• Therapist Brookline Village August 17th, 2007 at 6:24 AM #1

  Thank you for your informative article on meditation, mind/body techniques and stress. I question, however, the accuracy of your assertion that all meditations are basically the same and will produce the same results. I have been surveying the research lately on the health benefits of meditation, and it appears that there is an emergent body of data enabling us to compare the various techniques (Zen, TM, mindfulness, Tibetan Buddhist meditation, Relaxation Response, etc.), and it is clear that all meditations are not the same in their effects. Comparative research shows that TM produces the deepest state of rest, is more effective at reducing anxiety and depression, more effective for reducing cigarette smoking that other protocols, and, perhaps most significant, TM is the only meditation found to generate brainwave coherence throughout the entire brain. I am beginning to believe that the assumption that all meditations are the same is a myth that needs dispelling. This jibes with the fact that different systems of meditation have different aims. Benson’s technique aims at mere relaxation. Tibetan Buddhist practices usually involve intense concentration and do not provide deep rest but have been shown to increase brain activity (gamma waves), specifically in the back of the brain. Whereas TM is taught in the context of providing the experience of the “fourth state of consciousness,” a deeper state of rest than sleep, which is said to elicit an overall growth response in mind and body, leading to higher stages of development. (For comparative research on brain function during meditation see: http://www.fredtravis.com/talk.html) For a survey of other comparative research on various forms of meditation, one of the TM sites shows the depression, anxiety and cigarette studies: http://www.tmbusiness.org

• John M. Knapp, LMSW August 17th, 2007 at 6:31 AM #2

  Despite the modest benefits found for meditation — regardless of type — many critics consider Transcendental Meditation a cult led by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. For an alternative view of the TM Movement, readers may be interested in checking out TM-Free Blog, TranceNet.net, or my counseling site, http://KnappFamilyCounseling.com/ , where individuals recovering from Transcendental Meditation and similar groups will find helpful information.

  John M. Knapp, LMSW
  http://KnappFamilyCounseling.com/

• Therapist Buenos Aires August 18th, 2007 at 12:31 PM #3

  In response to the post from Mr. Knapp, I checked out the three above mentioned websites of his, and I personally find that his sites seem to lack more than a tinge of objectivity. In fact, it appears that his sites are solely devoted to blatant, wholesale defamation of Transcendental Meditation and the TM organization. My concern regarding meditation is to survey the existent research findings on the various practices and evaluate and compare the range of benefits. With due respect to Knapp, it appears obvious that the research on TM verifies (to anyone with an objective mind) that the benefits of meditation are more than “modest.” I have been looking into the 600+ research studies on TM, and I am quite impressed not only with the broad range of the research, but also the degree to which these meditation studies have been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, such as the International Journal of Neuroscience, the Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine, the AMA’s ‘Archives’ journal, the Journal of Clinical Psychology, and many others. It is also significant that these meditation studies have been conducted at the most prestigious universities and medical schools, such as Harvard, Stanford, UCLA, and Yale. Knapp further claims that TM is a “cult.” The National Institutes of Health have awarded $24 million in research grants for scientists to study the effects of TM. I doubt that NIH would grant this much money for scientists to research an ineffectual “cult” practice. Such research grants are highly competitive and very hard to get and the applicant researchers are thoroughly scrutinized by the NIH. I know people who have been practicing TM for many years; I mentioned this “cult” accusation to one of them, and she laughed and replied, “How can something that I do at home, by myself, for my own personal benefit be a cult?” I’m not sure what Knapp’s motivations are, or what is the basis of his opinions. I know that some people feel that meditation is a threat to their religion. If the technique benefits people and can be useful in therapeudic practice, then shouldn’t such fears be allayed and shouldn’t therapists and psychiatrists evaluate meditation on the more solid basis of empirical research? Knapp’s insinuation that people meditating need to “recover,” as if from some trama or breakdown, falls flat in the face of the evidence, which shows that the direction of growth that meditators exhibit is toward balance, inner peace and stability. The dedicated meditators I know seem to become happier over time the longer they meditate. I’m actually considering the TM practice for my own personal benefit.

  For anyone interested in meditation, I recommend a book edited by Jonathan Shear, “The Experience of Meditation,” which features experts of the great traditions of meditation—Zen, TM, Tibetan Buddhism, Sufism, Yoga Meditation, etc.— all defining their own forms of meditation. The book has an excellent introduction by Ken Wilbur and presents all the main approaches in a fair and erudite format. It also addresses some of Knapp’s objections, such as: can meditation lead to negative results, is there significant benefit, and what does/can science say about it.

• John M. Knapp, LMSW August 29th, 2007 at 2:56 PM #4

  Tom,

  Thanks for your lengthy reply to my brief comment. You mention the hundreds of studies that the TM movement chooses to promote. You do not mention the recent Alberta Study or the Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness — or similar well-respected studies — that find the effects of TM, as well as other meditation techniques, much more modest than is claimed by adherents. If you search on the TM-Free Blog site you will find links to both these studies — as well as others.

  I trust that readers can judge for themselves whether the TM organization is cultish or not.

  J.

• Consolidation Loan February 12th, 2008 at 6:13 PM #5

  Consolidation Loan…

  Essential debt and debt nationally which helps with debt management….

• Inspector108 July 5th, 2008 at 11:49 AM #6

  Response to John M. Knapp comment:

  Many critics consider John M. Knapp to be a self-promoting spammer who has nothing worthwhile to offer, but tries to make money by creating fear about useful programs like TM. A previous post of his indicated that he is a disgruntled former TM’er. With any organization that has attracted millions of participants, it is inevitable that a few people will become detractors. While I am impressed that John M. Knapp has shown the resourcefulness to transform his disgruntlement into a career, I do object to him labelling TM as a cult and spamming every article about TM on the Web. Although it is perhaps more worthy of sympathy to see an individual allowing his personal or professional life to revolve around some lingering bitterness, in the interests of fairness I feel I must counter the comments he is leaving.

  The Transcendental Meditation technique has helped millions of people and will continue to do so. Its benefits have been validated by hundreds of scientific studies over the past 35 years, many of which were published in peer-reviewed journals. Its efficacy has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health, the premier body overseeing medical research in the US. And it has been introduced into school programs in the US, Canada, Peru, India, South Africa, the UK, and other countries. In the US, TM is taught by a federally-recognized nonprofit organization.

  For more information, just Google ‘transcendental meditation’ and you’ll find plenty of good sources.

• Laughing Crow Speaks July 9th, 2008 at 4:31 AM #7

  Thanks to those above for clarifying the facts about TM, and upholding the simple truth that TM is highly beneficial, produces only positive results, and is scientifically validated. I have been meditating for over 35 years, and I love it!

  John Knapp’s insinuated criticism toward people for writing “lengthy” responses to his posts is, well, ironic and funny. He is probably the most active anti-meditation spammer in the blogosphere. He maintains three websites against meditation. He keeps up probably hundreds of anti-TM web pages.

  But to address his points: He implies that the TM organization chooses to promote certain studies and ignore others. The research on TM is not paid advertising by the non-profit TM educational organization, it is independent scientific research conducted at such institutions Harvard Medical School, UCLA, Yale Medical School, Stanford, ect., and as has undergone intense peer-reviewed scrutiny. Such research belongs to the scientific community, and is not solely promotional the material for an organization. The Alberta Study Knapp refers to is was highly controversial, was not peer-reviewed, not “well-respected,” and was criticized by scientists around the world for bias and lack of proper controls. This study and the other he mentioned are discussed on Dr. David Orme-Johnson’s website truthabouttm, dot org, if anyone wants to know the facts.

  And thanks to those above for exposing John Knapp, known to be an anti-meditation internet activist who disingenuously takes advantage of the blogging medium by constantly spamming it to promote his websites. His copy-and-paste negative posts against TM are “sprinkled like bird droppings throughout the blogosphere,” as was cleverly been said of him elsewhere.

  Knapp and a small handful of his pals, literally 4-5 obviously disgruntled former TMers, try to create a perception on the internet that TM is controversial. Because of how Google works — retrieving information but not verifying its accuracy — Knapp and his small cadre have been able to throw their negative mix into the Google search. His websites (he maintains at least three himself) are Misinformation Central, replete with rumor and falsehood. It is also suspected by people who have encountered him on blogs that he uses more than one name to post, giving the impression that he has someone agreeing with him.

  About 6 million people have learned TM over the past 50 years. The fact that there are only this small handful of detractors on the internet is powerful testimony to the benign and benefitial nature of the TM program. (Knapp’s own anti-TM blog features only 5-6 regular contributors, and this after years of soliciting for contributions).

  There are so many people like myself and those above whose experience with TM is totally positive and enriching over a lifetime, and who speak up to clarify the facts, that Mr. Knapp’s postings (and those of his few naysaying friends) are becoming sidelined by the simple truth that TM is an invaluable tool to maximize health and happiness.

  Let the great benefits of TM continue to be celebrated in the world.

  Laughingcrow out.

• ruth July 9th, 2008 at 11:24 AM #8

  Interestingly, as I follow the web for information on TM, I have seen the prior post replicated almost word for word on other sites in which Mr. Knapp has posted. Nothing is advanced by calling him disgruntled. or bitter. The person who does so cannot read his mind and cannot know his state of mind. He simply provides another point of view.

  As far as TM helping millions of people, this is unsupported. Yes, the TM organizations claim to have taught roughly 6 million people. However, it is not know how many continue the practice and is not known what nearly all of those 6 million feel about the practice and whether it has helped or harmed them or, more likely, had no effect at all.

• tammy July 10th, 2008 at 5:56 AM #9

  Knapp has his own opinions. But I can tell you, I’ve had great success with TM in my personal life and in recommending it to others. Totally positive results.

