Transcendental Meditation (TM) Technique

"Nothing has ever opened my eyes like Transcendental Meditation has. It makes me calm and happy and it gives me peace and quiet in what’s a pretty chaotic life!"Hugh Jackman

Meet the certified TM teachers

Peggy Birx, Larry Pardo

Why certified?

The TM technique can only be taught by certified TM teachers in a course carefully personalized for each individual. All certified TM teachers have successfully completed an intensive 5-month in-residence Teacher Training Course, and they maintain their certification through ongoing professional courses for TM teachers.

Local cities we serve

Rochester

Learn Transcendental Meditation in Rochester

The TM technique is an essential tool for inner peace and wellness, and it lasts a lifetime.

TM instruction isn't "one size fits all" — it's carefully personalized for you by a certified TM teacher. You also get group sessions providing further instruction, ensuring maximum benefit from this easy, enjoyable technique.

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The TM technique works for everyone, and the benefits start right away and keep growing. Hundreds of independent research studies have found major increases in calmness, creativity, energy, clarity of mind, and happiness.

We also offer free intro talks, where you can learn:

Why TM is so effective for stress and anxiety
How TM improves brain function and memory
Why TM is easy to practice and works right from the start
Why personalized one-on-one instruction is needed

You're invited to sign up using the calendar(s)button(s) below or watch an online intro video .

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Rochester

Buffalo

Note: TM intro talks are optional info sessions. The TM technique will not be taught at this event. If you’re ready to learn, book a TM course here >

Meet the certified TM teachers

Peggy Birx, Larry Pardo

Why certified?

More Centers Near Rochester

Upstate New York Centers

“It’s effortless because it’s already there” (video 1:53)

What happened when we learned TM (5:18)

Transforming the lives of over one million victims of traumatic stress* (3:33) * Our charitable projects with the David Lynch Foundation

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What is the TM technique?

It’s a simple, natural technique practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed.

Transcendental Meditation — brought to the West in 1959 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi — is an ancient technique that's easy to learn and enjoyable to practice. It's not a religion, philosophy, or lifestyle. Over ten million people have learned it — people of all ages, cultures, and religions.

What if I “can’t meditate”?

Have you ever tried to meditate, and found you couldn’t do it because your mind is too active — or maybe the technique was uncomfortable in some way?

It’s a common experience because almost all techniques involve some kind of control or focus.

The big difference

This is what makes the TM technique completely different — it’s so easy and enjoyable that anyone can do it, even children with ADHD.

No concentrating or focusing
No control of the mind
No mindfulness (monitoring of thoughts)
No trying to “empty the mind”

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How can TM be effective if it’s so easy?

Interestingly, it’s effective because it’s completely effortless. The TM technique uses the natural tendency of the mind to automatically draw your attention inward, through quieter and quieter levels of thought, until you experience your own innermost nature — the most peaceful and silent level of your mind.

TM’s effectiveness has been documented in hundreds of published research studies. This wide range of studies has found that TM is the most effective technique for improving stress-related conditions and brain function.

Why is effort in meditation counter-productive?

Other techniques involving control (concentration or focus) or monitoring (mindfulness) tend to keep your awareness on the surface — on the active level of your mind.

The effort (even if small) required by such techniques impedes transcending. In other words, it prevents you from naturally experiencing the state of deep inner peacefulness.

What are the evidence-based health benefits?

Deep inner calm

Proven effective for stress and anxiety

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Clarity of mind

Improved focus, productivity, and memory

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Heart health

An effective natural approach

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Other evidence-based benefits

Insomnia

The most common cause of insomnia is stress and anxiety. Many research studies have found that the TM technique is highly effective at producing a state of deep inner calm. Many people report an immediate improvement in their sleep quality after learning the TM technique.

Additional research studies on insomnia:

Orme-Johnson DW & Dillbeck MC. Methodological Concerns for Meta-Analyses of Meditation: Comment on Sedlmeier et al. Psychological Bulletin 2014; 140(2):610-16.

Elder C, Nidich S, et al, Effect of Transcendental Meditation on Employee Burnout: A randomized controlled study. The Permanente Journal, 2014 Winter; 18(1):19-23.

Haratani T., et al. Effects of Transcendental Meditation (TM) on the health behavior of industrial workers. Japanese Journal of Public Health 37 (10 Suppl.): 729, 1990.

Lovell-Smith H. D. Transcendental Meditation—treating the patient as well as the disease. The New Zealand Family Physician 9: 62–65, April 1982.

Orme-Johnson D. W., et al. Meditation in the treatment of chronic pain and insomnia. In National Institutes of Health Technology Assessment Conference on Integration of Behavioral and Relaxation Approaches into the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Insomnia, Bethesda Maryland: National Institutes of Health, 1995.

Depression

Patients suffering from post-traumatic stress problems who learned the TM technique showed significant reduction in depression after four months, in contrast to others who were randomly assigned to receive psychotherapy. Reference: Journal of Counseling and Development 64:212–215, 1985.

Additional research studies on depression:

Elder C, Nidich S, Colbert R, Hagelin J, Grayshield L, Oviedo-Lim D, Nidich R, Rainforth M, Jones C, Gerace D. Reduced psychological distress in racial and ethnic minority students practicing the Transcendental Meditation Program. Journal of Instructional Psychology 2011 38(2):109-116

Elder C, Nidich S, Moriarty F, Nidich R. Effect of Transcendental Meditation on employee stress, depression, and burnout: a randomized controlled study. The Permanente Journal 2014 18(1):19-23.

Ferguson P.C., et al. Psychological Findings on Transcendental Meditation. Journal of Humanistic Psychology 16:483-488, 1976.

