TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION (TM)
compiled by
Indira Gilbert (Pillay)
TM has been introduced into many schools worldwide and continues to do so under the name of CBE (consciousness-based education). TM claims to assist learners to concentrate and subsequently produce improved academic results, and to refrain from anti-social behaviour. Not only is its religious nature withheld from those it is planned to recruit -the religious nature of TM is actually denied. The TM movement promotes their agenda by:
1. disguising with the name - CBE (consciousness-based education) - when approaching the education fraternity;
2. highlighting the so-called benefits which were conducted by their organization, their followers, or research funded by them; and
3. not explaining exactly what their method of improving school behaviour/performance is, nor how it is done.
There is a ceremony of initiation - the puja ceremony which requires an "offering of thanks" to the fathers of the programme - the gurus of the past. The prayers are conducted in Sanskrit - recruits do not understand what is being said or that they are actually submitting to 'deities. Camphor is burnt, water is sprinkled, and flowers, cloth (white handkerchief), sandal paste, rice, flour, incense, fruit, betel leaf and coconut are offered to the gods and goddesses while the invocation is read. All these have significance to the Hindu faith (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor; http://www.india-crafts.com/articles/puja-items.html; http://www.hinduwebsite.com/rituals.asp). The Hindu ritual of worshipping a deity (Puja/ Pooja), is an elaborate, holy ceremony (http://www.india-crafts.com/articles/puja-items.html).
Persons of Indian (Asian) origin are usually aware of the meaning of such offerings, of the puja ceremony and Sanskrit prayers - and many usually step down from the programme. The other ethnic/racial groups do not have any such point of reference and go along with the programme on the basis of what is said to them viz. that it is not a religious practice - only an offering of thanks. Those who remain in the programme are each given a specially chosen mantra which, they are told, must not be shared with anyone. '
"But one thing is important to know, and that is that there are thousands of mantras and all have their specific values, specific qualities and are suitable for specific types of people. We know that each man is a different individual . . . , Similarly, each man has his own type of energy impulses which constitute his personality. Therefore, if the qualities of the energy impulses created by the sound of the mantra rightly correspond to the energy impulses of the man, only then will it be of real value. Any wrong choice of the mantra is sure to create unbalance in the harmony of the man's life." Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Meditations o f Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (Bantam Books, Inc., New York, NY, 1968), pp. 185, 186.
Although one is told that it is her or his own personal mantra and should not under any circumstance be revealed to anyone as it will lose its power, there are only 16 mantras amongst all who do practice TM. In reality 1/16 of the TM practicing population has the same mantra. A list of the mantras and the English version follows at the end of this article.
"A mantra is not a mere formula or a magic spell or a prayer; it is an embodiment in sound of a particular deity. It is the deity itself. And so, when a mantra is repeated a hundred times, or a thousand times, or even more, and the worshiper makes an effort to identify himself with the worshiped, the power of the deity comes to his help. Human power is thus supplemented by divine power." (From essays by Hindu scholars in "The Religion of the Hindus" edited by K. Morgan, in Essay by D. S. Sharma,"The Nature and History of Hinduism.")
TM is a religious practice. Initially the Maharishi emphasised the religious aspects of TM. His organisation was called the 'Spiritual Regeneration Movement'. On taking TM to the west he adopted a more secular approach to make TM appear scientific and therefore more readily accepted. He emphasized relaxation, relief from stress, and improved personal effectiveness (http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Transcendental_meditation). Beside its religious nature being withheld from all whom the movement attempts to recruit, when confronted the promoters actually deny this. They insist that people from any religion can and do practice it. Whilst many from various religious groups do practice TM it is because they have been misled as to the true nature of TM. This is indeed TMs worldwide propagation strategy. According to the Maharishi (the founder of TM) TM is:
The Maharishi was strategic in his attempts:
"Whenever and wherever religion dominates the mass consciousness, transcendental deep meditation should be taught in terms of religion...Today when politics is guiding the destiny of man, the teaching should be primarily based on the field of politics and secondarily on the plane of economics... It seems, for the present, that this transcendental deep meditation should be made available to the peoples through the agencies of government."
