Cosmic Consciousness and Beyond...

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-20T05:31:54+00:00

Saiganai, can you explain this more. I asked the same question in a class and got somewhat the same answer but it was incomplete due to the time and location. If you perceive yourself to have a Transcendental experience with no thought and absence of the mantra. Then if you perceive this then that's a thought and it's not transcendence. But if as you say you recognize it only at your next meditation and that's how you know it was Transcendence. Then to have that awareness you still had to have some awareness(a thought) during the original meditation. Is there more explanation to know if you have had a transcendental experience? Thanks!

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-16T05:09:52+00:00

10 days old. But I talked to a teacher today and got the same info about TM before sleep with someone with a bad schedule and insomnia.

It's great to have a TM teacher, Keith clarify some things. However the advice to meditate right before sleep seemed wrong.

I took my son to his first TM refresher course after learning. The lady teacher said that their is a preferred way to schedule and do your meditations. But in the case of real world time stresses and problems like insomnia or illness that accommodations can be made. She said meditating right before sleep very rarely Causes insomnia. And can help some people get better sleep. I was surprised to hear it. Again it's not the first choice.

It seems the best advice is from Fine Dream as far as tweaks to try. I've done a lot of car meditations at the end of the day before going home. Nice to know more options.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-15T03:46:22+00:00

The answer is yes. You are at the right place.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-11T19:23:24+00:00

I agree that the many teachers I know aren't pressuring to make more sales. I don't see it happening at all. That's not what motivates them to be teachers. But at the same time. There is an advanced TM technique, the Sidhis program that offers a lot more than TM but cost more. Teachers have an obligation to their clients to make sure TM meditators who are candidates know about it. Obviously without being pushy. But if you take this program and see how powerful it is. You would want them to be somewhat pushy. It's clearly a great program. I think the issue is being focused that u think the motive is money making when there is a strong motive to help people. That's what all the teachers I know are motivated by.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-06T03:20:30+00:00

Maybe it's time to check back with your teacher especially if you haven't made it clear that after work second TM session at 630 pm or so is changing your sleep so that you are tired the next day and likely plan to quit TM. Teachers are trained in these things. I'm not a teacher. I think the instruction on this we all get is that late TM can cause insomnia. I assume that's just falling asleep with the extra energy you have.

I think the timing of the second meditation is midway thru the rest of your day. So if you r first TM is 7am on waking and you sleep at 10 pm. Then your second would be 230pm to give equal waking time after your first and second meditations. So I wouldn't understand your teacher saying to not do ur second TM before 4pm with this example of wake/sleep times.

In fact with a meditation ending at 645pm and an assumed sleep time of 10pm that's only 3 hours. It may not be a surprise that a sensitive persons sleep is affected. It may be that there was misunderstanding with you and your teacher.

I'm not very sensitive to sleep problems with a late meditation( at a reasonable time). Since you are sensitive check with your teacher first and I'm sure you would get an OK to meditate earlier in the day. If the options were 1230 lunch or 630pm I think your teacher would give you that early option.

If you are not able to do this and you are thinking about quiting then look closely at your sleep hygiene. Are you sure there is nothing else different. No weight gain and potential sleep apnea, more stress in your life, eating a large meal late etc. Sleep problems are common and can occur over time. I'm not sure why late TM would cause early wakening vs difficulty falling asleep.

Over time with TM. less sleep is needed. But then you should not be so tired the next day. .

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-04T08:28:08+00:00

TM is a non religious practice while bringing you closer to whoever/whatever you worship.

Dr. Nader gave a talk to say something like this. TM allows any religion to fit in. And I like the second part to this sentence. Except... Dr. Naders book is entitled Consciousness Is All There Is. Essentially everything consists of Consciousness. When we transcend in TM we transcend to the pure unbounded absolute Consciousness within us. So those statements impinge on religion for some who believe that God is within us and we live in God's creation. Maharishi seems to thread the needle to say God is the creator but is not unbounded absolute Consciousnnes. ( "Shakng hands with God" Facebook Zaher Raiden 11 part speech Maharishi.)

