I didn't learn TM of my own accord. My dad made me start in high school, as a choice of being grounded or not. And so I thought it would be the better route to go. So for me, it worked even if I didn't know about it, or care about it, or like it, or have friends that did it. It just worked like turning on a light switch. My whole self was like a teeter totter, and when I started TM I became more in balance. It have me a lot of joy in life. TM gives me a feeling of myself, and so what happens outside of myself effects me, but it doesn't overshadow me. So I can still maintain whatever I need to do and still enjoy life, yet I can deal with things in a very clear way.