PTSD

Transcending PTSD (video 5:10)

Research studies on PTSD:

Barnes VA, Rigg JL, Williams JJ. Clinical case series: treatment of PTSD with Transcendental Meditation in active duty military personnel. Military Medicine 2013 178(7):e836-40. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00426

Rees B, Travis F, Shapiro D, Chant R. Reduction in posttraumatic stress symptoms in Congolese refugees practicing Transcendental Meditation. Journal of Traumatic Stress 2013 26(2):295-298

Rees B, Travis F, Shapiro D, Chant R. Significant reductions in posttraumatic stress symptoms in Congolese refugees within 10 days of Transcendental Meditation practice. Journal of Traumatic Stress 2014 27(1):112-115

Rosenthal JZ, Grosswald S, Ross R, Rosenthal N. Effects of Transcendental Meditation in veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom with posttraumatic stress disorder: a pilot study. Military Medicine 2011 176(6):626–630

ADHD

Published peer-reviewed research studies have found that the TM technique:

Improves attention
Improves behavior regulation
Improves emotional control
Improves memory
Improves organizational skills
Reduces stress and anxiety

The current findings indicate that children with ADHD can not only learn the TM technique but also benefit from it, the researchers report in the online journal Current Issues in Education. ‘The effect was much greater than we expected,’ lead researcher Sarina J. Grosswald, a cognitive learning specialist in Arlington, Virginia, said in a written statement. ‘The children also showed improvements in attention, working memory, organization, and behavior regulation,’ she added.

Autism spectrum

Transcending autism (video 3:52)

Effortless, Drug-Free Therapy Helps Children with Autism

Questions? Want to learn more?

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How do I learn?

The Transcendental Meditation technique is easy and provides a lifetime of benefits. To learn, reserve a spot on an upcoming TM Course.

All courses are taught in-person by certified TM teachers, and take place over four consecutive days (for about 1.5 hours each day).

See course dates TM Course To ensure the success of each student, the Transcendental Meditation technique is taught exclusively by certified teachers over four consecutive sessions. The first session of the TM course is always in-person, but the following three can be done either in person or at home with our interactive digital content and live video meetings with your TM teacher (availability varies by location).

Session 1: Personal instruction

One-on-one with your certified TM teacher, in-person (60-90 minutes).

(Note: TM course fee is required at this step)

Sessions 2-4: Small group

Option A: In-person. Small group sessions with your teacher (1.5 - 2 hrs/session).
Option B: At-home. After your personal instruction, the rest of the TM course can be completed on a flexible schedule. This option includes online sessions with your teacher and approximately 6 hours total of interactive digital content (to be completed at home).

Follow-up (1 hr, approx. 10 days later)

Small group session (with Q&A), and a one-on-one “tune-up” to ensure your TM practice is easy and enjoyable, and you’re gaining maximum benefit.
Available remotely or in-person.

Free lifetime follow-up and support

All who learn the TM technique have these available at no cost:

Personal access to certified TM teachers to answer your questions or discuss your TM practice
TM “tune-ups” at any U.S. TM center — one-on-one or in a small group
Group meditations at TM centers
Local events providing deeper knowledge to enhance your TM experience
Online access to special videos, articles, and more

What is the TM course fee?

We're excited to announce changes to the TM course fee!

As a non-profit organization, we've always been committed to making the TM technique and its benefits available to as many people as possible.

Now more than ever, people need a technique for inner peace and wellness — so we're now offering a new nationwide income-based pricing planincome-based pricing plan. We also offer partial grant support to deserving individuals in need.

Honor system

We won’t ask you for evidence of your household income.

We’re a non-profit providing support for at-risk children, vets with PTSD, and many others in need.

We rely on your integrity.

Category	Annual Household Income (AHI)?	TM Course Fee with Free Lifetime Support
A	Receiving federal assistance?	Ask us about partial grant support
B	Less than $50,000	$135 x 4 months
C	$50,000 - $99,000	$195 x 4 months
D	$100,000 - $199,000	$220 x 4 months
E	$200,000 or more	$245 x 4 months
S	Full-time students?	$105 x 4 months

Category	Annual Household Income (AHI)?	TM Course Fee with Free Lifetime Support
A	Receiving federal assistance?	Ask us about partial grant support
B	Less than $50,000	$540
C	$50,000 - $99,000	$780
D	$100,000 - $199,000	$880
E	$200,000 or more	$980
S	Full-time students?	$420

The income-based fees are supported by special funding for this location.

Non-profit organization

The Transcendental Meditation technique is available in the USA through Maharishi Foundation USA, a federally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization. 100% of the course fee supports the organization’s educational and charitable initiatives in the U.S. and around the world. More

Helping those in need

Over the past several years, full TM scholarships have been given to more than one million at-risk students, military veterans, homeless people, and others in need through partnerships with other non-profit organizations and foundations.

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View TM Courses Rochester

The only meditation that's

Meet the certified TM teachers

Learn Transcendental Meditation in Rochester

We also offer free intro talks, where you can learn:

Meet the certified TM teachers

More Centers Near Rochester

What is the TM technique?

What if I “can’t meditate”?

The big difference

How can TM be effective if it’s so easy?

Why is effort in meditation counter-productive?

Other common questions

Questions? Want to learn more?

What are the evidence-based health benefits?

Deep inner calm

Clarity of mind

Heart health

Other evidence-based benefits

Additional research studies on insomnia:

Additional research studies on depression:

Research studies on PTSD:

Questions? Want to learn more?

How do I learn?

Session 1: Personal instruction

Sessions 2-4: Small group

Follow-up (1 hr, approx. 10 days later)

Free lifetime follow-up and support

What is the TM course fee?

We're excited to announce changes to the TM course fee!

Honor system

Non-profit organization

Helping those in need

Independent customer review website