September 2000

"How I Learned TM"
Living Two Fullnesses
By Donna Brand

I didn’t go straight to college after I graduated from high school in New Jersey. I wanted to sing in a rock band and decide which art school to attend. At age 19 it was a good life, even if it wasn’t very orderly. Everything was hit or miss every single day, but I was happy, I was young, and I loved the band.

One day, when a friend mentioned that she was going to learn the Transcendental Meditation technique the following week, I immediately knew this was for me. That was it! It felt like a totally natural thing to do. I don’t remember thinking about it or making any preparations. I don’t even know where the money came from, although I’m sure it was a lot of money for me at the time.

In high school my friends and I were the philosophers and artists— we were questioning and exploring all the time. Even when I was in grade school, maybe as early as 5th grade, I enjoyed discussing spiritual things with my family and friends. I think I had always been on the path of mediation— I just hadn’t met TM yet. All I needed was the simplest word and boom—I was there.

None of my other friends learned—I was totally independent about it, and I never missed a meditation. Eventually I went to college at Maharishi University of Management and learned the TM-Sidhi program while I was a student there.

Now, many years later I still have my meditation, but I also have my family— they are my priority. For 12 years my husband Scott and I and our four boys lived in an area where there were no other Meditators. I was very busy then—changing diapers, cleaning the house—but I just did my meditation and was out in life in an active and natural way.

Maharishi says, "Meditate and act." That worked for me. Whenever the boys took a nap, I would look forward to meditating.

During those years we felt that everything was just bursting with life— we had four small boys. Everywhere I looked I saw the joy and richness of life. As the boys have grown I still look for-ward to each new day. When I get up I think, "Oh, good! Today I get to be with my boys again!"

All our boys learned to meditate and the two younger ones still often meditate with us. I feel they have a very good understanding of what it is. When I started meditating I chose it on my own, but they are being raised with it, so it’s a little different for them. I don’t know what directions they’ll choose in life, but they have a good solid foundation.

No matter where I’ve lived, meditation is the baseline thing I’ve always done. Of course, I love many things—listening to music, hiking, gardening—but this is the unchanging thing, the thing that I’ve just kept doing. When I visit my parents and siblings they know I have a really full life and they see how happy I am. They are very open-minded and supportive. I don’t have to explain to them why I meditate—I think that speaks for itself.

I feel totally blessed to have two full-nesses— my meditation and my family life.

Donna Brand lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Scott, and their four sons, Evan, Peter, Nathan, and Philip.

Remember how you first heard about the TM technique? Probably from a friend. Pass on the favor:

• Tell them to call 1-888-LEARN TM to get the location of an introductory lectures in their area
• Give them an book or video on the TM technique. To order or call 1-888-437-0855
• Tell them to visit: www.tm.org for an introduction to the TM technique