Transcendental Meditation: The Benefits

Transcendental Meditation brings benefits in all areas of life. Just as when you have slept and rested really well the world appears a brighter and more enjoyable place to be, so the uniquely deep rest that TM provides – shown by research studies to be even deeper than deep sleep - reduces stress and promotes better health, clearer thinking, and increased creativity.

The technique brings about a deep inner calm that is both relaxing and revitalising. Scientific research studies on TM, conducted at over 200 different institutions, and published in more than 100 scientific journals, widely demonstrate the effectiveness of this simple-to-practice mental technique in reducing the effects of stress.

A typical quote is from the Journal of Clinical Psychology, from as far back as 1989:

‘Transcendental Meditation is more than twice as effective for relieving the mental effects of stress as all other meditation and relaxation techniques.’

But, as you will see, there are a wide range of benefits:

The Benefits of Reduced Stress for the Body

The profound state of rest gained when practising Transcendental Meditation is good for your body. Two of the commonest reported effects after learning TM are better sleep and improved health.

There is considerable scientific research which shows that many illnesses tend to improve with regular practice of TM. See the Ask The Doctors website, which is a mine of information on Transcendental Meditation and common health issues www.doctorsontm.org/.

The site explains the different reasons why doctors advise their patients to learn TM to handle their stress, and so reduce their blood pressure, migraine, or insomnia.

These stress-related illnesses include:

> insomnia

> anxiety

> high blood pressure

> angina

> hardening of the arteries

> abuse of alcohol, cigarettes and non-prescription drugs

> migraine

> ulcers

> asthma.

As we all know, the common link with all these illnesses is stress, and how the individual deals with their stress in particular.

Yet there is a simple, non-invasive method of dealing with stress which is well-documented by medical evidence to be effective – TM.

Here's an example: The prestigious American Journal of Hypertension recently published a meta-analysis of nine separate research projects on Transcendental Meditation.

They provided convincing proof that the technique helps lower blood pressure as effectively as medication, ie, daily drug treatment, complete with all its long term side effects and problems.

It's also good to know that the benefits of TM for the body are not just limited to the cure and prevention of particular medical conditions.

By handling stress, by dissolving stress through Transcendental Meditation, you're simultaneously enabled to better fulfill your own potential, to help awaken the happier, smarter, better you - the person you deserve to be.

You can enjoy all areas of life more by dissolving the stress and tension which cast a shadow on everything you do.

The Benefits of Reduced Stress for the Mind

Handling stress through meditation works equally well for the mind as well as the body.
A variety of physiological indicators show that TM produces very deep rest, even though it is only practised for 20 minutes at a time.

In other words: short time equals big rest.

This convenient deep rest allows you to recharge and build up the reserves of energy you'll need to motivate you through the day.
This deep rest also allows other brain processes to take place, processes that a fatigued or tired mind cannot easily do.

For example, we all know that a lively well-rested mind is usually smarter, more intelligent, and better at thinking things through.

How these mental processes work is innately interesting, and worth looking at in more detail:

The most well known research is that published in Psychosomatic Medicine and the International Journal of Neuroscience which has run many brain tests, all of which show TM produces a high level of EEG coherence.

In other words, the brain waves in the left and right hemispheres of the brain start to work in synchrony.

This brain synchrony is called coherence.

Increased brain coherence has been shown in other studies to correlate to a wide variety of benefits, including:

> Increased fluency of verbal creativity (speak more interestingly)

> Increased efficiency in learning new concepts (learn new things better)

> Higher verbal IQ and decreased neuroticism (smarter, less neurotic communication)

> Increased neurological efficiency as measured by faster recovery of the paired H-reflex (greater resilience of mind, bounce-back ability)

It has also been found that during TM the percentage of the brain used to respond to stimuli increases (greater sensitivity to others)

In other words, if you're less stressed you can think and communicate more clearly and effectively.

In plain language, you become a smarter, more effective person.

And this happens because you know how to handle your stress better by practicing Transcendental Meditation.

Other Areas of Life

When you are feeling better in body and mind, you can enjoy everything you do more. In our personal relationships we all want to behave in a loving way with our family and friends, it’s just that they drive us crazy sometimes! If you are feeling a bit calmer and more tolerant you can give more and, as relationships are based on giving, you will receive more too. It’s like if two people go to a picnic and neither bring any food, it’s not going to be much of a picnic. On the other hand, if both have goodies to share, both are going to have a good time...

Similarly, with the calmness that meditation brings, you won’t only find you have stopped pounding on the dashboard when held up in traffic jams(!); you will also find you get more done in less time. A good general sits above the battlefield and can see where best to move his or her troops. When you are stuck in the battlefield with little perspective, that’s when you make mistakes. TM helps you to do less and accomplish more.

Finally, when you are feeling better, other people around you will too. Its just like when someone goes into the office whistling a catchy tune, other people latch on to it. So feeling happy is catchy and, if you are feeling good after your meditation, you will get a better response from people around you. Life is better when it flows harmoniously. For evidence of how life can be a struggle when you are feeling grumpy, see TV’s Victor Meldrew!

What Next?

So if you would like to learn TM, come to a free introductory talk. We hold them regularly at convenient times. For more information, email michael@tm-city.com or ring 07960 683160 or see our website www.tmcityamdeastlondon.com.