By Anand Ayyangar
Transcendental Meditation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is making waves among the busy new-age Indian as a means of achieving a great work and personal life balance.
This 20 minute, twice-a-day, mental technique works like a miracle as it does not require any cramped posture or heavy breathing. Just sit comfortably with eyes closed and in you go to the bliss of pure consciousness…doesn’t matter if you are in a bus, train, car or a plane. It can even be practiced during a break from a busy meeting. All you need is a chair and a desire for bliss. At the end of 20 minutes of meditation one feels thoroughly refreshed and brimming with creativity.
Transcendental meditation (popularly called TM) was introduced to the world by His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh yogi during the late 1950s as a simple technique of deep meditation and has over 5 million patrons worldwide. Among the list of long term TM practitioners are the who’s who of Hollywood and corporate honchos alike. Many of them attribute a lot of their success to this simple practice which helps them remain stress free in spite of their hectic schedules.
TM is an effortless technique whereby our awareness is systematically led to experience the reservoir of energy and intelligence deep within the mind at the source of thought also known as pure consciousness. In this state, the body and mind experiences a unique state of restful alertness which is the fourth state of consciousness distinct from waking, dreaming and the sleeping states. The significantly deep rest gained during the practice allows the body to release deep rooted stresses accumulated in the nervous system allowing for more efficient functioning. TM is a scientifically validated technique of meditation in the world and has a wide range of mental, physical and behavioural benefits that are documented in the most respected scientific journals. TM is known to be highly effective in the prevention and cure of high blood pressure, diabetes, insomnia, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, congestive heart, epilepsy, menopause symptoms, etc. “TM differs from other forms of meditation in that it doesn't force the mind to concentrate [on breathing or muscle-relaxation techniques], which can become tiring,” says neurologist Gary Kaplan, MD, PhD, chairman of the New York Committee for stress-free schools.
The randomised controlled trials showed that compared to other forms of meditation and relaxation, transcendental meditation program decreases blood pressure, increases longevity and cognitive flexibility in the elderly, decreases arterial sclerosis, decreases post-traumatic stress syndrome, and increases intelligence, creativity, field independence, practical intelligence, speed of cognitive processing, and decreases anxiety.
Meta-analyses are the objective means of drawing conclusions about an entire field of research, including all the studies said show negative as well as positive results. Meta-analyses found that the transcendental meditation program is superior to ordinary rest, that it is more effective in reducing anxiety than other meditation and relaxation techniques, that it is more effective in increasing self actualisation than other meditation and relaxation techniques, and that it is more effective in reducing drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and cigarette use than other standard treatments.
