Comments on: Postcript: About Transcendental Meditation

By: Bodhipaksa

Bodhipaksa — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:30:58 +0000

I’ve appreciated the various comments on TM, but I think it’s time to draw a line under the topic, and I’m going to close the comments on this page. (I think I can do that without all the comments disappearing, but we’ll see!)

Thanks, everyone!

By: John burman

John burman — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 12:41:53 +0000

Following my previous comments. I was trained in the 70′s as a TM teacher and still meditate with the Sidhis technique every day. I left the organization many years ago as I became too “brainwashed” and needed to think for myself again.
I also sometimes use other meditation techniques, Zen, Tibetan, Daoist, which help me live comfortably in my mind and body. If I can understand how it works and see good results I will use it. The results don’t come quickly – its a lifetimes “work”. The changes are subtle but deep. I have great respect for TM techniques – which are profound ancient knowledge. I don’t agree with spilling guts on the supposed mantras, because like all others who learnt, I agreed to keep a secret, and if you cannot be trusted to keep an agreement – then what does it say about who you are?
If money is an issue then rather go buy a Fiat, TM is an expensive BMW – we all have different budgets and different values nobody is right or wrong. In the west we developed technology to conquer the world. In the east they developed consciousness to conquer themselves. I believe we need both. Keep up the work.

By: Ron Gego

Ron Gego — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 05:55:43 +0000

TM has turned quite cultish as I can see. To pay hundreds and thousands for a measly mantra which I myself can get online for free??… No one can tell you what you need better than yourself.
As for MM.Yogi, I’ve read a book where Osho relates a story of bumping at him in the airplane and harshly talking him off as a conman. It was like MMY offered him a flower and Osho was like: ” what the hell?! Go away you fraud..” Interesting..:)
As for authorities, please stay away from ALL authorities whoever is claiming themselves to be and especially when they are making themselves non-accountable to their followers (true sign of a fraud cult!). And then go and watch very popular recently mr. Tony Parsons videos on Advaita (on Yotube)- he will quickly ruin all your dreams and stories about enlightenment and “spiritual gurus”. They call him “Guru terminator”. Quite fun to listen.

By: sonia

sonia — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:57:02 +0000

I am sure I fell into the trap. And this was a very expensive trap since I had to pay R$1.000,00 to be admitted in the course and receive a “secret” mantra, which I had already forgotten but now just found it here :)

By: Ron Gego

Ron Gego — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:42:56 +0000

TM can work for those who apply it consciously and don’t jump into anyone’s directions without careful “fitting” it on themselves first. ANY technique can work for you if you feel it suits you and you achieve something through it. Basic of ALL meditations is to go inwards into the dimension of mind, spirit, silence, emptiness.

For me, Zen-meditations worked best. I don’t believe that “enlightenment” of any kind can be physically transmitted on you by “super-guru” if you didn’t achieve some clarity and spiritual breakthrough by your own.

By: kantibahivyas

kantibahivyas — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 03:38:43 +0000

As far as TM is concern it is effective but the part which has made this unpopuler is the way this organisation functions.Exept for the few of maharishi’s relative mean nephews and one niece are having control over the entire funds,In India it is controlled by Maharishis nephew Prakash who is a person always behind money.The organisation in india is a bigg flop because of the policies.there is no sceintific accountibility of so called 600 researches.It is only said but once you pay a hefty fees to learn and sign all types of undertakings no body feels interested to go for return or any legal battle with them simply because osf money power.your evaluation seems to bre quite near to the truth.

By: Randall Suit

Randall Suit — Wed, 18 May 2011 00:10:16 +0000

Jai Guru Dev….I started Tm in 1968 and worked for the movement till 1975 in LA….then my life fell apart till I got into AA ..I tried to resume TM but could not…I now say the Jesus Prayer and my life is good…Take care be careful what you pray for and too…

By: lad

lad — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 22:14:29 +0000

It’s a simple fact – the high cost of the TM technique made people value, want and commit to it more. If it was handed out for free, it would be taken for granted and not seriously applied.

The whole puja ceremony, no doubt, set up a suggestible, hypnotic atmosphere for the initiation. This, coupled with all the expectations accumulated by the introductory lectures, made for a possibility of self-hypnosis with positive effects.

Some can argue that there is something more that a mere psychological or hypnotic effect from all the spiritual (or occultic, if you will) window dressing of the TM movement. I guess you can leave this up to your world view – maybe the “gods” are at least as “real” as our minds – and they couldn’t “exist” without your mind to begin with.

I got into TM in ’75, when all the “scientific” evidence was promoted in the lectures. But, after a few years of the Sidhis at MIU, it is unquestionable that it mostly a Westernized, Vedantism with word substitutions.

By: John burman

John burman — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 09:44:02 +0000

OK. This is going to be my last comment. When I was teaching TM we always had one or two people who had an issue with what they learnt. We often heard later that it was about the money – maybe the real reason was that the technique resulted in a little discomfort for a while as stress got released, so they gave up. I mean who would go to a psychologist and not expect to pay. Yes its spiritual but money gives you the power to do things in this world – so its necessary, and TM never claimed it was not merchandising enlightenment. Anyone who thinks they don’t pay to be part of some religion has to be joking – the cupped hands are always out even if they pretend that its charity. There is only one question – is it worth it. I have never regretted anything I ever paid. Furthermore I am convinced that this profound knowledge in this form was not available to the man in the street before TM came to the west in the early 60′s.

By: Michael Linden

Michael Linden — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:11:29 +0000

I think it should be noted, in regards to TM Yogic Flying, that to the meditating individual, it may very well feel exactly like flying. Our sense of time is irrelevant at that point, and our sense of “me” and “here” is changed. With the eyes closed and the mind “afloat,” the split second you spend mid-air may in fact feel like flying. How should I know? I don’t even meditate very well right now. But, rarely can the benefits of any spiritual teaching be taken on magical terms. We can’t expect miracles. In at least some way, how we *perceive* the results is what’s important, isn’t it?

I have all my own doubts regarding TM, it’s pricing, the goals of those who run all that money, etc. However, many things begin with good intentions. I won’t pay for it, but I won’t say it’s a load of bull. I’ll find my answers through myself and through those who teach for the sake of teaching–not for money.