As a scientist of consciousness, Maharishi brought to light a momentous discovery. He learned from his teacher that the mind's natural tendency is to experience its own deepest inner nature - a field of limitless creativity and bliss. Maharishi regarded the unfoldment of this inner potential as the basis of true success and happiness in life.

He was moved to share this discovery with everyone who wished to create a better life for themselves and others.

In 1955 he began to teach the technology of consciousness that he named Transcendental Meditation. In contrast to other meditation practices, this technique is completely effortless: instead of trying to control the mind or deliberately focus attention, the TM^® technique uses the natural tendency of the mind to flow toward greater bliss, allowing anyone to automatically access the silent reservoir of energy and intelligence that lies deep within human consciousness.

This timeless technique of "effortless transcending," revived by Maharishi and restored to its original effectiveness, had been long lost to society - even in India.

Maharishi systematised the teaching of the technique into a seven-step course so that teachers of all languages could be trained to teach it and the practice would give consistent, all-positive results for people everywhere - thereby preserving the Transcendental Meditation in its purity for this and future generations. 

Maharishi's success as a meditation teacher is unprecedented: Never before in recorded history had a single meditation technique been learned by so many people - over 6 million - during the teacher's lifetime.

He did not fashion himself as a "guru" with followers, but served as a teacher and restorer of Vedic knowledge. He once replied to a journalist who asked how many followers Maharishi had: "I have no followers. Everyone follows their own progress."

Maharishi collaborated with leading Vedic scholars and experts of India to re-establish the completeness and practical applications of the various branches of Vedic knowledge, such as ayurveda, Vedic architecture and gandharva veda. Through his commentaries on the Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic texts, Maharishi restored the fundamental truths and practical wisdom of these ancient works of knowledge. He elucidated the scientific nature of texts such as the Ramayana and the Yoga Sutras, relating them to fundamental principles of the natural sciences. He founded hundreds of Teaching Centres and Consciousness-Based Schools, Colleges and Universities around the world. 

"Through the windows of science — the dawn of an Age of Enlightenment"

Over the years, as Maharishi travelled the globe lecturing on meditation and training thousands of teachers, he met with many of the greatest minds of his generation, who practised the TM or sought discourse with him during symposia on his theory of consciousness. Maharishi discussed molecular chemistry with Nobel Laureate Melvin Calvin; environmental design with R. Buckminster Fuller; quantum mechanics with Nobel Laureate Dr. Brian Josephson; thermodynamics with Nobel Laureate Dr. Ilya Prigogine; the effect of meditation on stress with renowned researcher Hans Selye; the future of technology with Dr. Harvey Brooks of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government; subatomic physics with E.C.G. Sudarshan of the University of Texas - and on goes the list of leading thinkers who were in frequent attendance at Maharishi's talks.

Maharishi welcomed scientists everywhere to research Transcendental Meditation, bringing meditation and the development of consciousness into the clear light of objectively verifiable knowledge.

As the result of increasing scientific validation TM's holistic benefits - particularly studies showing that a small percentage of the population practising the technique creates a measurable positive effect throughout society - Maharishi proclaimed the dawn of an "Age of Enlightenment," a new golden era for life on Earth.