My first experience with TM: Transcendental meditation
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

My first experience with TM: Transcendental meditation

My decision to learn the Transcendental meditation practice.

968
My first experience with TM: Transcendental meditation

I started to fall apart to my best friend one night. I had tried everything under the sun to help my anxiety including coloring, essential oils, adjusting meds, and Cryotherapy! Mom loves Nightline so one night I sat down and started to watch an old special on a favorite Journalist of mine, Elizabeth Vargas. Elizabeth started to talk about Transcendental meditation but it was not until she talked about her panic attack struggles that I started to dig deeper and by the end of the special I was already fascinated by this practice.

I found a certified TM center close to home and soon booked my (free) introduction meeting. That following Wednesday I met Drs Joanne and John Kennedy, and little did I know they would soon change my life.

After the intro talk where Dr. Joanne spoke about the history of TM and the benefits behind it, she did a one on one session so that she could get to know me a little better. I told her about my struggles with the winding road that is depression & anxiety and how I had reached my wit's end because I may look happy as a clam physically, but emotionally I felt like a shattered mirror.

Dr. Joanne was so gentle about everything and I knew that I wanted to follow through with the 4 day course... Two weeks later, here we are! April 29th, 2017, I was instructed to bring 2-3 pieces of fruit, a white handkerchief, and 6-8 flowers. I arrived at the TM center and Dr. Joanne took a few minutes to create this beautiful basket with all the things I had brought. After that we went into a room where my personal one on one instruction and TM ceremony took place, Dr. Joanne handed me one of the tulips and asked for me to observe as she chanted what sounded like beautiful hymns. In that moment I felt so alive like never before, I cannot explain the feeling I got! It felt like the pain I had felt for so long started to peel away, everything about it was beyond beautiful. We then sat in these big plushy chairs and I was taught the TM technique, how to meditate correctly. During TM you are given a "mantra or sound" that is to be kept private and you repeat that mantra as you meditate for 20 minutes. TM is so simple! 20 minutes in the morning and 20 at night where you sit comfortably with your eyes closed. That is all.

I had tears in my eyes by the end of this first meditation because I felt so at peace. I would like to mention that Dr. Joanne specified that Transcendental meditation does not have to be spiritual if you do not want it to be, as a matter of fact she spoke about how she grew up Catholic and to this day is Catholic. TM actually "enhanced" her beliefs in Catholicism! I felt so awakened after my day 1 session, this journey is just beginning.

-Nat


*If you are interested in finding out more about Transcendental meditation I have attached the link below!*

http://www.tm.org/home-c

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

52047
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33432
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956272
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181185
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments