Transcendental Meditation

[LoveT]

Hi

Does anyone have contact details of a practitioner or institution where I can learn more about Transcendental Meditation in Bangkok Area and/ or Ko Samui?

Txs,

Et

[rockyysdt]

Is there a reason why you choose TM to learn?

[sabaijai]

There are many TM teachers in Thailand. If you write to the contact address at www.tm.org they should be able to give you specific training schedules here.

One of the main teachers in Thailand is BC Budhacharan at Amaravati in Chiang Mai.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Bc-Budhacharan/100000293229923

http://www.theamaravati.net/index.php

Moving this topic to General Topics to see if other members outside the Buddhism subforum may have suggestions.

[LoveT]

There are many TM teachers in Thailand. If you write to the contact address at www.tm.org they should be able to give you specific training schedules here.

One of the main teachers in Thailand is BC Budhacharan at Amaravati in Chiang Mai.

http://www.facebook....100000293229923

http://www.theamaravati.net/index.php

Moving this topic to General Topics to see if other members outside the Buddhism subforum may have suggestions.

Thank You!

[craigt3365]

How about we move this over to Health, Body and Medicine? Good luck!

[AyG]

TM is not a Buddhist technique. It's the Maharishi's adaptation of Hindu meditation technique. When you start to learn TM there's a Hindu puja to give thanks for your teacher and your teacher's teachers. The personal mantra that you are given (and is given to anyone born in the same year and is of the same sex,) is the name of a Hindu god. The mantra I was given was to Lakshmi.

Whilst an effective form of relaxation (for me at least), TM doesn't produce the mental focus and clarity that other techniques such as (Buddhist) Ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing).

A few years ago the price of learning TM was hiked enormously. You now pay a lot of money for relatively little. The TM movement seems now primarily to be a money-making machine.

Since TM is a standard mantra japa technique (apart from the eye closing and opening at the start of group meditations), if a mantra japa technique is what you want, I'd suggest you save your money and learn in a different Hindu tradition. And if you're just looking for any meditation technique, consider learning at any of the Buddhist temples in Thailand which cater for English speakers, or with one of the Buddhist societies.

Edited March 15, 2011 by AyG

[AyG]

I should also add that there are a number of disillusioned, ex-TM teachers who teach the technique considerably more cheaply than the official TM moment. However, I'm not aware of any in Thailand.

[trd]

I would highly recommend TM. I've been practicing it for 30 years and without wanting to be critical of other techniques, as each has its value, I consider TM to be more effective than the mindfullness method taught in Buddhism.

[trd]

It would not be accurate to describe the mantra yoga technique of TM as japa. Now you've got me going on a subject I could bang on about for hours. Don't encourage me

[sabaijai]

TM is not a Buddhist technique. It's the Maharishi's adaptation of Hindu meditation technique. When you start to learn TM there's a Hindu puja to give thanks for your teacher and your teacher's teachers. The personal mantra that you are given (and is given to anyone born in the same year and is of the same sex,) is the name of a Hindu god. The mantra I was given was to Lakshmi.

Whilst an effective form of relaxation (for me at least), TM doesn't produce the mental focus and clarity that other techniques such as (Buddhist) Ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing).

A few years ago the price of learning TM was hiked enormously. You now pay a lot of money for relatively little. The TM movement seems now primarily to be a money-making machine.

Since TM is a standard mantra japa technique (apart from the eye closing and opening at the start of group meditations), if a mantra japa technique is what you want, I'd suggest you save your money and learn in a different Hindu tradition. And if you're just looking for any meditation technique, consider learning at any of the Buddhist temples in Thailand which cater for English speakers, or with one of the Buddhist societies.

[sabaijai]

I would highly recommend TM. I've been practicing it for 30 years and without wanting to be critical of other techniques, as each has its value, I consider TM to be more effective than the mindfullness method taught in Buddhism.

Define 'effective.' If relaxation and stress reduction is the objective, Buddhism has a load of techniques described in the Visuddhi Magga that will have the same effect, for free.

Or check one of several websites that expose TM's 'personal mantras,' which in fact are shared with millions and defined only by gender and age group.

http://tmfree.blogspot.com/2007/01/mantras-part-1.html

http://minet.org/mantras.html

Mindfulness has a completely different objective, one that TM can't claim to fulfill. They are completely different contemplative methodologies.

[trd]

I would highly recommend TM. I've been practicing it for 30 years and without wanting to be critical of other techniques, as each has its value, I consider TM to be more effective than the mindfullness method taught in Buddhism.

