Learning the Transcendental Meditation technique

Learning the Transcendental Meditation technique will bring practical benefits to you, your career, your family, and to the whole world.

Ten Reasons Why You Should Learn

“TM has truly been a great way to unfold our own inner happiness. We find that this inner contentment overflows into all areas of life: personal, family and professional.”
—Jim Davis, Business owner

1. It’s Easy and Enjoyable: People of all ages, cultures, and educational backgrounds can practice this simple, natural, effortless technique while sitting comfortably for 20 minutes twice a day.
2. The Benefits Are Immediate: You’ll begin to notice positive changes within the first days or weeks, and the benefits add up as the years go by.
3. Clearer Thinking: Develop your full mental potential, improve your memory, enhance creativity, and sharpen your intellect.
4. Better Health: Become more rested and relaxed, increase immunity to disease, reverse the effects of aging, and enjoy greater energy and vitality.
5. More Fulfilling Relationships: Enjoy closer friendships, increased calmness, more self-confidence, and less anxiety and stress.
6. A Peaceful World: Contribute your share to world peace by reducing your own stress level and radiating an influence of harmony to your surroundings.

Insight

Meditate and Act

Meditate, and forget about meditation when you are active in life. MORE

7. Personal Growth: Experience Transcendental Consciousness at the quietest level of your mind, and grow toward higher states of consciousness—enlightenment.
8. Success without Stress: Do less and accomplish more in your professional life by increasing your creativity and effectiveness.
9. Uniquely Valuable: No other technique of personal development has been verified by scientific research to reliably produce such a wide range of benefits.
10. Transformation: Choose what you want to be, and begin to achieve it with the regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation program.

The Transcendental Meditation technique

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, natural procedure to contact your inner reservoir of creativity, energy and intelligence on a daily basis.

The TM Program at a Glance

There is a rich, unbounded field of creativity, energy, and intelligence within each of us. To the degree we’re able to draw from this inner field of life, we grow in health, happiness, and success in our outer life.

Your Unlimited Potential

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, natural procedure to gain deep rest— and contact that inner reservoir of creativity, energy and intelligence—to gain its support in all you do and to enrich your life day by day.

Everyone can learn to practice the Transcendental Meditation technique successfully. It’s easy and enjoyable—just 20 minutes twice a day sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. It requires no effort or concentration, no special skills or change of lifestyle. You don’t even have to believe that it works! Meditate regularly twice a day and you’ll get results.

Restful Alertness

During the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique, the mind and body settle down to experience a unique state of restful alertness. As the mind becomes more silent, the body becomes deeply relaxed. At the most settled state of awareness, the mind transcends all mental activity to experience the simplest form of awareness, Transcendental Consciousness.

Scientific research has shown that the experience of Transcendental Consciousness is correlated with greater creativity, improved learning, higher IQ, better grades, higher moral reasoning, increased brainwave coherence, and improved neurological functioning of the body.

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a practical, proven procedure for developing more energy, creativity, and intelligence—for awakening the unlimited potential of your mind and body and enjoying greater health, happiness, and success in life.

