I'm starting a new feature: quick hits on life after TM. I'm calling it "Remains of Ignorance" after the Maharishi's translation of the Vedantic concept lesh-avidya. For those who don't remember, the idea is that even after enlightenment, there remains some slight residue of ignorance in an individual, without which he or she would simply "drop the body" or die.
But I'd like to turn this concept on its head -- not meaning any disrespect for Vedanta. Only for the Maharishi's perversions of it. At any rate, I've found that even after I left the TM Org and the self-styled Maharishi Mahesh Yogi behind way back in 1995, there remain in my mind "alien artifacts," bits and pieces of Transcedental Meditation-based myths that still affect me today.
This post is about just one.
I don't know about you, but asking others for help was extremely difficult for me while I was in the TM Org. And for a long time afterwards. I always interpreted it as saying there was something wrong with me. After all, I had internalized the idea that I was "perfect," "enlightened." To admit something was wrong questioned my very identity.
And asking for professional help was especially taboo. After all, I might be banned from a course! Long after I no longer attended courses, the taboo remained for me. It kept me from reaching to friends, family, or professionals -- even when I was desperately in need of help to reassemble my shattered life.
It went even further for me: If someone expressed sympathy or offered caring concern, I would have a strong stress reaction. I felt shame. I felt embarrassment. I think once again it questioned my identity as a "perfect" individual.
I still have some irritability when offered help. But it's much better than it once was.
I am much better about recognizing and accepting caring concern.
A question for our readers: Does any of this resonate for you? Do you have this or similar "Remains of Ignorance"?
Please consider posting your thoughts in the comments below. Just click on "Comments" and type away. Please feel free to remain anonymous. You may help another former TMer with your insights!