• Lil' Knowledge Kitten July 10th, 2008 at 6:04 AM #10

  in response to ‘”ruth,” perhaps what is more interesting and ironic is that mr. knapp’s posts, which “ruth” defends, are always word for word the same all over the internet, which is why it’s called spamming. is it an abuse of this blogging medium for knapp to promote his own commercial and personal anti-meditation agenda? (and now, no one knows if “ruth” is actually knapp further defending himself.) as far as inspector108 posting his say as a copy/paste in response to knapp’s spamming, so what? why should knapp’s critics be expected to write individual, personalized pieces to each of knapp’s cookie-cutter spam blurbs?

  i beg to differ with the claim that nothing is advanced by referring to knapp as “bitter’ and “disgruntled,” for it posits a reasonable explanation for his obsessive life-endeavor to smear TM and it’s founder. and knapp’s case *begs* for an explanation. it is indeed an oddity that a grown man spends so much time on the internet devoted to slamming something that is well-proven to be positive and beneficial. seeing him as merely disgruntled and bitter puts it in perspective, for me. what else could explain it?

  but i agree with “ruth” about one thing: it’s true that out of the 6 million people who have learned TM, no one can know how many are regularly practicing twice-daily everyday, just as no one knows how many of the tens-of-thousands of people who have bought nordictrack are exercising everyday. but what kind of criticism would that be to say that nordictrack is no good because we don’t know how many people use them everyday? it’s a grabbing-for-straws criticism, i’d say. but what’s more significant is the point brought out above, that out of the millions who have learned TM, there are so few people who actually claim, as knapp and his few (disgruntled?) buddies claim, that TM is no good.

  but here’s where science comes in and where knapp’s crowd is truly at a loss. if there were only 10 or 20 scientific peer-reviewed studies showing TM’s benefits, and if these research studies were published only in minor, fringe journals, then knapp might reasonably argue (without appearing irrational) that TM’s benefits are not well supported and that the practice doesn’t really help people. but with *hundreds* of peer-reviewed research studies, from harvard, u of penn., u of kentucky, yale medical school, and so many other *independent* institutions, published in such journals as the international journal of neuroscience, scientific american, science, the ama’s journal, and so on, all verifying the benefits of TM, it’s really without merit to decry TM as non-beneficial. but knapp goes further and actually calls it *harmful.* this is where knapp’s argument goes off the deep end.

  i’ve been meditating for 23 years. i went through maharishi univeristy. now i live near a major TM center where there are so many wonderful people enjoying TM’s benefits. i am also a therapist who has recommended TM to clients. i have seen such relief and profound transformation in people who had tried everything else. from my point of view, it is a grave wrong that knapp is trying to denigrate something so helpful and which lifts people’s spirits and dissolves stress so efficiently thorough the deep rest. but don’t just take my word for it. i’m just one person. all anyone has to do is consider the science. after 50 years, TM has proven itself. it’s still here and growing stronger. it is my joy to help spread the word about it. but now, off to work.

  be well, all
  kk

• ruth July 11th, 2008 at 6:28 AM #11

  Last time I will comment. Knapp says it works fine for many if not most, in moderation. The problem is that it can cause harm to some, especially if they meditate more than twice a day for 20 minutes each time. The “cult” issue relates to the TM organizations, which do have some very bizarre ideas about what TM and various TM products can do.

  So no need to overreact at his position.

  As far as the studies, even though some were published under the auspices of reputable universities, the researchers were nearly uniformly affiliated with the TM organizations.

• Doctor Pat July 18th, 2008 at 4:54 AM #12

  It seems those few people who are *true believers* in their own anti-meditation cynicism, such as Knapp/ruth appear to be, will never accept that Transcendental Meditation can have all-positive results, no matter how much science is there to support the program. But these idiosyncratic, negative personal viewpoints quickly collapse in the light of empirical evidence. As is pointed out above, it is precisely *because* there is solid impartial research showing TM is not only safe but highly beneficial that it has received such recognition by doctors and scientists. All the statements I have ever heard from the TM organization about the program’s benefits are supported by science.

  As a therapist who uses Transcendental Meditation in my practice, I feel is actually irresponsible for people to make allegations of negative results from a practice that has proven to be so useful. Note that these accusations above come from a limited-licensed social worker, not a trained psychologist with clinical experience using TM as a therapeutic modality. The unique state of profound rest experienced during TM is the exact opposite of harmful — it rejuvenates and harmonizes mind, body, and emotions.

  It is a blatant falsehood to claim that the scientists who have conducted studies on TM are “nearly uniformly affiliated with the TM organizations.” The vast majority of these scientists actually have no affiliation with any TM organization whatsoever. How could the TM organization *have* so many hundreds of “affiliated” scientists conducting TM research at Harvard, UCLA, Yale, University of San Francisco, University of Kentucky, Stanford Medical School, and hundreds of other institutions around the world? And, affiliated with it *how*? Such claims are a joke. (For an extensive list of non-meditating scientists who have researched TM, see Dr. David Orme Johnson’s website, truthabouttm.)

  It does sometimes happen that after conducting research on the TM technique, the scientists *then* decide to learn TM, once they’ve actually witnessed consistent results in controlled studies and randomized trails. This happened recently, for example, to a non-meditating scientist at the University of Kentucky who was involved in a study investigating the effects of TM on high blood pressure, comparing it to other practices. The study, just published in the American Journal of Hypertension, found that no other meditation practice or relaxation technique produced the same, powerful results as TM in lowering blood pressure (in fact, no other mind/body practice showed any significant results at all).

  As to the fears and obsessions with “cults’ that plague certain people who denounce TM, while that is something that therapy might help, I offer the following insight from a leading neurologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital, one of many physicians who is speaking out about the life-enriching effects of the TM program:

  “Dr. Sandeep Chaudhary: If anyone is concerned that the TM program might be some kind of religious sect or cult, then just ask yourself: How many so-called cults have been awarded $24 million in research grants by the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, or offer programs verified by research studies in hundreds of refereed medical and scientific journals, including the American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine?
  How many religious sects have offered AMA-approved continuing education courses for physicians, or teach systematic instruction in a technique that’s regularly featured in brain research presentations at the American Psychological Association’s annual conferences, and highlighted in the American College of Cardiology press releases for benefits to cardiovascular health?
  The distinguished recognition and scientific validation goes on and on.”

  Many such comments and interviews can be found at the Ask the Doctors website, maintained by a national association of medical doctors and scientists who represent thousands of physicians across the US who practice TM and recommend it to their patients. The site is a great resource, I think, for any therapist.

  Be well, all
  Dr. Pat

• Dr. P. Loveland August 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 AM #13

  I am concerned with Knapp’s lack of scientific perspective.

  I’m a clinical psychologist who works daily with people who experience anxiety, depression, psychosis, etc. I have found the TM technique a significant help to many of my patients. Those who start TM typically find improved sleep, reduced anxiety and depression, more happiness, greater ability to enjoy, feelings of wholeness and less physical illness.

  As a scientist I am aware that debate and opposing valid scientific research is essential to the growth of a reliable body of knowledge. But bizarre assertions such as Mr. Knapp is making is not science. If we resort to this kind of hearsay, personal bias and superstition, we will reverse scientific understanding and protocol by 300 years. The reason we turn to science to begin with is because we all have different ideas and opinions. Science provides us a valid, reliable, objective, repeatable means to investigate a given field of study.

  Perhaps science is not the forte of Mr. Knapp–and that’s understandable. But as a person who has even minimal training in the field of therapy he should know it is highly unethical to dissuade others from pursuing help that has been scientifically verified to be of benefit. For example, if a patient comes to a doctor and complains of migraine headaches the doctor cannot refuse that person medication because he doesn’t like the way the medication is distributed. Doctors who do so run the risk of losing their license. So, to Knapp and those who evaluate scientific procedure by tendentious means–Please, consider the harmful impact of discouraging even one individual from doing something so good for themselves.

  Sincerely,

  Dr. P. Loveland

• june August 3rd, 2008 at 12:35 PM #14

  Dr. Loveland, a clinical psychologist is not a scientist. A research psychologist is a scientist. To say that “Those who start TM typically find improved sleep, reduced anxiety and depression, more happiness, greater ability to enjoy, feelings of wholeness and less physical illness” is not supported by science. We don’t know what happens to the typical person who starts meditation. In fact, most apparently quit. Knapp’s criticisms are fair and reasonable. Some people do suffer adverse effects from meditating and being involved with the TM organizations. Note that I said some; not all and probably not most. To berate Knapp for helping those who suffer is not helpful to anyone.

  I question your bona fides.

• truthwillout August 3rd, 2008 at 12:36 PM #15

  After reading through all of these comments and their associated links, one comes to the conclusion that TM has had many many scientifically published reports on its medical and psychological benefits whereas mr john knapp (and one might guess his alter ego ruth) seems to simply be looking for people who want to pay him to help them get “free” of some cultish attachment they have formed to TM or whatever other organization they are in (perhaps not unlike john’s own unhealthy attachment to TM and/or any other organizations or people he has previously formed dependent relationships with), by instead becoming attached to his “therapy” (whatever that is, though it certainly hasn’t had many hundreds of medical publications over 40 years from leading research institutions from around the world establishing its therapeutic value)

• Glory Dog August 3rd, 2008 at 3:34 PM #16

  To assert carte blanche that a clinical psychologist is not a scientist is utterly baseless, and shows a shallow understanding of science and psychology. How does ‘june’ know what kind of degree the referenced psychologist has earned? How would ‘june’ know what research the person has conducted? Many clinical psychologists base their practice on science, employing therapeutic methodologies rooted in neuroscience and psychiatry, and many of them conduct research themselves. ‘june’ also makes the false and mindless claim that “improved sleep, reduced anxiety and depression, more happiness … and less physical illness” associated with TM are not rooted in science. This is so absurd. Such arguments can only come from people who are so trapped in their own negative belief system that they cannot even consider what it means that over 300 peer-reviewed research studies verify these benefits, or that the NIH has granted over $24 million to further the health research on TM. It is well-established science that when a typical person learns TM, the person grows in the positive qualities described by the psychologist above. The main point is, I think, that people such as june/ruth/knapp — (the ever-present mr. knapp, known in blog circles as “the k-spammer” ) — attempt to define TM negatively in terms of their own limited experience and understanding, an experience which is devoid of the main ingredient necessary to truly evaluate TM: the experience of transcending. This is what TM is all about: experiencing pure consciousness at the source of thought — the Self. It is an experience of unboundedness, infinite freedom, pure bliss. Regular TM practice enlivens this inner blissful nature of the Self and one’s life becomes better in every way. This is the common experience with TM. Obviously, the june/ruth/knapp equation does not experience TM, may not know the true nature of the inner Self that is readily experienced during TM practice. Anyone who experienced this would not be so negative toward something so innocent and natural and beneficial as TM. june/ruth/knapp is looking at TM from the outside, interpreting it in terms of his own experience of life. Granted, in knapp’s worldview it may not be logical that there is a field of pure happiness within everyone, it may not sound possible to such people that TM can provide the experience of transcending so easily, it may not make sense that anyone can learn TM and unfold their inner potential. Such a worldview may not recognize the enormous potential of human life. But alas, such outside evaluations of TM are shooting in the dark. The only way to truly know what it is, is to experience the inner, transcendental Self. Along with hundreds of thousands of other TM meditators, I have experienced this through TM. The practice is wonderful and has universal positive effects. I have taught it to hundreds of people and seen their lives transformed.

  For most people, the science that supports TM is enough to convince. But to those “true believers” in their negative opinions, as Dr Pat describes them to above, the science remains invisible. So let the june/ruth/knapps of the world rail against TM all they want. Fortunately there are so many people practicing TM and keeping an eye out for these spreaders of misinformation that the naysaying will always be answered back with the facts.

• ruth August 3rd, 2008 at 3:45 PM #17

  I am no one’s alter ego. Please, do not try to mind read. I don’t know John Knapp but I would not assume that he has any unhealthy attachments.

  Personal attacks are unnecessary and unseemly.

• Glory Dog August 3rd, 2008 at 4:44 PM #18

  The truthwillout post did not categorically accuse ‘ruth’ of being knapp’s alter ego, as the phrase “one might assume” is merely a musing on the possibility. but it is a reasonable speculation, at that: for whenever knapp appears, it seems ‘ruth’ also appears immediately thereafter only to reiterate the exact same arguments that knapp espouses — and she belies an intimate knowledge of his anti-TM websites.

