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Transcendental Meditation
TM is the brand name of a technique called transcendental meditation that has existed for many thousands of years. It is practiced using personalised mantras which allow you to access a deep meditative state. At Beeja we teach transcendental meditation classes in London, in a way that is down to earth and designed to work with busy modern lives. Whilst the technique itself is very personal, we are very much a community here to tap into whenever you want or need. We offer free follow up support for life, free group meditations, and lots of super fun live events in London and beyond.
While the origins of the techniques are the same, there are several key distinctions between what the organisation behind TM is offering and what we, as independent conduits of this ancient technique, are providing...
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What is TM?
Transcendental Meditation, also known as TM, is the name of a technique that was popularised in the 1960s and 1970s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It originates from the Vedic technique of Nishkam Karma Yoga, which was widely practiced in the ancient Vedic culture of Northern India.
Beeja meditation is a form of the ancient technique that’s been branded as “TM”.
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How is TM practiced?
You are given a personalised mantra that acts as a vehicle for a physiologically restful and neurologically powerful state that the ancient sages of India called turiya. It is chosen to work with your own nervous system.
You sit quietly, with eyes closed, effortlessly repeating a mantra in the mind, for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Turiya is a state of transcendence, which is very nourishing to mind and body. This state is very distinct from the results achieved by concentration and contemplation-based techniques and is why Maharishi named his movement Transcendental Meditation.
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Beeja meditation vs TM
At Beeja every teacher has spent years meditating with us to the highest levels. Will was personally trained by the world’s greatest master of this knowledge and it has made a significant impact on his ability to pass this knowledge on in the most powerful way. Unfortunately the TM organisation suffered from its own success; it grew so quickly (teaching around 40,000 teachers in 20 years) that they found it impossible to nurture and develop all their teachers to the standards that had preceded them. Many teachers were admitted to teacher training without having at least a few years of meditation under their belts.
That said, there are many great teachers of TM out there if you can find them. The best way to compare is to come along to one of our introductory talks in London and compare it with one given by a London Transcendental Meditation (TM) teacher, and see which one resonates.
Attitudes and approach: We have heard a few folks comment on how TM's iteration of transcendental meditation feels a little bit corporate. That’s of course subjective. Others have reported that it is much more exclusive in outlook: if you haven’t learned officially through their organisation, then you are not welcome. At Beeja we welcome anyone who has learned TM into our family.
Cost: On a more practical note, learning transcendental meditation through TM is considerably more expensive than we are, and yet we appear to offer students greater value in terms of ongoing support and teaching excellence. By learning transcendental meditation with us in London, you will have access to a wealth of personalised aftercare for as long as you need it.
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The benefits of Beeja
The biggest difference between Beeja and TM is in the level of aftercare. We are here to support you for as long as you need after your course. We are always just an email or a phone call away, and have 24 FREE group meditations in London that you can attend every month, as well as special live events throughout the year.
What’s more, you have access to these for life. If you had access to over twenty free yoga classes per month for life, there is no doubt you would excel. It is exactly the same here.
If you wish to take your meditation further, we take you step by step through your journey of progression, giving you the tools and knowledge you need to confidently integrate these more powerful techniques into your practice.
Within TM, they can be keen for you to upgrade as quickly as possible. At Beeja we think it’s important for you to take things at your own pace, and give yourself enough time to fully embrace each stage of the practice.
This sounds bold, but we are confident that our Beginner’s and Advanced meditation courses are more relevant and more insightful than what is being offered through standard TM channels.
Ultimately, if you’re interested in learning this technique with a transcendental meditation course in London, it is worth looking into both our offerings and seeing which one feels right for you.
Good luck!
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Upcoming courses
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Reviews
“I tried Transcendental Meditation with Will and since then I have been motivated to meditate twice a day and it has been quite simply life changing. I feel so much more grounded and centered. I'm also experiencing a lot more synchronicity in my life.”
“I have learned this knowledge with TM and with Beeja, and I have to say the Beeja approach is so much more for me!”
"I’m loving the meditation and amazed at the impact it’s had on me. All the old anxieties have just melted away – I feel like I’m functioning in a completely different space.”
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