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What is Transcendental Meditation (TM)? Which books to take up to learn about its history and benefits? Here are ten useful titles that will get you well established — from scientific research to first-hand accounts, from basic introductions to pointers on the road towards more advanced levels.
Ten arguably the greatest books on TM
1. A PERFECT INTRODUCTION
Transcendental Meditation: The Essential Teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Jack Forem, a student of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, has been teaching meditation for nearly 40 years. This updated edition of his best-selling book from 1976 covers all relevant topics related to the TM practice: happiness, health, relationships, education, spirituality and religion, self-actualization, peace in the individual, the society and the world at large. Written in a clear, reader-friendly and inspiring way, this is a perfect introduction for someone considering to learn TM — and a heart-warming reminder for a current practitioner of what a joy it is to practice meditation. — read full review
2. HOW IT HEALS YOUR MIND
Transcendence: Healing and transformation through Transcendental Meditation
Winner of the 2012 Nautilus Award, this overview of scientifically researched benefits of Transcendental Meditation by Dr Norman E. Rosenthal is an excellent book about human condition in the modern world. It is a succinct analysis of how and why the practice of TM can help people with various mental health problems (stress, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, anger, ADHD, addiction etc). Rosenthal writes about different environments ranging from maximum security prisons to Wall Street, from inner-city schools to Hollywood. — read full review
3. PRACTITIONERS TELL THEIR STORIES
Symphony of Silence. An Enlightened Vision
If you are someone walking (or about to walk) the path of discovering the richness of silence within, this book provides you stories of fellow travellers. George A. Ellis has pieced together an exquisite mosaic of interviews and stories. Each part of the whole reflects on a connection between inner silence and a different aspect of human existence including arts, sciences and religions. Ellis himself has done pioneering work in the area of criminal rehabilitation and set up many companies based on the principles of Transcendental Meditation. — read full review
4. THE CORE AND ESSENCE
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita: A new translation and commentary, chapters 1-6
The translation and commentary by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi of the first 6 chapters of the ancient Vedic scripture Bhagavad Gita is definitely an advanced level read. Maharishi, who introduced the practice of Transcendental Meditation to the West in 1968, does not talk here explicitly about technique or benefits or scientific research. Rather, these insights allow the readers to grasp the deep and subtle philosophical essence of a spiritual path. In other words, this is a book about the very core of Transcendental Meditation. — read full review
5. SECRETS TO CREATIVITY
Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity
Celebrated movie director, artist and musician David Lynch shares his thoughts about creativity and the role Transcendental Meditation plays in it. The book flows from the same source as Lynch’s famously imaginative film-making — the writing is simple yet strikingly fresh, vast abstract ideas are effortlessly moulded into memorable images. A wonderful piece of autobiography, philosophy and fiction all in one.— read full review
6. WHERE FICTION MEETS REALITY
The Best of All Possible Worlds
The first novel by B. Steven Verney, a long-time practitioner and teacher of Transcendental Meditation, is a spiritual and philosophical work of fiction based on author’s own life. The main character, Sam O’Connor, is a philosophy graduate student whose life takes an unexpected turn when he meets the love of his life — and suddenly finds himself at a TM teacher training course in Switzerland. — read full review
7. FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS, AND POEMS
The Transcendental Meditation Technique and the Journey of Enlightenment
This elegant account by Ann Purcell is filled with experiences of higher states of consciousness from meditators from around the world. The book is lucidly written, and clearly structured without being dense. It is both light on the mind and uplifting for the heart. We recommend the book to all meditators new and old who like to devour books quickly without too much demands placed on their time or metaphysical prowess. Overall a great synthesis of deep experience and understanding of the practice of meditation. — read full review
8. HOW TM RELATES TO HAPPINESS
Science of Being and Art of Living:Transcendental Meditation
Since it was first published way back in 1963, the book has sold more than 1.1 million copies in the U.S. alone and has been translated into more than 15 languages. In this one-of-a-kind masterpiece, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi unfolds his vision and understanding about bringing one’s life to a complete, 24/7 fulfillment through performing right action in life. — read full review
9. TM PRACTICE AND YOGA
Maharishi’s Yoga: The Royal Path to Enlightenment
What is the link between Transcendental Meditation and yoga? Can one count on yoga for becoming more flexible mentally as well as physically? William F. Sandshas written a brilliant book, Maharishi’s Yoga, to provide comprehensive answers to these questions and to explain some of the more complex themes in yoga philosophy. — read full review
10. A CASE STUDY OF HEALTH BENEFITS
The Resilient Warrior: Healing the Hidden Wounds of War
A moving chronicle of veteran Jerry Yellin’s fight with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which grows into a national operation for healing the invisible wounds of war with the Transcendental Meditation program. Co-authored by Dr. Sarina Grosswald, an expert in cognitive development and learning.— read full review.
