Wildly popular in the 1970s and '80s, Transcendental Meditation (TM) continues to be one of the most accessible forms of Eastern spiritual practice in the West. But does it live up to its hype? In this objective exploration of TM, consciousness researcher John White looks at what's billed as "e;a simple, natural, and effortless mental technique, practiced twenty minutes a day"e; and takes on its critics as well as its cheerleaders. White explains what its like to take a trip through the "e;mountains of the mind,"e; the purpose of mantras, whether the Maharishi is enlightened, and what science says about consciousness raising. He also provides a glossary of terms and a "e;how-to"e; lesson so readers can try it themselves.