Transcendental Meditation
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Anand(a), bliss
Bliss or Ananda has been the goal of seekers and saints since ages. A few experience it, many claim to attain it, still many imagine that they are in bliss, and yet many more think that this is some kind of mysticism and stay wary of it.
The reality of bliss is that it is inherent to life. Sat Chit Ananda, or the inherent nature of life, is eternal bliss consciousness, says Vedanta. It is just a matter of experience.
Bliss consciousness is nothing but the simplest form of our own awareness. Also called Transcendental Consciousness, it is the most expanded state of our `Self ', which is Pure, Absolute and most importantly , attainable by all and that too without any effort, control or concentration.
The experience of Transcendental Meditation helps us understand how, with this very simple, natural and scientific technique of meditation, the mind naturally and effortlessly transcends and experiences the source of all thinking, the all-powerful, neverexhausting reservoir of infinite creativity, infinite intelligence and infinite bliss.In this state of bliss or transcendence, mind and body are deeply rested, yet there is no dullness; they are fully alert. This is an experience and no amount of writing can explain it; it is like the taste of the mango, you have to eat it to understand what it is; but TM can be appropriately worded as `Restful Alertness'.
His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi exemplifies the state as an arrow pulled back on a bow, at rest, but full of potential energy . When released, it goes far; unlike an ordinary arrow, just kept on the bow, which when released, falls off. This unique state of restful alertness which is experienced along with bliss consciousness creates a positive effect in one's physiology at all levels, bringing about uncountable benefits in daily life. These range from development of mental faculties, improved health and well-being, better relations and environment, peace and harmony , not leaving out spiritual development.
We read in history many times, that saints experienced `God', experienced `unity', in a flash of dream or in moments of prayers, and then spent an entire lifetime craving for that experience again.
Here it is different; one does not need to yearn for it or crave for it; the daily practice establishes the experience.
That is the reason we call it a technique, which by name itself t scientific, for if it is scientific, makes it scientific, for if it is scientific, it is repeatable and so is this blissful experience. It does not happen by chance or by destiny . The technique is so designed by masters of the Vedic tradition that if it is learned systematically and practised twice a day , the experience will come.
We just need to follow the technique innocently and everything happens naturally , like a river, gurgling, gushing and merging into the ocean, becoming the ocean itself. Letting go of the i ndividual status of a river and attaining the expanded status of the ocean, gaining its vastness, its depth.
Similarly , our mind which is active all the time, entangled in thoughts, problems or simply nothing except unnecessary clutter; this active mind which has not known silence, transcends.It does so in a very systematic, easy and effortless manner and becomes its own expanded Self silent, pure, unbounded, aware and full of bliss.
(The writer teaches Transcendental Meditation, at the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation of India, New Delhi.)