Total brain functioning		Expanded awareness and deep rest		Natural and effortless
Brain functioning becomes highly orderly and coherent—the total brain becomes enlivened. Regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique develops the brain’s total potential.		Your mind spontaneously and naturally settles down to a quiet, alert, and expanded state while your body enjoys deep, refreshing rest.		The Transcendental Meditation technique is practiced 20 minutes twice a day while sitting comfortably with your eyes closed. The Transcendental Meditation technique is simple, natural, effortless, profound, effective, easy to learn and enjoyable to practice. What the TM Technique Is The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, natural, effortless, easily learned technique practiced for 20 minutes twice a day, sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. The practice is not a religion or philosophy, nor does it require any change of lifestyle. What It Is The Transcendental Meditation technique is: Simple—The Transcendental Meditation technique is not difficult or complicated to learn or practice; it’s a simple procedure. Natural—There is no manipulation of the mind or suggestion. Effortless—The Transcendental Meditation technique is easy to practice and requires no ability to concentrate or control the mind. Easily and quickly learned—Anyone beginning from age 10 can learn the Transcendental Meditation technique easily in seven simple steps. Practiced for 15 to 20 minutes twice daily—The Transcendental Meditation technique is practiced once in the morning and again in the afternoon or early evening. Sitting comfortably—No awkward or uncomfortable positions are necessary to practice the Transcendental Meditation technique. What It Isn’t The Transcendental Meditation technique is not a religion, a philosophy, or a lifestyle. It’s not a religion—The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, natural technique practiced by millions of people of all religions, including clergy. Practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique does not require or involve faith or any particular set of beliefts. It’s not a philosophy—It’s an effortless, scientific technique that is universally applicable, repeatable and verifiable by anyone, anywhere. It’s not a lifestyle—It’s an enjoyable technique. You don’t have to change your lifestyle in order to start the Transcendental Meditation technique. Just learn it, practice it, and enjoy the benefits. What Clergy Say “Transcendental Meditation is like a daily vacation. It’s a renewal for my body and calms my mind. I do a lot of writing and speaking, and it has given me a flood of creativity. “I’ve always felt that the Transcendental Meditation technique was an aid to my Christian growth. It never replaced my Christian growth, but it was an aid to it. In fact, I decided to commit my life to Christ after I’d been practicing Transcendental Meditation for three months. “I would say to any Christian—to anyone of any religion—that Transcendental Meditation would benefit your life. It’s a technique, a simple process that requires no belief. It is not a religion. There are so many thoughts that clutter the mind, and Transcendental Meditation is like taking a bath—it’s very cleansing and very refreshing.” —Rev. Dr. Craig Overmyer, a pastoral counselor in Indianapolis, Indiana “I wouldn’t be able to fulfill my responsibilities as a rabbi to the level I expect of myself without the Transcendental Meditation technique. I am better able to deal with the stresses of being with the sick and the dying, and the pressures of funerals, weddings, and bar mitzvahs because I have within me a considerable reservoir of calm. I am able to walk into a tense situation and naturally settle people down. They appreciate the ease and calm I bring to situations. “But even more important, Transcendental Meditation has made me a better rabbi because it has given me an experience and insight into the profound depths of life. As a result, I am able to express a true depth of knowledge about my own tradition.” —Rabbi Alan Green of Beth Israel Synagogue in Winnipeg, Manito The Transcendental Meditation technique is the most ancient, most effective, most researched and most widely practiced system of meditation available in the world today. Why It’s Unique Among Meditation Techniques The Transcendental Meditation program is unique because of its source, practice, proof, and universality. These four attributes distinguish it from all other meditation techniques, systems of stress reduction, or programs for personal development available in the world today. “I think the most important quality for learning is alertness and receptivity—both in class and while studying after school. I find TM refreshes my mind and body and makes learning so much easier.” —Heather Hartnett, Student A Timeless Tradition The Transcendental Meditation technique comes from an ancient tradition of knowledge—the Vedic tradition of India—that has stood the test of time as an advanced science and technology of consciousness. The Vedic Tradition has carefully maintained the purity of this practice for thousands of years, ensuring its effectiveness for us today. An Effortless Practice It is easy and enjoyable, bringing the mind to a silent yet fully awake state of awareness—Transcendental Consciousness—the source of thought, the inner reservoir of creativity, energy, and intelligence. Unlike other meditation techniques, there is no concentration or contemplation, no effort to hold or control the mind. Scientific Proof Its effects and benefits have been documented by more than 600 scientific research studies conducted at 200 universities and research institutions in 35 countries. The National Institutes of Health has contributed more than $21 million to verify the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation technique. No other program for personal development has received this level of attention and respect from the scientific community. Universal Benefits Anyone can practice the technique successfully—more than six million people have learned worldwide. If you can think a thought, you can practice the Transcendental Meditation technique. And when you practice the technique regularly, twice a day, you’ll gain a wide range of benefits for your mind, your body, your relationships, your community, and your world. Transcendental Consciousness is the most silent level of the mind, a state of restful alertness, and the source of all energy, creativity and intelligence in life. What is Transcendental Consciousness? Research confirms that Transcendental Consciousness is a fourth major state of consciousness, distinct from waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Scientists can actually identify Transcendental Consciousness by monitoring changes in brainwave patterns, breath rate, and metabolic rate. My Story Discovering Transcendental Consciousness By Rey Cochran Life’s challenges were met with more creativity and smoothness. MORE A Unique State of Restful Alertness The first research on the Transcendental Meditation technique, conducted at UCLA and Harvard Medical Schools, was published from 1970 to 1972 in the respected journals Science, American Journal of Physiology, and Scientific American. These landmark studies revealed that the Transcendental Meditation technique produced a unique state of mind and body called “restful alertness.” During the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique, the mind settles down to its most silent level. Since the mind and body are intimately connected, as the mind settles down the body also settles down to a deep state of rest. Researchers discovered significant reductions in respiration, minute ventilation, tidal volume, and blood lactate, and significant increases in basal skin resistance. All of these physiological measures represent a state of deep relaxation, even deeper than sleep. And they found that even though the body is in a state of deep rest, the mind is alert rather than asleep, indicated by an increased abundance of alpha waves in the EEG. This unique state of restful alertness led pioneering researcher Dr. Keith Wallace to suggest it was a fourth major state of consciousness—Transcendental Consciousness—distinct from the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep states of consciousness. For the past 30 years, many other researchers have confirmed and expanded upon this initial research on Transcendental Consciousness. Water the Root and Enjoy the Fruit When we water the root of a tree, all the branches, flowers, and fruits are nourished. In the same way, the regular experience of Transcendental Consciousness, gained