In Transcendental Consciousness, which we experience during our TM practice, attention has settled inward, beyond perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. What remains is the experience of consciousness in its pure form, awake to itself alone—unbounded pure awareness, our innermost Self. Simultaneously the body becomes deeply restful while brain functioning becomes integrated, suggesting the total brain is awake.

What are you experiencing in this state? Your consciousness is free of content, awake but without perceptions, thoughts, and feelings. The sea of consciousness is aware only of itself, unmixed with anything else. Maharishi calls this a state ofpure consciousness, pure awareness, pure wakefulness.

Experiences during TM practice, Maharishi explains, will vary from person to person and from day to day, depending on the condition of the nervous system, whether fresh or fatigued, relaxed or stressed.

When one first learns to meditate, one may experience Transcendental Consciousness only for brief moments, at the deepest points of meditation. The experience is so natural that one may hardly be aware of it. In time, with regular TM practice, the experience lasts for longer periods, first during meditation, then outside as well.