  To operate a site called “TM-Free Blog” does indeed suggest an unhealthy attachment. As any mental health professional can attest: if one really aims to be free of some particular practice or organization, the last thing you want to do is spend interminable hours almost daily denouncing it on blogs, to the point of obsession, it appears; maintaining at least three websites where you denounce it; actually trying to build a career around this negative engagement.

  this is not a personal attack, just a word of advice for ruth/knapp.june etc. . knapp is obviously not free of TM. he focuses on it as much as most TM teachers, but in an unhealthy and negative way. too bad that some people have to carry such negative emotions with them.

  Ironically, TM is all about letting go.

  so no need to over react to truthout’s position.

• ruth August 4th, 2008 at 7:38 AM #19

  Not a personal attack? That is all you guys are doing. I find the attacks on Knapp unkind. Who is presenting negative emotions? It looks like it is coming from defenders of the faith. I found this blog through google alerts for transcendental meditation. How do you find these blogs? I have the alert on because I have tired of all the misinformation presented by the TM organizations. The so called science that has been found seriously wanting through meta-analysis. The goofy religious aspect with yagyas and east facing houses and yogic flying. Defend that with science. The Maharishi said people would fly and they do not and never have.

  I said I do not know Mr. Knapp. I do not know him. I have read his blog and found nothing untoward.

• ruth August 4th, 2008 at 7:40 AM #20

  Oh, if TM is about letting go, I suggest your obsessions with Knapp go and let him help those who come to him for help. And stop criticizing therapists for charging money. After all, the TMO charges a LOT of money to learn TM.

• Glory Dog August 4th, 2008 at 9:23 AM #21

  “ruth’ is right, of course, that there should be no personal attacks, either from the supporters of the TM program or from the anti-meditation activists. I am only here to correct what I see as blatant falsehoods and dishonest information being propogated, as pointed out above, by the negative activist. to state that an individual is speaking untruth can be interpreted, if one chooses, as an attack on that person. but as I see it, there is a difference between attacking an individual and exposing inconsistencies and errors in someone’s statements. this process can be done civilly and with dignity.

  And the negative criticism you interject whenever you receive your TM alerts is not in response to so-called “misinformation” disseminated by the TM organization, but are in response to independent news articles or blog posts by individuals. “Letting go” does not require that the negative misinformation go unaddressed by anybody who wants to help shine a light.

• truthwillout August 4th, 2008 at 1:51 PM #22

  Fwiw, here’s a recent critical and thorough publication on meta-analysis of TM and blood pressure studies, from researchers at the University of Kentucky:

  “Blood pressure response to transcendental meditation: a meta-analysis”
  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18311126?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

  BACKGROUND: Prior clinical trials suggest that the Transcendental Meditation technique may decrease blood pressure of normotensive and hypertensive individuals but study-quality issues have been raised. This study was designed to assess effects of Transcendental Meditation on blood pressure using objective quality assessments and meta-analyses.

  METHODS: PubMed and Cochrane databases through December 2006 and collected publications on Transcendental Meditation were searched. Randomized, controlled trials comparing blood pressure responses to the Transcendental Meditation technique with a control group were evaluated. Primary outcome measures were changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after practicing Transcendental Meditation or following control procedures. A specific rating system (0-20 points) was used to evaluate studies and random-effects models were used for meta-analyses.

  RESULTS: Nine randomized, controlled trials met eligibility criteria. Study-quality scores ranged from low (score, 7) to high (16) with three studies of high quality (15 or 16) and three of acceptable quality (11 or 12). The random-effects meta-analysis model for systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, indicated that Transcendental Meditation, compared to control, was associated with the following changes: -4.7 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI), -7.4 to -1.9 mm Hg) and -3.2 mm Hg (95% CI, -5.4 to -1.3 mm Hg). Subgroup analyses of hypertensive groups and high-quality studies showed similar reductions. CONCLUSIONS: The regular practice of Transcendental Meditation may have the potential to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by approximately 4.7 and 3.2 mm Hg, respectively. These are clinically meaningful changes.

• ruth August 5th, 2008 at 5:16 AM #23

  Glory Dog, what are the blatant falsehoods? I haven’t posted any. I looked again at what Knapp posted, and I see no falsehood. Specifically, tell me what was said that is false.

  Knapp mentioned the Alberta study and the Cambridge handbook, both of which I have read. He correctly summarized the results.

  My criticisms of the poster who claimed to be a clinical psychologist and a “scientist.” I would never say that a clinical psychologist is a scientist, they are clinicians. I am an MD, I do not consider myself a scientist. I questioned his bona fides because he made statements I found extremely problematic. He basically called Knapp unethical for not recommending TM when he said: “But as a person who has even minimal training in the field of therapy he should know it is highly unethical to dissuade others from pursuing help that has been scientifically verified to be of benefit.” Mr. Knapp has clients who had bad experiences with TM. It would be unethical to recommend that they go back to TM.

  TruthwillOut, I have not yet read the Kentucky study so I cannot comment properly. However, I am somewhat concerned as TMO researchers were involved in the study. True believers often argue that research institutions researching are independent. Most often there nevertheless was involvement by a researcher who is a practitioner of TM and often what I would call a true believer. A little reduction in blood pressure? I would rather pet my dog and get the same results.

  What is especially bothersome to me is the assumption that true believers make that TM is always good, always right for everyone. Sorry, some people do not have good experiences with TM, especially with the siddhis program and with rounding. And some people have bad experiences with the TM organizations.

  I am a former TM’er. I meditated for years and found no meaningful effects. I do not do the siddhis. I find that program to be a fraud as not of MMY’s claims ever panned out.

  So, I ask again true believers, how do you find these blogs that mention meditation? Do you also use google alerts?

  So, true believers, do you believe you will fly? Do you live in east facing homes? Do you purchase astrology charts from the TMO? Do you have pundits do yagyas for you for a fee? Do you believe you will become enlightened? Have you reached god consciousness?

  This is why some call the TMO a cult.

• ruth August 5th, 2008 at 5:33 AM #24

  Going back and reading the comments I found that I had posted a comment under the name “june” which is a name I use on another blog. I apologize, I do not intend to use more than one name on a blog.

  I also saw a post that I had missed before from a Dr. Pat. Another purported clinical psychologist? Or are you the same person as Dr. P. Loveland? Given that I erred in posting with more than one entity, feel free to confess if you did as well. :)

  Dr. Pat/ Dr. Loveland, how do you feel about the more peculiar claims of the TMO? Do you think the TM siddhis program is good for your patients? Do you think that it is good for them to believe that they will fly when they think: Relationship of body and akasha – lightness of cotton fiber? Become invincible? To have the strength of an elephant?

• Glory Dog August 6th, 2008 at 1:42 AM #25

  yes, ruth, it is not surprising that you see no falsehoods, even though they are cited above, again and again. “True believers” can generally not see beyond their own belief system. Let this be a case study for students of psychology, science, and consciousness: “The world is as YOU are,” as the saying goes.

  And you are a doctor! And YOU are questioning others’ credentials! Must anyone who has a viewpoint different from yours be a fraud?

  I challenge you to present your credentials. I suggest that the above psychologists do the same, to bring all the cards out on the table. I was about request the webmaster to check the IP addresses and expose your multiple identities, but alas, you have confessed — of course, one would have to, to accuse others of the same crime.

  This is all getting way too silly.

  FYI: just because your own personal practice of TM and the sidhis did not produce the results you were wishing for, does not mean that the program is a “fraud.” The illogical of this is astonishing. Nor does the fact that I experience WONDERFUL results from my TM and Sidhis practice prove anything in general (except for myself). To discount hundreds of scientific studies, and the experience of hundreds of thousands of people who embrace TM, because of your own singular experience and beliefs, is, well, bogus.

  Glory Dog says: Anyone who has experienced the reality of TM, the perfect naturalness of it, the beautiful simplicity and innocence of it, anyone who has clearly experienced the process of transcending, knows what TM truly is. The people I know who are *sold* on TM are not true believers, they are true experiencers. From their own silent level of knowingness, in the depths of their own awareness, they just know. And what is it they know? Their own Self.

  To address another of the many falsehoods you’re slinging out:

  You say the reduction in blood pressure is slight, and imply that you could pet a dog and get the same results. Don’t try and pet Glory Dog! He can smell a fib a mile away and doesn’t like fibbers.

  According to cardiologists and MDs, the levels of blood pressure reduction found through TM is often life saving, as many studies have demonstrated (Journals: Hypertension, Stroke, etc).

  I leave you with the words of one James Anderson, professor of medicine at the University of Kentucky, an INDEPENDENT researcher (he was NON meditator with no stakes in the outcome) who led the meta-analysis you have denounced without reading, the findings of which rebut the controversial July 2007 study you are fond of referencing — the study which concluded that most research on meditation is low quality and found little evidence that any specific stress reduction effectively lowers blood pressure. The new meta-analysis identified all high quality meditation studies published through 2006 and rigorously analyzed their effects, which the previous government report failed to do.

  From the U of K press release:

  Anderson said the new meta-analysis includes only high quality studies on all available stress reduction interventions. The studies on Transcendental Meditation were conducted at five independent universities and medical institutions, and the majority of them were funded by competitive grants from the National Institutes of Health.

  Says Anderson:
  “Adding transcendental meditation is about equivalent to adding a second antihypertension agent to one’s current regimen, only safer and less troublesome… Many patients with mild hypertension or prehypertension may be able to avoid the need to take blood pressure medications–all of which have adverse side effects. Individuals with more severe forms of hypertension may be able to reduce the number or dosages of their BP medications under the guidance of their doctor.”

  Anderson added that long-term changes in blood pressure of this magnitude are associated with at least a 15 percent reduction in rates of heart attack and stroke. “This is important to everyone because cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the U.S. and worldwide,” Anderson said.

• ruth August 7th, 2008 at 4:38 PM #26

  The siddhi program is a fraud. MMY promised flying and we didn’t get it. Instead, you get group hysteria with people bouncing on their butts.

  What falsehoods are cited above? I still don’t see any from me or Knapp.

  Many things will reduce blood pressure. Simple TM can for some. I never said it couldn’t But so can petting your dog or doing progressive relaxation exercises. You have not shown that to be false. Choose your remedy. For most, I believe that doing simple, basic TM twice a day is not harmful and may even help some people. Most though probably will not stick with it. Thus I do not believe it is worth the big bucks the TMO charges for the technique. I would be more likely to recommend a different form of meditation, such as mindfulness meditation, which people can learn for free. Check the Mayo website for instructions. Or, pet your dog and do someone a kindness once a day.

  Anderson may not be affiliated with the TMO but the statistician that did the work was affiliated with the TMO. I did not denounce the study without reading it. I said I could not properly comment until I have read it, but I had a concern, the involvement of the TMO in the study. Your lie was that the study was independent when the statistician himself was affiliated with the TMO. Though I would note that the Kentucky study results are contrary to the Alberta meta-analysis (which was in fact a very high quality study which I have read and was truly independant) so it is far from uncontroversial. My concern is possible cherry picking in the Kentucky study which would yield false positives. But, as I said, I can’t fully comment because I have not read it yet.

