What is Transcendental Meditation and Transcendental Meditation Mantra?
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi created the easy-to-follow method known as Transcendental Meditation in the 1950s. Transcendental Meditation uses a certain mantra that is quietly repeated in a particular manner to assist the mind in automatically entering a state of profound rest and relaxation, in contrast to other meditation techniques that call for active attention.
Transcendental Meditation mantras are a distinctive sound or phrase with no special meaning. The mantra serves as a means of guiding the mind into a state of transcendence, or pure consciousness, beyond conscious cognition. Generally, a professional teacher selects a customized mantra for each person based on a number of criteria, including gender and age.
“Meditation is not a means to an end. It is both the means and the end.” Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
History of Transcendental Meditation
The Ancient Indian Vedic Tradition, which dates back thousands of years, is the foundation of the Transcendental Meditation practice. In the 1950s, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced Transcendental Meditation to the West, making it a well-known means of achieving enlightenment and inner peace. Since then, it has become well known and is used by millions of people all over the globe.
Have you recently been introduced to Transcendental Meditation and would like to explore it? If your answer is yes, then you will require some mantras to anchor your meditation practice around them.
In this article, we offer a list of transcendental meditation mantras list, allowing you to select your sacred phrase and begin this soothing and spiritually uplifting practice.
Let’s get going!
Benefits of Transcendental Meditation Mantras
Before we jump right to the list of the mantras, it will help to understand the role that mantras play in the Transcendental Meditation practice. A Mantra, or Mantram, is a sacred phrase or sound repeated silently or out loud during religious and spiritual practices.
- A mindfulness meditation mantra may or may not have a literal meaning, but it is considered to be a vehicle for spiritual growth
- It also helps build concentration during prayer and meditation. Transcendental and mindfulness meditation mantras form an integral part of these meditative practices.
- It can help lower stress, clear your mind, and boost your emotional health
- If you do it regularly, many practitioners say that they can focus better and feel less anxious after just a few weeks of regular exercise.
How Transcendental Meditation Works?
The Transcendental Mantra Technique is designed to settle the mind effortlessly, using the power of transcendental meditation mantras to lead the mind into a state of restful awareness.
Here’s how it works:
- Preparation: Practitioners sit comfortably with eyes closed, allowing the body to relax fully.
- Mantra Repetition: In transcendental meditation, the mantra is repeated silently for about 15-20 minutes as the practitioner sits in a meditative pose with their eyes closed. A personalized mantra, usually derived from Vedic tradition, is repeated to redirect the mind away from external distractions. They are usually Vedic mantras and are assigned to the practitioner at the time of their initiation into the practice by a teacher.
- Deepening Relaxation: Thoughts and problems fall away easily as the mind concentrates on the chant, putting the mind into a deep state of relaxation. Different mantras are believed to have different effects on the mind, with some promoting a sense of relaxation, enhancing consciousness, or bringing prosperity.
- Transcendence: With consistent practice, the mind slips into a state of pure awareness, free from thought, fostering deep rest and inner peace.
Having gained a basic idea about Transcendental Meditation Mantras, let us now proceed to the list.
Key Transcendental Vedic Meditation Mantras List
Transcendental Meditation Mantras List by Age
These mantras are derived from ancient Vedic traditions, where specific sounds are believed to resonate with different mental and spiritual states. Here are some mantras that you can choose from according to your age:
Serial number | Mantra | Age group |
1. | Eng | 1-11 |
2. | Em | 12-13 |
3. | Enga | 14-15 |
4. | Ema | 16-17 |
5. | Ieng | 18-19 |
6. | Iem | 20-21 |
7. | Ienga | 22-23 |
8. | Iema | 24-25 |
9. | Shirim | 26-29 |
10 | Shiring | 30-34 |
11. | Kirim | 35-39 |
12. | Kiring | 40-44 |
13. | Hirim | 45-49 |
14. | Hiring | 50-54 |
15. | Sham | 55-59 |
16. | Shama | 60 and above |
Transcendental Vedic Meditation Mantras List by Gender
We will now have a look at the different Transcendental Meditation mantras for men and women.
