| ays we hear a lot of talk about the mantras used | | | | have no bearing on the use of that mantra in the |
| for meditation. Some people say a random word | | | | instruction or practice of the Transcendental |
| is best, others recommend the universal sound | | | | Meditation technique. |
| Aum or Om. But what about the mantras used in | | | | For centuries google has been a delightful, |
| the Transcendental Meditation technique? Are | | | | nonsensical sound, uttered by babies. More |
| they generic or special? Secular or religious? | | | | recently however it has been attributed a |
| Useless or effective? And where do they come | | | | meaning; the name of a worldwide, Internet |
| from? These are important questions so | | | | search engine. However this new adult meaning |
| let’s find an answer for them. | | | | has no bearing on a baby’s use of that |
| The Transcendental Meditation technique is an | | | | same sound. Likewise mantras are sounds that |
| effortless mental procedure whereby an individual | | | | are meaningless both to the Transcendental |
| experiences increasingly quieter levels of thinking, | | | | Meditation teacher and the student even though |
| leading to the experience of total silence; the | | | | other people, cultures or religions may or may not |
| source of thought, at the deepest level the mind. | | | | have assigned a meaning to them. |
| The technique of Transcendental Meditation has | | | | To further illustrate this point let’s consider |
| many unique features and one of them is the | | | | the word flat. In the USA this sound has a |
| mantra. As part of personal instruction each | | | | meaning associated with the shape of an object. |
| student receives a suitable thought/sound or | | | | In England however, flat also refers to an |
| mantra for their meditation practice. These | | | | apartment. Therefore, each respective culture |
| mantras are meaningless sounds which serve as | | | | utilizes sound and assigns meanings for their own |
| the delicate vehicle on which the mind glides | | | | localized purpose. Other languages, cultures and |
| through deeper, more silent levels of the thinking | | | | people who also use that same sound or word, |
| process. | | | | are completely indifferent to the meaning assigned |
| For maximum effectiveness students are | | | | to that sound/word by other countries or |
| encouraged to refrain from speaking or writing | | | | cultures. The same is true with respect to the |
| down their mantra as this has a damaging and | | | | Transcendental Mediation technique. It utilizes |
| dulling effect on this highly delicate and refined | | | | specific mantras/sounds completely irrespective |
| meditation tool. Also, there is a limited pool of | | | | of their intended meaning in other languages or |
| mantras that each Transcendental Meditation | | | | cultural settings. |
| teacher draws upon to select the appropriate | | | | The Transcendental Meditation technique and the |
| sound for each student. So it’s entirely | | | | mantras/sounds it utilizes have their origin in the |
| possible that some students could have the same | | | | ancient Vedic tradition which predates all religions |
| mantra. | | | | and cultures including the Hindu religion. The Vedic |
| The mantra is selected by the Transcendental | | | | tradition is a universal body of complete and |
| Meditation teacher based on the suitability and | | | | timeless knowledge encompassing the total field |
| harmonious effect it will create for each student | | | | of natural law, or underlying intelligence, that |
| when properly used. Also, the technique of how | | | | governs the universe. Because the Vedas and the |
| to use the mantra is just as crucial as the proper | | | | Vedic tradition are ancient and universal, many of |
| selection of the mantra/sound itself. | | | | its sounds, names and principals are found in |
| It’s important to note that the mantras | | | | many countries, cultures and religions around the |
| are used for their sound quality only and have no | | | | world. |
| assigned meaning. These two important aspects, | | | | The ancient Vedic tradition of India is the oldest |
| suitability and meaninglessness, allow the mind to | | | | continuous tradition of knowledge on earth. In |
| be lively but undirected at the same time, so it | | | | 2003 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and |
| can sink deep within, transcend’ | | | | Cultural Organization (UNESCO) proclaimed the |
| thought and experience its own silent, inner | | | | Vedic tradition (specifically the recitation of the |
| nature. This is the process called | | | | Vedic hymns) a masterpiece of intangible |
| transcending’ which takes place during | | | | heritage to humanity. |
| the Transcendental Meditation technique. | | | | The TM technique and its mantras are derived |
| To understand this principle more clearly lets | | | | from this same Vedic tradition. Over thousands of |
| examine the word flower’. A word has | | | | years, the technique of Transcendental Meditation |
| two aspects: the sound value and the English | | | | contained in the Vedas had been misinterpreted |
| meaning. When we say or think the word | | | | and therefore lost its effectiveness. It was then |
| flower’ we automatically consider the | | | | revived in the 1950’s, to its original and |
| word’s meaning, its qualities and context. | | | | highly effective form, by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi |
| We might think of the color, the smell, the | | | | who was the custodian and representative of the |
| quantity, the location and so on and these | | | | Vedic tradition in our generation. |
| thoughts about the flower engage and hold the | | | | So we conclude therefore, that the mantras used |
| mind on the surface, conscious thinking level and | | | | in the Transcendental Meditation technique not |
| do not allow the mind to fathom its inner nature. | | | | only have their roots in a timeless tradition of |
| Therefore by intention and by design, the mantra | | | | knowledge but that they are also simple and |
| used in the Transcendental Meditation technique is | | | | powerful, ancient and unique, meaningful and |
| a sound that has no meaning attributed to it | | | | meaningless, all at the same time! |
| either by the teacher or their student. At the | | | | ®Transcendental Meditation and TM are |
| same time it should be clear, that if a science, | | | | registered trademarks of Maharishi Vedic |
| religion or cultural group were to assign a meaning | | | | Education Development Corporation, a non-profit |
| to a mantra, in the past or future, it would still | | | | educational organization. |