When somebody asks me about significant moments in my life, I always remember the lucky day when I learned the Transcendental Meditation technique. About five years ago, some friends came to see me. Victoria, who had already learned TM, told us about the benefits of this wonderful technique and invited us to an introductory lecture. Although everything she said seemed very interesting, I never thought I would learn Transcendental Meditation.

The next day my friends and I went to the lecture. I thought that only youth would be interested in such things, so I was very surprised to see the crowded hall. There were business people, physicians, professors and students, small children—people of all ages and professions.

When the lecture started, we were drawn into something very simple, but very magnificent. It was the first time I had ever heard knowledge that was so clear and complete. "It’s wonderful to know that there is something like this," I thought, "but it will be much better to learn it."

So I was instructed on May 21, 1994. That was the day the gates into the land of Vedic knowledge were opened for me. Since then my life has been blossoming day after day.

Twice a week we met as a group to meditate together. We discussed our experiences and benefits, listened to Maharishi’s advanced lectures, and learned simple practices to help our body become healthier. It was as if I always had a great fortune, but didn’t know it, and only now discovered this wealth and how to use it—so many good changes came in my life.

I plunged into the Vedic knowledge which Maharishi began bringing out 42 years ago, the knowledge which is so useful and practical for us in our scientific age. Three months later I took the TM-Sidhi program at Maharishi Vedic University, Ukraine. It was one of the most memorable moments in my life when I lifted up into the air without any physical effort while practicing the technique for Yogic Flying.

At the end of the course, Maharishi rang up to congratulate us. It was the first time I had heard Maharishi’s voice in real life, not just on tape. He told us about the effect that was created by group practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique, and especially by the TM-Sidhi program, including Yogic Flying. He said such group meditation was important to reduce crime and violence, and to create a problem-free and disease-free society.

Finishing his talk, Maharishi invited us to become TM Teachers and spread this knowledge in our own countries. We were so inspired by Maharishi that about 150 people took the Teacher Training Course. So after two years of meditation I became a Teacher of the Transcendental Meditation program.

Now I teach other people the TM technique and watch how their lives are transformed as they practice it themselves. They discover that they are precious jewels, which can shine brightly and give to their family and friends the whole love, the whole warmth of their heart, so that all become happier together. Seeing this fills me with happiness and joy, and I think that it was the blessing of the Creator the day I learned the Transcendental Meditation technique.

Contribute Your Story to a New Book! Enlightenment magazine is planning to publish a collection of stories on how Meditators learned the Transcendental Meditation technique, and the benefits they’ve experienced in their lives.

To make the book complete, we’d like stories from people of all ages and backgrounds. We hope that you’ll write your story in 1,000 to 3,000 words, and send it to Enlightenment magazine: PO Box 26, Hillsboro, NH 03244 or email to editor@enlightenment-magazine.org.