Monday, January 22, 2007

Eenie, Meenie, Mo' Mantras

Well, as long as we're talking mantras, readers may be interested in yet more versions -- as well the mantra meanings. I recommend starting with Mike Doughney's discussion on minet.org. The meanings -- and more! -- are discussed at trancenet.net. Then consider this version contributed this evening by another old-time TM Governor/Teacher:

Ing 3-10
Em 10-12
Inga 12-14
Ema 16-18
Aing 18-20
Aim 20-22
Ainga 22-24
Aima 24-26
Shiring 26-30
Shirim 30-35
Hiring 35-40
Hirim 40-45
Kiring 45-50
Kirim 50-55
Shiam 55-60
Shiama 60+

My mantra was Aing. First advanced tech was Aing-namah. Second advanced technique was Shri Aing-namah. Third was Shri Aing-Namah Namhah. Fourth was Shri Shri Aing-Namah Namah.

Have fun readers! Just don't let your head explode from reading forbidden knowledge!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was initiated in 1975 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I consider myself one of the lucky ones because I bailed on any connection with the TM movement when they started claiming they could fly. Fortunately, I learned some critical thinking skills in college.

I continued to meditate for nearly ten years, however, staying away from the advanced techniques, residence courses, and, of course, the sidhis, even though Fairfield was just down the road.

To this day I have never revealed my mantra to any other person either verbally or in writing. Because of this, I can't help thinking that in some way, I'm still a psychological hostage to the movement.

I see my mantra in the lists that have been published and have the feeling that if I were to just utter it out loud to another human being, a great weight would be lifted from me. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Brady

Johnny Profane said...

Actually, Brady I had that very experience when I revealed my mantra over the Internet on alt.meditation.transcendental back in 1995. You may be interested in reading on the sites http://www.suggestibility.org/ and http://trancenet.net/ where you will find information on the effects of the checking and other procedures that may induce trance. TM teachers made the suggestion that the TM mantra must remain secret after inducing trance, making it more likely that, in that suggestible state, the new meditator would develop a phobia against "speaking out the mantra." Thanks for your comment!

Gina said...

Hello Brady,

Thank you for your honesty. I laud you for avoiding the full trappings of the TM-lure.

Most people who began TM simply did as you do, twice daily for short rests and eventually stopped meditating. Good for you for avoiding the community lure! The group dynamic is strong and seductive. I will always miss it - just as a now-sober addict will always miss their drug of choice.

I had your same feeling about keeping my mantra inside. My mantra was a very personal part of ME.

I left the TM Movement in 1988, eventually ceased TM, and still did not say my mantra to ANYone for over 15 years. Finally in 2006 I said my mantra aloud for the first time (after writing it in my memoir manuscript.. to be published soon).
It was SO hard to speak it aloud. As if lightening would cut though my throat. And by speaking it, I felt liberated from vestigal inner shackles of having been raised in a cult.

IMHO, I think your suspicion is correct.. by keeping it secret, the earliest steps of the coercive persuasion (brainwashing) remain in effect. It doesn't have to be secret to work. It has to be secret so Mahesh can charge others to begin ($2500 fee today)

My mantra (advanced technique) is/was Aing-namah. And you know what? Even though I've spoken it aloud, it still spontaneously comes to my mind when I close my eyes, and brings me to a transcendent/ dissociative state.. that feels restful!

Tks for taking the time to comment!
Best,
Gina

Gina said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Sudarsha said...

Brady said: I can't help thinking that in some way, I'm still a psychological hostage to the movement.


I think that you have made a very perceptive observation.

TM does, indeed have an effect. However, it does not have the same effect for everyone.

From my own experience, those who have either remained free from the TMO or broken free have had something akin to the sense of guilt that Catholics so famously note. -- Sometimes, however, that sense of being a hostage can eat away at you. If it becomes an interference, an issue, don't keep it bottled up.

Part of our mandate at TM-Free is to try to suggest ways of getting help.

S

Anonymous said...

you people all sound so weak. It is too bad. Did any of you have any meaning in your lives before learning, teaching and now bashing TM?
-Deb

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