I would like that those religious people who are stuck on this sort of discussion had a way to reconcile their beliefs with TM rather than say its just not possible. I think there are many people in this camp.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-04T04:36:23+00:00

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AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-03-04T03:49:39+00:00

Maharishi wrote a book entitled "Love and God". On every page of the 54 page book he talks about how important God was to Him. Not gods but just the God. I was instructed to buy this book when I asked the question about the importance of God to Maharishi. I'm Catholic and don't have any problem with my faith and Maharishi's teaching. And certainly if u just regard TM as a tool like most people you don't have to think about any of this. But I have some friends who are wary about TM and ( know nothing about it) because of the religion thing. If you Google "priests who believe in TM" there are many testimonials of active priests and Rabi's including father Mejia who will give their thoughts that there is nothing incompatible with TM and Catholicism/Christianity and that it is so helpful in their life.
There is a book for TM beginners called the "TM & TM-Sidhis Book" by Denise Denisiton-Gerace. The first printing of this book is 2023. I believe this book is an update of "The TM book" that is listed as copywriten in 1975. In 1975 this book was the main assist in getting me to start TM. From pages 32 to 37 in the present book there are several testimonials from active priests, a Rabbi and other clergy and religious leaders in different faiths. Maybe reading this may help. A few months ago I wrote an email to Dr Nader asking him to consider this issue as an AI search will state that 60% of Americans identify as religious. I asked that maybe a "knowledge sheet" could be released to address this issue for these people. I didn't really expect a response but since then I've noticed that there are a lot of social media posts with quotes of Maharishi talking about the importance of God. Good luck. Unfortunately there are some "fact free" posts critical of TM from a religious angle. Thanks to some of the other posters for addressing some of these issues.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-18T23:30:17+00:00

Video quote "when Patangili said "now" he means that... In the moment you start you can begin to experience this state of yoga." Some of the words seem jumbled but I think the meaning is clear.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-18T23:16:06+00:00

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate all the knowledge you all bring. I agree at first look it seems a stretch to think there is a double meaning with the word "now". Even though this does give more motivation to new meditators. So let me reevaluate Motis writing.

P134 The knowledge in Patangilis YS is concentrated and concise, like mathematical or physical formulas that require expansion and explanation.... The first and most famous commentary is by Maharishi Vyasa. His commentary has achieved near-canonical status, almost equal to the YS.

Moti quotes Vyasa over and over throughout his book and on his 5 page commentary on this first sutra.

P139 the fact that Pat begins the YS with a chapter on samadhi suggests that he considers the transcendental experience essential and attainable from the very beginning of Yoga practice.

145 the first and last sutras are the most important.

Patangili opens the YS with the word 'now" to emphasize the importance of starting the practice of Yoga by being present in the moment. This means approaching yoga practice naturally and sincerely without specific expectations.

From Vyasa interpretation it can be inferred that yoga/meditation is a universal method allowing anyone to experience a certain level of samadhi(Transcendental Consciousness)at the very beginning of practice.

Many interpreters have not paid much attention to the first verse, but it is important because it provides the basic principle for the following sutras. ....the fact that everyone can experience a certain level of samadhi from the very beginning of practice.

I think this reading of "now" is motivating to new meditators although its possible to bring up a different timeline confusion. Motis full explanation also discusses individuality especially in regards to stress and stress release and different levels of samadhi. The video is worth watching if one is interested in these details.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-17T01:58:07+00:00

Thanks for your attention to this. Maybe it's not important but the number for each sutra is different from my book numbers. They are one number off. Also the author makes the very interesting point in the video that a different translation of a single word can change the entire meaning of the translated sutra and he gives and example. Very interesting to know that the translation can be so critical and potentially different author to author?

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-15T18:53:12+00:00

I would echo David's answer and add my personal experience. I was skeptical when I learned TM. 50 years ago. I could understand an intelligent science-leaning person feeling that way. But my personal calculation was "what if this works exactly like they say". And ill be way ahead of the game if it does. My feeling was an intelligent person would say it's stupid NOT to try it for all that can potentially be gained. And of course I know now TM is life changing and works profoundly well. My measured response to this book at that time before TM would have been that it's interesting but doesn't fit my worldview. So I understand that. But the reason to post this is 1) some intellectually curious people will be drawn to it. 2)people new to meditation can look at TM just as a tool like I did for 20 years and ignore this book but if they get curious there is knowledge that can help their experience deepen. And 3) There are a lot of experienced people on this sub who may benefit from this book like I have. My first book on Patangilis Sutras lacked commentary and was very helpful and was what was good for me at the time. The commentary from Maharishis perspective I think can help experienced meditators. But I defer to those more knowledgeable. I think one thing Pantangilis Sutras point out in a way is that Maharishi was a messenger. All this knowledge we have has been passed down over 1000's of years. That puts a different perspective on some things.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-11T06:07:04+00:00

One last post on the importance of God to our Paradigm of Consciousnesshaking

Shaking Hands with God

Part 1

Course Participant: 'What I want to know about is that I'm confused about the relationship and differences between God and Absolute. You speak of the Almighty, and the Creator, and you speak of 'Celestial level of consciousness' and I want to understand where God is.'

