How it’s different

Comparing Meditation Techniques

Many meditation techniques are available today. Contrary to common belief there are distinct differences between techniques, such as the effort involved, their impact on the brain, and whether or not they result in verifiable benefits.

A study published in the journal Consciousness and Cognition identified the following three meditation categories, based on measured brain wave differences:

Concentration or focus : Zen, Vipassana, etc.
Open monitoring : Mindfulness, Kriya Yoga, etc.
Self-transcending : Transcendental Meditation

Meditation techniques and their impact on the brain

Form of meditation	Transcendental Meditation	Mindfulness (monitoring of thoughts)	Concentration or Focus
Brain wave activity	Alpha	Theta	Beta
Brain wave description	“Relaxed, happy, focused” — Mayo Clinic	“Dream-like” — Mayo Clinic	“Logical-thinking, problem-solving” — Mayo Clinic
EEG image
Mental effort	Effortless	Moderate effort	Strong effort

Transcendental Meditation

Brain wave activity	Alpha
EEG image
Brain wave description	“Relaxed, happy, focused” — Mayo Clinic
Effort required	Effortless

Mindfulness (monitoring of thoughts)

Brain wave activity	Theta
EEG image
Brain wave description	“Dream-like” — Mayo Clinic
Effort required	Moderate effort

Concentration or Focus

Brain wave activity	Beta
EEG image
Brain wave description	“Logical-thinking, problem-solving” — Mayo Clinic
Effort required	Strong effort

Why do people who have tried other techniques find TM to be completely different?

1. Absolutely effortless

The TM technique is so easy and enjoyable that anyone can do it, even children with ADHD.

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

2. Proven effective

Hundreds of published research studies on the TM technique have documented its effectiveness on stress and anxiety, brain function, cardiovascular health, and more.

“Life finds its purpose and fulfilment in the expansion of happiness”

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
Founder of Transcendental Meditation