A mantra is a religious syllable from the Sanskrit language. According to scholar Sir John Woodroffe's Garland of Letters, TM mantras have been widely available throughout India for centuries. Mantras originated in the Vedic religion of India, later becoming an essential part of the Hindu tradition. The TM mantras are not "meaningless" sounds. They are used in Eastern spiritual traditions to divert the mind by focusing it on a spiritual idea" (http://www.indiaclub.com/Shop/SearchResults.asp). Mantras are inseparable from the names of religious deities and are primarily used as "spiritual conduits, words or vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration in the devotee." Mantras are interpreted to be "effective as vibration, which may include verbal repetition in the form of chanting or internal mental incantation." The regular chanting of a mantra is expected to create certain vibrations in the body and mind which would facilitate the spiritual transformation of one's ordinary self (http://www.hinduwebsite.com/rituals.asp).
The Maharishi, in a quote from the Bea'con Light of the Himalyas, explains mantras to be a spiritual tool to be used to call on spiritual beings "on other levels of creation." He explains the deeper, religious purpose of the mantras:
"We do something here according to Vedic rites, particularly, specific chanting to produce an effect in some other world, draw the attention of those higher beings or gods living there. The entire knowledge of the mantras or hymns of the Vedas is devoted to man's connection, to man's communication with the higher beings in different strata of creation."
"For our practice, we select only the suitable mantras of personal gods. Such mantras fetch to us the grace of personal gods and make us happier in every walk of life."
"The mantra has always been there, recognized as the most effective means among the Hindu religious disciplines" (Swami Ritajananda).
"The Hindus believe that one can purify oneself from sin by meditation on the mantra, be liberated and attain bliss. This is salvation" (Swami Ritajananda).
The mantras are in Sanskrit - this prevents those who are initiated from realizing that they are actually mediat'ing on names of deities. The list of the mantras follows this article.
Documented side-effects of TM
While their many claims may sound impressive, an analysis of their studies presents a different picture (http://www.behind-the-tm-facade.org/transcendental_meditation-harmful-personal.htm). There are various implications arising from the practice of TM (http://minet.org/Documents/German-Study). These are, for obvious reasons, not spelt out. Reported negative effects include muscle twitches, convulsions, headaches, fatigue, sleep disorders, inability to focus, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, dissociation, depersonalization, nervous breakdown, and suicidal inclination''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' (http://www.behind-the-tm-facade.org/transcendental_meditation-harmful-personal.htm).
Court Ruling
TM was ruled a religion by the United States District Court, District of New Jersey on October 19, 1977, and the US Court of Appeals, Philadelphia, PA February 2, 1979. The TM group and their literature was removed from all schools. A detail of the court ruling follows this article.
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The Puja (Hindu Religious Ceremony)
During the Puja ceremony the TM instructor chants the following portion of the puja in Sanskrit. The English translation (not revealed to the one being initiated) is as follows.
"Whether pure or impure, where
purity or impurity is permeating everywhere, whoever opens himself to the
expanded vision of unbounded awareness gains inner and outer purity.
"To the Lord Narayana, to lotus-born Brahma the Creator, to Vashishtha, to
Shakti and his son Parashar, To Vyasa, to Shukadeva, to the great Gaudapada, to
Govinda, ruler among the yogis, to his disciple, Shri Shankaracharya, to his
disciples Padma Pada and Hasta Malaka And Trotakacharya and Vartika-Kara, to
others, to the tradition of our Master, I bow down.
"To the abode of the wisdom of the Shrutis, Smritis and Puranas, to the
abode of kindness, to the personified glory of the Lord, to Shankara,
emancipator of the world, I bow down.
"To Shankaracharya the redeemer,
hailed as Krishna and Badarayana, to the commentator of the Brahma Sutras, I
bow down.
"To the glory of the Lord I bow
down again and again, at whose door the whole galaxy of gods pray [sic] for
perfection day and night.
"Adorned with immeasurable glory, preceptor of the whole world, having
bowed down to Him we gain fulfillment.
"Skilled in dispelling the cloud of ignorance of the people, the gentle
emancipator, Brahmananda Sarasvati, the supreme teacher, full of brilliance,
Him I bring to my awareness.
"Offering the invocation to the lotus feet of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down.
"Offering a seat to the lotus feet of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down.
"Offering an ablution to the lotus feet of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down.
"Offering a cloth to the lotus feet of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down.
"Offering sandalpaste to the lotus feet of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down.
"Offering full rice to the lotus feet of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down.
"Offering a flower to the lotus feet of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down.
"Offering incense to the lotus feel of Shri Guru Dev, I bow down...",
etc.
"To Lord Narayana, to lotus-born Brahma, the Creator ... to Shankaracharya the
redeemer, hailed as Krishna ... I bow down. To the glory of the Lord I bow down
again and again, at whose door the whole galaxy of gods pray for perfection day
and night. Adorned with immeasurable glory, preceptor of the whole world,
having bowed down to him, we gain fulfillment."''''''''''' (TranceNet.org.)'
