Why is Transcendental Meditation So Expensive? $980 Seems Like a Lot

Summary

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a costly meditation technique with a less expensive alternative known as NSR (Natural Stress Relief) Meditation.

Abstract

Transcendental Meditation, a method of silent mantra repetition developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, has gained popularity but comes with a high price tag, ranging from $420 to$ 980 in the USA and £295 to £725 in the UK. The course involves personalized instruction and lifetime support, which proponents argue is necessary for proper technique. However, skepticism arises about the need for such expensive in-person training, suggesting that self-learning with support may be sufficient. As an alternative, NSR Meditation offers a similar practice for a fraction of the cost, providing a $25 instruction manual and the option for additional one-on-one support for$ 25.90, alongside free forums and monthly Zoom meetings for guidance.

Opinions

The official TM stance is that personalized interactive guidance is essential for learning the TM technique, akin to learning a physical skill like playing the violin or a golf swing.
The author of the web content questions the necessity of the high cost of TM, suggesting that learning from a book with the possibility of one-on-one support could be equally effective.
The author endorses NSR Meditation as a cheaper and equally effective alternative to TM, emphasizing the value and accessibility of this method since 2003.
The author reveals personal experience with NSR Meditation, having practiced it since 2017 and finding it to be the best meditation technique after trying various methods for 15 years.

What is Transcendental Meditation?

It is a form of meditation that involves effortlessly thinking a mantra silently in your mind. It was started in the 1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who taught it to the Beatles in the 1960s.

Here is an introduction video:

Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, that’s until you realise how much it costs.

How much does it cost?

According to the official Transcendental Meditation website, the minimum you will pay in the USA is $420, but it can cost you as much as $980 if you earn more.

In the UK, the minimum you will pay as an adult is £295 if you are on low income, but for higher earners, it can be as much as £725.

That’s a lot of money for something that’s so simple and natural, right?

Why is it so expensive?

Well, the 4-session course includes:

Personalised one-on-one instruction

Small group sessions

Lifetime follow-up and support

Because this is done in person at one of their many centres, there are costs involved. But does this technique necessarily need to be learned in that way? Can’t it be learned from a book?

According to the Transcendental Meditation website:

“Imagine trying to learn a natural golf swing or the violin. You know how valuable it is for a good teacher to show you the proper technique. The TM technique is easy to learn, but requires personalized interactive guidance. For this reason, it’s taught only through one-on-one instruction by a certified TM teacher. There is no other way to learn the authentic TM technique — and there is no evidence that anything else provides the full range of benefits documented in the published research on the TM technique.”

I don’t think this is necessarily true, though. I think it is possible to learn such a technique from a book, as long as there is the possibility of one-on-one support if you get stuck or have questions.

Transcendental Meditation

Why is Transcendental Meditation So Expensive? $980 Seems Like a Lot

Luckily, you can learn a very similar technique for only $25

What is Transcendental Meditation?

How much does it cost?

Why is it so expensive?

Is there a cheaper alternative?

NSR Meditation: Why I Wish More People Knew About This

After 15 years of trying different meditation techniques, it’s the best one I’ve found