Yogas Citta-Vrtti-Nirodhah: How Transcendental Meditation Quietly Realizes the True Aim of Yoga

Introduction: Unveiling the True Purpose of Yoga

Yoga, as popularly understood, often conjures images of physical postures, breath control, and mindfulness practices aimed at health and relaxation. While these are valuable, they represent only a slice of yoga’s deeper essence.

His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation, reframed Yoga as a holistic path to unite the individual mind with universal consciousness.

Maharishi explains Yoga as a state of being where the mind transcends its fluctuations to rest in pure awareness. This aligns with the ancient wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, particularly its opening verse: Yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah.

Translated simply, Yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah means “Yoga is the settling down of the fluctuations of the mind.”

Here, citta refers to consciousness, vrtti to its modifications or mental activities, and nirodhah to their complete stilling.

This verse encapsulates the true purpose of yoga: to settle the mind into a state of pure, unbounded consciousness, free from the restless waves of thoughts and emotions.

Unlike the common focus predominantly on yoga asanas and the allied bahirmukhi (outward pointing) aspects of Ashtanga Yoga, Maharishi emphasizes that Yoga’s ultimate aim is to awaken the practitioner to their innermost self—pure consciousness—through the effortless technique of Transcendental Meditation (TM).

As we approach International Yoga Day 2025, let’s explore how TM and Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras converge to fulfill this profound goal.

Quietening the Mind with Effort Defeats the Purpose

The quest for mental stillness often leads people to try controlling or suppressing thoughts, but this approach is counterintuitive to Yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah. Forcing the mind to be quiet is like trying to calm a stormy sea by pushing down the waves—temporary at best, exhausting at worst.

The mind, by nature, is active, constantly producing thoughts, emotions, and reactions. Attempting to manipulate it at the surface level only creates tension, as another thought or feeling inevitably arises.

This struggle undermines the true purpose of Yoga, which is to allow the mind to settle naturally into a state of stillness, calm and abiding peace.

One of Maharishi's central concepts on Yoga is that true stillness cannot be achieved by remaining at the level of thought. Instead, the mind must transcend its surface activity to access a deeper, quieter state.

Techniques that require effort, like forced concentration or suppressing emotions, keep the mind tethered to its active state, preventing the effortless cessation of mental fluctuations.

Transcendental Meditation offers a different path—one that naturally and effortlessly takes the mind beyond thoughts, to the silent source of consciousness.

By diving inward effortlessly, TM aligns with the essence of yoga, fostering a natural state of calm without the strain of manipulation. This effortless approach is what makes TM a powerful tool for realizing Yoga, beyond asanas.

Samadhi or Turiya Is the Key

The ultimate goal of Yoga, as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, is Samadhi—the state where the mind is completely still, yet fully aware.

This is also known as Turiya, or the fourth state of consciousness, distinct from waking, dreaming, and sleeping. In Samadhi, the fluctuations of citta cease, and the mind merges with pure consciousness, the eternal observer within.

This is not a loss of awareness but an awakening to the background substance of existence—pure, infinite consciousness. As Maharishi explains, this state is the real purpose of Yoga: “yoking” the individual mind to the universal or cosmic psyche, where the mind “disappears” into boundless awareness, observing itself.

Achieving Samadhi is the culmination of Ashtanga Yoga, the eight-limbed path laid out by Patanjali. While practices like asanas (postures) and pranayama (breath control) prepare the body and mind, they are stepping stones to this final limb.

In Samadhi, thoughts and emotions dissolve, leaving only the silent, unchanging essence of consciousness. This state of TM and consciousness is not an abstract ideal but a lived experience.

For International Yoga Day 2025, embracing this deeper understanding of yoga can transform our practice from mere physical exercise to a profound journey toward inner peace and self-realization.

Transcendental Meditation Is Designed to Naturally Aid in Achieving Samadhi

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is uniquely designed to facilitate Samadhi by guiding the mind to Transcendental Consciousness, the fourth state of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming, and sleeping.

Unlike techniques that require concentration or control, TM is effortless, aligning perfectly with the principle of Yogas citta-vrtti-nirodhah.

So, how does Transcendental Meditation work? During TM practice, practitioners silently use a specific, life supporting sound with no meaning, which acts as a vehicle to draw the mind inward.

As we gently follow the practice, the mental activity naturally quiets, allowing the mind to transcend thought and settle into a state of pure awareness.

Unlike mindfulness or concentration, which keep the mind engaged at the thinking level, TM allows the mind to dive deeper, effortlessly accessing stillness of mind through TM.

This technique, practiced for 20 minutes twice daily, brings the practitioner to Transcendental Consciousness, where the mind is alert yet free of thoughts—a direct experience of Samadhi.

Research supports Transcendental Meditation benefits, showing reduced stress, improved focus, and enhanced clarity (e.g., a 2017 study in Brain and Cognition found TM practitioners exhibited increased alpha brainwave coherence and default mode network activation, indicating relaxed alertness.)

Increased alpha brain wave coherence during Transcendental Meditation practice

TM  is more than a relaxation technique—it’s a direct path to the yogic mind. By regularly experiencing Transcendental Consciousness, practitioners cultivate a state of inner calm that carries into daily life, aligning with your goals of holistic well-being.

Maharishi’s wisdom, rooted in the ageless Vedic tradition, emphasizes that TM is the essence of yoga, fulfilling Patanjali’s directive by effortlessly dissolving mental fluctuations. As we celebrate International Yoga Day 2025, TM offers a practical way to embody Maharishi’s wisdom, making the true aim of yoga accessible to all.

Discover TM This Yoga Day

This International Yoga Day 2025, take a step toward realizing the true purpose of yoga by exploring Transcendental Meditation. Whether you’re new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, TM offers a simple, effective way to experience mental stillness and inner peace.

Join a free introductory session at a certified TM center near you to learn how TM supports International Yoga Day goals. Contact us at +91-8800-345-408 (call or WhatsApp) or email info@indiatm.org to book your session and begin your effortless journey to achieving Samadhi.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How does TM differ from other yoga practices?

Transcendental Meditation is an effortless meditation technique that takes the mind beyond thoughts to pure consciousness, unlike the practice of exclusively physical yoga asanas or concentration-based practices. It aligns with Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras by fostering Samadhi, the state of mental stillness, making it a direct path to the true purpose of yoga.

2. Can TM be practiced alongside yoga asanas?

Absolutely! Asanas loosen up the body and help remove imbalances in brain and bodily functions, creating the ideal foundation for deeper experiences of consciousness. Transcendental Meditation (TM) complements yoga beyond asanas by deepening mental clarity and inner peace. Practicing TM before or after asanas enhances relaxation and focus, aligning with Yoga Day celebration with Maharishi’s wisdom for a holistic yoga experience.

3. How does TM support stress relief?

TM reduces cortisol levels and promotes alpha brainwave activity, fostering calm and focus. Regular practice helps dissolve stress effortlessly, supporting the Transcendental Meditation benefits for overall well-being.