Define 'effective.' If relaxation and stress reduction is the objective, Buddhism has a load of techniques described in the Visuddhi Magga that will have the same effect, for free.

Mindfulness has a completely different objective, one that TM cannot fulfill. They are completely different contemplative methodologies.

I don't want to get into a slanging match here, Yes you are right. I am just expressing an opinion based on my personal experience. I cannot possibly prove what I say in the relative field of existence.

Although relaxation and stress reduction is certainly beneficial, there is ultimately only one objective. It doesn't matter what methodology we consider. The objective is realization of the Self, direct experience of the non-dual nature of reality.

BTW, I am not a TM Groupy. Never had much to do with the organization.

[lungmi]

Make TM, you can learn to fly, air tickets are at a high level in this time.

[borisloosebrain]

TM is not a Buddhist technique. It's the Maharishi's adaptation of Hindu meditation technique. When you start to learn TM there's a Hindu puja to give thanks for your teacher and your teacher's teachers. The personal mantra that you are given (and is given to anyone born in the same year and is of the same sex,) is the name of a Hindu god. The mantra I was given was to Lakshmi.

Whilst an effective form of relaxation (for me at least), TM doesn't produce the mental focus and clarity that other techniques such as (Buddhist) Ānāpānasati (mindfulness of breathing).

A few years ago the price of learning TM was hiked enormously. You now pay a lot of money for relatively little. The TM movement seems now primarily to be a money-making machine.

Since TM is a standard mantra japa technique (apart from the eye closing and opening at the start of group meditations), if a mantra japa technique is what you want, I'd suggest you save your money and learn in a different Hindu tradition. And if you're just looking for any meditation technique, consider learning at any of the Buddhist temples in Thailand which cater for English speakers, or with one of the Buddhist societies.

When you say "You now pay a lot of money for relatively little. " I beg to differ - to describe TM as relatively little is very misleading. It is an extraordinarily effective tool that has had huge impact on so many people who've practiced it. It's benefits are are immediate and become greater as time goes on. To squibble over paying to learn it is to miss the bigger picture of how profoundly it can improve your quality of life on every level which such minimal effort.

http://www.tm.org/blog/news/legendary-directors-bring-transcendental-meditation-to-veterans/

[AyG]

When you say "You now pay a lot of money for relatively little. " I beg to differ - to describe TM as relatively little is very misleading. It is an extraordinarily effective tool that has had huge impact on so many people who've practiced it. It's benefits are are immediate and become greater as time goes on. To squibble over paying to learn it is to miss the bigger picture of how profoundly it can improve your quality of life on every level which such minimal effort.

The Maharishi learnt the technique from Guru Dev for free, yet now the TM movement now charges $1,500 for the same information. The Maharishi commercialised what was traditionally available to all who sought it without payment in the interests of profit.

When I learnt I paid about $150. Why the massive increase? Of course, today I wouldn't pay a penny to be lied to. TM maintains it is not religious, and is compatible with all religions. Yet I was required to participate in a Hindu puja and taught to repeated invoke the name of a Hindu goddess. I don't like being lied to.

And with the "checking", the instructors are taught to tell you that whatever you experience is good. Pointless. It's just another way of extracting chunks of money from you.

I'm not denying, though that TM "has had a huge impact on so many people". Many of them have been convinced to pay a lot of money to learn how to bump around on their bottom in the belief that soon they'll be yogic flying. The cult takes otherwise rational people and turns them into loonies. Some of the other sidhis are equally ludicrous: becoming invisible, walking through walls, adamantine strength, omniscience, mind reading, perfect health and immortality. Give me a break. Just because Patanjali wrote about them doesn't make them true.

TM is a dangerous cult that ruins some people's lives and exploits them for cash.

[trd]

TM is a dangerous cult that ruins some people's lives and exploits them for cash.

So are you saying you got no benefit from it?

[AyG]

So are you saying you got no benefit from it?

It's a pretty effective relaxation technique. Nothing more, in my opinion.

There are plenty of other ways to relax - most of which don't cost $1,500 to find out about and are more honest about their approach, and certainly don't try to sucker you in to bouncing around in a padded room on your bottom in search of enlightenment.

[Sheryl]

Enough already.

While I personally have problems with meditation being commercialized in any way, there is no need to disparage something others find beneficial, and if they are happy to pay for lessons and feel they gain from it, that's their call.

[trd]

So are you saying you got no benefit from it?