(http://www.lightlink.com/trance/secrets/puja/tradt.shtml)
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The Mantras
THE TM mantras are formed by taking a Hindus deity's name and saluting it: 'Aum Namah (name of deity)' (meaning 'I honor/salute...') or 'Aum Jai (name of deity)' (meaning 'Hail...').''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''''''''''
|
The Mantras and what they mean |
|
|
TM Mantra |
Devata (meaning) |
|
ENG, EM, ENGA, EMA, AING, AIM, AINGA, AIMA (essentially the same bija mantra) |
Mantra of Saraswati' - Hindu goddess of 'learning, music, speech, the fine arts |
|
Mantra of Mahalakshmi or Lakshmi - 'Hindu goddess of wealth''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' |
|
|
Mantra of Bhuvanesvari, Mahamaya - Hindu goddess of the physical world |
|
|
Mantra of Hindu goddess Kalika - worshipped for the cessation of sorrow |
|
|
Mantra of Hindu god Krishna |
|
|
Mantra of Agni - Hindu goddess of Fire |
|
Advanced Technique Mantras
SHRI AING NAMAH = "Oh most beautiful Hindu goddess(omit) 'Saraswati I bow down"
SHRI "Oh most beautiful"
AING " Saraswati" (Hindu goddess)
NAMAH "I bow down"
The mantra one gets is determined solely by one's age at the time of initiation. The complete list is as follows
|
AGE
|
MANTRA
|
AGE
|
MANTRA
|
|
0-11
|
Eng ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' |
26 - 29 |
Shirim |
|
12-13 |
Em |
30-34
|
Shiring |
|
14-15 |
Enga |
35-39
|
Shirim |
|
16-17
|
Ema |
40-44 |
Hiring
|
|
18-19
|
Aing ''''''''''''''''''''''''''' |
45 - 49 |
Kirim |
|
20-21
|
Aim '''''''''''''''''''''''''''' |
50 - 54 |
Kiring |
|
22-23
|
Ainga ''''''''''''''''''''''''''' |
55 - 59 |
Shyam |
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' (TranceNet.org and Minet.org.)
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Ruling
of the United States District Court
TM was ruled a religion by the United States District Court, District of New
Jersey in October 1977. The judgment read: TM group are permanently enjoined:
"(1)
From the teaching, aiding in the teaching (including but not limited to the
providing of teaching materials), and the solicitation of any municipality,
school board or other political subdivision or governmental agency of the State
of New Jersey or of the Federal government, for the purpose of promoting the
teaching of any course of study which embodies and advocates any one or more of
the Science of Creative Intelligence/Transcendental Meditation, the concepts of
the field of pure creative intelligence, creative intelligence and
bliss-consciousness;
"(2) From the use of the textbook entitled Science of Creative
Intelligence for Secondary Education--First Year Course--Dawn of the First Year
of the Age of Enlightenment, (or its substantial equivalent) and;
"(3) From the practice of Transcendental Meditation or of the puja
ceremony as heretofore practiced or performed (or the substantial equivalent of
either), in any public school in the State of New Jersey;"' (full
transcript, TranceNet.org).
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Excerpts from the Ruling of a German Court:
1.6.2.6 THE MANTRA AND STANDARDIZATION OF THE PROCEDURE OF THE MEDITATION
Meditation with the help of a mantra is a common method and one in great demand in Hinduism. This is because of the belief in the magical power of certain sounds or words, by the use of which the initiated can attain godly powers. On account of this the mantra must be kept secret. Although it is said in the TM movement that the mantra is a sound without meaning, the belief in the magical power of the mantra is still maintained. It may not be exchanged, and has to be a certain one chosen from Hinduism, which also does have a traditional meaning (for example a Hindu god). In order to resolve the conflict between religiosity and scientific appearances, Maharishi has deliberately mechanized and standardized his meditation procedure. He has made it useful for the needs of the westerner. The type of mantra given depends on age, and the mantra is supposed to function automatically.
This standardization finds its theoretical expression in the description: ``The mechanical path to God-realization.'' It is the highest and most complete path to God-realization, which in public is often paraphrased as self-realization by the TM movement.
This interest in the occult and parapsychological phenomena, as well as the central role of evolution is their epistemology shows an inner relationship with Aurobindo's teachings. A more detailed analysis would almost certainly lead to the conclusion that TM is very closely related to particular strands of neo-Hinduism, more than would appear at first glance. But a strong westernization has been intended from the start, evident up to the standardization of the meditation process.
