Transcendental Meditation, popularly known as TM, was introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1917–2008) in 1958. Today, its programs and related initiatives are represented on six continents, claim upwards of six million adherents, and boast campuses in the United States, Mexico, England, India, and China.
It was not until the Beatles went to India and met with its founder, however, that TM made its appearance on the Western stage. Subsequently, many artists followed suit and brought with them into the Mahrishi’s fold innumerable devotees. Such widespread – if fleeting – fervor was enough to win the Maharishi the cover of Time Magazine in 1975.
The techniques of meditation are claimed by its founder to be “a path to God.” To follow this path, however, TM does not require any change in either faith or belief.
TM has, since its inception, invited and encouraged scientific investigation of its claims. Because of this remarkable openness, a wealth of studies has been conducted on the...
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Bibliography
Gilpin, G. (2006). The Maharishi effect: A personal journey through the movement that transformed American spirituality. New York: Tarcher-Penguin.
Mason, P. (2005). Maharishi Mahesh yogi: The biography of the man who gave transcendental meditation to the world. Merchantville: Evolution Publishing.
Persinger, M. (1980). TM and cult mania. Hanover: Christopher Pub House.
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Boeving, N.G. (2020). Transcendental Meditation. In: Leeming, D.A. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-24348-7_706
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