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Re: Considering transcendental meditation » peer-reviewed

Posted by widget on October 8, 2007, at 5:37:10

In reply to Re: Considering transcendental meditation » widget, posted by peer-reviewed on October 5, 2007, at 10:11:15

> Widget, as another person who has practiced TM for many years (35+), I can vouch for it's wonderful effects. Many of the critical posts above make claims that are personal judgments, and I respect their opinions--I have my opinion about TM also and I expressed a very strong one in my opening sentence. However, there are certain facts stated in the above posts that are absolutely wrong and based on common misunderstandings. The claim that the TM organization does not disclose all information about the TM program is totally misleading and flat-out confabulation. There is NO HIDDEN AGENDA related to the TM program. (I should know, my wife has been teaching it for over 20 years). In the same way that a first-year physics course does not introduce physics 101 with the more intricate, more esoteric mathematical nuances of, say, Quantum Tunneling, the TM introductory lecture does not at first interface address the more intricate points of teaching (i.e., details about higher states of consciousness, how to impart the technique, the mechanics of sidhis practice, etc.--but anyone can learn all these advanced or "confidential" points by going to teacher training). This is ENTIRELY to maintain the effectiveness of the practice so that the student can properly learn and benefit. It is not at all unreasonable, even though this point commonly comes under attack from the small handful of well-known anti-TM individuals (at least one of which has posted above--two of the posts supply advertisements for his personal "attack" web sites).
> TM has been "deconstructed" by such people, has been "swift-boated" and maligned, and I can't help but wonder about the pathology behind such an impulse to denigrate something that has proven to be so beneficial. But I digress, sorry.
>
> Another opinion stated above is that TM is no different from other forms of meditation, and no more beneficial. At one time this was a reasonable postulation, because TM was the only technique of meditation that had been scientifically researched. But in recent years there have been many studies on the TM technique that have used other meditations as controls, comparing them to TM, including Vipassana, Tibetan Buddhist, Relaxation Response, Mindfulness, Zen, and others. While these other forms of meditation do produce good results (and also have different aims), it is quite clear from the research that the TM practice, which is specifically for 'transcending,' creates an entirely different brain pattern as indicated by EEG studies, and is the only such practice to enliven all areas of the brain. The comparative research also shows that the TM technique provides an average of 30% more reduction in respiration rate than controls, 70% greater relaxation as indicated by GSR (skin resistance), and greater drops in plasma cortisol and lactate. It is not a matter of opinion, it is now a scientific fact that not all meditation techniques produce the same results. These studies have been published in the most prestigious, peer-reviewed academic and scientific journals, including the International Journal of Neuroscience, Psychosomatic Medicine, the AMA's journal, ect. Hundreds of these studies were conducted at independent research institutions such as Harvard, Yale, UCLA Medical School, Stanford, ect. I feel compelled to mention all this to qualify my statements because I am aware of the unfounded criticisms that are launched by John Knapp and the few others like him, internet activists who have a personal agenda of defaming the TM program. Mr. Knapp's stock diatribe about TM being a cult is a reoccurring "copy and paste" post that pops up whenever TM is mentioned in the blogosphere (the exact same post above can be found scattered thorough cyberspace like bird droppings). Mr. Knapp will tell you things like, there is no credible research on TM, and that there is actually "real" research showing that it has ill effects--which is categorically false (please see truthabouttm.org).
>
> Finally, someone stated above that there is "limited" research showing that TM has some benefit. True, the research is limited, but it is limited to about 612 separate studies--all showing positive effects for mind, body, and relationships.
>
> I do not work for TM, I'm a writer and musician, but when I see misinformation about a practice that I know is good, simple, and innocent, I feel a responsibility to clarify the facts. And by the way, the $2500 breaks down to a mere 34 cents a day over ten years, and TM is a lifetime program. I would not take $1000 to miss a single meditation because TM is so enjoyable and valuable a practice. $2500 is the best deal in the universe, in my opinion. It's NOTHING like other forms of meditation. Check it out, Widget. But don't take my word for it. Go to an intro lecture and find out for yourself.
>
>

Dear peer-reviewed, It was to you I sent my message thanking you for the balanced reveiw of TM. You say you are a musician and that is how I will identify you. I misaddressed my "other" thank you messaged to Mr Knapp. I think the "peer reviewed" name as poster confused me since it didn't seem to be a single person and your message was certainly from a real person. So, it is to you I say thanks and to the other mysterious "peer reviewed" posters. I think I know what to do now which brings me much peace of mind. Thanks again. Widget


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