Transcendental meditation is a simple, natural and indeed effortless procedure for developing consciousness. Transcendental consciousness is an amalgamation of cosmic consciousness and spiritual consciousness and is far different from mere sleeping, walking or dreaming. In this state the thought becomes more and more delicate until it reaches to optimum level throughout the practice of transcendental meditation. This is the conscious stage where the mind can experience thought itself and is reckoned as the self transfer state of consciousness.

According to Maharishi`s theory of Consciousness or Enlightenment, there are seven stages of consciousness, of which the first three are very common to all. The first three stages are dreamless sleep, walking and dreaming. And the rest fulfill the definition of enlightenment, which is the ultimate goal of long term practice of Transcendental meditation.

The various theories of consciousness are:

Dreamless sleeping state of consciousness

Dreaming state of consciousness

Waking state of consciousness

The above three are very common to everyone. One is aware when he passes a dreamless night, which is when he tends to feel at his level best when he gets up in the morning from a dreamless sleep.

The dreaming state is when one remembers a particular dream, which happens mostly when one knows that you have to wake up and he dreams at that particular point of time. That is also the waking state, when you is sleeping but he knows, in his consciousness that he have to get up in sometime.

The other theories are as follows:
The fourth major state of consciousness is the transcendental consciousness, which is indeed a distinct form of consciousness. In this state your mind settles down and you experience a state of "restful alertness". The thoughts become quiet and then quieter until all the thoughts slowly fade away from the mind. Now the mind is no longer bound by the thoughts but it experiences a kind of awareness, which has awakened by itself. This state is an experience of "amness" or "being". This stage is the stage of pure consciousness.

Cosmic consciousness - is the fifth state of consciousness, and this stage is said to be a state of "enlightenment". It results from alternating the experiences of transcendental consciousness and the activity of daily life. Through regular practice the state of being in Transcendental consciousness is maintained while waking up, sleeping or dreaming. This "cosmic" state is marked by a peaceful, restful state inside, which one is constantly engaged in even when constant changes in life occurs.

God consciousness- the sixth state is the state where the cosmic consciousness is accompanied by the sensory perception which one feels when one wake, sleep or dream. During that time the full range of mechanics of creation are operational but at a very subtle level. This state leads to devotion and love for the creator, God.

Unity consciousness- This is the seventh state. This state is based on the perception that all aspects of life are nothing but expressions of Being and pure consciousness. All diversities in life are bridged in unison. The outer and inner realities of life are bridged together in Unity consciousness.