Transcendental Meditation Explained: How & Why it Works

This Is The Self-Care Practice Kendall Jenner Swears By For Her Anxiety

Mental disorders such as anxiety have become more frequently discussed in recent years, as it has been revealed that 20 per cent of people in the cope with anxiety in various degrees of intensity. Even celebrities who seem to have it all are not immune from the struggle.

The practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) has become an increasingly popular form of self-care. American model Kendall Jenner has been candid in the past about her battle with anxiety, which grew worse after sister Kim Kardashian, was robbed at gunpoint while in Paris. The trauma from that event, as well as the stress of dealing with stalkers and the other struggles of being thrust constantly into the public eye, had the model searching for help to cope.

After trialling several practices to calm her mind, Jenner found success through TM technique. This is a technique that involves sitting down quietly for approximately 20 minutes and repeating various positive mantras. It is said to spiritually empower the person, allowing them to experience relief from mental stress.

Jenner once said that she practices transcendental meditation (TM) to help clear her mind. “I had a lot of people in the industry say to me, ‘I know you have a busy schedule—what do you do to stay calm, cool, and collected?’ I was like, ‘Um, nothing?’ And then one day, when I was having a freak-out—I was having multiple freak-outs—I was like, OK, I’m going to try this. So I found this lady, she’s awesome, she taught me TM, and I love it."

What is Transcendental Meditation?

Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, effortless technique practised 20 minutes twice a day while sitting comfortably. It enables the mind and body to access a special quality of rest. Over ten million people of all ages, cultures and religions have learnt TM. The TM technique "allows your mind to easily settle inward, until you experience the most silent and peaceful level of your own awareness". It is completely different from other forms of meditation and meditation techniques as it involves no concentrating or focusing, no trying to "empty the mind".

During each session, people are encouraged to sit comfortably, close their eyes, and meditate by repeating an assigned mantra. A mantra may be a word, sound, or phrase, TM teacher Bob Roth, CEO of the David Lynch Foundation and author of Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation, told SELF.

David Lynch, an American director, painter, musician and photographer, has been regarded as bringing the practice to popularity in recent times. Lynch met Indian guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who founded the TM movement in India, for the first time in 1975 at the Spiritual Regeneration Movement centre in Los Angeles, California. In July 2005, he launched the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and Peace, established to help finance scholarships for students who were interested in learning the Transcendental Meditation technique and to fund research on the technique and its effects on learning.

What does Transcendental Meditation help with?

Hundreds of published research studies on Transcendental Meditation have documented its
effectiveness in reducing stress and anxiety, brain functioning, cardiovascular health, and more.

The benefits of meditation and TM practice:

Reduce anxiety, stress and depression
Lower risk of heart attack and stroke, lower blood pressure
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Provides more energy
Increase brain function and creativity
Reduce insomnia
Provide a greater resilience to stress

What is the technique involved?

Unlike other forms of meditation, Transcendental Meditation practice involves no concentration, no control of the mind, no contemplation, no monitoring of thoughts. Anyone can do it. TM is the absence of effort, you sit in whatever position makes you comfortable. For most people, this is sitting on the sofa normally as you would chatting with friends or watching TV.

Where can I find a TM teacher?

Australia actually has plenty of certified teachers and centres to teach you the form of meditation. Visit here to see where your centre is based in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and more.

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Grace is our Digital News and Entertainment Editor. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.