make this practice proven to work, however there is no discussion of how to meditate. The cost to learn is also expensive. It is why most testimonials come from celebrities and wealthy businesses and private schools; they can afford TM instruction while the majority of the world cannot.

[Yesterday'schild · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book won't teach you Transcendental Meditation you have to take the TM course for that. But its a great insiders view of the TM phenomena as its developed since the 60's and it makes a pretty convincing case for why someone might want to learn it. The book is written in a casual reader friendly style that I like. My favorite part was the story of how the author met the Maharishi.