What are the best times of day to meditate? The most important thing is to meditate twice a day. If it's possible to meditate around the same times every day, great, since our nervous systems love routine. But this is not required. What's most important for maximum results is TM twice a day.

To learn more about the scientific research on the benefits of twice-daily practice, see Dr. David Orme-Johnson's How Important Is It to Practice TM Regularly? What the Research Tells Us. For ideas on how to fit your TM practice into a busy schedule, see 20 Tips for TM Twice a Day.

Is 20 minutes twice a day really important? And if I don't have 20 minutes should I skip my meditation? Twice-daily TM practice provides the best balance of rest and activity and produces maximum benefits.

Meditate for the length of time you were instructed, usually 20 minutes for adults. In addition, take enough time to come out slowly before starting activity.

If you're going to be busy at your usual TM time, try meditating earlier or later rather than skipping your meditation entirely. This way you'll continue to benefit from the deep rest and reduced stress that TM provides, even during the busiest times.

See Dr. David Orme-Johnson's How Important Is It to Practice TM Regularly? What the Research Tells Us to learn more about the benefits of twice-daily practice, and see 20 Tips for TM Twice a Day for ideas on how to fit TM into a busy schedule.

What are some good ways to avoid interruptions while I'm meditating? The basic principle is to prevent interruptions in advance when possible, such as by telling others at home or work that you're going to meditate, holding calls, and so on. In rare cases when interruptions do occur, take a moment to come out slowly, address the situation, then return and finish your meditation.

What’s the ideal position to meditate in, and is it OK to meditate lying down? It is not necessary to sit in any particular position to practice TM. Sitting comfortably is all that’s needed. We don’t meditate lying down because the body is accustomed to falling asleep in that position.

What should I do if I feel sleepy during meditation? During the TM technique, the body takes what it needs to get rid of stress. Feeling sleepy is natural if there’s some deep fatigue in the body. If we fall asleep during meditation, we simply finish after we wake up.

I live in a noisy household and find it hard to meditate with all the distractions. What should I do? The TM technique is an easy, effortless mental technique, so we can practice it wherever we can sit comfortably with eyes closed. We choose a quiet place whenever possible, but we can meditate anywhere, even if it's somewhat noisy.

If this isn't your experience, contact your local TM Center ► for a free TM Checking to re-establish effortless practice.

For tips on where to meditate away from home, see 20 Places to Meditate on the Go—which also includes lots of great ideas and stories from fellow meditators.

What makes the TM technique so easy? TM practice is effortless because it utilizes the natural tendency of the mind to move spontaneously towards greater happiness.

Maharishi, in his talk "Being Is Bliss: The Secret behind Why TM Is Easy" (2:50), explains how how the mind effortlessly experiences finer levels of thought through the use of the mantra and arrives at pure Being, the field of infinite happiness.

If you're unsure whether your TM practice is easy and effortless, just make an appointment with a Certified TM Teacher for a free TM Checking. This enjoyable process is the best way to re-experience and re-establish effortless, correct TM practice. Find your TM Center here ►

Is the TM technique really that different from other forms of meditation? Yes, it really is, especially in these three ways:

• It is simple and easy to practice.
• It gives the experience of a unique neurophysiological state of restful alertness and brainwave coherence.
• Its effects have been scientifically researched in hundreds of published studies showing benefits for health, intelligence, creativity, work, relationships, and more.

To find out more about the unique effortlessness of the TM technique from a scientist’s perspective, see Dr. David Orme-Johnson’s How Does TM Differ from Mindfulness?

The TM technique also shows a unique brainwave signature in which the activity in the brain’s default mode network increases—an indication that the mind is not focusing. For more about this neurological signature of TM practice, see New Research: Effortlessness Is Key to TM Technique.

Are there free support services for my TM practice? Yes. Maharishi included lifelong TM follow-up to ensure that every TM meditator always gains maximum benefits from their daily practice. The goal of these programs is to enhance your understanding and experience, no matter how long you've been practicing TM.

Get on the mailing list for your local TM Center and check out program schedules online. Advanced Knowledge Meetings and special events often include a group TM Checking, discussion of experiences, and special videos or guest speakers presenting a wide range of topics for personal development.

You’re welcome to participate in programs at any TM Center in the United States ► If it's your first visit, call or email in advance to confirm their schedule and open times.

I started TM for stress reduction. What’s the deal on higher states of consciousness and enlightenment? “Enlightenment means lack of darkness, absence of darkness,” Maharishi has said. “And ‘absence of darkness’ means no mistakes, no weakness, no shortcoming, success everywhere, fulfillment of desire everywhere. That is enlightenment. One is living in full accord with Natural Law. Spontaneously, nature is supporting us: then we are not in the dark about anything.”

Over time, with regular twice-daily practice of the TM technique, our nervous system gradually becomes free of stress, and the state of Transcendental Consciousness is never lost.

When we spontaneously maintain that inner wakefulness and silence along with waking, dreaming, and sleep, it is called Cosmic Consciousness, the fifth state of consciousness and the first stage of enlightenment. (See What Is Cosmic Consciousness?)

This is a state of self-realization in which we’re completely free from stresses and limitations and experience the full value of life.

Higher states of consciousness are associated with increased creativity and intelligence, expanded awareness and wholeness, and greater joy and achievement. Practicing TM accelerates the growth of these values, which become permanent in enlightenment.

To learn more about the development of higher states of consciousness and enlightenment, attend an Advanced Knowledge Meeting at your local TM Center or a One-Day or longer TM Retreat. To find out more, read Maharishi’s classic text the Science of Being and Art of Living and Dr. Tony Nader's One Unbounded Ocean of Consciousness: Simple Answers to the Big Questions in Life.