Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation Hardcover – 1 Feb 2018

At first I thought this book was going to teach me the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, and at first I was disappointed, and gave this book a 1 star review because it did not teach it. I did however bite the bullet, after reading Bobby Roth's Strength in Stillness, I read every book that was out on TM. I then followed up by scheduling an introductory course with my local TM center. I was really interested especially after having read over the peer reviewed case studies, and how it helps with focus, the technique is simple, and anyone can learn. Today was my day three at the TM center, and I have met other like minded individuals, mostly graduate students attempting to relieve stress, insomnia, and other matters. As I left today, I went to the park, and tears of gratefulness emerged, I am thankful for the TM technique, and I will continue doing my twice daily 20 minute meditations. I felt so connected to everything, one of the main differences is I am a lot more focused, and the sounds the birds make are much more noticeable. Thank your Bobby Roth, and I am sorry for leaving a 1 star review, it wasn't until I actually tried it out, that I really understood then.

This book is a clear and compelling introduction to TM for people with a scientific outlook on life.

The title perfectly reflects my own experience with TM. Before I learned to meditate, my mind was incredibly noisy. It was so noisy I could hardly hear myself think, if that makes sense. To use an analogy, my mind was so chaotic it felt a bit like being in a room with three TVs tuned to different channels, all at high volume—for virtually all my waking hours, every day. Needless to say, I was completely miserable. When I learned TM, it was as if two of the channels were turned off and the volume on the third was turned way down. And when I meditated, there were periods of blessed relief where the sound was completely off. Over the last 47 years of meditating regularly, that inner silence has continued to deepen. And it continues to become more and more blissful. I was in college at the time, and my grades went from mediocre B’s to straight A’s after I learned to meditate. That was an unexpected bonus.

I doubt that I would be here now if I hadn’t learned to meditate. I was in that bad a state at the time. I was desperate and really didn’t want to live. Now I am happy and able to function in a way I couldn’t even have imagined back then. Physically, I look and feel much younger than my 69 years. This technique is priceless—truly, utterly, absolutely priceless.

As others have noted, this book is not an instruction manual. I completely agree with the author that personal instruction is really necessary. Live interaction is essential to learning the technique. It’s an extremely simple technique, and the method of teaching it that Maharishi perfected and systematized is pure genius. While there are many other meditations that aim the experience of transcendence, I don’t believe that there are any that come close to being as effortless and effective as this one. Those that use concentration and mind control can be truly excruciating, and the effort involved can be tremendous.

While this is an excellent introduction for skeptical, scientifically-minded people, it might not be the book to give someone who is more spiritually minded. However, the technique itself is as universal as any technique can be and it doesn’t matter at all what your outlook on life is, whether you are an atheist, an agnostic or deeply religious. Clarity of mind is essential no matter who you are, what you do, and what you believe.

TM is definitely not a religion, but the experience of transcendence supports any spiritual or religious inclinations as well as scientific ones (which are not mutually exclusive, although many people seem to think they are) because it is the basis of everything. Maharishi brilliantly integrated the scientific and spiritual viewpoints in a way no one else has ever done.

There is at least one troll who claims that TM is a religion, but you can learn TM and go on your merry way without even seeing anyone else involved with the organization ever again, so how is that a religion? I live in a remote place in the mountains and often go months without even seeing another meditator, though it’s a real joy when I do. There’s no religion. You don’t even have to believe it works, but it does anyway. and people from all the major religions happily practice it without conflict.

TM doesn’t change you into something you aren’t. And it doesn’t make you change your religion. If you were never really a believer in the religion of your family, you might or might not become one. You might even find that your own inclinations take you in a completely different direction. But the point is that they are your inclinations, which were already there in some way, and not inclinations determined by practicing this technique.

For instance, a person raised in a strict religion might find their beliefs moving in a more liberal direction. On the other hand, a person raised by agnostics or atheists might feel the need for a structured belief system. And many people report that their understanding, appreciation and experience of their own religion has become more profound from the practice. I’ve known many people who only really began practicing the religion they were raised in after learning the practice because transcending gave them a new perspective on it.

Of course, there are always people who will latch onto anything and make it a religion, and some have no doubt done this with TM. But it’s definitely not due to any inherent quality of the technique—otherwise everyone would do it. The vast majority of meditators have not made a religion of it, so, hey, it’s not a religion. It’s as simple as that.

It amazes me that some people are so insecure in their own beliefs that they can feel threatened by a simple, rather mechanical, mental technique. Seriously, you use a sound without any associated meaning. If this person ascribes the ability to change one’s religion to this little sound, then he clearly recognizes that there is great power in that sound. There is, for sure, immense power in the sound, but its special power is to bring you into tune with your own true self.

I deeply admire Roth’s dedication to bringing TM into the mainstream of education. It’s clear that he’s extremely passionate about it.

I had contacted a TM teacher about 3 years ago and due to skepticism I never pursued. I preordered the book and read it in one day. Before I was halfway thru the book I stopped and reserved my seat for the introduction with that teacher I contacted years ago. The book hit home when it talked about veteran suicides and that 65% are over 50. I'm Army retired at 56 with depression. The book also touched me about children at risk. One of my grown adopted children is Bipolar. TM I'm sure can help him after reading this book. Bottom line an awesome book with a great story to tell.

The book introduces the different kinds of meditation existing, then describes why TM is so great, however it does NOT explains how to practice TM on your own (i.e. if you want to learn how to reduce stress by doing Transcendental Meditation, don't buy this book).
Rather 90% of the book is about celebrities and important people giving testimonials on how TM changed their lives and helped them cope with stress (the author trained many celebrities, and is quite proud of it).
The book suggests that all these celebrities (and you) are expected to book a training 1 on 1 with a TM teacher in order to get the personalised lessons you need to practice TM properly.
I had high hopes before purchasing this book but I'm very disapointed to have waisted my time reading a book that could have been summarised in a few pages.
Actually to save your time, here is a summary:
There is 3 kinds of meditation:
1/ focused attention -- removing any thoughts and focusing on keeping a clear mind
2/ open monitoring -- observing your thoughts without emotions, just looking at them
3/ transcendental meditation -- going deeper into the source of your toughts (but the book does NOT explain you how to do that, unless you were to book a training with the author (he's a full time TM teacher, so of course his book would not give away the secret of his practice))
TM is the best one (simplest to practice, and most effective). It reduces stress, blood pressure and will make you more productive and give you more energy. The best is to practice 20min twice a day (early morning and afternoon). But to do that you need stuff that's not in this book (specifically you need a mantra (a positive phrase or affirmative statement that you say to yourself for the purpose of motivation or encouragement)), and you need a private teacher to explain how to practice (so for example, you could book a session with the author)
Yeah, really that bad :-(