About Transcendental Meditation (TM)
TM is a simple, natural technique practiced for 15–20 minutes twice a day, sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. The technique allows the active thinking mind to settle into a state of “restful alertness,” in which the body is deeply relaxed while the mind remains quiet, calm, and fully awake. More than 15 million people around the world have learned TM, spanning generations, cultures, and religious traditions.
Comments from Meditating Students
What is the scientific evidence
for the benefits of the technique?
Over the past 50 years, hundreds of studies at universities and research institutions around the world have examined the effects of the TM technique on mental and physical health. Please click here for citations of 60 studies.
The National Institutes of Health and other federal agencies have awarded more than $30 million in grants to study TM in relation to heart disease, PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, and other stress-related conditions.
Published research has also shown significant improvements in:
- brain function
- emotional intelligence
- creativity
- sleep
- self-actualization
and decreases in:
- anxiety
- depression
- burnout
- fatigue
How does TM differ from
other forms of meditation?
TM is an easily learned, effortless technique that does not require concentration or control of the mind. It can also be practiced alongside other forms of meditation and mindfulness.
How is the technique taught?
Instruction in the TM technique takes place over four consecutive days, through a combination of in-person and virtual learning. On the first day, participants receive in-person, small-group instruction in the TM technique. The remaining three consecutive days are completed virtually and combine self-guided learning with a brief group meditation and check-in with the instructor via Zoom. Participants can expect approximately 60–90 minutes of instruction and learning each of the four days, as well as free, ongoing support after completion.
How can I get started?
Through Mindful USC’s partnership with the David Lynch Foundation, full scholarships are available for USC students, faculty, and staff to learn the Transcendental Meditation technique. Please click here to register for a TM course.
About David Lynch Foundation
The David Lynch Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by filmmaker David Lynch in 2005 to provide free Transcendental Meditation (TM) instruction to adults and young people experiencing high levels of stress or facing barriers to accessing supportive resources. This has included students, frontline healthcare workers, first responders, veterans, women and children who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault, and others who may benefit from the practice. Over the past 20 years, DLF has provided scholarships for more than 1.5 million young people and adults to learn TM in the US and around the world.