--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, ruthsimplicity wrote: > > what was it about TM that kept you > meditating day after day?
I meditated regularly because I got the usual benefits - rejuvenation, clarity, happiness. The Transcendental Meditation technique, despite claims that it is not a sleep substitute, is a terrific sleep substitute, so I meditated because I cheated on sleep, and needed the deep rest. In addition to these daily benefits, I aspired to self-actualization, which I believed TM would cultivate. I became less regular in my practice when these conclusions piled up: - My personal enlightenment - cosmic consciousness - is in thrall to collective consciousness, hence there's not much point in throwing too much individual time and energy against that goal. - Full enlightenment - unity - comes by grace and not by my actions. - When I sit with my eyes closed I prefer to let my awareness go to awareness itself (which I understand to be the whole point of meditation), and a mantra is just another thought that interferes with that practice. - I can replicate the practical benefits of meditation by being present in the moment. - I was frustrated at not being enlightened after 32 years of TM. I still do the TM-Siddhis, sans hopping, at points in the course of the week, but my program these days consists of eating intelligently, exercising and avoiding caffeine. When I do those things and get to bed on time I can sleep eight or nine hours a night, enjoying sweet dreams and productive days.