during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique, provides nourishment for all aspects of life—for our mind, body and spirit. During the Transcendental Meditation technique, we contact Transcendental Consciousness at the quietest level of the mind. Because this is the field of maximum energy, creativity, and intelligence, the mind naturally expresses more of these qualities when it comes out of meditation. By contacting this unlimited source of energy and intelligence twice a day, you’ll think and act more creatively, and intelligently, engage in activity feeling less tired and stressed, and enjoy increased alertness and efficiency in all areas of your life. Since the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique is completely natural, you can be 100 percent skeptical and it will still work perfectly. Frequently Asked Questions—The Transcendental Meditation Technique Q: What does the Transcendental Meditation technique do? A: The Transcendental Meditation technique provides the mind and body with a unique and profound state of restful alertness. The body gains an extraordinarily deep state of rest while the mind settles down to a state of inner calm and wakefulness. “It’s very simple. TM eliminates stress and this is very, very good for health.” —Veronica Bulter, M.D. The quietest level of the mind is known as Transcendental Consciousness, a field of maximum energy, creativity, and intelligence. By contacting this unlimited source of energy and intelligence twice a day, you’ll think and act more creatively and intelligently—and you'll enjoy increased alertness and efficiency in all areas of life. This deep level of rest also dissolves deeply rooted stress and tension in the body, rejuvenates the entire system, and provides the basis for dynamic, successful activity. Q: I play tennis to relax. A friend of mine listens to music. Doesn’t exercise or simple relaxation do the same thing as the Transcendental Meditation program? A: Tennis, jogging, fishing, golfing, gardening, reading a book, listening to soothing music, bowling, etc., are all relaxing, enjoyable activities. They provide a welcome change of pace, a break in the routine. But the important question is: While they may seem relaxing, do these activities actually release deeply rooted stress and tension? No. This is because even though they may feel relaxing, nonetheless, they keep the mind and body engaged in some activity. What is nature’s antidote to stress? Deep rest—and the deeper the better. The Transcendental Meditation program is not just another form of activity or recreation. It is a scientifically validated technique that provides the entire system with very deep rest—far deeper than ordinary eyes-closed rest or relaxation—and gives us an opportunity to unfold the full range of our own consciousness. This deep rest has been shown to release accumulated stress and tension that nothing else comes close to eliminating—not a good night’s sleep, a restful vacation, relaxation exercises, a great tennis match, or a stroll in the park. Q: Is the Transcendental Meditation program like hypnosis or other types of meditation techniques? A: The Transcendental Meditation program is unique. Hypnosis involves suggestion. The Transcendental Meditation technique is natural and involves no suggestion. All other forms of meditation or self-development involve either concentration or contemplation. The Transcendental Meditation technique is easy to learn, effortless to practice, and involves neither concentration nor contemplation. Research comparing the Transcendental Meditation program with other meditation and relaxation techniques has found it to be far more effective for reducing anxiety, increasing self-actualization, improving psychological health, and reducing use of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs. Q: Will the technique make me so relaxed that I won’t be motivated for success? A: Just the opposite. By eliminating stress and tension, and increasing energy and intelligence, the Transcendental Meditation technique provides an effective basis for dynamism and success in life. It’s like pulling an arrow back on a bow. Draw the arrow back 2 feet, and the arrow flies forward 50 yards. The Transcendental Meditation technique naturally draws the mind back to its own source, a reservoir of energy, creativity, and intelligence. After 20 minutes of the technique, you can plunge into activity refreshed and rested, with more creativity and intelligence. The result: Do less and accomplish more with greater energy, success, and satisfaction in everything you do. Q: Can I learn the Transcendental Meditation technique from a book or a tape? A: No. Each person is unique; each person has a different nervous system and therefore a different pace of learning. Ensuring that you learn the technique properly requires personal instruction from a qualified Transcendental Meditation program teacher. Reading a book or listening to a tape cannot provide the experience of pure consciousness and the corresponding profound state of restful alertness; nor can a book anticipate or answer all of the questions that every person might ask while learning the practice. With proper personal instruction, you can enjoy the technique for the rest of your life—as well as all of the benefits it naturally unfolds. Q: Is the Transcendental Meditation technique difficult to learn? A: The Transcendental Meditation technique is easy to learn and effortless to practice. Over one million Americans—and six million people worldwide—of every age (10 years and up), profession, education, and religion have learned the technique and enjoy its benefits. Q: When I start the Transcendental Meditation technique do I have to join an organization? A: No. Once you’ve learned the Transcendental Meditation technique, you practice it on your own. There is, however, a complete, optional, lifetime follow-up program, available to all meditators, to ensure that they continue to practice the technique correctly and gain maximum benefits. You can take advantage of this program at your convenience. Q: Will my practice of the Transcendental Meditation program conflict with my religion? A: No, it will enhance your religion. Millions of people of all religions—including clergy—practice the Transcendental Meditation technique. They report that the technique, by increasing energy and intelligence and eliminating stress and fatigue, allows them to better follow the tenets of their religion. It is a technique, pure and simple. It involves no religion, belief, philosophy, or change in lifestyle. Rev. Dr. Craig Overmyer explains this point: “I would say to any Christian—to anyone of any religion—that Transcendental Meditation would benefit your life. It’s a technique, a simple process that requires no belief. It is not a religion. There are so many thoughts that clutter the mind, and Transcendental Meditation is like taking a bath—it’s very cleansing and very refreshing.” Q: Where do you meditate? The Transcendental Meditation technique is practiced sitting comfortably with the eyes closed for 20 minutes twice a day. It can be done anywhere—at home, in your office, on an airplane, on a camping trip. Anywhere. Q: How long does it take before I will notice some benefits? A: It varies from individual to individual. All those who practice the Transcendental Meditation technique do notice positive growth and development in their life; however, it’s not really possible to predict which particular benefits you might receive from the practice or even how long it will take before you would experience a specific benefit. Extensive scientific research and the experience of teaching the technique to more than six million people around the world do show that correct practice of the Transcendental Meditation program on a regular, twice-daily basis is very important for gaining the most from the technique. Q: And everyone can do it? A: Yes. Anyone of any age, profession, education, religion, or culture. It doesn’t matter if you believe in the Transcendental Meditation program or not. You can be 100 percent skeptical about the technique, and it will still work perfectly. The Transcendental Meditation technique is natural. It’s just like gravity. If you don’t believe in gravity, and you drop a tennis ball, the ball still falls. In the same way, the Transcendental Meditation technique is automatic. It does not require any belief. It works for everyone. And for those who think, “I could never sit still for 20 minutes,” or “I’m too high strung, I could never relax,” or “I’ll probably be the first person in the world who won’t be able to learn it,” don’t worry. Everyone can learn to meditate. See for yourself.

