Settling into a comfortable chair, the writer, from the UK’s Financial Times, begins their first Transcendental Meditation (TM) session. What sets TM apart from many other approaches is its relaxed nature: no need for rigid posture or lotus position—just sit however feels natural. Scratch an itch if it arises, adjust your legs as needed, and don’t fight wandering thoughts; they’re perfectly normal. As the instructor explains, simply gently return to the mantra without force. The whole process is meant to feel natural, straightforward, and effortless—if it’s not, something’s off.
Like countless others, the author discovered TM through the legendary filmmaker David Lynch, who would have marked his 80th birthday on 15 January (with the one-year anniversary of his passing coming just days later). A devoted practitioner for over half a century, Lynch spent his final decades passionately advocating for the technique, even launching his own foundation in 2005 to bring TM instruction to schools and vulnerable communities worldwide.
“What a gift... the ability to live our lives better, fuller, effortlessly.”
Seiod Ni Laoire
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