I learned in 1972 at the state university I attended. At that time the cost was $40. It took three sessions on three separate dates and the teacher used university rooms. It was a fabulous experience and I still practice TM to this day, although not as much as they recommend (2 X 20mins per day.) TM truly changed my life for the better. The medical benefits are well documented (stress, blood pressure, heart rate, brain waves , and on and on.) Ultimately, I believe the brain processes information better.
The only way $2,500 can be justified is that maybe you just get a lot more, like a month’s room and board at a TM facility while you learn. Unless that is included, I think it is actually shameful of the new managers of TM to charge $2,500. I know there is this camp in TM that if you charge MORE, people will be more committed. In every thought like that, there is some truth, but when I see $2,500, I see only GREED.
The guy who taught me probably had two years of TM practice and my sense to this day is that he was quite advanced. Much further advanced that I am even though I’ve been lightly practicing for 36 years, most probably because of the commitment he’s made to it.
And, there is this camp in TM that believes human beings can fly. Wow, talk about oddballs. I was very excited when I heard of a made for TV documentary on TM, and then when I saw it there was this large segment on guys looking like frogs jumping around saying they were learning how to fly. Jeez. The goofball camp. I’ve since wondered if these guys are making the BUSINESS decisions for TM.
Fact is, they’ve got the franchise. I can only wish I could help.
Suggestion if $2,500 is too much for you: Learn and practice yoga. It hardly matters if you are “good” at it or are flexible, what matters is that you practice. Lots of the benefits of TM will be gained by that.