Explore the benefits of Transcendental Meditation, a method once made popular by The Beatles

Hey Jude, don’t make it bad,

Take a sad song and make it better..

Remember to let her into your heart,

Then you can start to make it better..

These iconic lyrics by The Beatles still echo across generations, stirring our hearts and minds, just the way they did when the song was first released by the legendary English rock band in 1968.

With songs like Hey Jude, The Beatles had captivated the world, and during the height of Beatlemania, they had fans worldwide, spanning all ages. Fans were swept by their charm, music and talent. Their influence went far beyond music though; it shaped the fashion and pop culture of that time.

One of the lesser-known aspects of the beloved music band’s journey was how they embraced Transcendental Meditation (TM). Introduced to them by the founder of TM, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, this meditation became a spiritual and creative anchor for the band. They often credited the practice with helping them find clarity, fueling creativity and reducing stress.

John Lennon once said this about TM, “The energy that I’ve found doing meditation, you know, has been there before – only that I could access it only during good days when everything was going well. With meditation I find that it could well be pouring down rain; it is still the same amount.” Even decades later, the quiet influence of Transcendental Meditation continues.

Studies have shown that TM can significantly reduce stress, enhance focus and promote emotional wellbeing. For those new to the form, Transcendental Meditation is a simple practice that involves silently repeating a specific mantra to help reset the mind in order to relax. One of the key aspects of TM is its simplicity. Unlike other forms of meditation that may require extensive training, it is easy to learn and can be practiced in just 15-20 minutes, twice a day.

Today, people are plagued with stress, anxiety and restlessness more than ever. According to research conducted by the Ipsos global survey, stress is a growing challenge worldwide. In urban India alone, half of the population has reported experiencing stress and 22% have found themselves in highly stressful situations. Forms of meditation like TM can be beneficial at a time like this.

World Meditation Day, celebrated on May 21st, offers people a chance to pause and reflect on the wonderful benefits of mindfulness and inner peace. The day encourages people from all walks of life to take a step back and engage in meditation daily, if only for a few minutes. So, on this day, join us as we learn more about the benefits of practicing Transcendental Meditation.

Helps cope with stress, anxiety

Times have changed. When The Beatles dominated the music scene, life was a lot less stressful, fast-paced or chaotic. And yet, it was practicing Transcendental Meditation that gave the famous musicians the calm they were seeking. Interestingly, the wonderful impact of this meditation continues to be the same till date.

Today, we live in a world where everything feels urgent—there is a constant rush to get things done and stressing is slowly becoming the norm. This is where Transcendental Meditation can help. According to research published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, TM practice can help reduce cortisol, a hormone associated with stress, by 30%.

It is a simple and effective way to combat daily stress—by dedicating a few minutes a day to TM, one can experience reduced feelings of stress and consequently, handle life’s challenges without feeling overwhelmed.

Eases symptoms of PTSD, depression

The battle with depression is something many people silently endure. It is an invisible ailment and often shows no outward signs but deeply affects a person’s emotions, energy and ability to function. PTSD too, can leave people feeling stuck in cycles of anxiety, fear and emotional pain long after the trauma has passed. While therapy and medication are essential parts of recovery, Transcendental Meditation can also be a tool in managing these conditions.

According to a study published in Military Medicine, Transcendental Meditation reduces symptoms of PTSD and depression by 20.5%. It provides a structured and calming technique that helps settle the mind and the body. It has been observed to offer a sense of inner peace that is often hard to access for someone living with depression and PTSD.

Promotes emotional wellbeing

Transcendental Meditation promotes emotional wellbeing by helping one connect with their inner self. Through regular practice, TM encourages a calm, focussed state of mind that helps one regulate their emotions better. It also reduces feelings like anger, frustration and sadness. Over time, it brings an inner balance that is great for emotional stability. As Ringo Starr, drummer of The Beatles and a long-time TM practitioner, beautifully put it once, “It gives me a break from myself. Some days there’s absolute peacefulness and a feeling that I’ve been somewhere away and I only know that because I come back. It’s very important for me to “not think.” I do enough thinking. You can just “be.” It’s a transcendent feeling. That’s why they call it Transcendental Meditation!”  Starr’s words truly capture the essence of TM—not only as a technique, but as a tool for emotional clarity and peace.

Sleep better

In today’s fast-paced world, a good night’s sleep has become quite the luxury. Whether it’s our own thoughts that keep racing in our head, stress from outside or emotional overload of some kind, a lot of us tend to find ourselves awake at night. According to a study conducted by the Indian Sleep Disorders Association, nearly 93% of Indians suffer from sleep deprivation.

Lack of sleep leaves people drained out, exhausted and overwhelmed. This is where Transcendental Meditation (TM) can offer genuine relief. A study published in the journal Anxiety, Stress and Coping states that TM significantly improves sleep quality. By calming the nervous system and reducing stress hormones, TM creates the ideal mental and physical environment for good sleep.

Boosts overall health

Aside from its mental and emotional benefits, TM also promotes physical wellbeing. According to a study published in the journal American Heart Association, Transcendental Meditation helps reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with coronary heart disease by 48%.

TM is also known for reducing stress-related conditions such as high blood pressure and chronic pain. The relaxation that the body achieves during TM helps enhance overall health.

From helping The Beatles to the stressed minds that walk among us today , TM has stood the test of time as a simple tool for inner peace and better health. In a world that feels overwhelming, TM offers a quiet space to reconnect and rejuvenate.