Is Transcendental Meditation a Hindu practice? The Maharishi is a Hindu isn he?
It’s true that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the founder of the Transcendental Meditation technique however, religious beliefs of a teacher or scientist do not cause their teaching or discoveries to be religious. Einstein’s theory of relativity is not a Jewish law of physics. The genetic theories of the monk Gregor Mendel are not considered Christian precepts. The chosen religion of a high school math teacher has no bearing on his algebra lessons. The TM program, which is derived from an ancient Indian tradition (the Vedic tradition) and has been rediscovered and revived in modern times by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is not a Hindu practice. Maharishi’s religious beliefs and spiritual title have no bearing on his revival of the TM technique as a tool for deep rest, good health and increased well being. Also, Transcendental Meditation comes form the ancient Vedic tradition of India, not the Hindu religion. The Vedic tradition is the oldest continuous tradition of knowledge on earth. In 2003 it wa
It’s true that Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the founder of the Transcendental Meditation technique however,but religious beliefs of a teacher or scientist do not cause their teaching or discoveries to be religious. Einstein’s theory of relativity is not a Jewish law of physics. The genetic theories of the monk Gregor Mendel are not considered Christian precepts. The chosen religion of a high school math teacher has no bearing on his algebra lessons. The TM program, which is derived from an ancient Indian tradition (the Vedic tradition) and has been rediscovered and revived in modern times by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is not a Hindu practice. Maharishi’s religious beliefs and spiritual title have no bearing on his revival of the TM technique as a tool for deep rest, good health and increased well being. Also, Transcendental Meditation comes form the ancient Vedic tradition of India, not the Hindu religion. The Vedic tradition is the oldest continuous tradition of knowledge on earth. In 2003 it
My understanding is that the Transcendental Meditation technique originates from Vedanta rather than Hinduism. Vedanta is one of the most ancient religious philosophies on earth. Hinduism is based on Vedanta, but is philosophically and practically more narrow and limited. According to the Vedanta Society of Southern California “…Vedanta is universal in its application and is equally relevant to all countries, all cultures, and all religious backgrounds.” The same thing could be said of the Transcendental Meditation technique. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi revived this ancient practice and the proper methods of teaching it, so that its unique benefits could be enjoyed by all people on earth. Its application seems to be universal, from helping children with attention deficit disorder, to lowering blood sugar in Native Americans prone to diabetes, to dissolving the every day stresses of life. Sources: http://www.vedanta.