It's a pretty effective relaxation technique. Nothing more, in my opinion.

There are plenty of other ways to relax - most of which don't cost $1,500 to find out about and are more honest about their approach, and certainly don't try to sucker you in to bouncing around in a padded room on your bottom in search of enlightenment.

Now go and practice if, just as you were taught, twice a day for 10 years and then come back and talk to me.

[trd]

On the question of commercialization.

When Maharishi formed the TM movement he wanted to teach as many people as possible to meditate. So he trained many teachers and established TM Centres in major towns and cities throughout the world. So you could take a bus instead of travelling to India to find a Guru. Where is the money to operate this supposed to come from?

Who do you think pays for the building and upkeep of the many temples in Thailand including the food collected by the monks on their daily alms rounds.

[tim armstrong]

On the question of commercialization.

When Maharishi formed the TM movement he wanted to teach as many people as possible to meditate. So he trained many teachers and established TM Centres in major towns and cities throughout the world. So you could take a bus instead of travelling to India to find a Guru. Where is the money to operate this supposed to come from?

Who do you think pays for the building and upkeep of the many temples in Thailand including the food collected by the monks on their daily alms rounds.

No doubt the Maharishi's gift was to bring meditation to the western world. But of course he wouldn't have done that without 'A little help from his friends'. He didn't do too badly either. But I don't see the connection with Thai temples and their upkeep. I thought that was done by local communities - when they have the money.

But to the meditation issue. As others have said, there is now a whole industry of courses, books, retreats and meditation centres of all forms around, as well as TM. Some claim to be spiritual, some are just about relaxation. Anyone starting out needs to try a few different methods as well as Buddhist and Hindu, as its a very personal thing. I use Buddhist techniques because they work for me.

[trd]

No doubt the Maharishi's gift was to bring meditation to the western world. But of course he wouldn't have done that without 'A little help from his friends'. He didn't do too badly either. But I don't see the connection with Thai temples and their upkeep. I thought that was done by local communities - when they have the money.

But to the meditation issue. As others have said, there is now a whole industry of courses, books, retreats and meditation centres of all forms around, as well as TM. Some claim to be spiritual, some are just about relaxation. Anyone starting out needs to try a few different methods as well as Buddhist and Hindu, as its a very personal thing. I use Buddhist techniques because they work for me.

My point is that whether it is paid for by the individual aspirant as in TM or by the local community for Thai wats, it does have to be paid for one way or another.

Although TM is "marketed" for relaxation as that is perhaps the best way to initially appeal to the masses, the technique itself is based on the Yoga as expounded in the Vedas and is profoundly spiritual just as Buddhist meditation techniques are, with both having as their goal, self realization.

[Godolphin]

Enough already.

While I personally have problems with meditation being commercialized in any way, there is no need to disparage something others find beneficial, and if they are happy to pay for lessons and feel they gain from it, that's their call.

Ah, a voice of reason!

I agree. There are many, many techniques around. There is no one-fit for all.

If one of the techniques work for an individual then good.

It's like the blind men and the elephant parable.

[SpoliaOpima]

Sure there are many techniques around, and while normally I would agree that people are free to spend their money the way they want if it brings them benefits, or if they think it brings them benefits, the TM movement displays enough cultist tendencies that it's not unreasonable to advocate for caveat emptor , as a Google search for "TM" and "cult" more than supports.

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=tm+cult

[trd]

Sure there are many techniques around, and while normally I would agree that people are free to spend their money the way they want if it brings them benefits, or if they think it brings them benefits, the TM movement displays enough cultist tendencies that it's not unreasonable to advocate for caveat emptor , as a Google search for "TM" and "cult" more than supports.

http://www.google.co...UTF-8&q=tm+cult

That Google search link brings up 7,270,000 items. So it must be true.

I then randomly typed in "adsfteyrllmcnft" which brought up 294,000 results, so, worthy of investigation.

The sad thing is that most people feel most comfortable with taking infomation at face value, more so now than ever in the internet age, without question and without real investigation. What you didn't do was type in TM + benefits to get an alternative view.from the one you are entrenched in and which retrieves 38,400,00 entries.

Edited May 12, 2011 by trd

[SpoliaOpima]

Sure there are many techniques around, and while normally I would agree that people are free to spend their money the way they want if it brings them benefits, or if they think it brings them benefits, the TM movement displays enough cultist tendencies that it's not unreasonable to advocate for caveat emptor , as a Google search for "TM" and "cult" more than supports.

http://www.google.co...UTF-8&q=tm+cult

That Google search link brings up 7,270,000 items. So it must be true.