His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is widely regarded as the foremost scientist in the field of consciousness, and is considered the greatest teacher in the world today. Over forty years ago Maharishi's infinite love drew him out of isolation in the the Himalayas to relieve the world from suffering—to create Heaven on Earth. Having learned from his guru a long-lost knowledge, he has completely revived the practical, ancient science that is capable of creating Perfect Health and Enlightenment for any individual and a society of Happiness and Peace - Heaven on Earth

This site provides a taste of the wondrous ideas and practical programs that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has offered to the people of the world in his joyous task of creating Heaven on Earth. Maharishi's activities may change as time demands but the underlying eternal flow of compassion, love, bliss and total determination to create Heaven on Earth never ceases to amaze us and to bless the world. We feel honored to have been able to learn from Maharishi and wish to share with you a little of our good fortune. Enjoy! Maharishi's message is as old as mankind: the basis of life is unbounded Bliss. This can be effortlessly experienced by everyone in daily life regardless of age, culture, or beliefs. This experience of Bliss provides many practical benefits for everyone. Only a simple, effortless procedure need be taught. It is not necessary to strain, suffer or renounce the world to achieve spiritual growth. This same message has been taught by many great saints and wise men throughout the long history of life. From time to time the essential message gets distorted and eventually becomes ineffective as the effortlessness of the practice is lost. In search for spiritual growth people begin to take up practices reserved only for those monks and sages who have renounced the world. These techniques are not suited for those living in the world. Using them improperly leads to all kinds of confusion. Eventually life ceased to be easily lived in accord with Natural Law. Suffering prevailed. (even encouraged in the name of spiritual growth!) Such was the state of the world when Maharishi traveled from the Himalayas. Continue with our introduction to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Or scroll below for links to other web sites with pages about His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in peace