For Women | For Men | Significance |
Shiram | Ram | Strength and Virtue |
Im | Ing | Spiritual growth, and Introspection |
Aim | Aing | Knowledge, Wisdom, and Success |
Shirim | Shiring | Prosperity and Abundance |
Shiama | Shiam | Love and Compassion |
Some More Transcendental Meditation Mantra Phrases
If you are looking for some long-form mantras, here is a short list of them.
- Om Shanti: For peace and tranquility.
- Om Namah Shivaya: Bowing down to Shiva or the universal divine entity encompassing both creation and destruction.
- Sat Chit Ananda: To attain joy through harmony between mind, body, and soul.
- Sat Nam: Used for kundalini awakening.
- Om Mani Padme Hum: This signifies the combination of the right methods and knowledge for attaining enlightenment.
- Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha: Helps attain inner calm and higher states of consciousness.
- Dum Durgayai Namaha: Protects you from untoward happenings.
- Shri Aing Namah: Helps attain a meditative state.
- Hung Vam Jaye Maha Laxmi Ki Jai: Provides you with abundance, promotes calmness of the mind, and helps make the right decisions.
Now that you are familiar with some Transcendental Meditation Mantras, we will offer you a few helpful tips about choosing the right mantra for yourself.
“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” Buddha
How do I find my Transcendental Meditation Mantra?
To choose the right mantra for yourself, you need to take into account your age, gender, temperament, and objectives to be achieved through Transcendental Meditation.
Transcendental Meditation (TM) mantras, including the ones listed above, do not have direct meanings in the context of TM practice. The TM organization emphasizes that the mantras are selected for their vibrational qualities and are not meant to carry specific semantic meanings. Their purpose is to act as a sound or vibration to focus the mind and help achieve a deeply restful and meditative state.
The mantra that you decide to go along with should have a personal meaning for you, motivate you, help you stand your ground in the face of difficulties, and appeal directly and deeply to you.
If you want deeper insight into TM mantra assignment and usage, it is best to consult certified TM teachers or study the Vedic texts on which these sounds are based. Your Transcendental Meditation teacher will also help you choose the right mantra according to your specific requirements.
What Is the Right Time to Chant the Mantra?
Though you can chant the mantra whenever time and your surroundings permit, it is recommended to place your transcendental meditation sessions early in the morning, late afternoon, or early evening.
Early Morning
Meditating after waking up and before having your breakfast can help you get prepared to face the day by increasing resilience to stress, imparting mental clarity, and promoting a positive outlook. It also helps to smoothly transform the state of mind from a resting phase during sleep to a wakeful phase, countering morning fatigue.
Late Afternoon [Early Evening]
Another ideal time for Transcendental Meditation practice is late afternoon or early evening, when you are done with work for the day and would like to make a smooth transition back to the personal sphere of life. It can help reduce the stress that may have resulted from a long day at work, navigating through all kinds of challenges.
“Meditation is the journey from sound to silence, from movement to stillness, from a limited identity to unlimited space.” Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
Conclusion
Transcendental Meditation is a simple but effective approach for achieving profound relaxation, reducing stress, and developing awareness. Mantras play a crucial role in the practice of Transcendental Meditation making it important to choose the right one for yourself. You can use the Transcendental Meditation Mantras list given in this blog article to decide which mantra suits you the best.
Transcendental Meditation helps you to attain a level of pure awareness by using a unique, individualized mantra, which promotes mental clarity and emotional resilience. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced meditator, including Transcendental Meditation into your daily routine may improve your well-being and bring calm into your life. Adopting the appropriate mantra via Transcendental Meditation practice may be a significant step toward a thoughtful, balanced life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best mantra for transcendental meditation?
The best mantra for transcendental meditation is one that was picked by a qualified Transcendental Meditation teacher during training because it is unique to each person.
How many mantras are there in Transcendental Meditation?
In Transcendental Meditation, there is no set amount of chants because each one is given a unique name based on Vedic custom.
Can I learn Transcendental Meditation on my own?
It is best to learn Transcendental Meditation from a trained teacher because they can give each student specific help and a phrase that works for them.
What makes Transcendental Meditation different from other mindfulness meditation mantras?
Transcendental Meditation is different from mindfulness methods because it uses a mantra to put the mind into a state of relaxed awareness without requiring active attention.
Is there a transcendental meditation mantra list?
Transcendental Meditation chants come from the Vedic tradition, but they are usually given one at a time and not made public as a list.