  OK, you keep arguing about the science. Explain for me how you reconcile the weird ideas of the TMO that can only be described as religious. There is no science that shows you will fly or become invincible or have the strength of an elephant. There is no science that shows that living in an east facing home is healthier or keeps away the bad spirits. There is no science that supports the astrology. There is no science that supports the pulse diagnosis. So, how do you reconcile these bogus claims with your claim that TM is scientific? If the TMO will lie about flying, why not lie in research studies? They did lie you know. I was their in the 1970s when we were told we would fly and we were told that we were on the super highway to enlightenment.

• mckinley October 11th, 2008 at 5:12 PM #27

  someone above obviously has an angry axe to grind against TM. so all their comments are a reflection of their state of mind, not a reflection on TM, I’d say. TM is a purely innocent practice. The TM-Sidhi program is amazing. My experience is absolutely that it’s the opposite of a fraud. Why would so many people practice it enthusiastically all these years, with more and more people learning, if it didn’t bring benefit to these people? There was just a new TM-sidhi course in my town, 12 new sidhas. I do program with many of them every week, and they love it. I see the transformation in them. I know it really bothers someone like the anti-TM person above when good things are said about TM, when people’s experience defies the naysayer’s negative belief system about the TM organization. But, that’s the way it is…my life is bliss thanks to my TM practice, and thanks to Maharishi. For me, it was definitely a fast tract to enlightenment. Everything the above TM critic says is a gross misinterpretation.

• ruth October 18th, 2008 at 3:55 PM #28

  And your comments McKinley reflect your own state of mind.

  No one here has shown that anything I have said is false. No one defends the Maharishi’s claim that the the siddhis will make you fly, will give you the strength of an elephant, or will make your invincible. Instead, you attack me and say that I have an axe to grind. Or I am angry. Or I am a naysayer.

  No one knows how many still practice TM after learning. The TMO does not keep track.

  I am glad you have good experiences. I have never wished that anyone has a bad experience. Fast track to enlightenment? Tell me, what is enlightenment?

• mckinley October 19th, 2008 at 5:19 PM #29

  “your comments McKinley reflect your own state of mind” ABSOUTELY! and my state of mind is all positive, thanks to TM practice.

  All you say may be something you believe in, ruth/knapp, and so it is “true” to you, perhaps (if you truly believe it, deep in your heart). But according to my experience, and to the experience of everyone I know who practicies TM, all of your negativity and denouncements of TM are untrue. I could go through your (knapp’s) website and point by point identify a phethora of falsehoods. But you true believers in your negativity, you follow your negativity, so what’s the point?

  Maharishi did not tell people they were going to achieve any specific stage of Yogic Flying at any particular time. He explained the mechanics of the practice, it’s purpose in stabilizing pure consciousness, and that in the Yogic texts on the subject there are three stages of flying recorded. The claim that the sidhis can “make you fly” is actually made in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and many other texts of Vedic knowledge. If ruth/knapp has no respect for the venerated Vedic tradition, one of the most revered traditions of knowledge on earth, that has to do with him and his belief system. Fine! Good luck with that!

  There are so many people, thousands upon thousands (over 2500 in Fairfield, IA alone right now), who practice the sidhis and continue because of the wonderous results they are experiencing.

  Don’t take it personally, ruth/knapp, if people disagree with you and love their sidhis practice and love the TM movement for all the good it has brought them. These posts are not about you. They are about clarifying misinformation being propogated by you/knapp and a few other anti-TM swiftboaters.

  ruth/knapp does not know how many people continue with TM after learning. he only hopes it’s not many so to not create cognitive dissonance in his world view.

  What is enlightenment? It’s so simple, so clear, to a long time TM meditator: living pure consciousness (inner wakefulness) in the midst of all daily activity. One has realized the true nature of one’s Self: invincibility. Same as described in the Upanishads, Gita, Heart Sutra, Meister Eckhart, Plotinus, Ken Wilber, etc etc etc. It’s no secret. Every culture contains records of Enlightenment, and describes it in the same, universal terms as Maharishi does. TM is just a very effective practice for unfolding that reality.

  where did you say you went to Med School, Ruth? oh, I see you have chosen not to respond to the person’s inquiry about that…hummm.

  the experience of myself and every meditator I know shows that your comments are false. over 350 peer-reviewed research studies show your comments are false.

• ruth October 20th, 2008 at 9:44 AM #30

  I got my M.D. at the University of Minnesota. I also have a masters degree in psychology. I do not make my identity public unlike Knapp, because I do not want repercussions in my work or with my family.

  I know a number of the people doing the siddhi program in Fairfield at the domes. I also know some people who went on parusha and mother devine (for those who don’t know, these are essentially monks and nuns of the TMO). Some are happy. Some are not. None seems to be healthier than their counterparts. None seem to be more enlightened than I am. Many have a number of personal problems, unable to hold traditional jobs, divorces, money issues, etc. Some are bliss ninnies, addicted to the trancey state they get when meditating too much. Wondrous results? They think so. When the stock market goes up, they believe it is do to their meditating. When it goes down, it is a phase transition. No matter what, they win!

  BTW, MMY did say that people would be flying in certain amount of time. That time period varied a lot. Three months. Three years. At one point the strong impression created was that they were flying now.

  Point to a lie on Knapp’s website. There isn’t any and no one here has pointed to any.

  Good luck with your program.

• Marty October 21st, 2008 at 9:30 AM #31

  Count me in as one of those TM bliss bunnies. At age 70, and after 30 years of meditating, I’ve got 120/70 blood pressure and that’s not a minor benefit when many people at my age are taking medication for their blood pressure.
  You are right, Ruth, when you say that some TM meditators are happy and some are less happy. Some get divorced, some have good jobs, some can’t hold jobs, some have money issues, some don’t, etc. We all have our karma to live with and our individual physiologies, so your statement doesn’t really say anything.
  What’s interesting, I think, is that for the first time in history there has been a concerted effort to explain and validate the ancient spiritual practice of meditation. And the evidence brought to the surface so far has been so encouraging. As far as being able to fly is concerned, Maharishi certainly saw that possibility and I suspect it is only a matter of time for that to happen, and maybe it will when really big groups of meditators operate on a sustained basis, as will happen soon in India. Can large group meditations heal and harmonize the world and rescue it from rot, suffering, and ignorance? This is why Maharishi came out into the world, to end suffering. What an incredible prospect to explore scientifically. This is the big picture, not all these little self issues bandied about in this blog thread.
  It is not important whether the concept originates from Maharishi or from Mr. Knapp. If Mr. Knapp’s organization produced initial research, as has the TM organization, it should be pursued. Let continuing science determine whether super radiance is the most amazing paradigm in history or a dud. None of our opinions on this blog will determine that.

• ruth October 22nd, 2008 at 5:46 AM #32

  Marty said:

  “Can large group meditations heal and harmonize the world and rescue it from rot, suffering, and ignorance? This is why Maharishi came out into the world, to end suffering. What an incredible prospect to explore scientifically. This is the big picture, not all these little self issues bandied about in this blog thread.”

  Scientists, apart from those affiliated with the TMO, are not terribly interested in studying this because the claim is so grandiose and does not fit with what we know about the world. The response of the TM true believers is that they agree that it is amazing. TMO affiliated scientists did some statistical studies on on the “Maharishi Effect” with no clear results and with methodological issues. If they had found results that were truly amazing, I am sure that mainstream scientists would take notice.

  What is especially problematic about the TMO’s paradigm is that no matter what the results, success is called. For example, John Haglin called the rise in the stock market to 13,000 the result of the groups of TM meditators. But when the market crashed, that was also good too, a “phase transition.” So, no matter what, he always has a positive explanation for whatever happen and no matter what it is due to the butt bouncer in Fairfield Iowa or wherever. Very magical.

  I am glad that you get positive effects from meditating. I get positive effects from petting my dogs, going for walks, being with friends, and trying to do some good in the world. To each his own.

• Marty October 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 AM #33

  Dr. Ruth
  Walks, dogs and good company are all wonderful things that should be part of our life. I would expect a doctor to say that.
  I would also expect a doctor to understand the nature of science and how what we call science consists of data that at one time or another were unknown or inexplicable, or even ridiculed.
  I like the remarks of the physicist Richard Feynman on that score. He said: “Everything we know is only some kind of approximation, because we know that we do not know all the laws yet. Therefore, things must be learned only to be unlearned again or, more likely, to be corrected.”
  For me, I look forward to seeing the Maharishi Effect further explored scientifically. If it is a grand law of nature that Maharishi has exposed to us, than what a glorious new paradigm and prospect for the world.

  “The whole of science consists of data that, at one time or another, were
  inexplicable.”

• mckinley October 23rd, 2008 at 7:31 AM #34

  The above negative blogger is sure scraping the bottom of the barrel for aspersions to cast against people who practice TM!

  The blogger claims that advanced meditators in Fairfield and people from the Purusha and MD programs have “a number of personal problems!” They are “unable to hold traditional jobs!” They have “money issues!” They’re “bliss ninnies!” They even sometimes get divorces!

  Please, this is witch-hunt mentality. I am reminded of the Bible verses, Judge not, least ye be judged… and, He who is without sin, cast the first stone…

  I was on the Purusha program for many years. I lived in Fairfield. I know these people personally. The claims above are utterly false and unfairly misrepresent these dear people.

  First of all, there is no TM program of “monks and nuns,” terms reserved for religious adherents. The advanced TM programs mentioned consist of two separate groups, men and women, involved in advanced yoga and research in consciousness. They do not consider themselves as religious followers. They should know better than some negative criticizer from the outside what it is they are doing. (Or does a person involved in such an endeavor not get to decide for themselves whether or not their private, personal activities are religious or not? Is it really up to another person to determine if one’s personal thoughts and actions are faith-based, focused on religion, or are of another nature entirely—such as simple, innocent self-exploration for personal growth?)

  The people in these groups of advanced meditators are among the most admirable and high-minded people I know. It is another blatant and mean-spirited lie that these folks tend to become dysfunctional. If the above negative blogger feels he/she is in a position to judge these people, to know their inner state of enlightenment, and to compare them to his/her own experience in life, then that is a personal indulgence. But such disparaging depictions of one’s fellow human beings suggests a harshness and tone that, to me, reeks of unreliability—and such self-comparisons and condemnations are generally regarded as an unhealthy behavioral pattern.

  There is overwhelming empirical evidence that TM does not produce a trance state—another obvious falsehood from the above post and Knapp’s site. Anyone familiar with the basics of physiology and EEG would understand this. It’s an objective, indisputable reality—in the world of facts—that the physiological signature of TM is essentially the opposite of a trance. Anyone interested in learning about this can visit AsktheDoctors.com where such issues are address by doctors and scientists.

  I have been practicing the TM-sidhis for decades. Why do I keep practicing? One reason: the growth and positive results are so immense and unending. The scientific research on TM clearly shows the direction of growth that meditators enjoy. It is the opposite of the condemning, distorted depictions made above.