I then randomly typed in "adsfteyrllmcnft" which brought up 294,000 results, so, worthy of investigation.

The sad thing is that most people feel most comfortable with taking infomation at face value, more so now than ever in the internet age, without question and without real investigation. What you didn't do was type in TM + benefits to get an alternative view.from the one you are entrenched in and which retrieves 38,400,00 entries.

Using the same logic, that taking information from the internet without question means that everything found there is questionable, the 38 million entries are equally worthless.

Anyone with reasonable judgment can read the praise from those in the TM movement and the criticism from those who have extricated themselves and make up their own minds. SOme of the specific sites of possible interest for inquiring minds include:

http://www.behind-the-tm-facade.org/transcendental_meditation-harmful-abstracts.htm

http://tmfree.blogspot.com/2008/01/cult-recovery-razors-edge.html

Whatever one thinks about the potential benefits of the technique, as an ex-TMer who has bothered to research the background in India, I'm confident that the central criticism about the TM movement, ie that its leaders and staff consistently lie about the nature and origins of the technique so that they may charge for mantras that are freely available to anyone who can open a book, and who deny that the mantras are linked to Vedic deity worship, is irrefutable.

Anyone thinking of getting involved should do their homework. Investigate all sides rather than blindly accepting the movement's claims. The same sort of critical thinking should be exercised before investing in any sort of self-help program.

Edited May 21, 2011 by SpoliaOpima

[krangeek]

I learned the TM technique many years ago in my home country. The initial experience far surpassed the local Buddhist centre's mindfulness technique. I say 'initial' regarding TM as I've never experienced the same feeling since. In fact, a 'regular' practitioner/helper at the TM Centre exclaimed 'I wish I was learning this Technique - TM - for the first time, it's never the same after'. That stuck with me, and, apart from devoting one's life as an aesthete, understand what he was saying.

On the other hand, I find the 'mindfulness' technique of counting from 1-10 over and over, irritating and distracting.

If I can, emptying my mind completely does it for me. Difficult, but not impossible.

Download Eckart Tolles' ebook, Wonder of Now. Or hop over to Injah.

Edited May 22, 2011 by krangeek

[trd]

Anyone thinking of getting involved should do their homework. Investigate all sides rather than blindly accepting the movement's claims. The same sort of critical thinking should be exercised before investing in any sort of self-help program.

Yes but what homework would that be exactly? Since TM is a practical thing you can go on endlessly "investigating" but without learning it you will never actually know what it is. I have no idea why you are an exTMer. Did you have regular checks to find out if you were practising correctly as it's a very subtle technique.

Yes, it is unashamedly based on the vedic yoga traditions of India. What is the issue here?

You do not understand what deity means in this context.. The various so called gods (deities) in the veda refers to states of consciousness. It is only in modern Hinduism that this idea has been corrupted to make the gods real. The veda is monotheistic. There is only Brahman. You will always find corruptions of pure teaching. I know many Thais here who go to the temple hoping to get lucky numbers for the lottery. But we know that isn't what Buddha taught.

[trd]

I learned the TM technique many years ago in my home country. The initial experience far surpassed the local Buddhist centre's mindfulness technique. I say 'initial' regarding TM as I've never experienced the same feeling since. In fact, a 'regular' practitioner/helper at the TM Centre exclaimed 'I wish I was learning this Technique - TM - for the first time, it's never the same after'. That stuck with me, and, apart from devoting one's life as an aesthete, understand what he was saying.

On the other hand, I find the 'mindfulness' technique of counting from 1-10 over and over, irritating and distracting.

If I can, emptying my mind completely does it for me. Difficult, but not impossible.

Download Eckart Tolles' ebook, Wonder of Now. Or hop over to Injah.

It's very common to have wonderful experiences at the beginning and then suddenly it's not there. This is exactly the time not to stop. You have hit some obstacles, that's all, some stress that needs clearing away. Persevere. Just practice the technique without any expectations and you will get progressiveley deeper experiences eventually. If you have ever felt bliss, however fleeting, you are on the path.

[rishi]

On the other hand, I find the 'mindfulness' technique of counting from 1-10 over and over, irritating and distracting.

Wonder which mindfulness technique you are referring to? It can't be the rather eloquent meditation technique Anapanasati - believed to have been developed and utilized by Buddha himself - right?

Buddhadhasa: Mindfulness with Breathing