Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation Hardcover – January 1, 2018

This book is a clear and compelling introduction to TM for people with a scientific outlook on life.The title perfectly reflects my own experience with TM. Before I learned to meditate, my mind was incredibly noisy. It was so noisy I could hardly hear myself think, if that makes sense. To use an analogy, my mind was so chaotic it felt a bit like being in a room with three TVs tuned to different channels, all at high volume—for virtually all my waking hours, every day. Needless to say, I was completely miserable. When I learned TM, it was as if two of the channels were turned off and the volume on the third was turned way down. And when I meditated, there were periods of blessed relief where the sound was completely off. Over the last 47 years of meditating regularly, that inner silence has continued to deepen. And it continues to become more and more blissful. I was in college at the time, and my grades went from mediocre B’s to straight A’s after I learned to meditate. That was an unexpected bonus.I doubt that I would be here now if I hadn’t learned to meditate. I was in that bad a state at the time. I was desperate and really didn’t want to live. Now I am happy and able to function in a way I couldn’t even have imagined back then. Physically, I look and feel much younger than my 69 years. This technique is priceless—truly, utterly, absolutely priceless.As others have noted, this book is not an instruction manual. I completely agree with the author that personal instruction is really necessary. Live interaction is essential to learning the technique. It’s an extremely simple technique, and the method of teaching it that Maharishi perfected and systematized is pure genius. While there are many other meditations that aim the experience of transcendence, I don’t believe that there are any that come close to being as effortless and effective as this one. Those that use concentration and mind control can be truly excruciating, and the effort involved can be tremendous.While this is an excellent introduction for skeptical, scientifically-minded people, it might not be the book to give someone who is more spiritually minded. However, the technique itself is as universal as any technique can be and it doesn’t matter at all what your outlook on life is, whether you are an atheist, an agnostic or deeply religious. Clarity of mind is essential no matter who you are, what you do, and what you believe.TM is definitely not a religion, but the experience of transcendence supports any spiritual or religious inclinations as well as scientific ones (which are not mutually exclusive, although many people seem to think they are) because it is the basis of everything. Maharishi brilliantly integrated the scientific and spiritual viewpoints in a way no one else has ever done.There is at least one troll who claims that TM is a religion, but you can learn TM and go on your merry way without even seeing anyone else involved with the organization ever again, so how is that a religion? I live in a remote place in the mountains and often go months without even seeing another meditator, though it’s a real joy when I do. There’s no religion. You don’t even have to believe it works, but it does anyway. and people from all the major religions happily practice it without conflict.TM doesn’t change you into something you aren’t. And it doesn’t make you change your religion. If you were never really a believer in the religion of your family, you might or might not become one. You might even find that your own inclinations take you in a completely different direction. But the point is that they are your inclinations, which were already there in some way, and not inclinations determined by practicing this technique.For instance, a person raised in a strict religion might find their beliefs moving in a more liberal direction. On the other hand, a person raised by agnostics or atheists might feel the need for a structured belief system. And many people report that their understanding, appreciation and experience of their own religion has become more profound from the practice. I’ve known many people who only really began practicing the religion they were raised in after learning the practice because transcending gave them a new perspective on it.Of course, there are always people who will latch onto anything and make it a religion, and some have no doubt done this with TM. But it’s definitely not due to any inherent quality of the technique—otherwise everyone would do it. The vast majority of meditators have not made a religion of it, so, hey, it’s not a religion. It’s as simple as that.It amazes me that some people are so insecure in their own beliefs that they can feel threatened by a simple, rather mechanical, mental technique. Seriously, you use a sound without any associated meaning. If this person ascribes the ability to change one’s religion to this little sound, then he clearly recognizes that there is great power in that sound. There is, for sure, immense power in the sound, but its special power is to bring you into tune with your own true self.I deeply admire Roth’s dedication to bringing TM into the mainstream of education. It’s clear that he’s extremely passionate about it.

Great fact based description of the nature and effectiveness of TM, and how it is different from other types of meditations.

"Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation" is a very good book by one of the foremost authorities on the subject. He was taught by the Maharishi himself and is a powerful promoter of the technique. I can personally verify that TM (Transcendental Medication) is a powerful way to reduce stress and become better in many aspects of life. In general, the book is very promotional and cites many many cases in which TM was an effective tool to combat everything from high stress to post-traumatic stress disorder. The author breaks the book down into what is usually taught in the first four days of one-on-one teaching of the technique. He states the goal of that day of instruction and then gives examples of how real people, including many celebrities, were affected in a specific way through TM. But like all promotional books, it doesn't say if anyone has come back and said, "...this isn't for me". He also doesn't say if anyone asked for their money back even though the fee is not refundable and is nearly $1,000 for the 4-day training sessions including the first day of one-on-one training. The fee also allows one to go to as many group meditations or refreshers with a certified instructor as they would like, for life. Has TM not worked for anyone? That question is not answered in this book.That said, there is no doubt that the technique has helped many. It is also offered for free to people who are in need through the David Lynch Foundation. The well-known director is a strong proponent of TM for many years as are many celebrities. I think the celebrity appeal tends to sell the product to many who may not otherwise be interested. In addition, Bob Roth describes many of the scientific studies that have shown that TM helps the mind become more energetic and creative while relieving stress.The TM organization is a not-for-profit organization that operates around the world with a network of teachers of TM.

This book does NOT teach transcendental meditation (TM).If you are looking for a book to lead you through transcendental meditation, this is NOT it.I read this book cover to cover and all it talks about are scientific studies about how TM helps lower stress and gives anecdotal stories from celebrities on how much they like it. If that’s what you’re looking for, then this book is for you.The author says over and over that to learn TM you have to spend thousands of dollars to go to a one-on-one four-day training with a professional TM teacher. He says that “step 1” of learning TM is to go to a professional.The author says that you can’t teach TM through a book and that you need to go to a trained professional to get a specialized mantra just for you. That is totally FALSE! If you can teach someone by “speaking,” then those words can be written down and put into a book so that the technique and benefits are available to everyone regardless of financial status, rather than only being accessible to those with money to burn.I regret my purchase of this book.I then found the book “Effortless Deep Meditation” by Joanie Higgs. If you are wanting a book that teaches you TM, Joanie Higgs’ book is the one to get! Not only that but she tells you exactly how those “trained professionals” who are charging you thousands of dollars come up with your “special mantra.”

The book and CD's on Strength in Stillness are wonderful. Transcendental Meditation I recommend to everyone for their health and well-being. I read the book first and I am now listening to the CD's. I wish I would have read the book before taking the course! LOVE IT ALL! ITS FOR EVERYONE!

Algo dentro de mí no me deja ser convencido por las palabras de Bob Roth. A pesar de ser una fan de todos los grandes artistas que practican MT, siento muy sospechoso este tipo de historias; si bien hay (aparentemente) una buena intención detrás de ello. Para poder llevara a cabo esta práctica, necesitas un guía después de pagar una suma muy considerable de dinero. ¿No son las enseñanzas de Mahrishi Mahesh Yogi un regalo para el mundo? Para mí, este es un libro más del tipo de personas como Tony Robbins. Nada más, nada menos. Una decepción por completo.

I am regularly doing TM and I feel amazing changes. But I still think it’s great to understand what exactly is going on with you on the physical level and this book helps a lot.TM shouldn’t be shared through the book for sure. I think one of the most valuable thing about this practice- it’s the support of your teacher for a few days while starting it. Even though I had still many questions after it and my teacher answered all of them. So please don’t underestimate traditional way of learning. Book can’t be your teacher in this case.

A very good way to be introduced to Transcedental Meditation and to get more curious about this practice. I’ll definitely try.

A torture to read, the author is trying his best NOT to explain anything. He is selling you the benefit of TM, but at least, if he sells you the book, we expect a few tips, how to do it by myself. Zero, nothing, this book should be sold for free and have 10 pages max