Transcendental Meditation Mantras: Making it Simple

Transcendental meditation  Mantras (TM) uses silent repeated mantras as the core practice. Mantras are ancient words or sounds given by a trained TM instructor to each student. The mantras help allow the busy mind to settle down and experience deeper peace.

Transcendental Meditation Mantras Made Simple

This guide explains the basics of TM mantras to help teens and children understand and practice this simple yet beneficial meditation.

What is a Mantra?

A mantra is a special word or sound from the ancient Vedic language of India. Mantras have been used for thousands of years to help the mind relax. Some examples of mantras are:

“Om”

“Shanti” which means peace

“Ma” which relates to the mind  “Traim”

These don’t mean anything in English. They are more like sounds. But when repeated quietly, they have a soothing effect on the mind and body.

Why Are Mantras Used in TM?

Our minds are usually very busy with lots of thoughts each day – worries about school or friends, things we see and hear around us, lists of stuff to do. This keeps the mind active but also stressed.

In Transcendental Meditation, the mantra repeated silently over and over. This gives the overly active mind something simple to focus on. It starts settling down, rather like a jar of dirty water will settle if kept still. And when the mind settles down, deep rest and inner quiet happen naturally. The soothing sound vibration and meaning act like a “vehicle” carrying the mind calmly to silent stillness when we repeat the mantra slowly. We don’t have to try hard to make this happen. It happens naturally.

How Are Mantras Chosen?

Mantras given out in omcial TM classes are very specific ancient words designed for meditation. They must be given properly, or they won’t have the same effect. A certified TM instructor gives each teen or child their own personal mantra at classes. The mantra given depends on many factors:

Age

Gender

Cultural background

Adults receive different mantras than young students do. And the mantras aim to “resonate” with each student’s unique nervous system vibrations for maximum effect.

It’s important that the mantra given has been passed down properly in the tradition stemming from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the teacher who brought TM out of India in the 1950s. That ensures effectiveness.

How is the Mantra Used?

Using the mantra is easy. During two 20 minute sessions daily, the student just repeats the mantra silently to themself at a comfortable pace:

Sit up comfortably with eyes closed somewhere peaceful

Start very gently thinking the mantra – “Om”, “Shanti” or whatever yours is  Don’t chant it out loud or visualize images

Thoughts or sensations will come and go. Just keep returning to the mantra silently.

When the mantra feels weaker or fades after some time, it means the mind is settling and becoming silent. This is good.

If the mantra feels loud in your head again, just continue repeating it gently.

The mantra is a tool keeping the attention just focused enough so thoughts don’t distract us. Over time, gaps between mantra repetitions will increase as the mind experiences quieter, blissful awareness underneath the usual noise.

Regular practice cultivates this state of peaceful alertness more through the days too.

Benefits Teens and Children Receive

Many scientific studies confirm TM lessens anxiety, stress and fatigue while increasing calmness, focus and resilience. For busy growing minds and changing teen bodies, benefits include:

Better Sleep:

TM improves nighttime rest tremendously even after only a few weeks. Teens need 9 hours nightly for peak cognitive performance and balanced mood at volatile times.

Sharper Focus:

Just 20 minutes TM before school or homework boosts concentration, memory and reductions in ADHD symptoms holding many bright teens back from potential.

Relief From Anxiety and Depression:

By reducing pressure and hyper stimulation overload. TM lifts dark, heavy moods impairing a third of tweens through teens today related to runaway stress.

Healthier Habits:

Less impulsively self-medicating inner distress with substance abuse, digital addiction, self harm and unhealthy relationships. Teens make wiser choices with TM’s brain balancing effects.

Confidence and Self-Esteem:

As overwhelming emotions no longer rule decisions, teens access inner resilience building positive identity and life path momentum free from crippling doubt.

Performance Enhancement:

Freed from paralyzing anxiety and perfectionism while accessing flow states. teens excel pursuing passions positively impacting community through service and talents. When introduced thoughtfully, TM becomes a nourishing lifestyle ritual supporting teenager human flourishing.

Common Concerns and Considerations

Those unfamiliar with TM often have questions including:

Isn’t This a Religious Practice?

No – TM does not involve any religious doctrine, ethics or change in lifestyle. No beliefs required only an openness to experience and consistency with practice. People from all faiths practice TM effectively.

Are Mantras Safe?

The mantras given by certified TM instructors are time-tested over thousands of years specifically for settling the mind not stimulating it. Unlike unproven self-selected mantras, these mantras do no harm mentally.

How Often Should Teens Practice?

Experts recommend 20 minutes twice daily. But even short sits have good effects. Building towards regular timing matters most so TM fits more smoothly alongside school, activities and friends.

What If It Feels Uncomfortable?

Supportive TM coaching ensures proper technique. Temporarily slowing mantra pace often helps stabilize mind activity. Discomfort usually reflects mental stress releasing versus any danger. Stay patient trusting your teacher’s guidance.

When Do Benefits Show?

Remarkably quickly often within days. Students report feeling less stressed, happier and sleeping better. Advancements continue unfolding over months of sincere practice leading to clarity and inner freedom. Stay consistent!

Final Thoughts for Teens and Children

Transcendental meditation gives the mind a soothing sound vehicle in the mantra to carry attention beyond thoughts to pure awareness where deep silence and peace reside. Regular practice unsticks stress buildup so teens navigate life’s ups and downs smoothly.

Stay patient with some initial struggles to grasp the oblivion-like concept underlying TM. Yet this liberating mental state where we transcend storms while fully awake awaits! Consider it a sanctuary always available through mantra repetition – just a thought away for teens needing refuge from the relentless pressures to perform endlessly while still developing. TM offers calm passage.

While incredible technologies swirl around vying for attention, the ultimate technology harnessing human potential springs from within through this ancient, effortless meditation technique providing energy, purpose and meaning generationally. Why not learn more together? This tool can guide any teen toward greatness.

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