Transcendental Meditation can increase life satisfaction: Research

A new study shows people practicing the Transcendental Meditation® (TM) technique experience increased ‘life satisfaction’. 

A 2024 longitudinal study examined the effect of Transcendental Meditation on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude of 130 participants, five months after baseline testing and subsequent personalised TM instruction. 

Participants practiced TM at home for 20 minutes, twice a day and attended two follow-up sessions. Post-testing occurred at five months. Significant improvements in self-esteem (p < .001), self-efficacy (p < .001), gratitude (p < .001), and tiredness(p = .05) were found.

The authors of the study measured gratitude using the 6-item Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ-6) by McCullough, Emmons, and Tsang. The average score of participants before TM instruction was 4.46 and increased to 4.80 after Transcendental Meditation instruction. 

Referencing previous research, the authors of the study state that gratitude:

• Is the human way of acknowledging the good things of life
• Enhances nearly all spheres of human existence
• Can stem from a recognition of the gifts in one’s own life, appreciation for the majesty of nature, or acceptance of another’s kindness
• Is positively related to life satisfaction

The authors of the study, which was conducted in the slums of Kampala, Uganda, further state that, “The practice of TM over a five-month period thus appears to have had a significant impact on our participants’ ability to see the good in life, despite their challenging circumstances.” 

According to the authors of the study, these outcomes indicate that participants are “growing in gratitude — their ability to appreciate their environment and their place in it.” 

At eight months the participants of the study were asked to complete a short questionnaire, which showed improved physical health, decreased stress and anxiety levels, and improved relationships in the family and community. 

“Our findings have important implications for enhancing the well-being and empowerment of these vulnerable female youth,” the study authors said. 

During Transcendental Meditation the body gains a profound level of deep rest which allows the deep-rooted stresses to dissolve. This leads to the person practicing TM feeling relief from the deep-rooted stresses that cause psychosomatic diseases such as anxiety, depression, insomnia and PTSD. 

Once a person has dissolved these stresses naturally with the help of their TM practice, the physiology feels fresh, energetic and vital. This leads to the improvement in the mental activity or the individual’s life experiences.

TM practitioners report feeling more grounded and grateful as part of their daily practice of TM which spontaneously gives them access to their inner happiness and calm. 

While practicing gratitude meditation is a positive experience, TM practitioners feel grateful naturally and as a result of the ability to access their inner happiness which results in feeling happy. 

Transcendental Meditation has been well-studied for different groups for the last 50 years.

Research on Transcendental Meditation started as early as the 1970s. Therefore, using TM to boost life satisfaction is simpler than using any other form of meditation because TM gives the practitioners direct access to their inner reservoir of happiness and peace. 

Research shows that during the practice of TM the brain is optimised leading to clarity, focus and improved decision making.