4.1.9 The initial positive meditation experiences together with the promises and encouragement of the TM movement lead many to take further courses. In these courses they become more deeply involved in the teaching and ideology of TM. They believe in the effectiveness of TM even when in the meantime negative experiences and results are evident. These are interpreted as an on-going release of stress. Far reaching changes in the perception of reality occurred, as well as changes in self-evaluation and evaluation by others. The length of time given to meditation each day increased in half of the total cases, from 40 minutes to at least two to four hours daily; in one case to more than eight hours. This tendency is encouraged in courses, this at times being a direct instruction to meditate longer each day. As well as this meditators invest more time and energy in the TM movement.
4.3.3 TM has a detrimental effect on the decision making process. There is loss of self-determination and a turning toward the TM authorities for guidance, i.e. in the case of important decisions. Also, the variables, facial expression, bodily posture, voice and handwriting point to the fact that the total personality is gravely altered under the influence of TM.
4.5.4 Whereas before the TM phase performance at school was well above average, and those investigated were most happy with their school or job situation, a considerable worsening in these areas occurred as a result of the practice of TM. 56% had decreased concentration abilities during the TM phase, only 16% reported an improvement. 61% found it more difficult to manage the workload, as against 13% who reported an increased capacity. TM had a negative influence on the professional careers of 58% of meditators. Altogether 28 meditators (42%) gave up their studies or professional career in order to work full time for the TM movement or to be able to go on long courses. They did this on the basis of promises made them by the movement. An analysis of the taped interviews and the stenographer's scripts only serve to strengthen the suspicion that the TM organization aims at cheap labor, which in the case of those people who became unfit to work in the course of time, can be sent away again without any real difficulty.
4.6.6' In 76% of cases psychological disorders and illnesses occurred, 9% of meditators had had therapeutic treatment before the TM phase, 43% had psychiatric treatment or had to have medical treatment during the TM phase. The psychological disorders most prevalent were tiredness (63%), ``states of anxiety'' (52%), depression (45%), nervousness (39%), and regression (39%). 26% had a nervous breakdown and 20% expressed serious suicidal tendencies. Psychological illness already present before the TM phase worsened considerably. TM can cause mental illness or at the very least prepare the way for the onset of mental illness. A lack of opportunity for the treatment of meditation experiences and/or altered perception of reality create suitable conditions for a pathogenic appearance. Added to this is the heightened delicacy and increasing helplessness in the personality of the meditator, which can develop into a complete depersonalization.
5.3.2' Karma and Stress.'
Maharishi had the idea of giving the hinduistic concept "karma" the same significance as the concept of "stress."' In doing this, "stress" was attributed (in a westernized form), .....hinduistic-religious concepts.' TM had, for the western world, the key with which all positive and negative aspects of life could be afforded a particular significance.' All negative effects of the meditation are attributed to "bad karma" or "knots of stress," when they occur in meditators.' When either during or after the meditation a meditator feels unwell, he is, according to TM theory, "unstressing." TM doctors diagnose this.
Whoever walks the road of "unstressing" should personally avoid all possible outside causes of stress, since the atmosphere (around him) could lead to a negative accumulation and consequently a hindering of his own development.
The personal unstressing on the part of the meditator has as a consequence a reduction in contact with people and a reduction in relationships.' We can deduce here that the western concept of "stress" (the curing of which constitutes a large part of the promises made in TM advertising), has its cause in "karma."' This "relationship" between the two is only known to insiders.
5.6.4' The suspicion grows that the meditation offered by TM, caused, in the meditators' cases which we have investigated, a far reaching alteration in the view of reality, which damages or causes further damage to social relationships, the drive to achieve (motivation) is considerably lessened, to the degree that practical work (i.e. in a job) becomes intolerable to the meditator, in addition to all conditions brought about by the intense practice of the meditation, it gives rise to physical and mental damage.
Judgment of German court
The ruling of the highest federal administrative tribunal, the Bundesverwaltungsgericht on May 24, 1989:
2) The Federal Government is allowed to warn of TM.
3) The Federal Government is allowed to designate TM a ``Youth Religion'' as well as a ``Psychogroup.''
4) The Federal Government is allowed to say that TM is taught by teachers who are not qualified [to deal with the TM problems].
5) The Federal Government is allowed to say TM can cause psychic defects or destruction of personality.