  I have also been involved in teaching TM-Sidhis courses in centers across the U.S. since Maharishi introduced the program in the 70s. Not once did I ever hear Maharishi promise that “people would be flying” within a certain timeframe. I challenge the above blogger to product a verifiable quote from Maharishi or any TM-Sidhi administrator to support his claim. No sidha I know has ever heard Maharishi make that claim. However, Maharishi did often quote Patanjali, the source of the sidhis practice, by reminding us of the Yoga Sutra that says: “Through long practice, over time, one gains ultimate success.”

  As far as lies on Knapp’s site, all the false claims made by the negative blogger on this site are also made on Knapp’s site. And all of them are contrary to the facts and the research studies. Every single one. Take your pick.

  These accusations are all just a negative interpretation of TM based on the simple belief that the technique doesn’t really produce the results that Maharishi said it does; therefore, the science MUST to be wrong, and the TM teachers MUST be deceiving everyone—including themselves, possibly. Not only does TM not really produce the claimed effects, says Knapp, it actually produces a trance state that has a harmful effect on many. This is Knapp’s position. His whole negative paradigm is a web woven from these basic premises. And the basic premises are wrong.

  There will always be naysayers. Mosquitos on the elephant—insignificant tiny screamers in the grand scheme of things. A drag mostly to themselves.

  Life DOES have a sublime, immense potential that can be unfolded by anyone. Within the human being IS a reservoir of limitless creativity and intelligence. Experiencing it can transform your life. TM is a tested and proven way to accomplish that.

• ruth October 24th, 2008 at 3:22 PM #35

  Funny, now you guys are denying that MMY said we would fly.

  For those of you that don’t know what we are talking about with the siddhi program, here is what you mentally recite to yourself: (from http://minet.org/mantras.html)

  Friendliness
  Compassion
  Happiness
  Strength of an elephant
  Bronchial tube
  Inner light
  Sun
  Moon
  Polestar
  Trachea
  Navel
  Distinction between intellect and transcendence
  Transcendence intuition
  Transcendence finest hearing
  Transcendence finest sight
  Transcendence finest taste
  Transcendence finest touch
  Transcendence finest smell.

  The “levitation” or “flying” technique, now known as “Yogic Flying,” is used in the same way as all other sutras:

  “Relationship of body and akasha – lightness of cotton fiber.”

  This phrase is mentally repeated every fifteen seconds after doing a twenty minute session of TM. Each sutra is mentally repeated twice (if time allows 4 times), with a 15 second pause in between each repetition.

  After doing the flying sutra for 5-30 minutes, the instruction is to rest for 10-30 minutes and then read the Hindu Scriptures for 5 minutes.

  An example of the readings (from the Ninth Mandala of Rig Veda):

  Flow Soma, in a most sweet and exhilarating stream, effused for Indra to drink. The all-beholding destroyer of Rakshasas has stepped upon his gold-smitten birthplace, united with the wooden cask. Be the lavish giver of wealth, most bounteous, the destroyer of enemies; bestow on us the riches of the affluent. Come with food to the sacrifice of the mighty gods, and bring us strength and sustenance. To thee we come, O dropping (Soma); for thee only is this our worship day by day, our prayers are to thee, none other.

  Interesting, a religious component.

  So requiring celibacy for parusha and mother divine isn’t like being monks and nuns?

  McKinley, you state that you: “have been practicing the TM-sidhis for decades. Why do I keep practicing? One reason: the growth and positive results are so immense and unending.” What results? And how would you know it is due to TM? As I get older, I am wiser, more experienced, less inclined to jump to conclusions, and happier. No magic needed.

  Enjoy your magic. And don’t forget the first two sutras–friendliness and compassion. Calling people insignificant tiny screamers seems to indicate that those sutras aren’t doing much for you.

• mckinley November 5th, 2008 at 4:49 AM #36

  An indigenous tribal member who has had no contact with outer civilization may believe even a cigarette lighter to be magic. The anti-meditation blogger, out of misunderstanding and lack of direct experience, may believe that the TM and TM-sidhi practices are a thing of magic. But any intelligent mind should be able to grasp the simple, mechanical, scientific nature of these beneficial practices.

  Fact: As stated above, Maharishi, as a scientist of consciousness, never promised people specific results from the sidhis practice, other than the many benefits for mind and body that are being enjoyed by the tens of thousands around the world who (wisely, and in growing numbers) continue to practice their TM-sidhi program. He obviously did reiterate Patanjali’s predictions that there are three stages of Yogic Flying, and Maharishi always upheld Patanjali’s theory, expounded in the Yoga Sutras, that if human awareness is fully developed, the abilities described in the Yoga Sutras can be attained—including Yogic Flying. But the primary benefits of the sidhis practice, as revived by Maharishi, is growth of the latent potential of body and mind that results from the TM-sidhis practice, as documented by so much peer-reviewed scientific research.

  There has been much predujice in past American culture against systems of thought and values from other cultures, and the above negative blogger’s denigration of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras is an example. There is a rising sense that America is growing tired of negativity, mudslinging and derision. Denunciations of venerated traditions such as the Vedic Tradition of India is archaic, intolerant and small minded, and it’s falling off as U.S. collective consciousness becomes more coherent and mature. The outcome of the presidential election was testimony to this positive change.

  The TM-sidhi practice is an ongoing, cutting edge research program into possibilities for human consciousness. Of course it will be ridiculed by pessimists and naysayers, especially by people who have no basis for understanding the extent of what is possible for human consciousness because they do not experience (or perhaps cannot even imagine) the fully awakened state of “yoga,” or unified awareness, “the field of all possibilities.” For a brilliant explanation of how such possibilities as Yogic Flying are understood scientifically, see http://www.permanentpeace.org, where quantum physicist John Hagelin fits it all together with physical theory and empirical research.

  Most cultures around the world, including our own Christian culture, contain records of levitation or “supernormal” powers, identified with exceptional individuals or “saints,” but such records usually discounted because there has never been a systematic means for developing for verifying such powers. But that does not mean that such a scientifically oriented research program cannot exist.

  I thank the anti-meditation activist above for posting some of Patanjali’s sutras, and for attempt at interpreting instructions for practice. It’s always a pleasure to bring these words to awareness, even when presented when in distorted form on a blog page. I’m not sure what point he intended by listing them. I assume that his aim was to try and undermine the sidhis practice by arguing, “See, this is all it is.” Other “deconstructionists” have tried to break down Maharishi’ practices into basic, fragmented elements to “expose” the inner workings of these technologies. But it’s a futile attempt. Maharishi’s technologies cannot be deconstructed into parts. The TM-sidhi practices enliven wholeness in human awareness, and only on that level of wholeness can the TM-sidhis practice be understood and experienced.

  Deconstructionism, a process born of reductionism and appropriated by literary theory, had its rise and fall in past decades but has become culturally passe for this very reason: the wholeness of the poem or work of art is lost, and all that’s left is isolated parts that convey nothing of the artists intentions. Aesthetic context is destroyed. If you want to understand or benefit from the TM-sidhi practice, turn not to fragmented, superficial breakdowns of Patanjali’s text, such as cited above, but to a great master teacher of Vedic knowledge who can elucidate the theory of Yoga and, more important, offer delicate, detailed instruction in practice and expert guidance so that the technology yields fruit. Such a great teacher was Maharishi.

  It is out of my compassion not only for the anti-meditation blogger, but for anyone who may read this blog, that I am writing these clarifications.

• ruth November 5th, 2008 at 10:18 AM #37

  Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. There is no proof.

  As far as MMY lying, here is one example. In 1975, when the host of The Merv Griffin Show asked Maharishi Mahesh Yogi how many of the 40,000 TM-Sidhi students he taught learned to levitate, he answered, “Thousands.”

• mckinley November 5th, 2008 at 4:49 PM #38

  “…when the host of The Merv Griffin Show asked Maharishi Mahesh Yogi how many of the 40,000 TM-Sidhi students he taught learned to levitate, he answered, “Thousands.””

  A person like knapp/ruth can go on forever, in a negative frame of mind, projecting insidious interpretations on everything about TM and Maharishi.

  knapp/ruth’s paradigm is based on the above noted false premises (TM is a trance, TM doesn’t produce benefits, TM is monstrous, etc,), and this is just another example of his negative spin built on these false and unscientific beliefs. You wear red glasses all you see is red.

  By “thousands,” if Maharishi actually said this, he would obviously have been referring to the tens of thousands of people who have learned Yogic Flying and are experiencing the first stage of the practice. Patanjali (and other Vedic scholars of the tradition) referred to Yogic Flying as “levitation” and designated the three stages, the first of which is “hopping.” There have been so many public Yogic Flying demonstrations by the TM Movement. It is so absurd to claim that the Movement is asserting that the sidhas are actually flying through the air, or that Maharishi ever made such claims, when the public has been shown hundreds of times all around the world what stage of Yogic Flying people are currently achieving.

  Another bogus assertion.

• ruth November 6th, 2008 at 5:56 PM #39

  Well, we will see which of us can go on forever. :)

  He said he taught thousands to levitate. Nothing about first stages. Nothing about hopping. Come on, don’t be disingenuous. Any ordinary person would believe that levitate means levitate.

  The movement no longer claims levitation has occurred and the siddhis are now promoted as a solution to the ills of the world, rather than as a means of acquiring personal magic powers. Heck, Haglin just gave the 2000 “yogic flyers” credit for Obama’s election.

• ruth November 6th, 2008 at 5:57 PM #40

  Posted before editing! Not only did he teach people to levitate, he said they “learned to levitate.” Pretty explicit to me.

• Dr P. L. Loveland November 8th, 2008 at 1:49 PM #41

  I spent eight years training to become a doctor of clinical and forensic psychology. I have been a psychotherapist for 13 years. I say this not to impress the reader, but rather to impress on the reader that I have experience in working with and understanding human behavior.

  Let me be frank. Mr. Knapp is a trouble maker. He’s a trouble maker because ‘making trouble’ gives him an audience and provides him with one of six human needs–significance.

  We need to feel significant–all of us. Those who are healthy find significance in contributing to themselves and society. Those who are not find significance in the 3-D‘s–disruption, distraction and destruction.

  Mr. Knapp cannot be dissuaded. His intellect is not at play here. This is ego gratification. Answering his attacks (as I’m doing) brings him gratification and allows him to feel significant.

  At the moment Mr. Knapp receives a furry of emails from scientists, educators, doctors, practitioners of TM, etc., to correct his error his ego becomes hyper-inflated. This inflation brings momentary gratification and makes him feel significant. When his ego (sense of self) becomes weak he will attack again and again.

  It is unfortunate that Mr. Knapp does his trouble making under the guise of being a helpful therapist–but this is the cloak that is designed to give him the appearance of objectivity and sincerity.

  Perhaps the only solution is for us all to stop feeding Mr. Knapp.

  Best,

  Dr P. L. Loveland

• Glory Dog November 9th, 2008 at 3:29 AM #42

  I see the TM fun is still going on here at Good Therapy!

  Does the above blogger Dr. PL Loveland write under the assumption that “ruth” (AKA “june”) is actually Mr. Knapp? I would say such an assumption is a given; but, of course, how can one know for sure? And what does it matter? What matters is clarifying the facts and exposing the misinformation.

  However, Dr. Loveland brings up interesting points.

