How Transcendental Meditation Has Evolved My Inner World Over 12 Years of Practice!

Hey there! I’m Rajeswari Manickkam, a school teacher who’s been practicing Transcendental Meditation (TM) for 12 years now.

If you have been wondering whether you should take up TM, Let me take you on my personal TM journey, sharing how this simple practice has transformed my life, helped me find peace of mind, and brought emotional balance through meditation.

I’ve always been drawn to meditation, even before I got married. Back then, it was more of a curiosity, a way to explore my inner world.

But things really clicked when I married Sundareswar, who’s been meditating since his school days. He introduced me to Transcendental Meditation, Dr. TC Perumal taught me, a wonderful teacher who guided me into Transcendental Meditation.

That was 12 years ago, and let me tell you, diving into this long-term meditation practice has been one of the best decisions of my life!

So, what’s TM like? It’s this super simple technique that doesn’t require you to twist your body into weird poses or chant for hours. You just sit comfortably, close your eyes, and the automatic, effortless nature of the TM technique helps you to settle your mind.

I practice Transcendental Meditation daily —20 minutes in the morning and 20 in the evening—and it’s like hitting a reset button for my brain.

As a school teacher, my days are packed with lesson plans, grading papers, and managing a classroom full of energetic kids. As fast as stress relief goes, TM has been a game-changer, helping me stay calm even when the classroom gets chaotic or deadlines pile up.

One of the biggest Transcendental Meditation benefits I’ve noticed is how it’s helped me find work-life balance.

Teaching is rewarding but exhausting, and then there’s family life—cooking, helping my kids with homework, and keeping the house running. Before TM, I’d often feel stretched thin, like I was juggling too many balls and dropping them all, on top of it.

But meditation for working women like me has been a lifesaver. TM helps me stay grounded, so I can be present for my students and still have the energy to enjoy family life. It’s like I’ve created a cozy, comfortable environment around me, both at home and at work.

What I love most about TM and mental well-being is how it’s brought me peace of mind. Life throws various challenges— tough parent-teacher meeting, exam deadlines, admin work, family issues, aging—and TM has been my anchor during challenging times.

I remember a particularly rough year when I was dealing with some personal stuff. Practicing TM helped me stay steady, like a quiet harbor in a storm. It’s not just about feeling calm in the moment; it’s about this deep TM inner transformation that makes you feel stronger inside, no matter what’s going on outside.

TM makes you resilient. It doesn't make the storm vanish, it sits you in the eye, so you can stay unbothered by everything that is going around you - anchored deep within your peaceful, calm inner self.

The physiological effects of TM are pretty amazing too. I used to get headaches from stress, and my sleep wasn’t great. But after a few months of regular meditation, I noticed I was sleeping better, my energy was up, and those headaches? Pretty much gone.

It’s mind-body healing that works from the inside out. Science backs this up too—studies say TM can lower stress hormones and even improve heart health. For me, it’s proof that stress-free living is more than just a catchy phrase; it’s real.

As a teacher, I can’t recommend it enough. My classroom vibe has changed since I started TM. I’m more patient, more focused, and I can handle those high-energy moments with a smile.

My students pick up on that calm energy too, which makes teaching more fun. Plus, TM has helped me connect better with my family. I’m not just going through the motions—I’m really there, listening to my kids’ stories or laughing with my husband over dinner. That’s what meditation and family life is all about for me.

Looking back on these 12 years of Transcendental Meditation, I’m so grateful for this practice. It’s not just a habit; it’s a way of life that’s brought me emotional balance and a sense of calm I never thought possible.

If you’re thinking about trying TM, I say go for it. It’s simple, it’s powerful, and it might just be the key to stress-free living for you too.

This is my journey with Transcendental Meditation, and its so fulfilling that I am also now going for its advanced courses and if possible with time, would also like to become a certified teacher of TM so that I can bring about this effect in the life of others just as I was fortunate to get it in my life.