What readers have said about these books
On Transcendence by Norman E. Rosenthal:
- “The best ever book written about Transcendental Meditation!” — David Lynch
- “Let me return to my surgical roots and cut to my conclusion: Dr. Rosenthal’s book is a profoundly important book on a topic that you need to know a lot more on.” — Dr. Mehmet Oz
On Transcendental Meditation by Jack Forem:
- “Many books have been written about the Transcendental Meditation technique and the array of benefits enjoyed by those who practice it. Jack Forem’s book stands out not only because it is eminently readable and entertaining, but because it is such a clear and comprehensive introduction to TM, the principles behind it, and the research demonstrating its effectiveness. It’s a joy to read and a breath of fresh air.” — Gary P. Kaplan M.D., Ph.D.
- “In these pages, Oprah Winfrey tells how she has offered TM to everyone on her staff. Dr. Mehmet Oz explains the benefits of TM for heart health. School principals describe the dramatically positive effect on their students when TM is introduced in the classroom. Interviews with celebrities as well as men and women of every age, background, and religion provide a lively testimonial to the efficacy of TM.” — back cover
On The Resilient Warrior by Jerry Yellin:
- “This book is so powerful, you will want to buy extra copies to give to friends and family! I believe Transcendental Meditation will be their greatest gift if the soldiers of war open their minds to it.”— Carole Smith
On Journey of Enlightenment by Ann Purcell:
- “Beautiful synthesis of heart and mind, this book is written from the personal and truthful perspective of an individual who has absorbed the depth and breadth of Maharishi’s extraordinarily profound and practical knowledge. It reveals how growth toward enlightenment is expressed through tender, subjective experiences of the transcendent. It also shows how enlightenment may be understood from a completely objective scientific point of view as the progressive refinement and development of total neurophysiological functioning.” — Dr. Keith Wallace
- “This book follows the author’s journey on the path of enlightenment and also gives accounts of athletes, artists, musicians, and people from all walks of life who have had spontaneous experiences of higher states of consciousness at some point. It lays out the systematic knowledge of seven states of consciousness and how they can be easily unfolded through the experience of transcendence.” — back cover
On The Best of All Possible Worlds by Steven Verney:
- “Not being a person who practices transcendental meditation, I quickly began to wonder how the author could engage me. The mechanism Steven Verney used was to put me in the care of characters I began to care about. They took me through a wide open door that opened into considering realms beyond their personalities into the mysteries of thought and possibilities that are there for us all. It’s a book that will give you back more than you put in. It’s a book to think about. It’s a book to sit with when one is in a mood to savor and go beyond the words. I finished this book, but will be revisiting it.” — Kathy-Ann Becker
On Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch:
- “As both a fan of David Lynch’s work and someone who is interested in meditation I found the book quite an interesting read. If you are a creative person, go ahead and buy it, you wont be disappointed.” — P. Dionysopoulus
- “It is a simple quick read that you will more than likely go back and read certain chapters again. It is a very thought provoking book.” — Matthew Daugherty
On A Symphony of Silence by George A. Ellis:
- “If you want a vision of enlightenment, but more importantly, how enlightenment can be practically lived in daily life, you will enjoy the knowledge of growing enlightenment in this book from many different perspectives — the musician’s, artist’s, religious scholar’s, the scientist’s, and even the perspective from inside a prison. This book sings a pure symphony of silence, which is your own true Self!” — Ann P. Tierney
Learn more about the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation technique at a free introductory talk with a certified TM teacher.
Sign up for the next talk nearest you on our site at: http://switzerland.tm.org/web/m/find-a-teacher
This article originally appeared on TM Home at: www.tmhome.com
