How is TM different than Naam Simran, or other mantra meditation?

[WonderingWanderer]

I have been meditating for the past 15 years, or so. Initially this was mainly breathing and Vipassana through Buddhist studies and meditation at Buddhist temples. More recently I have started to also do Naam Simran and Vedanta meditation techniques. Transcendental meditation is so popular and I always hear about it mainly through celebrities. It seems essentially like a Naam Simran, or other mantra based meditation, so why are there such elaborate courses and why does it seem so cultish? Thanks.

Om shanti shanti shanti.

 

[stvdv]

I have been meditating for the past 15 years, or so. Initially this was mainly breathing and Vipassana through Buddhist studies and meditation at Buddhist temples. More recently I have started to also do Naam Simran and Vedanta meditation techniques. Transcendental meditation is so popular and I always hear about it mainly through celebrities. It seems essentially like a Naam Simran, or other mantra based meditation, so why are there such elaborate courses and why does it seem so cultish? Thanks.

Om shanti shanti shanti.

Namasmarana is chanting with Feeling of Love towards your chosen deity
TM is chanting without Feeling aspect towards deity
See practitioners and feel the difference

 

[Aupmanyav]

I have no knowledge about TM. But how is mantra chanting different from 'nama smarana'? After all, in a mantra also, one recites the name of a deity or deities. But then, there is nothing beyond 'nama smarana', that is considered enough in itself.
What did I do? I sang. What did I sing? Normally "Om namah Vasudevaya namah" or "Om namo Narayanaya namah". Sang, that means gave it different notes, sort of giving music for different songs every time. But then 1. I changed the speed of the chant ever slower, 2. Introduced random breaks in between the words or two chants, and lengthened the breaks, finally into silence. This type of meditation was my own invention (by chance) with no Guru (as people will know, I am against the institution of gurus). I do not engage in any meditation now since I have found the answers to all my questions.

 

[Vinayaka]

I have been meditating for the past 15 years, or so. Initially this was mainly breathing and Vipassana through Buddhist studies and meditation at Buddhist temples. More recently I have started to also do Naam Simran and Vedanta meditation techniques. Transcendental meditation is so popular and I always hear about it mainly through celebrities. It seems essentially like a Naam Simran, or other mantra based meditation, so why are there such elaborate courses and why does it seem so cultish? Thanks.

Om shanti shanti shanti.

I am no expert. Still, I have some thoughts on it.
Japa is japa, not meditation. (in my school) and the purposes might vary from teacher to teacher, school to school. There are many factors involved: the personal ability to concentrate, the 'awakening' of the intitiator, when it's done, how it's done, and much more.

Here's a story on initiation: A king hears of the greatness of mantras, so summons his kulaguru for initiation. The Guru refuses, saying, "But Your Honour, you haven't done any preparation. I don't feel you're ready for mantra diksha." The king gets angry and dismisses the Guru from his court. On the way out, the Guru yells at the guards, while pointing to the king, "Arrest that man!" The guards do nothing.
The king, now even angrier, commands the guards to arrest the Guru, and they straight away arrest him. But the Guru somehow convinces them that he has one more word with the king.
He explains "This is how initiation works. Your father gave you the authority to say 'Arrest that man!" I wasn't given that authority. Sp the words worked for you, but not for me."
Understanding his mistake, the king prostrated and vowed to do some preparation for diksha. 6 months later the Guru granted it.

Also, there is a great difference between a mantra, and singing praise of a mantra. These days those two have often been confused.

Whatever you're getting out of a mantra is great. But there may be ways to get greater benefit.

 

[ajay0]

I have been meditating for the past 15 years, or so. Initially this was mainly breathing and Vipassana through Buddhist studies and meditation at Buddhist temples. More recently I have started to also do Naam Simran and Vedanta meditation techniques. Transcendental meditation is so popular and I always hear about it mainly through celebrities. It seems essentially like a Naam Simran, or other mantra based meditation, so why are there such elaborate courses and why does it seem so cultish? Thanks.

Om shanti shanti shanti.

TM is a mantra-based meditation system with a certain degree of complexity, imho. It has a due process which must be properly adhered to failing which there may be complications and issues , and I know some case studies in this regard. I am not belittling it, but warning of the issues in this regard due to lack of due process and diligence by superficial students, and also poor quality teachers.

The Brahmakumari meditations lack such issues and complications due to their relative ease of learning and simplicity.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

TM is a mantra-based meditation system with a certain degree of complexity, imho. It has a due process which must be properly adhered to failing which there may be complications and issues , and I know some case studies in this regard. I am not belittling it, but warning of the issues in this regard due to lack of due process and diligence by superficial students, and also poor quality teachers.

The Brahmakumari meditations lack such issues and complications due to their relative ease of learning and simplicity.

I learned TM many years ago, and I don't think it's complex at all. One repeats the mantra and allows it to become quieter and quieter, allowing it to lead you into silence. Whatever complications arise usually have to do with one's thoughts surrounding the practice. Check-ins are highly-encouraged, but are not mandatory for growth or remaining part of the TM "family". If you are truly new to meditating, however, the check-ins are probably very beneficial.