Peter wrote: > They initially utilize the intent of effortlessly > thinking the mantra for so many decades... > Peter - You left out one very important phrase: '...thinking the mantra JUST LIKE ANY OTHER THOUGHT'. But in fact TMers aren't taught to "think the mantra" - they are instructed to BECOME AWARE of the mantra. Mantras aren't words, they are sound vibrations. Thinking requires effort; silently witnessing the Self is the natural state of effortless awareness of subtle vibrations. You can't be aware of the subtle sounds of cosmic nature when your mind is busy thinking and concentrating.
P.S. I doubt if most TMers have been "thinking the mantra for so many decades" - I've practice TM for decades but probably actualy "thought the mantra" for only a few hours, all total. There's no mantra in pure conciousness.
