Everything you want to know about TM, from cost to scientific research.
Transcendental Meditation is a meditation technique introduced in the 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. You practise it twice a day for 20 minutes, sitting comfortably with your eyes closed.
During meditation you use a personal mantra — a sound without meaning — which you repeat mentally. This sound becomes progressively quieter, allowing your mind to settle naturally into a state of deep inner silence, sometimes called “transcending.”
What makes TM unique is that it is completely effortless. There's no need to control your thoughts, concentrate, or try to empty your mind. The technique works with the mind's natural tendency to settle towards rest and silence.
More than eight million people worldwide have learned TM. It is practised by people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds.
The course fee is income-based, so TM remains accessible to everyone. TM is taught in the Netherlands by the Stichting Maharishi Vedisch Instituut (MVI), a non-profit foundation.
| Gross monthly income | Instalments (In3/Klarna) | One-off |
|---|---|---|
| Up to €2,000 | 3 × €165 | €495 |
| €2,000 – €3,000 | 3 × €209 | €625 |
| €3,000 – €4,000 | 3 × €252 | €755 |
| €4,000 and above | 3 × €299 | €895 |
| Special rate | Instalments | One-off |
|---|---|---|
| Partners | 1.5× the above | 1.5× the above |
| Full-time students | 3 × €115 | €345 |
| Secondary school students | 3 × €82 | €245 |
| Children under 10 | 25% of parents' rate | 25% of parents' rate |
| Private course | 3 × €432 | €1,295 |
The course fee includes:
Every TM centre offers additional sponsorship, if needed, for people who cannot afford the course financially.
TM is taught in many places across the Netherlands. Certified TM teachers give courses in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Groningen, Arnhem, Maastricht and many other cities.
The first step is attending a free introductory talk. This takes about an hour and is given by a certified TM teacher. You'll learn what TM is, how it works and what to expect. The talk is entirely without obligation — even if you're just curious, you're very welcome. Feel free to bring someone along.
After the introductory talk you can, if you wish, enrol in the TM course. Visit tm.nl/lezingen to find the teacher and location closest to you.
Although both TM and mindfulness are forms of meditation, they differ fundamentally in technique, approach and scientifically measured effects.
Technique: With mindfulness you consciously focus your attention on the present moment — observing your thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations without judgment. This requires active, directed effort. With TM you use a personal mantra that guides your mind to settle naturally and completely effortlessly. No concentration, observation or control is needed.
Brain activity: TM leads to coherence across the entire cerebral cortex — an orderly pattern in which different brain regions begin working in sync. Mindfulness mainly activates areas associated with attention and self-regulation.
Effort: Mindfulness requires practice and discipline to keep bringing your attention back. TM is effortless from the very first moment — there's nothing to force.
Both techniques have their value. The key difference is that TM works with the mind's natural tendency, while mindfulness actively directs the mind. Read the full comparison →
Learning TM is surprisingly quick. The course consists of four sessions on consecutive days:
Day 1: Personal instruction. You receive one-on-one instruction from your certified TM teacher. This is the moment you actually learn to meditate. The session takes about 1 to 2 hours.
Days 2, 3 and 4: Follow-up sessions in small groups, each about ninety minutes. Your technique is verified, you learn more about the finer points of the practice, and all your questions are answered.
After these four days you can practise TM completely independently at home. Most people experience the benefits from the very first session.
Before the course you attend a free introductory talk (about 1 hour). After the course you're invited to free monthly group meetings for the first six months.
Transcendental Meditation is one of the most thoroughly researched meditation techniques there is:
More than 800 peer-reviewed scientific studies have been published in reputable journals, conducted at more than 200 universities and research institutions worldwide.
The American Heart Association (AHA) has recognised TM as the only meditation technique scientifically shown to effectively lower high blood pressure.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US has invested more than 26 million dollars in research into TM.
Scientifically demonstrated benefits include: reduced stress and anxiety, lower high blood pressure, improved brain functioning, reduced PTSD symptoms, better sleep and a strengthened immune system.
In 2018 the EU awarded a half-million-euro grant for research into TM in education in the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. The results showed less test anxiety among students and less stress among teachers.
TM can only be learned through personal instruction from a certified TM teacher. There are no books, apps or videos that can teach you the authentic TM technique.
This is a deliberate choice, not a commercial restriction. TM is a subtle, effortless technique that must be taught precisely correctly. An experienced teacher can tailor the technique to your personal situation, correct you immediately if something isn't quite right, and verify that you're practising correctly.
Compare it to learning to play a musical instrument. You can read a book about playing the violin, but to really learn it you need a teacher sitting next to you, listening and guiding you.
The advantage is that after the four-day course you can practise the technique completely independently — for life. And should you ever have questions, you can always turn to any certified TM teacher worldwide, at no extra cost.
No obligation whatsoever, even if you're just curious.
Find a talk near you