Transcendental Meditation (TM) brings balance to life. It brings energy and focus to anyone who is feeling 'stuck', but at the same time it creates calmness and stability if you are over-active.
Most people find that after learning TM they throw off stress, achieve greater mental clarity, develop a broader perspective on their life, and experience increased vitality.
When an arrow is drawn back on the bow, it is silent and calm, but it is full of potential. TM creates a similar situation: you are both calm and ready to move. This gives you energy to hit the target like the arrow.
TM suits the pace of modern life.

There are 24 hours in a day and 3% of that is enough for TM! Twice a day, sitting comfortably, eyes closed is enough to enjoy the benefits.
It's important what we prioritize. If you want the arrow to hit the target, you must first draw it back on the bow. Gaining strength and focus through deep rest is the basis for success in a busy life.
As the famous comedian Jerry Seinfeld says: "TM works. You will feel better sleeping 4,5 hours and doing that 20. Because that's deeper than anything."

There is always room for improvement!
Everyone can enjoy the benefits of Transcendental Meditation (TM). You don't need to be struggling to get the most out of meditation. TM simply enables you to realise your full potential. Sometimes people aren't aware of all the tension they have been carrying, because it has simply felt normal. However after learning TM they realise how far they have moved forward in every aspect of their lives. Improved relationships, less stress, more creativity and better health.

No, just the opposite. TM is completely effortless!
Other systems of meditation generally involve some degree of concentration, control, or 'trying to empty the mind'. And this can be very difficult.
TM uses the natural tendency of the mind. It's easy to learn and enjoyable to practice.

There's no need to be in a quiet place when you do TM. You can do it on the train to and from work for example, at home or at work.

Transcendental Meditation (TM) does not involve concentration. Unlike other types of meditation TM requires no effort, no trying to "empty the mind", no mindfulness (monitoring of thoughts), and no control of the mind; it's effortless.
Anyone can do it — even if you "can't meditate" TM is easy to learn and enjoyable to practice; it works with the mind's natural tendency instead of fighting against it as other meditations do. It's 100% natural and effective. Everyone can practice TM, including people with ADHD, autism and children from 4 years of age. TM has no harmful side effects.

The state of consciousness experienced during Transcendental Meditation (TM) is significanltly different to the states of deep sleep, dream or waking. Transcendental Consciousness, the fourth state of consciousness (restful alertness), is the fundamental constituent of life that has been known for thousands of years but has been forgotten in recent times.
This fourth state of consciousness is also called 'the bridge' because it is necessary to pass through this bridge to achieve higher states of consciousness. In this state, the mind is both calm and awake. This fourth consciousness supports the other three consciousness (sleep, dream, alertness).
Sleep is important for getting rid of the fatigue that we pick up in the course of a day's activity. But it doesn't necessarily resolve deeper-rooted stress and tension that may have been there for years.

No. Transcendental Meditation (TM) is scientifically proven, and does not require belief, philosophy or any lifestyle change. Even sceptics benefit!
What Transcendental Meditation provides is an experience: an experience of the silent state of the mind. This experience does not conflict with any existing beliefs, religious or otherwise. In fact people often find that regular meditation brings a sense of clarity and perspective to their highest aspirations.
The impact of TM on improving health and wellbeing has been proven by more than 600 independent scientific studies.

A one-time tuition fee is charged for TM. You only need to learn once and then you have it for life.
You can practice and benefit from TM at any time, anywhere, without getting any help or guidance from anyone else. You learn over 4 days, and after that you carry it inside yourself everywhere you go. If you want a tune up you can contact any TM Centre in the world and attend events worldwide.
In short, TM is a great way to invest in yourself! You'll reap the benefits of a calmer, more creative, more energised life.

TM certainly helps to release mental stress and tension. But it's clear that a very high proportion of doctor visits are for problems which may be physical in their expression, but which are psychosomatic, or stress-related, in origin.
TM is scientifically shown to be helpful in the prevention and treatment of many of these stress-related health problems.

TM instruction is not offered during the intro talk because learning is a personal, one-to-one experience.
Following the talk there will be an opportunity to meet privately with the teacher to discuss personal considerations. Attending an intro does not commit you to learn - it's an opportunity to find out more about the benefits and answer any questions you may have.

Music directs attention outward. In contrast, TM directs the attention inward, to the source of thought, so there is no need to listen to meditation music.
During TM the mind experiences quieter levels of awareness, spontaneously. A secondary factor such as music interferes with this process, and will hinder the mind's natural tendency towards inner silence.

TM does not require any focus. The effortless simplicity of the practice is what gives it such effectiveness and power. Focus implies effort, and techniques that involves effort will serve only to keep the mind busy and active. Instead, by using the natural tendency of the mind, TM gives a profound state of rest to mind and body, and it is this universal experience that enlivens all the different energy centres in the body.

No. In fact we specifically recommend that you continue with any treatment prescribed by your doctor until he recommends that you stop.
Over time, with regular meditation, you may find the need for medication is gradually reduced.

No, during TM you don't need to control your breathing. You do not need to try to relax. TM is effortless. No concentration is required.
When the mind settles down with TM, the body also automatically settles down. This naturally causes more refined breathing.
During TM we dive into our natural, inner silence. Our busy minds gradually become quieter. This in turn has an effect on our body - breathing can slow down by 40%. This slowdown in breathing comes from changes in the frontal cortex functions in the anterior part of the brain. This effect of TM is natural and spontaneous - it requires no effort.

TM is practiced in any sitting position you find comfortable. Most people sit comfortably on a couch or chair. It's not important to sit in the lotus position but it is important to be comfortable. TM is a technique for your mind, it's not a body posture.