Martin Hodgson
Wednesday February 6, 2008
The Guardian


The Beatles join the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for a weekend of meditation in Wales in 1967. Photograph: AP


Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the guru who introduced the Beatles to transcendental meditation, has died at his home in Vlodrop, in the Netherlands. He was believed to be around 91 years old.

A spokesman for the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement said he had died peacefully, apparently from "natural causes, his age".

Although the maharishi never abandoned his claim to be leading humanity towards a new era of peace and harmony, he transformed his interpretations of ancient scripture into a multimillion-dollar global empire with more than 5m followers worldwide seeking his higher state of consciousness.

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He first bought his teachings to the United States in 1959, but the movement gained popularity when the Beatles visited his ashram in India in 1968. The band announced they had abandoned LSD after being exposed to his messages of universal love and peace, but disillusionment set in - a line in John Lennon's song Sexy Sadie, "You made a fool of everyone" is said to refer to the maharishi - and they fell out when the band were discovered using drugs at his Himalayan retreat.

Last year, the folk singer Donovan and the film director David Lynch announced plans to open a university in Scotland teaching TM as a means of reducing violence, crime and stress.

Over the years, the maharishi was accused of fraud over his 'yogic flying'. Supporters showed followers apparently hovering in the lotus position. Closer inspection of the footage, however, showed they were hopping, not flying.

In recent years, he became disillusioned that TM had become identified with the counterculture. In 1990 he moved to the former Franciscan monastery in Vlodrop, near the German border, and began speaking only by video even to aids in the same building. Last month, he retreated into silence. "He had been saying he had done what he set out to do."

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Founder of Maharishi Vedic and Ayur-Veda Universities

"It is for education of today's world to realize that complete education, or absolute education, is not a process of knowing anything else. It is in fact returning from anything else to knowing oneself."

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is widely regarded as the foremost scientist in the field of consciousness, and considered to be the greatest teacher in the world today. Maharishi has completely restored the thousands of years-old scattered Vedic Literature for the total significance of its theory and practice, and has organized it in the form of a complete science of consciousness.

Maharishi's Vedic Science and Technology unfolds the full potential of Natural Law in human consciousness as the basis of improving all areas of life.

The Transcendental Meditation^® program, the subjective technology of Maharishi's Vedic Science and Technology, is the most widely practiced and extensively researched program of self-development in the world.