  Mr. Knapp’s original post (which began these attacks on TM) was removed from the site for violating spam rules. He was exposed, so then he returns under an assumed name, ‘june,’ then another, ‘ruth.’ I’ve noticed that in his posts where he writes in his own name, he tries to maintain some sense of professionalism—he is a social worker promoting his borderline business of “cult deprograming.” Assuming a false identity (especially after being exposed) would allow him to get dirty and cast aspersions and insults. I’ve noticed this same pattern on other sites where his attacks began with his cut-and-paste anti-TM spam post. ‘ruth’ was there also, advancing the arguments from Mr. Knapp’s websites—which, curiously, ’she’ knows by heart and verbatim.

  But I agree with Dr. Loveland’s take that something is clinically amiss with the entire mindset behind the aggresive posts and anti-TM misinformation campaign launched by Mr. Knapp. Think about it: he maintains at least three websites drenched with anti-TM verbiage. One of the sites, possibly not the most radical, is called “TM-free Blog.” Can someone who is this involved, this persistently engaged with TM, be said to be “free” of it? And, by continually focusing on TM, how can he help others be free of it? (The merits of such a goal quite questionable to begin with…) Psychologically, Mr. Knapp’s involvement with TM reeks of obsession, and suggests unreliability as a narrator. Yes, he needs to promote his business, which depends on TM actually being a damaging cult instead of a simple, natural and innocent program for self-development. (Of course, the ‘TM is a cult’ tenet requires all the science behind TM to be bogus—thus his adamant dismissal of the 350+ peer-reviewed works of science.) But continual negative engagement doesn’t seem to be the healthiest way to deal with his personal issues—issues he identifies with TM. ***I would like to hear Dr. Loveland’s thoughts on this.*** Dr. Loveland, are you still there?

  That the above negative attacks against TM are deeply pathological in nature would explain how it is that a grown man would devote so much time and energy defaming TM as “dangerous,” despite the fact that the all-positive effects of the program have been proven by hundreds of peer-reviewed research studies. See wwwaskthedoctors.com to hear *actual* doctors and scientists address all the issues brought up by the naysaying activist.

  Now, this will really provide a feast for Mr. Knapp (ruth, june, etc.).

  “Well, we will see which of us can go on forever.” …a little scary sounding?

  But the point is to help him by suggesting that, if he really wants to be free of his anti-meditation issues, perhaps he should place his attention on health and healing, instead of incessant flaming, spamming, and bashing—and instead of constant, unhealthy engagement in negativity. As people say, and with all due respect, he needs to “get a life.” Such continual engagement in negativity is not much of a life. Now, speaking of life, I myself have one to get back to! God bless Mr. Knapp and good luck to him (and to ruth and june too!).

• ruth November 9th, 2008 at 7:13 AM #43

  Dr. Loveland, you repeated insult and defame Mr. Knapp and his business. You also are doing what no therapist should do–engaging in mind reading. You have no idea what motivations Mr. Knapp has for his work in cult recovery.

  Keep in mind as well that Mr. Knapp is not the one here arguing with all of you. It is me. So if you want to quit feeding me slow ball for me to hit out of the court, feel free to do so.

• ruth November 9th, 2008 at 7:44 AM #44

  Glory Dog, I am not Mr. Knapp. Mr. Knapp is upfront and posts under his own name. Since I began posting on this blog I joined TM free as a blogger. http://tmfree.blogspot.com/

  Saying “get a life” seems to be the insult of the 21st century. I have a fine life. I had a great career and retired. But I have friends and family who were sucked in by the TM cult and I feel some sense of duty to not let unsubstantiated claims pass. Instead of responding with substance to my questions and criticisms on this site, you insult me and my motives and try to paint me as somehow disturbed. I would say that is an unfair and unseemly way to argue your position.

  What I would like to see are answers to questions I posed like, where is the science behind vedic architecture, astrology, and claims of the sutras. Where is the science behind taking credit for a 13,000 point stock market and also taking credit for the phase transition when it crashed.

  At best, you can say that TM helps lower blood pressure.

  I suggest that you stop accusing Mr. Knapp of things he has not done, including posting under a false name. The site administrator can confirm that we are not the same people.

• ruth November 9th, 2008 at 8:10 AM #45

  I have requested this site confirm the Knapp and I are not the same person. Given that Knapp posts with his true name I do not want any of my posts to be assumed to come from him. That is unfair and untrue.

• Dr P. L. Loveland November 9th, 2008 at 9:11 AM #46

  Ruth is not a female. “Ruth” is an aggressive, angry male. It is probable Ruth is Mr. Knapp using a pseudo name. Mr. Knapp fit’s the profile of an individual who as an infant, child and young adult never received proper mirroring and emotional support from his caregivers. These types of individuals will split off facets of themselves and create alter egos in order to gain the “support” they desperately crave—either in fantasy or in the real world.

  The web crates the perfect opportunity for these wounded souls to find the support they need. On the web they can contribute to blogs, letters to the editor, etc. When their ideas or comments come under attack they assume another identity whose comments on “their” behalf provides the fantasized support they need in order to feel significant and appreciated.

  In some instances this practice may be a relatively harmless support system for individuals like Mr. Knapp. In the field of politics, religion, entertainment, etc., where the precedent has long been set that distortions are a part of the rules of the game. However, to carry your banner of deception and personal need into the field of inner development and spiritual growth is unacceptable.

  I have often asked myself why people spend hours, days, years develop viruses to infect other peoples computers—people they will never see. Yet the they receive enormous gratification knowing inside themselves they have the power to destroy that which is a joy for others.

  What I’m talking about here is the simple, natural practice of TM being maligned for personal gain–either for a profit in your business or for ego gratification.

  Mr. Knapp, I am not a Bible thumper. I am, however, a practicing Catholic. When I see what you are doing it reminds me of what Jesus said of those who mislead others. He referred to it as those who “give scandal.” Jesus said, “It would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and thrown into the sea.”

  Mr. Knapp, I know you are hurting. But you must consider what you are doing to others, the consequences for them and for you–if not today, then tomorrow.

  Find something realistic, practical and needed in your therapy practice.

  Sincerely,

  Dr. P L Loveland

• Glory Dog November 9th, 2008 at 9:31 AM #47

  Very good that a request has been submitted for the site to confirm that ruth is not knapp. How will they do this? By identifying that the subsequent posts are from a different IP address? That of course will prove nothing. Anyone can post through a different computer, and the original Knapp post was possibly from a hired auto spam service anyway. The only way to confirm that ruth is really a doctor, with a PhD in psychology, is to supply your medical license and identify yourself for real.

  The anti-meditation activist keeps mixing up the issues: the claims in support of TM are that it works, that it is scientifically validated, and it has no harmful sides effects. These other items about architecture, claims of untruthfulness from Maharishi, astrology, are separate from these facts about TM. Each of these topics has it’s place in an overall discussion of Vedic Science, but do not diminish the therapeutic value of the TM program.

• mckinley November 10th, 2008 at 4:46 AM #48

  the question was posed above by ruth, ‘what benefits’ from the TM-sidhi practice? well, ask and ye shall receive…

  aside from the many benefits for mind, body and behavior already identified by the peer-reviewed scientific research, such as, increased brainwave coherence, improvements in health, academic performance, and so on (see DoctorsOnTM.org), my personal experience is this:

  1. through TM-sidhi practice, the peaceful, silent state of pure awareness—continuous, imperturbable, inner wakefulness—is present throughout the day, providing a steady and solid basis for everything i do. this inner field of creative, dynamic silence (one’s own true Self, as described in revered texts of philosophy and literary traditions around the world) brings ease, effortlessness and efficiency to my daily activities. the stress of the world washes over me without the damaging wear and tear that is the common experience. Maharishi calls it the growth of ‘invincibility.’
  2. physically, my body gets energized from the TM-sidhi practice, and i have noticed that mind-body coordination is more refined, sharper, and that vigorous exercise is thus more enjoyable and more smooth everyday, and even when sleeping there is a liveliness of bliss throughout my body. health is on a high platform of wellbeing, and i haven’t even gotten a cold in years. knock on wood.
  3. perception grows more refined everyday, and the subtler textures of experience become more clear…even my eyesight gets better and visual perceptions become more and more clear, as if i’m seeing deeper into nature itself…(not ‘as if,’ i AM seeing deeper into nature!) everything becomes more and more beautiful.
  4. most important, i’m live in a state of bliss, unbounded awareness that extends without limit in all directions, pervading everything i see around me, resulting in the universal experience of oneness that has been written about in so much of the world’s great literature. i feel intimately connected with all these great writers and artists throughout time who have given expression to this underlying universal reality of transcendental consciousness, known in the various traditions by many names—nirvana, atma, satori, the oversoul, Being… i feel intimately connected to everyone, and everybody is as dear to me as my own self.
  5. but even more important, perhaps, is that life becomes simple and easy. i get things done with minimal effort. relationships are uncomplicated and uncluttered by personal baggage because the big stresses and strains of life were dissolved long ago in the deep tranquil rest of meditation. i am more useful to others because i am not caught up in the smallnesses, so i can better help people focus on the highest—unfolding their full potential.

  life becomes infinite fun. and speaking of magic (brought up in a negative vein by the person above who likes to challenge meditators), yes, there is magic! it’s all around me. life’s magic reveals itself more and more through the TM-sidhi program. life was always magical, full of wonder and amazement. but when the windows of perception get washed clean through daily practice of meditation and the sidhis, you see more of the depth and sublime beauty that surrounds you.

  these are some of my own personal benefits from Transcendental Meditation and the TM-sidhi program, including Yogic Flying—which is powerful fun!

• Glory Dog November 10th, 2008 at 5:17 AM #49

  I am eager to see the results of ‘ruth’s’ request that her identify as a real person and someone who is not Mr. Knapp be verified. It would also be revealing if it were validated that this anti-meditation critic were really a doctor and a PhD in psychology, that such a claim were not just an attempt to gain credibility.

  Regardless, what is important is to keep the facts straight: the topics of architecture, astrology, and Maharishi’s role as a teach all have their place in a general discussion of Vedic Science, but have no bearing on the immense therapeutic value of the TM program, or the reality that TM works, that it is scientifically verified to have a wide range of health benefits for mind and body, and that 350 peer-reviewed research studies show positive effects.

• admin November 10th, 2008 at 12:09 PM #50

  Comments made by user “Ruth” are from a different IP address than the comments made by user “John M. Knapp, LMSW”

  The IP addresses are located in significantly different geographical regions.

• ruth November 10th, 2008 at 12:49 PM #51

  Thank you admin for your assistance. As I said earlier on the thread, because of family and friends who have relationships with the TMO, and professional considerations, I can’t reveal my identity. So you are free to question my bonafides as I am free to question yours’ as you folks don’t reveal your names and bonafides either.

