TM Mantras

Dear James,

Recently my attention has been drawn to the existence of Transcendental Meditation as brought forward by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the David Lynch organisation which says it is not profitable, though there is money involved with getting enrolled in its teaching. What does Vedanta say and/or you about this option?

James:  It’s a scam.  They charge for giving mantras that are blaring from every temple in India.  Why are you interested?  

Jack:  Thank you for your answer so clear and fast James. I am not surprised too much actually.  It caught my attention because there is an advertising campaign and I saw a Ram Dass Netflix documentary.  Above all I am interested in rooting the mind in the self on a moment to moment basis, steady wisdom, and I welcome anything that assists and/or enforces this.So I wondered if TM could assist and/or enforce this, and this is why I check with you.

Do you know if, what TM charges me for, which is giving those mantras blaring of Indian temples, do you know if the applications of those mantras on a regular basis deliver the realisation and the actualisation of a mind rooted in the self? 

If yes, what they charge me for could be way less expensive and less complicated when delivered to me through the world wide web instead of going to get those in India myself, right? The advertisement campaign does make it very appealing, this is why my interest is pulled to it, I guess?

Further on, I wonder what is the Vedanta and/or your viewpoint, except applying continuous vigilance with the yoga’s like presented in Vedanta, as are karma-, bhakti-, and jnana yoga, and the 5 years each stages of listening, reflecting and assimilation of the right notions within Vedanta, what could be zoomed in on daily eventually also as a short condensed focussed discipline within Vedanta which is comparable to what TM claims to present and claims to offer? TM presents TM as very appealing easygoing and highly effective as I know the existence of what they point to.

James:  You will be disappointed, Jack.  It seems you don’t really understand what liberation is and how it is attained.  Once you have a clear idea of what liberation is, only contemplation on certain type of identity mantras can deliver Self knowledge.  You may get certain finite experiences from mechanical repetition of particular mantras but specific mantras, like medicines or drugs, only work for a limited time until the homeostatic effect kicks in and robs them of their potency.  You need to ask yourself why you are dissatisfied with your self and/or your life as it is to discover the reason for this interest.  If you want to do it, you should do it and see what the results are for yourself.  I teach Self inquiry which unfolds the meaning of the mantras which in turn permits you to apply the knowledge they reveal to transform your life.  Vedanta is not a quick fix. It is hard work and takes time.  Liberation is not an event.  It is the nature of yourself.  You are free now.  Anyway, I’ve given you my advice. Now it’s up to you. 

Love,

James