Maharishi is now establishing Maharishi Vedic Universities and Maharishi Vedic Schools throughout the world to offer mastery over Natural Law to every individual and to perpetuate life in accordance with Natural Law -- perfection in every profession -- and create Natural Law based problem-free government in every country -- governments with the ability to prevent problems.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Wiki Pedia

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (born "Mahesh Prasad Varma" according to some sources, and "Mahesh Srivastava" according to others, between 1911 and 1918 in Jabalpur, India; died February 5, 2008, in Vlodrop, The Netherlands)^[1] founded and developed the Transcendental Meditation technique and related programs and initiatives, including schools and a university with campuses in the United States and China.[5] He was born in India, around 1917; various years are given for his birth: most frequently 1911, 1917, and 1918,^[2], and some sources state he was born on 12 January.

Around 1939 he became a disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati [6] who, from 1941 to 1953, was the Shankaracharya (spiritual leader) of Jyotir Math, located in the Indian Himalayas. Maharishi credits the Shankaracharya with inspiring his teachings. Since his first global tour in 1958,^[3] Maharishi's techniques for human development have been taught worldwide.^[4] He continued to focus on making all aspects of the Vedic Literature widely available.^[5] He became well-known in the Western world due to The Beatles having visited him in 1968. Starting in 1990, Maharishi coordinated his global activities from his residence in Vlodrop, the Netherlands.^[6]

On January 11th, 2008, he announced his retirement from his normal activities: "Invincibility is irreversibly established in the world. My work is done. My designated duty to Guru Dev is fulfilled." He resolved to use all his remaining time to complete his commentary on the Veda. He passed away less than a month later

Early life

Maharishi was born to a Hindu family living in Jabalpur, Central Provinces, British India, and was named Mahesh Prasad Varma at birth.^[10] According to Jay Randolph Coplin, the name "Mahesh" indicated that Maharishi came from a Hindu family that worshipped Shiva.^[11] Maharishi later earned a degree in physics^[12] at Allahabad University.^[13]

In 1941 Maharishi became a secretary to Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, who gave him the name Bal Brahmacharya Mahesh. Besides indicating his family faith, Coplin^[14] says the conferred title "identified him as a dedicated student of spiritual knowledge and life-long celibate ascetic." Maharishi remained with Brahmananda Saraswati until the latter passed away in 1953. Although Maharishi was a close disciple, he could not be the Shankaracharya's spiritual successor since he was not of the Brahmin caste. ^[15]

In 1953, Maharishi moved to Uttarkashi, in the Valley of the Saints, in the Himalayas, where his own Master had lived in previous decades with his Master, Swami Krishanand Saraswati. In 1955, Maharishi left Uttarkashi, ^[16]and began publicly teaching what he states is a traditional meditation technique that he later renamed Transcendental Meditation. He began The Spiritual Regeneration Movement in 1957, in Madras, India, on the concluding day of the Seminar of Spiritual Luminaries. According to J. Lynwood King, the feedback Maharishi received from the diverse population that learned his technique suggested to him that it could be of wide benefit.^[17] By 1958 Maharishi had begun the first of a number of worldwide tours.

Expansion of teachings

World tours

His first world tour began in Rangoon, Burma, now Myanmar. Maharishi remained in the Far East for about six months teaching Transcendental Meditation.^[18] His teaching received press coverage in various cities. On December 31, 1958, the Honolulu Star Bulletin published an article about Maharishi saying: "He has no money, he asks for nothing. His worldly possessions can be carried in one hand. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is on a world odyssey. He carries a message that he says will rid the world of all unhappiness and discontent."^[19]

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the front cover of Time Magazine on October 13, 1975.

In 1959, Maharishi taught the Transcendental Meditation technique in Hawaii^[12] and later went to California and became a guest in a private home owned by the Olson family. He continued to visit and teach from the Olsons' home over the next few years.^[20]

During the 1960s and early 1970s practitioners of the technique began to be seen as part of the then current "counter-culture" phenomenon. Also during that time, a number of celebrities that included The Beatles,^[21] the Beach Boys, (including singer Mike Love,^[22] who became a TM teacher) and singer-songwriter Donovan, who befriended Maharishi and put his picture on the back cover of his A Gift from a Flower to a Garden album, learned the technique. Comedian Andy Kaufman and magician Doug Henning were also students of Maharishi. Clint Eastwood^[23] and David Lynch are two notable directors who have practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique.

