Maharishi Mahesh Yogi revived the practice of a simple meditation technique and called it Transcendental Meditation in 1959. His aim was to help people achieve stress-free lives and embrace inner peace. He is also the person responsible for bringing this huge wave of Transcendental Meditation in the West.
Maharishi’s exceptional and relatable teachings made the Western world realize the importance of spirituality. He also introduced Ayurveda to the West and played a crucial role in revival of ancient knowledge. The Yogi have trained more than 40,000 Transcendental Meditation teachers worldwide. And have taught the technique to more than 5 million people. He also established thousands of teaching centres and hundreds of colleges, universities and schools in India, Canada, the US, the UK, Switzerland, and some other countries.
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Maharishi Ayurveda
With an aim of reviving the age-old knowledge of Ayurveda, Maharishi founded Maharishi Ayurveda. Maharishi Ayurveda looks into health with a holistic approach and takes into consideration all aspects of mind and body. Maharishi Ayurveda believes the right lifestyle brings balance to our body and life. It further says that it is not a disease that creates an imbalance, rather, the disease is a symptom of imbalance. When our body is into a state of equilibrium, which is the body’s natural state, we live in good health.
Maharishi Ayurveda helps treat thousand of patients, cure diseases and promotes longevity. The institute also manufactures Ayurvedic medicines that are free from harmful side effects. They use whole plants, herbs, seeds, and other authentic Ayurvedic ingredients. Their potent formulations deliver maximum cushioning to the mind, body, and emotions. Extensive research and experiences have confirmed the authenticity of Maharishi Ayurveda and proven its effectiveness.
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Birth and early life
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was born as Mahesh Prasad Varma in 1917, in Jabalpur and he passed away on February 5, 2008. Very little is known about Maharishi’s early life. He studied physics at the University of Allahabad, and for some time worked in different factories. He then left for the Himalayas and studied under Guru Dev, the founder of Transcendental Meditation for 13 years. After Guru Dev’s death in 1952, Maharishi organised a movement to spread his teachings throughout the world. He embarked upon a world tour in 1959, and his first destination was the United States.
What is Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation is a type of meditation that is practised twice a day. The technique of this meditation is quite simple and natural. In a way, it is letting the mind settle down and experience peace and calm. One can achieve this by practising the technique twice a day for twenty minutes. The practitioner mentally recites a special mantra. On full concentration the repeated utterances of the mantra will take you to a higher state of consciousness.
Though Transcendental Meditation is not a mantra-based meditation, yet it does talk about mantras. According to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, “Mantra is a specific thought which suits us, a suitable sound for us which we receive from a trained teacher of Transcendental Meditation.”
Impact of Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation makes you calm through its well-proven effects of letting your nervous system settle into a state of deep rest. This will automatically make you calm and reduce your level of stress. This technique is also proven to have a positive impact on our blood pressure, immune system, eating habits, and sleep.
As our neurosis settles and becomes peaceful, our mind automatically becomes more insightful. It has been said that after practising Transcendental Meditation regularly, people become more mindful, creative, gain concentrate, and can reach their full potential.
Transcendental Meditation travels to the West
In the late 1970s, Mahesh introduced the Transcendental Meditation programme to the world. He started working closely with leading global Ayurvedic physicians and scholars. Thus, reviving the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda, the system of holistic healing.
The Maharishi also restored the scattered Vedic literature that was thousands of years old into a complete science. Transcendental Meditation movement was growing slowly till in the late 1960s, the Beatles, a famous rock music group, and several celebrities joined the movement. Since then, Transcendental Meditation started spreading far and wide and became extremely popular in the United States.
A salute to Maharishi Mahesh
Maharishi Mahesh is one of those rare gems born once in a century who makes an impact on the entire world. It won’t be wrong to say that, it is his hard work and relentless efforts that has made Ayurveda one of the most interested subjects of modern world. And finally, its time the guru gets his due credit!