Excerpted from TM-EX Newsletters,Fall 1990, Spring 1991, Summer 1991, Summer 1992 (http://minet.org/Documents/German-Study)
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The Bible teaches that the human problem is moral. We are sinful: this is the central problem of mankind. God is holy - morally pure. A holy God must judge and punish our sin. God and sin cannot co-exist anymore than light and darkness. Our need is not altered consciousness, but transformed hearts, for the heart is the real core of our being and our character. We need a divine Savior who will forgive our sins and transform our hearts - the core of our being. With God this is possible because he not only created us but he loves us. He wants to forgive our sin. That is why Jesus came and died as our substitute. He took the punishment of our sin upon himself. In order to be reconciled with God we need to repent of our sins and accept his gracious offer of forgiveness through Christ. He will then replace our sinfulness with his godliness. This, God's Word says, is valuable for all things - for the present life as well as for the life beyond our physical death. The salvation that Jesus offers does bring about our reunion with God'''''''' (Vishal Mangalwadi).
The Bible talks about only one way to GOD i.e. through Jesus Christ. Nothing we can do to satisfy GODs holiness.' Jesus shed His Blood to cleanse us from all sins and to make us acceptable to GOD. All we have to do is accept Jesus Christ into our hearts.' We are immediately made presentable to GOD. It takes no time, sacrifices, or good works to earn this.
We have all sinned and deserve God's judgment. God, the Father, sent His only Son to satisfy that judgment for those who believe in Him. Jesus, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Bible. If you truly believe and trust this in your heart, receiving Jesus alone as your Savior, declaring, "Jesus is Lord," you will be saved from judgment and spend eternity with God in heaven.
Meditation for the Christian
While the Bible mentions meditate or meditation 20 times, what kind of meditation does the Bible recommend?
Joshua 1:8 - "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
Psalm 1:1-2 - "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."
Psalm 119:15 - "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways."
Psalm 143:5 - "I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands."
In the Old Testament there are two primary Hebrew words for meditation: Haga, which means to meditate, or ponder; and Sihach, which means to rehearse in one's mind, or contemplate. These words can also be translated as dwell, diligently consider, and heed http://www.allaboutgod.com/), "the act of focusing one's thoughts: to pon'der, think on, muse." Meditation consists of reflective thinking or contemplation, usually on a specific subject to discern its meaning or signifi'cance or a plan of action. (hamptonk3@bible.org).
Biblical meditation is an attempt to empty the mind of the wrong things in order to fill it with what is right and true according to God's inspired Word. Biblical meditation involves becoming detached from the controlling and hindering influences of the world and attached to the living God through Christ that we might, through faith and transformed values, experience the sufficiency of the Savior and reach out to a hurting world in need of the living Christ. Biblical meditation is object oriented. It begins with reflective reading and reread'ing of the Word and is followed by re'flection on what has been read and committed to memo'ry. In Scripture, the word meditate is generally found with an object (God, His Word, or works, etc.) or in a con'text where the object of medita'tion is understood (hamptonk3@bible.org). The goal of Christian meditation is to internalize and personalize the Scripture so that its truth can affect how we think, our attitudes, and how we live, our actions. We meditate to understand what God is telling us through his WORD, the healing of the mind, and to focus away from the self and on Gods values for us. To this end we need to meditate throughout the day (Joshua. 1:8), and at specific set aside times for Bible studies. In mediating as Christians we need to actively turn our minds over to God's Word (hamptonk3@bible.org).
Biblical meditation does not mean to sit and ponder infinity or to empty the mind so some force can fill it by repeating some chant or mantra. Such is dangerous and opens the mind to demonic attack. Meditation in the Bible means reflective thinking on biblical truth so that God is able to speak to us through Scripture and through the thoughts that come to mind as we are reflecting on the Word, but that must also be filtered by the Word (hamptonk3@bible.org).
Hampton Keathley lists the objectives of meditation as Worship (designed to focus on the Lord and His works; Ps. 27:4; 77:12); Instruction (designed to improve our understanding of the Word and God's ways as it applies to our lives; Ps. 49:3); Motivation or Encouragement (designed to motivate and inspire us in service and courage for the works God has called us to do; Joshua. 1:7-8); and Transformation (designed to transform and change our lives; Ps. 4:4; 19:14; 119:15; Rom. 12:2; Col. 3:1f) (hamptonk3@bible.org)
What should we focus on in Christian meditation? "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things" (Philippians 4:8, NASB).
TM contradicts what the Bible says about God, man, sin, and salvation (http://www.equip.org/articles/transcendental-meditation-in-the-new-millenium-part-one).