  I am amused though that Loveland thinks that I am a man. :)

  McKinley, thank you for not joining in the attacks. I do not question that you perceive a personal benefit. Unfortunately, that benefit is not universal and does not fit with the grandiose claims of the TMO. I already discussed the quality of the research. Also, it is not one size fits all as there are in fact people who have had bad experiences with TM, specifically with rounding or with the siddhis. It isn’t all, it is some. The goofy “vedic science” claims are relevant in my mine when evaluation the claims of the siddhis. Given the bizarre nature of the claims it is reasonable for a person to doubt most any unsubstantiated claim put out by the TMO, including that TM has NO harmful side effects. (Though the TMO does admit there is something called “unstressing” which can be unpleasant. There is no scientific basis for a claim that bad experiences are “releases” of stress or are some how the feelings that come from “purification.” Instead, it is a convenient excuse for when people suffer unpleasantness. “Something good is happening” may in fact be “something unpleasant and unnecessary is happening.”

  TM defenders, I am not trying to convince you that you are wrong. There is nothing to make a person more tenacious in their beliefs than to challenge them. Instead, I am posting here and elsewhere because I do not want the lurker to assume that TM is all roses.

• Glory Dog November 27th, 2008 at 3:47 AM #52

  I too thank the admin for checking IPs—unfortunately it reveals next to nothing.

  Let’s identify what is fact and what is opinion—or fiction.

  It may be a fact that the two anti-meditation identities have two different IPs, but it is also a fact that this does not prove they are two different people. It only proves the postings were done through two different servers—and servers can be in any geographical region irrespective of the location of a private user. (For example, in my household, upstairs there are two different users sharing a satellite-based server through a router, and downstairs a third user is hooked up to a cable DSL. Thus at least two different IP addresses originate from this one location.)

  It’s a fact that some people do go to medical school, and that a very small percentage also earn PhD’s in psychology. But merely stating in a blog that one is an MD with a PhD does not establish credibility. It is also a fact that in a blog posting, one can (and often will) say anything to further one’s cause—especially extremists.

  While it is possible that one of the vociferous meditation slammers could actually be a doctor, this issue *is* relevant here: a pattern of deceit and dishonesty would be further exposed if the person attacking meditation and meditators (sometimes viciously) cannot prove them self to be a doctor, even to the site administrator.

  Considering the extreme bias and false statements being asserted by the anti-meditation posts, and the disingenuous spamming tactics employed by the person above who started these attacks, it would be in character for the “doctor claim” to be just one more falsehood.

  This is why I request the anti-meditation blogger “ruth” to offer “bonafides” to the site administrator, and then for the trusty admin to let us know the results. The fact that the credentials were used by the blogger in an attempt to establish credibility makes this fair game, and the onus is indeed on “ruth” to confirm her “doctor” claim. If true, it will be the one statement made by this blogger than was not overturned by fact and reason.

  That issue aside, what’s important here is to clarify the well-established, all-positive therapeutic value of the TM program, and to debunk the false accusations made by someone who has a commercial or personal need to try and smear TM. All the discerning reader must do is look at the facts.

  It is the anti-meditation blogger’s negative *opinion* that TM doesn’t always work and that it actually has harmful effects. So let it be his opinion. Hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific research clearly show that opinion to be not only counterfactual, but utterly without merit.

  Mckinley has expressed that his experience as a TM teacher, teaching hundreds of people, reveals to him that TM’s benefits are universal and are the norm. This is the experience of every TM teacher I’ve ever met who has extensive experience teaching —*extensive* meaning that the person has taught several hundred people or more and not just a tiny handful—enough to have a reasonable basis to discern TM’s purported universal effectiveness.

  It is the negative blogger’s *opinion* that the claims surrounding TM are “grandiose.” Let it be his opinion.

  It remains a fact that every benefit claimed for the TM technique is supported by peer-reviewed, replicated scientific research, and that hundreds of real doctors and scientists have published their findings, as discussed by real doctors at http://www.doctorsontm.org.

  It is the negative blogger’s *opinion* that many people have bad experiences with TM. Let it be his opinion.

  It remains a fact that over 350 controlled, peer-reviewed research studies report beneficial, life-enriching results.

  The negative blooger *must* attack the quality of the research and dismiss it out of hand—because if the research is *solid,* the extremist’s negative paradigm against TM collapses. (Let it go down in the dust…)

  Well, buddy, the research is solid. Hundreds of independent, professional scientists—the editors of over 350 peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals—after careful analysis of these studies on TM, decided to publish them in their journals, and for one reason only: the studies showed significant and promising findings and were of high quality.

  The last thing that any board of scientific reviewers wants to do is discredit his/her own journal, reputation and career by publishing sloppy, biased research, again and again. Anyone who wants to overview this research can go to http://www.truthabouttm.org.

  Nor would the National Institutes of Health or National Science Foundation be granting over $24 million for TM research, over 18 years, if there was not a solid body of evidence supporting the program’s significant and groundbreaking benefits. Nor would GM, Chrysler and other foundations be giving millions of dollars to fund TM programs in the schools.

  This is one reason why I would find it surprising that the anti-meditation blogger is really a doctor: anyone trained in medicine should have a sufficient understanding of science and the peer-review process to know that over 350 peer-reviewed studies cannot rationally be dismissed as a body of biased, poor quality research. If they were poor quality, they would never have been published—maybe five or ten could slip through the peer-review process, but over 350? Insane…but there ARE a few nutso, cranky, incompetent doctors out there.

  If anyone is still not convinced of the baselessness of these attacks on TM, check out the credentials of the doctors and scientists on the Doctors on TM site. We’re talking Harvard Medical School faculty. The president of the Psychiatric Association of Virginia. Faculty of New York School of Medicine. The head of one of the largest cardiology wings on the west coast. Medical researcher at Georgia College of Medicine. These people are Yale-trained. Stanford-trained. Career emergency room physicians and clinical psychiatrists. Directors of neurology at major hospitals. A renowned, award-winning neuropsychologist. Etc. etc. And all of these highly credentialed people are speaking loudly and clearly about the TM program as a major, immensely important therapeutic tool. And there are many others, as the above posts demonstrate.

  It is the negative blogger’s *opinion* that Vedic Science is “goofy.”

  It remains a fact that the tradition of Vedic Knowledge is one of the most venerated and universally revered traditions of self-development on the earth. If the anti-meditation blogger wants to disrespect this great tradition, that’s his level of belief and understanding.

  I say let’s show respect for all cultures and great traditions and see what they have to offer. Even if it defies your world view and means that, well, you were wrong and your whole career as a social-worker therapist cult-chaser goes down the tubes.

• ruth November 27th, 2008 at 8:42 AM #53

  I never said I had a Phd. in psychology; it is a masters degree.

  No matter what I say you will turn what I say into something nefarious. You can’t admit that there might be two people, instead of one person, who disagree with you.

  No, you cannot check my bonafides. Nor can I check yours. I went out of the way to ask the admin to show my IP was different and it turns out is in a completely different part of the country. You guys are so dang suspicious! As I said, I have no expectation of changing your mind. Instead, I am here to present another point of view to the readers who are not participating. They can judge for themselves who appears to have more credibility.

  They can read the studies and realize none of them are about TM always working. None of them. And, the TM organizations do not research bad effects, even under the rubric of unstressing.

  They can read the Alberta meta-analysis of meditation research which confirms that few conclusions can be drawn from the research. They can read about how the National Institute of Health has funded $800 million in alternative medicine since 1991 with next to no results.

  They can read the latest book out of the TMO, the Complete Book of Yogic Flying, eight hundred some pages of nothing as no one can fly.

  They can decide whether rakshasas or demons will enter their homes if the house faces south or west.

  They can decide if reading an astrological chart is important before going on a long trip.

  They can decide if years of meditation make you a happier, more compassionate person by the evidence exhibited from your posts.

  They can buy your claim of independent research or read what the movement has to say about John Haglin:

  “The introduction of Dr. Hagelin will not be complete without mentioning that Dr. Hagelin has been, in one way or another, connected with 600 scientific research studies on Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and its Advanced Techniques, including Yogic Flying, conducted over the last 35 years at over 250 independent universities and research institutions in 33 countries and recorded in seven volumes of scientific research of over 5,000 pages. This research has demonstrated profound benefits in all fields of society—health, education, defence, business and industry, criminal rehabilitation and crime reduction, in the direction of world peace.” http://www.globalfinancialcapitalny.org/ad/ (click on Haglin’s name and read near the bottom of the page).

  They can read about Doug Henning, who died of liver cancer while the movement claimed the the cancer was gone but it was time for him to leave.

  They can decide if a movement which promotes a so called scientific technique is consistent with the fact that it is run by a “king” who wears a crown, and has various “rajas” to “govern” countries. No, this isn’t another culture, this is plane goofy.

  Think critically.

• Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman November 27th, 2008 at 7:33 PM #54

  The rancor in this discussion is disturbing. While the scientific “proof” of TM may be debatable, it does appear to be of benefit to many. Whether this is because of some “active ingeredient” or because of “plecebo” is also debatable. I would hope that people can focus on the the benefits and the research and the potential “down side” risks of this approach.

  regards

• Glory Dog November 28th, 2008 at 3:43 AM #55

  Dear Dr. Becker-Weidman and others:

  Yes, I think that almost anyone reading these posts would find the rancor disturbing. It sometimes happens, when a positive or informative article appears on TM, that the same negative activist pops up with the same denigrating attacks—the same pattern: the one blogging identity (the social worker) appears, then the next same identity follows with the same low blows—and what should be a rational, productice exchange about specific research studies and benefits from meditation deteriorates into name calling and sweeping dismissals of TM, and, in turn, dismissals of meditation’s opponent.

  Of course, I understand (and relate to) the responsibility felt by these TM-supportive bloggers, among whom (on this page) are people who have used TM in their practice as clinical psychologists and found it of tremendous value to their patients. It is considered by these people to be among the best of therapeutic practices.

  Then they read someone who says he is a therapist, making scientifically unfounded claims of severely harmful effects, claims of no empirical support for TM’s benefits, harsh accusations reducing the technique to a “cult”—posts that were launched by the author of three anti-meditation websites who is maintaining his own little “swiftboating” campaign against TM on the internet.

  Here is a scientifically verified tool that is helping people cope and improve their health, and then comes this barrage of brazen attacks on everything from the integrity of the TM non-profit organization to the safety of the practice. TM indeed makes people less aggressive, but it does not make you passive; I appreciate the strong responses to the off-putting remarks.

  If the naysayers were to raise specific issues about individual research studies, say, the statistical significance of studies on hypertension or stroke from the American Cardiology Association’s journals, or one of the many peer-reviewed studies showing the reduction of anxiety—if the attacker focused on “p” values, controls, or experimental design—then the dialogue could be more useful in fleshing out the strengths, and yes, weaknesses, of a particular study.

  But those who attack TM rarely even mention such methodological details. Their objections are usually paradigmatic: TM cannot possibly be a scientifically verified program, cannot possibly be all-positive in its effects, cannot possibly be what the TM instructors say it is. Why? For reasons deeply enmeshed in a belief system, apparently. Otherwise, why such sweeping dismissals and put-downs without reference to specific studies, journals, researchers’ credentials and track record, experimental designs, etc?

