Hi everyone, I have came across a meditation technique called "Transcendental Meditation". It was founded by Maharashi Mahesh Yogi. It's said to be a simple, natural, effortless technique where you have to sit down, close your eyes for 20 minutes, and repeat a mantra silently in your mind. This mantra is said to be meaningless. However, I have found some resources that say the mantras are the names of the Hindus Gods. TM Mantra: ENG, EM,ENGA, EMA,AING, AIM,AINGA,AIMA Associated Gods: Saraswati, Devi of learning, music, speech, the fine arts TM Mantra: SHIRING,SHIRIM Associated Gods: Mahalakshmi or Lakshmi, Devi of wealth TM Mantra HIRING,HIRIM Associated Gods: Bhuvanesvari, Mahamaya TM Mantra: KIRING,KIRIM Associated Gods: Devi Kalika TM Mantra: SHYAM,SHYAMA Associated Gods: Krishna As I'm not a Hindu, I would like if a Hindu Brother can confirm that these mantras are the names of Hindu Gods or meaningless?. I will really appreciate. Thanks for reading.
Usman, TM uses what are called beej mantras. They are sounds with no literal meanings, just the vibration of the sound itself. They are not names of deities. So they're not meaningless, they have deep meaning, but not in the intellectual sense that we're used to.
So you mean the TM mantras are not associated with the names of deities? Unfortunately, I can't post the link which says that TM mantras are associated to names of deities. Are the mantras I posted above what TM uses? Is that true that the mantra "AIM" is Saraswati, (Devi of learning)?
I could be wrong, but I think the leaders of TM basically invented this idea, as all I could find on it was from TM sources. They made it more 'secret' to get more people to sign up. As far as I know there was a chart that corresponded simply with chronological age, and if you were a certain age, you got that mantra. I am no expert, but generally mantra diksha is a lot more serious than that, and only by showing your discipline would you ever get initiation into a serious lineage, or mantra.
This is the chart that tells the meaning: http://minet.org/www.trancenet.net/secrets/mantras.shtml and these are mantras for TM: http://minet.org/mantras.html
Yes, the second one explains what I said, and does take the 'secret' out of it all. The one that gives meaning is iffy. If you look up 'mantras for Saraswati' you'll get more info. What exactly is the reason you want to know this? Are you afraid you may be 'beckoning' a Hindu deity?
Yes, Actually I'm a Muslim and wanted to learn TM. I'm afraid that I might be given a mantra that could be the name of Hindu deity and I might be associate someone else with God which is a major sin in my religion. That's the only thing I'm afraid that's why I wanted a Hindu brother to confirm this...
Then you should speak to your local imam about it, or explore some kind of Muslim meditation, if such a thing exists. For some modern 'meditation' teachers, the fee for initiation is important, which is just plain wrong. If it its just relaxation you're trying to achieve, then try just breathing rhythmically, counting slowly to 9 in, and then 9 out, diaphramaticly. Hindus generally meditate to find knowledge within themselves. Mantra meditation is called japa, and is often done with beads. In that sense, your Muslim prayer beads would be very similar.
Yes, there does exist Islamic Meditation. It's called Muraqaba. The fee for TM is $100 here but I'm okay with it. The main problem is the confusion whether the TM mantras are "meaningless sounds" as told by the TM Movement or actually the names of Hindu deities. If the mantras are meaningless, then I have no problem but if they are names of Hindu deities and invoke personal gods, then it's not for me. I suffer from an Anxiety disorder and been taking antidepressants for the past 4 years and I was considering TM to heal my anxiety. Seems like the TM Organization won't tell everything and they are keeping the meaning of mantras a "Secret" and telling everyone that they are meaningless. I even read that Mahareshi said: "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." in the book "Beacon Light of the Himalayas", earliest writings of Maharashi about TM. I also heard that the TM Organization is trying to suppress this book for the past 40 years. Overall, I think there's a lot of confusion and doubt about it and maybe I should explore some other types of meditations.
If it's anxiety relief you're looking for, then save yourself the hundred bucks. Use a pleasant word instead, or count. The key is to keep the rhythmic breathing going for at least 10 minutes, maybe more. If you have a heart rate monitor, just check it before and after. This in itself will scientifically show you that the breathing will decrease the heartbeat, (and blood pressure). Slower body, slower mind. Still wouldn't attack the root causes of your anxiety though, but from this you might get an insight. It's also good to pick a consistent time. Just after arising, and before you go to bed are two excellent times.
Senthil, First of all, what do you mean that mantras used in Transcendental Meditation have no literal meanings? Secondly, in what "sense" is it meaningless? There can be two possibilities: 1.) It's meaningless because I don't know the meaning of the word/sound. (The Teacher did not tell me) 2.) It's meaningless because the meaning does not exist. For example, if somebody does not know English and does not know what "Tulip" means and does not try to know what Tulip means, it's meaningless for him because he does not know the meaning. But in reality, it's not meaningless. (He will know the meaning if he Googles it) Second example, if the word is something like "nnnnnnn" or "aaaaa" which has just sound and no meaning associated with it. Even if you Google you won't find the meaning, because it does not exist. and Lastly, I have also heard that any word or sound can be used to Transcend the mind. If that's true, why do they use only Sanskrit words in the practice and why do they tell people to keep their mantras secret if ANY word can be used? I'm not really sure what makes the value/power of the mantra so special? Is it the sound itself that is sacred used for centuries by Vedic tradition and known to produce healing affects on physiological, and psychological aspects of whole the body when it takes form in the mind? Can i be sure that the possible meaning of the Mantra is not important? Will the possible meaning of it ruin my Mantra?
In the deepest mysticism, sound has a corresponding colour and form. So beej mantras are sounds with no particular meaning like words have meaning. So take any word, like shirt, for example. The sh or ir sounds have no meaning on its own. That's what I meant.
So i have nothing to worry about that my Mantra in TM it will always work because its used for sound value alone and it will not lose its power?
Just sounds that the human body can make. (there are also lots of sounds tha the human body can't make, that also have an effect, like a gurgling stream.
I am no expert so I wouldn't know. There are other factors to consider such as how much attention is actually on the mantra.
I'm no expert. If somebody somewhere says they are attached to Hindu deities, than they might be. But now I have a question for you. What exactly would the problem be, if they were? If it's bothering you this much, it seems that you should quit this meditation, because of the 'bothering' aspect. It would be a huge distraction, I think.
