Transcendental Meditation in Utrecht

No — and that is exactly what sets TM apart. You do not have to suppress anything, concentrate on anything or “empty” your head. With the help of a personal mantra your mind settles completely effortlessly; thoughts are allowed to be there. Anyone can learn it, also if you think you are “no good at meditating”.

No. TM is a meditation technique, not a religious or spiritual movement. You don't have to believe in anything, join anything, and there are no obligations after the course. TM is taught in the Netherlands by the Maharishi Vedic Institute Foundation, a recognized non-profit (ANBI) organization. The technique is compatible with any religion or worldview.

The TM course fee is income dependent: from €495 to €895 one-time. Full-time students pay €345, secondary school students €245. Payment in three installments through In3 is possible. Included: personal instruction, three follow-up meetings, six months of group meetings and lifelong guidance from any TM teacher worldwide.

No. TM can only be learned through personal one-on-one instruction by a certified TM teacher. The subtle, effortless technique must be taught just right and tailored to your situation. After four days of training, you can meditate completely independently, for a lifetime.

During the free introductory talk of about an hour, the teacher explains what TM is, how it works and what the scientific research shows. You get answers to all your questions and hear how the course runs. You do not learn to meditate during the introduction itself — it is there so you can find out at your ease whether TM suits you, with no obligation.

Yes, entirely. The introduction is free and you are not tied to anything. You decide only after the introduction, at your own pace, whether you want to take the course. No pressure, no obligations.

During TM, your personal mantra enables your mind to effortlessly rise to ever quieter levels of thought, until you experience the most silent and peaceful level of your own awareness. This state of "transcending" provides deep rest while the mind stays alert.

In mindfulness, you consciously focus your attention on the present moment - this requires effort and concentration. In TM, you use a mantra to quiet the mind in a completely effortless way. Research shows that TM creates coherence throughout the cerebral cortex, a unique pattern not seen in other meditation techniques. Both have their value, but the mechanism is fundamentally different.

Yes. More than 800 studies (of which 400+ peer-reviewed) conducted at more than 200 universities worldwide. The 2025 US guideline on high blood pressure names TM as the only meditation technique by name, as a possible adjunct for elevated blood pressure. The NIH has invested more than $26 million in TM research. Demonstrated benefits: reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, improved memory, better sleep and strengthening the immune system.

The TM course lasts for four consecutive days. Day 1: personal one-on-one instruction (1-1.5 hours). Days 2, 3 and 4: follow-up meetings in small groups (one and a half hours each). Beforehand, you attend a free introductory lecture. After the course, there are six months of free monthly group meetings.