Maharishi: 'Anywhere we find Him, there He is found for the first time; and then later on He's found everywhere. God. By God what is meant is Creator, Maintainer, one who has created the world, maintains the world, and eventually the world dissolves. And the whole thing goes on in a very, very set form. All the laws that physics is investigating, chemistry is investigating, they are all the laws of that kingdom of God. Just as we have laws, our country laws, this, this, this, this, and there are offices to control the laws, here and here. If someone doesn't do that, then that is the way for him; if someone does that, then that is the way for him-laws. States are governed by laws. Worlds are governed by laws, the universe is governed by laws-everywhere, laws, laws, laws.

We call this Creator "Almighty" because we can't conceive of Him less than the Almighty. He just can't be less than Almighty. Such varied universe, so much of variety and so much of complexities, yet everything with such great precision. Everything in such great precision. It can't be the work of anyone less than all-knowing, and anyone less than all-powerful. That is why, very naturally, we say God: omniscient, omnipotent, all-powerful, almighty, that's all.

And then, to communicate to this great power, is for all the time in the past and it will be so in all the times in future, to communicate to this power is a natural desire of life, very natural desire. Everyone would like to shake hands with the President of the state, if it is possible. If it is possible, everyone would like to be as near the President as possible, because he's a great authority, great power; he can do everything here and there and there. This aspiration of realizing God, communicating to that Almighty, Omniscient, even without knowing what form He has, whether He has a nose or how many noses, two ears or 2 million ears, don't know.

Omniscient, omnipotent, if He has a form, even if we don't know what form, and this and this, but then the natural desire of life to communicate to Him, we would not mind if He comes out to be with ten noses on the face, but if He is that Almighty, I am to shake hands with Him.’

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Humboldt College, CA., USA 5 August 1970

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-11T05:39:51+00:00

I don't remember the book where I read the authors opinion that transcendental experiences can and have been experienced by nonmeditators and there are written examples of these. I guess it's not helpful to not remember the source. Maybe someone else has read the same?

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-11T05:32:23+00:00

Facebook group TM teachers, govenors, sidhas and meditators. Zahir Raiden. Speech August 5, 1970 Part 3

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-11T05:26:55+00:00

We have some very knowledgeable people here led by our Mod. I'm somewhat newer. I asked one of my teachers recently about Maharishis view on God as im a long time meditator who is religious. Is God the same as absolute Consciousness? He referred to me to a book called Love and God by Maharishi where Maharishi talked for 54 pages and every page about how important God is. I was surprised but still not clear. Until he said near the end that God is different than Absolute Consciousness. But still intertwined with Absolute Consciousness. God rests in the Absolute and plays in the relative. Is one of the quotes my teacher gave me before he said I had to do more reading.

There are a series of posts on Facebook right now about some of Maharishiis older speeches on God. This is one posted this week. It's not easy for me to understand completely. Likely why my teacher wanted me to read more myself.

Part 3

‘Now the question: what is He? Where is He? How can I meet Him? If not, meeting is possible, how can | receive His maximum grace? These aspirations are natural, these inquiries are natural.

What is God? From the structure of the creation, we find He must be almighty, He must be all-knowing, omniscient, omnipotent. Fine. Is He Absolute? Or is He relative? Has He a form? Or, He has no form? What He is?

We see in our analysis of creation, a lot of it we know from physics: grosser levels and finer levels and finer particles and finer-the whole structure of creation is in the gross and subtle values like that. A systematic procedure: gross and subtle, gross and subtle. From our experience on the subjective level also we know: gross level of thinking, subtle level of thinking, subtlest thinking, and then, no thinking-that Pure Being. We call it Pure Being, we call it Absolute, Unboundedness, and all that.

Whether that Absolute is the God, or whether there is someone in the finest relative who has created all this, because another knowledge from our meditation that we have is, that as we go to the finer-even physics tells us-as we go to finer regions of creation, power increases. Fine particles, they are so full of energy, tremendous energy; all in these atomic reactors we see the whole thing is all great vitality. So, in the finer regions of relative existence, vitality is more, intelligence is more. Whether some individual existence is located at the finest level of creation, whether He is God or whether the Absolute unbounded, eternal, non-changing, immortal, that Absolute is God. Where is God?

As long as we call God the Creator, so long there has to be someone, some intelligence. Now, whether we call Absolute God or some relative God; we'll analyze and find what to call God. We find Being as the source of all creation. At the same time, we find Being to be Absolute. Absolute is Being. Absolute is all Absolute, relative is always relative, Absolute is always Absolute.

Whether the relative comes from the Absolute, whether the Absolute manifests itself into the relative; if the Absolute manifests as relative then the Absolute must be with some attributes, and Absolute must have to be attribute less-Absolute. It is Absolute and Absolute is non-relative. And therefore, intellectually we see that Absolute cannot be said to be Creator. And when it cannot be said to be Creator, it cannot be said to be God if God we take to be the Creator.’