Transcendental Meditation teachers

After starting the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in the United States, Maharishi continued his world tour. He travelled to Europe in early 1960, stopping first in London. During the next two years, he returned to India and the Far East, before revisiting the U.S., Europe, and Africa. He lectured about and taught the Transcendental Meditation technique, and also established administrative centers where practitioners could meet in his absence. Eventually the more experienced practitioners were trained to become teachers of the technique. In 1961, he conducted his first international Teacher Training Course near Rishikesh, India. Over 60 meditators from India, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Britain, Malaya, Norway, the United States, Australia, Greece, Italy and the West Indies attended. ^[24] Teachers have continued to be trained.[7]

Early books

In 1961, Maharishi began to introduce additional knowledge regarding the development of human potential, including a translation and commentary on the first six chapters of the ancient Vedic text, the Bhagavad Gita.^[25] Maharishi said that the source of his commentary was his master and the increasing interest in Vedic knowledge: "We are just an innocent means for the spontaneous flow of that knowledge -- that's all."^[26]

In his 1963 publication, Maharishi describes the Bhagavad Gita as "the Scripture of Yoga." He says that "its purpose is to explain in theory and practice all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level."^[27] In 1964, Maharishi attended the All-India Yogic Conference held in Calcutta, India, where he said that because the teachings contained in the Bhagavad Gita were misunderstood, "the practice of yoga was misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misapplied," resulting in "weakness in the fields of thought and action."^[28]

While working on his translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, Maharishi audiotaped the text of the The Science of Being and Art of Living which was transcribed and published in 1963.^{[29] [30]}

Advanced programs

Over a 30-year period Maharishi held advanced, in-residence courses and assemblies in North America, India and/or Europe for practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation technique. These courses provided long meditation sessions, lectures by Maharishi, discussions based on personal experiences, questions from course participants, and organizational meetings. Maharishi believed that this group practice of the technique benefited the environment.^[31] In-residence courses continue to this day.[8]

In the late 1970’s, Maharishi designed the TM-Sidhi program as an additional option for those who had been practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique for a period of time. According to Coplin, this new aspect of knowledge emphasized not only the individual, but also the collective benefits created by group practice of this advanced program.^[32]

Other initiatives, projects and programs

Maharishi International University (renamed Maharishi University of Management in 1995), the first university Maharishi founded, initially held classes in Santa Barbara, California, in the 1973-74 academic year. After that, the university moved to Fairfield, Iowa, where it remains today. The university houses a library of Maharishi's taped lectures and writings that includes the 33-lesson, Science of Creative Intelligence course, originally a series of lectures given by Maharishi in Fuiggi, Italy, in 1972. Described in the M.U.M. university catalogue as combining modern science, and Vedic science,[9]the course also describes claimed higher states of consciousness and guidance on how to attain these states. ^[33]

Over the years Maharishi continued to introduce programs and practices such as an alternative medical system called Maharishi Ayur Veda, Maharishi Jyotish, a system of Vedic astrology, Maharishi Sthapatya Veda, a system of Vedic architecture, Maharishi Gandharva Ved, and various other practices related to music, systems of education, theories of management, defense, and government.^[34] Maharishi also offered a program said to alleviate poverty and introduced a new currency, Raam Mudra, toward this end.^[35]

The Beatles

The Beatles had met with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi during a 1968 TM teacher-training course they attended in Rishikesh, India. John Lennon was inspired to write the song "Sexy Sadie" ("what have you done? You made a fool of everyone") about Maharishi based on stories he had heard about Mia Farrow and Maharishi.^{[36] [37]} Mia Farrow's autobiography is ambiguous on the matter, describing her "panicking" and fleeing after an embrace during a meditation session.^[38] Some later said the rumors were false^[39][40], while others claim that Farrow herself said she believed the Maharishi had made a sexual advance.^[41] According to several authors, (Brown and Gaines, 1983^[42]; Miles, 1998^[43]; Spitz, 2005^[44]; Cynthia Lennon, 1978 ^[45]) Alexis Mardas deliberately engineered these rumors because he was bent on undermining the Maharishi's influence on the Beatles. George Harrison's statement, "Now, historically, there's the story that something went on that shouldn't have done—but nothing did,"^[46]. Sir Paul McCartney, in his biography, likewise says that he does not believe the allegations.^[47]