The first type of “Spiritual Meditation” I want us to look at is Transcendental Meditation.  As I have made it very clear in previous posts, I want to demystify meditation so everyone can understand it.  The name Transcendental Meditation sounds very esoteric.  However, in practice it is very simple.  The distinguishing feature of this meditation style is repeating a mantra to yourself.  Feel free to say it silently or aloud.  Either way you will be able to reap the same benefits.

Traditional Transcendental Meditation

The goal of traditional transcendental meditation is for the practitioner to rise above their current state of consciousness.  This is why it is considered to be a spiritual meditation.  You are literally trying to have an out of body experience.  Also, in traditional transcendental meditation the teacher chooses the mantra for the student to chant.  This is where the iconic “Om” comes from.

Contemporary Transcendental Meditation

The more contemporary style of transcendental meditation has evolved with the student choosing their own mantra.  The practitioner gets comfortable and repeats a word or phrase of their choosing such as “I am good enough” or “I am loved”.  The goal of contemporary transcendental meditation has also changed to encompass both an altered state of consciousness and a desire to reprogram your brain.  Scientific studies have shown it is a good technique for retraining your brain.

How It Works

The effectiveness of transcendental mediation lies in the mantra itself.  The default setting of our minds is to always be active reflecting on the past, planning for the future, or being concerned with what others think about us.  Repeating a mantra to ourselves calms the mind making it easier to focus on one thing.  Physically when you say a mantra, your tongue is pressing against the roof of your mouth.  This activates the endocrine system which produces neurochemicals in your brain.  These neurochemicals affect the parts of your brain that are responsible for forming new behavioral patterns.

Benefits

Although transcendental meditation is considered to be a spiritual practice, incorporating the mantra technique into your meditation habits can have significant results.  It can help reduce anxiety and promote harmony and self-actualization.  It can also help focus your mind and release emotional baggage.  These benefits can definitely be considered spiritual in nature.