1. Simple: The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple, effortless mental process practiced for 15–20 minutes twice a day, sitting quietly and comfortably in a chair with the eyes closed.
2. Easily learned: The Transcendental Meditation technique can be easily learned by anyone and is enjoyable to practice.
3. Immediate benefits: The benefits of the Transcendental Meditation technique are immediate and increase over time. The technique’s positive effects—for mind, body and relationships—have been verified by hundreds of research studies conducted at top medical schools and published in over 350 peer-reviewed scientific journals.
4. No belief required: The Transcendental Meditation technique does not involve belief. In fact, you can be thoroughly skeptical and the technique will still be fully effective.
5. Develops the total brain: Brain research shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique develops the total brain, increasing creativity and intelligence and improving decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
6. Not a lifestyle: The Transcendental Meditation technique is not a religion or philosophy and involves no change in lifestyle.
7. Reduces stress and high blood pressure: Medical school research funded by the National Institutes of Health shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique is the most effective mind-body practice for reducing stress and stress-related disorders, including hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and atherosclerosis.
8. Unique: The Transcendental Meditation technique is unlike any other form of meditation or self-development—in practice and results. The technique is distinguished by its naturalness, effortlessness and profound effectiveness.
9. Systematic instruction: The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught by certified teachers through a systematic course of personalized instruction and includes extensive follow-up and support, ensuring that everyone who learns gains maximum benefit.
10. Nonprofit organization: The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught through a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational organization. The organization’s goal is to develop the full potential of the individual, minimize the negative impact of stress, and bring unrestricted and fulfilling progress to all areas of society.
2. Easily learned: The Transcendental Meditation technique can be easily learned by anyone and is enjoyable to practice.
3. Immediate benefits: The benefits of the Transcendental Meditation technique are immediate and increase over time. The technique’s positive effects—for mind, body and relationships—have been verified by hundreds of research studies conducted at top medical schools and published in over 350 peer-reviewed scientific journals.
4. No belief required: The Transcendental Meditation technique does not involve belief. In fact, you can be thoroughly skeptical and the technique will still be fully effective.
5. Develops the total brain: Brain research shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique develops the total brain, increasing creativity and intelligence and improving decision-making and problem-solving abilities.
6. Not a lifestyle: The Transcendental Meditation technique is not a religion or philosophy and involves no change in lifestyle.
7. Reduces stress and high blood pressure: Medical school research funded by the National Institutes of Health shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique is the most effective mind-body practice for reducing stress and stress-related disorders, including hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and atherosclerosis.
8. Unique: The Transcendental Meditation technique is unlike any other form of meditation or self-development—in practice and results. The technique is distinguished by its naturalness, effortlessness and profound effectiveness.
9. Systematic instruction: The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught by certified teachers through a systematic course of personalized instruction and includes extensive follow-up and support, ensuring that everyone who learns gains maximum benefit.
10. Nonprofit organization: The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught through a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational organization. The organization’s goal is to develop the full potential of the individual, minimize the negative impact of stress, and bring unrestricted and fulfilling progress to all areas of society.
How does the TM technique work? >
“Deep within the mind of every human being is a field of pure wakefulness, a field of lively silence. This is the quiet, inner source of energy, creativity, and intelligence within everyone. But most of us don’t notice it because we are constantly wrapped up in the noisy activity of our world.
“The TM technique allows anyone to effortlessly access this inner field of restful alertness. This is a soothing and healing experience, as shown by more than 600 scientific studies published in top medical journals that show improvement in almost every area of life through practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique.”
“The TM technique allows anyone to effortlessly access this inner field of restful alertness. This is a soothing and healing experience, as shown by more than 600 scientific studies published in top medical journals that show improvement in almost every area of life through practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique.”
What if I can't sit still to meditate? >
“The experience of restful alertness is pleasant and comfortable, and this allows you to continue to sit quietly for twenty minutes twice a day. When practiced regularly, this program dissolves stress cumulatively, and with time, you experience less and less stress and nervousness. As a natural result of this lessening of stress, the mind settles down when you’re meditating and you don’t feel the need to get up and move around. The direct experience of stillness and peace takes care of those feelings of restlessness.
“With continued practice, anxiety plays less and less a role in a person’s life; the individual starts making better decisions about daily activities because he or she is better able to cope with stress. So, with time, one gains the possibility of becoming stress free. This means being motivated by the needs of the situation rather than one’s own stressful response to the situation. Instead of reacting to challenges as a threat, one sees challenges as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.”
“With continued practice, anxiety plays less and less a role in a person’s life; the individual starts making better decisions about daily activities because he or she is better able to cope with stress. So, with time, one gains the possibility of becoming stress free. This means being motivated by the needs of the situation rather than one’s own stressful response to the situation. Instead of reacting to challenges as a threat, one sees challenges as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.”
Does TM have any unpleasant side effects? >
“The Transcendental Meditation technique gives rest to mind and body and reduces stress and anxiety. How could increased rest or decreased anxiety be harmful? Research has shown that this program improves creativity and intelligence. How could one be harmed by such improvements?
“And a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that the rate of admissions to hospitals in essentially all disease categories was reduced in those practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique. This was true not only for physical illness, where researchers reported an overall reduction of up to 50% in admissions, but the research also included striking reductions in admissions for mental illness and substance abuse.”
“And a study published in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that the rate of admissions to hospitals in essentially all disease categories was reduced in those practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique. This was true not only for physical illness, where researchers reported an overall reduction of up to 50% in admissions, but the research also included striking reductions in admissions for mental illness and substance abuse.”
Is TM the same as relaxing? >
“Not according to the science. A wide range of beneficial physiological changes commonly occur during the Transcendental Meditation technique, changes that distinguish the practice from mere relaxation and other forms of meditation. Studies indicate that TM practice produces a state of rest much deeper than sitting with eyes closed, and also much deeper than other meditation practices. Research consistently shows a natural decrease in breath rate during the TM technique, 25% greater than controls, and an increase in basal skin resistance (a standard measure of relaxation) up to 70% higher.
“Physiological indicators of deep rest also include marked changes in respiratory volume, minute ventilation, tidal volume, blood lactate and heart rate. Studies suggest that this unique state of physiology helps regulate cortisol and other hormones associated with chronic stress—and also healthier regulation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood.
“Even more significant, EEG measurements show high levels of alpha coherence over the entire brain—increased integration and orderliness of brain functioning—further differentiating the Transcendental Meditation technique from ordinary relaxation and other meditation practices.”
“Physiological indicators of deep rest also include marked changes in respiratory volume, minute ventilation, tidal volume, blood lactate and heart rate. Studies suggest that this unique state of physiology helps regulate cortisol and other hormones associated with chronic stress—and also healthier regulation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood.
“Even more significant, EEG measurements show high levels of alpha coherence over the entire brain—increased integration and orderliness of brain functioning—further differentiating the Transcendental Meditation technique from ordinary relaxation and other meditation practices.”
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The Transcendental Meditation technique is not a religion or philosophy and involves no change in lifestyle.
Transcendental Meditation is the registered trademark of Maharishi Foundation Inc