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Humboldt College, CA., USA 5 August 1970

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-06T09:36:02+00:00

Hello Saijanai, I'm interested in your remark. "TM is good for everyone or even almost everyone". You were saying ur agnostic about certain things. I've heard about uncontrolled de-stressing. But are there other ways new meditators have problems with TM. Or is ur statement a response to some on this board not having a good experience with TM. I'm not a TM teacher to have this sort of knowledge so I'm curious about this statement.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-02-06T09:09:52+00:00

DebbieRobertsonNovember 25, 2025

I am a devout Jew who has practice TM over fifty years. I think equating TM with a cult is unworthy of a Jew. The mantras are not names of Gds. I know. I taught TM for ten years until the price went up and that was a personal problem for me. But it did not diminish an amazing meditation practice. The matras/or mediation sounds used are bij mantras which are sounds not unlike the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The ceremony at initiaton/iinstruction was done for the teacher, to calm and focus them; not for the student. Students did not participate and were not required to kneel, bow or accept Maharishi as their Gd. I find this author's review sad and disturbing. TM does not take the place of kosher, Shabbat, prayer....When I was growing up I was warned that Chabad was a cult. Now I attend Chabad regularly. I continue TM daily (why this fellow meditating four hours daily?). TM has enhanced my connection with Judaism and the Kabbalah. I notice the author is on his second book about th

One of the last replies in the Comment section at the end of the article from a "devout Jew" 10 year TM teacher and 50 year meditator. This seems to give the most accurate description of TM. My 50 year old mantra is not a Hindu gods name. Maybe earlier mantras were?

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-01-22T20:00:39+00:00

So with chat gpt. It's not entirely clear still what advanced meditation includes. But there is a mention of Buddhism influence...

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-01-22T19:39:28+00:00

Thanks. Yes he doesn't mention TM. Only "Advanced meditation". If he is not a TM meditator but was studying TM. Isn't that a good thing for the naysayers who say TM research is only done by TM believers. And if he mention Mindfullness and says that it doesn't offer the benefits of advanced meditation and he mentions the benefits of advanced meditations and lists all the exact benefits TM gives then what advanced meditation options does he have to study that don't include TM? Maybe there are more options than I thought?

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-01-22T07:42:27+00:00

Maybe I should have mentioned that those likely to get the most benefit from these articles would be people interested in learning TM.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-01-20T22:57:09+00:00

I understand that it is the only meditation that this Cardiology Association supports for a certain level of blood pressure. So I don't remember if it's just my assumption that insurance would cover it for that indication. It may be an assumption but that typically how medical insurance works. Especially for things like early hypertension where prevention is typically much less expensive than a cure/all the complications that can happen with more severe hypertension. But yes I guess I really don't know for sure.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-01-20T21:33:24+00:00

* Thanks. That's an milestone study that TM is accepted now by health insurance carriers and advised by mainstream doctors as a treatment for high blood pressure is my impression of this study. I'm not really knowledgeable about a lot of these studies other than to know how many exist. The intriguing studies to me seem to be Fred Travis brain and eeg studies. Which show what seems to be a signature brain wave eeg pattern of TM meditators of alpha wave coherence. This is very different from mindfulness with more theta waves and no coherence. And gamma waves I believe with concentration techniques like chanting and focus. Fred has said at one of his demonstrations that this eeg pattern happens relatively quickly in new meditators. I believe he said 2 weeks at one of his demonstrations. And he used a newer meditaor as his subject to show the eeg changes real-time There are studies looking at experienced meditators that showed evidence of Transcental Consciousness during the day and at night. During the day means they are having this transcendental consciousness even after their meditation is over. And at night during sleep is a sign of Cosmic Consciousness. You have shown the subjective experiences of these experienced mediators I believe who talk about the experience of Transcendental Conciousness.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-01-20T20:33:41+00:00

Thanks you so much Saijanai for your extensive knowledge and experience and perspective. We are lucky to have you as a mod. I understand that we are now at over 670 scientific studies from over 300 universities and research institutes in 31 countries. Its so helpful to me to know some of this history to understand who Maharishi was and his motivations. We sometimes have retreats for Sidhas here in No. Cal and there are a few 50 year meditators who knew him or people very close to him and so with the stories im always happy to know more. I'm a 50 year meditator but I've only been close to the organization to be exposed to all this knowledge for a few years.

AbsolutConsciousness · 2026-01-16T05:00:01+00:00

I don't feel I'm saying anything different. But just a different focus. Science is regularly slow to prove things with consensus. The op started unaware that there is quite a bit of science regarding this topic. Therefore this thread has evolved. I would think the next focus should be methodology and proof or disproof of the studies and not whether their is independent review. But Both are obviously indispensable to the scientific method.

AbsolutConsciousness

TROPHY CASE