Founded by MaharishiMahesh Yogi
Founded by MaharishiAustralia’s only consciousness-based education school is showing how Transcendental Meditation® (TM) can help young people develop clarity, confidence and a strong sense of self.
Maharishi School principal Sonia Culcasi joined Stillness in Success podcast host Mustafa Nuristani to share how Transcendental Meditation supports students to grow from the inside out — helping them stay calm, focused and connected in a fast-moving world.
As the principal of Australia’s only consciousness-based education primary school, Sonia says the integration of TM into daily school life is central to developing the whole child.
“Consciousness-based education is about supporting the whole person,” Sonia said.
“The children learn Transcendental Meditation from the time they start school, and at least one parent also learns the technique. It helps students reduce stress and develop greater clarity in a natural and effortless way.”
The school follows the Victorian curriculum while integrating the Science of Creative Intelligence — a framework designed to help students understand how inner awareness supports learning and growth.
“One of the principles we explore is that the nature of life is to grow,” Sonia said.
“When students revisit these ideas each year, they gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world.”
Through regular practice of Transcendental Meditation, students learn to access a settled state of awareness that supports clearer thinking and healthier relationships.
“They develop confidence and creativity,” Sonia said.
“They know who they are, and they express themselves from that inner stability.”
Meditation is integrated into the school day in an age-appropriate way.
Younger children learn an open-eyed walking meditation technique, while older students practise the standard TM technique with eyes closed.
“From around five years old, students begin with a walking technique,” Sonia explained.
“As they grow older, they transition into the adult Transcendental Meditation practice and meditate together twice a day.”
She says this shared experience creates a calm, connected environment across the school.
“When everyone meditates at the same time, the whole school feels settled,” she said.
“There’s a sense of belonging and harmony.”
According to Sonia, one of the biggest benefits of meditation is how students learn to manage challenges and differences.
“Every child is unique,” she said.
“They learn how to talk through things, understand their emotions and respect each other’s individuality.”
Rather than suppressing emotions, students develop the resilience and self-awareness to work through situations constructively — a skill she believes is increasingly important for modern education.
“They have tools to express themselves clearly and calmly,” she said.
“And that helps them both inside and outside the classroom.”
Before leading the Maharishi School, Sonia worked for more than 20 years as a science teacher in a large government secondary school.
She had long been connected to the school community and was curious about how consciousness-based education could support mainstream learning.
“I was always thinking about how this approach could work in broader education,” she said.
When the principal position became available, she initially hesitated — but the opportunity stayed with her.
As part of the application process, she learned Transcendental Meditation, which she says brought a noticeable shift.
“It was one of the calmest experiences I’d had,” she said.
“I’d tried many kinds of meditation before, but TM felt completely effortless.”
At the time, Sonia was balancing leadership responsibilities, job applications and external academic work. She quickly noticed changes in how she approached daily life.
“I found I was more efficient and purposeful,” she said.
“I had more clarity and could complete everything with less effort.”
For her, the benefits of Transcendental Meditation extended beyond relaxation — improving focus, decision-making and overall wellbeing.
Now trained as a TM teacher, Sonia has begun teaching students herself.
She says the younger children often describe their experience simply and naturally.
“They just say, ‘I feel good,’” she said.
“There’s this joy and lightness that comes through.”
Older students report feeling calmer, more creative and more settled after meditation sessions.
“They notice they can do more and feel clearer,” she said.
“And that’s the beauty of TM — it’s natural and effortless.”
For Sonia, the greatest value of TM is that it gives students a lifelong tool they can use beyond school.
“They leave knowing who they are,” she said.
“They have a strong inner foundation, and that helps them navigate the wider world.”
As more parents and educators explore ways to support student wellbeing, the integration of Transcendental Meditation within education highlights how inner development can enhance outer achievement.
To learn more about Transcendental Meditation (TM) visit tm.org.au.
