For my M word I decided to go with meditation, specifically Transcendental Meditation.
In the mid 70's, a girl I worked with and me found out that they were offering classes in Transcendental Meditation at a library. I don't know how we even knew what it was at the time but I'm thinking we probably heard that The Beatles did it. So, we signed up for the classes.
It was started by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who actually taught The Beatles the technique.
At the time, it cost $125 which was quite a bit at that time. It was two or three classes. My family and my boyfriend (my husband) thought we were both nuts LOL.
I found it very interesting. Each person was given a "secret word" that is called a mantra and you weren't allowed to tell anyone what the word was. This is it kind of in a nutshell although a TM teacher would tell you there is much more to it, which there is. For two minutes you calm your mind. Then you start repeating the mantra in your head until you are not really repeating it its just kind of there. You do it for 20 minutes. Then you do the 2 minute calming down (it's not actually called calming down just kind of thinking nothing).
I found it very calming when doing it and your breathing gets very slow. I found myself sometimes freaking out by how slow my breathing got. After taking the lessons, I did it for a while but then stopped doing it on a regular basis. Believe it or not, as many times as I've said on this blog what a terrible memory I have, I have never forgotten the mantra. I've also never told anyone want my mantra is. Although my whole family wanted me to tell them. I was always afraid if I told anyone, I would forget. For all I know everyone that ever did Transcendental Meditation might have the same one LOL.
According to some things I read recently it is not without controversy. Primarily because of how much it costs. In 2009, it cost $1500 for the course. Also, they offer supplemental courses. I know my friend did take some extra courses but I didn't.
When I am especially stressed I still do it some times. I should really get back to doing it on a regular basis.
I can't waiting to get over to Jenny Matlock's to see what others did for their M post. Why don't you head on over too. http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2010/04/alphabe-thursday-m.html
32 comments:
great choice...
Have a wonderful day...
My husband went to TM classes and still meditates on a regular basis. I think that it is a great way to deal with stress. I use deep breathing to help with the pain from my surgery, it's not as effective with me, but then I did not have any training. I know that listening to meditative soft musci really helps me to relax!
I haven't used TM but I do meditate daily. It has changed my life. Very inforMative!
I remember when TM was the newest, biggest thing...because of the Beatles. Wow, you must be as old as me....somewhere between the age of dirt and fire.
Namaste,
;)
I remember when TM was all the rage too, and yes, it probably was because of the Beatles :) I was going to say I should look into this, until I saw the price - holy cow! I think I'll continue to use blogging to relax lol. Kathy
$1500!! wow. I can't afford enlightenment!
I read Simple Abundance, and Sarah Ban Breathnach encouraged meditation. However, she said meditation could take any form you're comfortable with, say eating a piece of chocolate cake very slowly, concentrating on each bite. I like sailing as meditation, concentrating just on the wind and the waves and their sounds. Really puts me in a trance. Great post!
Good Morning Viki,
I loved the Beatles and still do! The one thing that I can say about them is that they were open to follow their own interests even at the subjection to much controversy. John Lennon was way before his time in his thinking and his philosophies. My favorite was his "bed in"...
I don't "meditate" so to speak, but I do get alone with God as much as possible in thought and in prayer. It is good to have something greater than ME to find inner peace.
Thanks for sharing!
i can't sit still long enough to meditate - good for you :D
I think you learned a lot if you still do it now.
I'm glad you found this tool...although personally I like Tina's suggestion better.
Maybe the reason I never get relaxed when I eat chocolate cake is because I don't do it slowly...by any means!
What an interesting post. You actually told me a lot of things I never new.
Thanks for a meditative stop on my little journey through Alphabe-Thursday's letter "M"!
A+
PS. My naturopath tells me she is getting me a book on moving meditation. She thinks that might be the only way to get me to do it! ha!
I meditate,but not the TM way. I do find it helps me sort out my reality! Joni
I'm not very good at meditating. Last year, at our child sexual abuse treatment center, our boss had us do a meditation course. Since it was on work time and we dealt with some pretty horrible stuff in our jobs, I, of course, participated. I had a hell of a time trying to clear my mind to participate.
Cool!
Thanks for coming to visit me!
Great M post.....maybe you and your friend could make some extra money giving lessons....lol....that is a steep price! I hope you stop by my blog if you get a chance to read my M post.
sounds useful for stressful situations, also it is like yoga in a way
anyway, thanks for your visit
I am trying to get to everyone's M posts...ah!!! if only there were more free blogging hours in a day!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Blessings & Aloha!
great M! We all need it!
I did not know any of this. I do not sit without doing something at the same time. I think prayer is the closest thing I have to meditation.
I think meditation is a good thing ...no matter how you do it.
Viki I remember TM! I bought a little paperback book about it and tried to learn how to do it myself. I did yoga when I was younger but haven's done it in years.
Did you know that the singer Norah Jones is the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's daughter?
Interesting! Yeah, I'd say we came out of the same general era. LOL
Thanks for coming by my spot!
Blessings!
Nice post.Thanks for the comment over at mine.:) Have a wonderful weekend!
When I remember to do this - it works! Why don't I think about meditating more often? Time to slow down and get back to the deep breathing.
Interesting post. You and your girl friend were very adventurous. Btw read your post above. You're a Kwiatkowski too! No way! That's so funny. :)
I learn to breathe slowly and thinking of places that calm me..Great post!
I've tried yoga a few times and find the relaxation at the beginning and end the best parts! Would love to try real mediation though!
Meditation is good for the soul! I should do it more myself, I feel blogging is my meditation lol!~ Gosh VIKI where have I been I had some catching up to do!~ My last two posts this week had a lot of comments and I have been trying to catch up:)
I really, really need to get back into meditation...
Great post!
It would be hard for me because my mind tends to wander very easily. Good for you!
Late getting here but wanted to say I love your M choice. We should all pick a mantra and meditate...
And if PJ is older than dirt and fire, that makes me older than the rocks the dirt came from..(o:
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