  Regarding the scientific validation of TM being debatable: yes, the degree to which the program’s benefits have been empirically validated for any particular area is freely open to debate and scientific inquiry. That is the purpose of the peer-review process. To what extent is there scientific evidence supporting benefits for depression, lowering blood pressure, reducing drug abuse, quitting cigarettes, reducing illness in major disease categories, or increasing self-actualization and promoting healthier aging? To discuss such topics with any significance would require focus on specific studies—where they were published, what were the findings, and were the findings supported by the data?

  But instead, to divert from reasonable dialogue and scientific discourse, the attacker resorts to invocations of demons, astrology, and bizarre, distorted concepts of “unstressing;” makes reference to a meditating magician who, sadly, died of cancer (and who was my good friend)—and then the attacker suggests that “the Movement” coldly dismissed his death by just saying “it was time for him to leave.” If I were to be blunt, I would call such distorted references outright lies. These topics—conjurings of misunderstandings and confusion—have absolutely nothing to do with the practice of TM and it’s proven therapeutic effects.

  The one study specifically cited by the naysayer is the Alberta study, a single research paper that, even though it was published in a peer-reviewed journal, has been strongly criticized by scientists both unaffiliated and affiliated with the TM organization, because
  1. it was rushed to press without undergoing the peer-review process
  2. was overly selective and did not include all the data available from the body of scientific research on the various types of meditation
  3. did not apply convention criteria for research in the field of human behavioral practices (if the Alberta study’s same methodological criteria were applied to, say, cigarette smoking, there would be absolutely no citable research to argue that cigarette smoking is bad for you.) For a detailed examination of this study, see or .

  This study is said by the critics of meditation to “prove meditation has no clinical benefits.” But the authors themselves denied that this was the outcome. This single, questionable study does not out weight more than 100 peer-reviewed studies supporting the clinical effects of mindfulness meditation, and the more than 350 peer-reviewed studies on the benefits of TM.

  “National Institute of Health has funded $800 million in alternative medicine since 1991 with next to no results.” Could the meditation opponent cite a reference for this sweeping dismissal? “Next to no results?” According to whom?

  Only a fraction of the NIH research grants for TM studies came from the new wing of the NIH that funds alternative medicine. There are also conventional NIH branches that fund cardiovascular health and brain research, and they do not fund alternative medicine or “fringe” projects. Millions of dollars from this NIH department have gone to fund TM research. But the alternative medicine wing has also funded research on TM and given TM research the largest grant to date that this new wing has awarded. The NIH has been funding TM research over 18 years, again and again, only because the findings are significant.

  Yes, let’s debate the extent of TM’s scientific validation, but let’s do it productively.

  There are people suffering who need this practice, who no doubt will benefit from it. This over-stressed, teetering world needs it. What the world doesn’t need is more negativity, more harshness and unfounded prejudice.

  It is unfair to the people who want relief from suffering to disseminate deliberately misleading information about TM. That is why I, for one, speak out strongly when I see these confounding statements propagated on the internet.

• Glory Dog November 28th, 2008 at 4:16 AM #56

  those links were at truthaboutTM.org

  http://www.TruthAboutTM.org/truth/Research/RebuttalofAHRQReview/index.cfm

  and

  http://www.mum.edu/pdf/inmp_pressrelease.pdf

  best to everyone
  gd

• ruth November 28th, 2008 at 7:31 AM #57

  I agree that the rancor is disturbing Arthur. I also mostly agree with everything else that you say. I have said that plenty of people seem to find some benefit from meditation, though it is unknown how many who learn continue the practice. My concerns relate to TM are two-fold: first, the position of the TM organizations is, no matter what , TM is good for you, and the other is the cultish nature of the TM organizations. I do not like to see money go to support a cult. So, I recommend that people find a form of meditation that is free. There are plenty.

• Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman November 28th, 2008 at 3:38 PM #58

  I do not practice TM or any other form of mediation. I just think that if something does provide some solace for a client, some symptom relief, and it is not harmful, that can be a good thing. There are many forms of meditation that are very helpful. I agree, with the previous comment, that the cult aspects of TM may not be healthful…but the practice of TM or other forms of mediation can be quite helpful for many individuals. If we can keep the focus on helping clients and less on various polemics, we may be able to find some common ground and offer another venue of assistance to clients.

  regards
  Art

• Martha November 29th, 2008 at 10:41 AM #59

  It seems to me that people on both sides of this argument are sincere. Since I am not a scientist, researcher or statistician, I am not going to take sides regarding the quality of the research done on the benefits of TM. And I certainly wouldn’t argue with the individuals who have reported such wonderful benefits from practicing TM. But if we are going to take positive personal testimonials at face value, I think it is fair to take on face value the personal accounts of people who have reported being harmed from practicing TM. I think these personal accounts illustrate that TM does not produce good results in 100% of the population, and sometimes it produces serious problems.

  I suggest, for starters, that interested readers check out TM-Ex archives, Behind the TM Facade, Trancenet.net, TMFree, minet.org, and Falling Down the TM Rabbit Hole for such personal accounts. On these sites, readers will also find articles by clinicians about individuals who have been harmed from practicing TM.

• vanessa December 25th, 2008 at 11:55 AM #60

  As another practicing psychotherapist/clinical psychologist who has recommended TM to clients for decades, with very positive results, and who practices it myself, I find this discussion interesting yet somewhat disconcerting. But I think the supporters of TM above have effectively presented the facts and corrected the misunderstandings.

  I would like to respond to Martha’s point about listening the the people who claim “harmful” effects from TM. Of course everyone sincere in this discussion deserves to be listened to. But I find that the impassioned “anti-TM” elements tend to greatly exaggerate the claims of “harmful effects,” to say the least. I say this based on several factors:

  1. The peer-reviewed scientific research on TM has overwhelmingly established the beneficial and all-positive nature of the practice.

  2. The anti-TM crowd (a small but vociferous group) has been publicly soliciting since at least the early 1990s for anyone who has experienced negative effects from to TM tell their story and thereby add the to alleged anti-meditation material. I have surveyed this material, which is presented on the various websites mentioned above (three of them maintained by the above “anti-TM activist” who began this negative thread against TM). Adding up all the individual cases of these people who “stepped forward” to claim negative effects from TM totals no more than 15-20 individual cases, depending on how you define “negative effects.”
  These sites feature many people criticizing TM and the organization for various reasons, but he actual cases of people describing negative effects is astonishingly few.

  However, the negative websites claim that 20% of all people who have learned TM experience harmful effects. If this were true, there would be many more than 18 people complaining of negative effects. With over 5 million people having learned TM, 20% would be 1 million people complaining of harmful effects. This means that for every 100 people who learn, 20 people would experience negative effects.

  Where are these 20%? Nowhere. It is a myth. Internet gossip. The 1 million “harmed” by TM do not exist, because, as the science shows, the effects of TM are not harmful.

  For example, according to the 20% claim, if you consider the top 100 celebrities who have embraced TM and spoken out in favor of it, there should be 20 famous people denouncing it. (Yes, John Lennon denounced Maharishi, he also denounced Jesus, Elvis, Beatles, etc, but John later recanted, and the surviving Beatles still practice TM. Paul McCartney will be doing a benefit concert for TM in the schools in spring 09 in New York City.)

  According to the 20% claim, there should be a large group of doctors and scientists publicly speaking out to warn people against TM, say, 20% of the large number who are advocating TM for treatment of hypertension, anxiety, depression, and a number of other ailments shown by research to be positively impacted by TM (see askthedoctors.com). Where is this large group of highly credentialed anti-TM scientists speaking out? They do not exist, because deep rest does not cause harmful effects.

  These people soliciting for negative cases is the best endorsement of TM on the internet, because so few cases have come forward.

  Here’s what one doctor says who teaches at Harvard Medical School says:

  Dr. Steele Belok: “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 would be harmed by such improvements?

  “In addition, we know that most of the major risk factors responsible for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, are reduced with the Transcendental Meditation program. Because heart attacks and strokes, which we call cardiovascular diseases, are a major cause of sickness and mortality in our country, reducing the risk factor for these illnesses would not be something one would associate with a negative effect. In addition, a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology showed that older individuals who begin the Transcendental Meditation program have a ten-year reduced incidence of cardiovascular mortality of 30%, and a reduction in all cause mortality in ten years of 23% when compared to controls. These are very impressive statistics.

  “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.

  “Therefore, from a purely outcomes-related assessment of the published research on the Transcendental Meditation technique, I can strongly say that this program has only a positive—and highly positive—impact on mental and physical health.”

  ———————————–

  well put, Dr. Belok.

  Of course, there may always be someone, out of 5 million meditators, blaming TM for their problems, or for not solving all their problems. There may always be someone disgruntled with the TM organization because an x-spouse meditates and is thriving, or various other reasons that we understand as misplaced aggression.

  For a top psychiatrist’s explanation of how a person can transfer their negativity onto TM, even though TM itself is blameless, see this letter written by the president of the Psychiatric Association of Virginia: http://www.truthabouttm.org/truth/IndividualEffects/DoesTMDoAnyHarm/JimKragLetter/index.cfm

  But what s most troubling to me about the handful of activist individuals who persist in spreading misleading information about TM on the internet is that these people, aptly described above as “true believers” in their cynicism and negativity, appear to be addicted to their negativity toward TM and cannot seem to get beyond it. The same few people keep coming back and repeating the same negative claims, and they’ve been dwelling on this negativity for years. I am not so concerned about innocent readers getting confused about TM by these people, because there are so many others online who love and practice TM and who will always be there to correct the misunderstandings. But these individuals who constantly attack TM are engaged in what appears to be an unhealthy obsession. As a therapist, I recommend that they seek professional help beyond their circle of anti-TM friends that gather on their negative blogs and websites.

  Best to everyone,
  Dr. Vanessa

• John December 29th, 2008 at 10:17 AM #61

  Regarding the accusation that TM can have negative side effects, as a TM teacher who has taught TM to about 1500 people in the SF Bay area for over 30 years, I must say that I have never had a single student come back and tell me they experienced “harmful” or negative side effects. Actually, I’ve never had a person tell me that they regretted having learned. For what it’s worth…

• Dr. Arthur Becker-Weidman December 29th, 2008 at 12:20 PM #62

  As I’d previously said, I think keeping the focus on helping clients will be best. I also agree with Martha, to some extent, that many on both “sides” are acting in good faith. However, it is disturbing that there are sometimes zealots or members of various fringe groups that continually attack others while ignoring evidence contrary to their position. This does not lend itself to a healthy or productive dialogue.

  As one who does not practice TM, it is very difficult for me to see how the practice of TM could be harmful. Mediation seems like a fairly benign activity.

• ruth December 30th, 2008 at 8:50 AM #63

  Who are the zealots?

  Arthur, if you read all the posts you will see that I don’t disagree that meditation is a fairly benign activity. (Except for a few who suffer relaxation induced anxiety). The major problems seem to occur with rounding (meditating for hours on end), the siddhis (yogic flying, etc.), and with associating with the TM organizations which promote cult like quasi religious beliefs. Also, I believe that you can learn to meditate without paying the high cost to learn TM. There are many free techniques available. My guess, based solely on anecdote, is that most people who learn TM quit, and thus for them it was a waste of money.

  To those of you who purport to be therapists and accuse those of us who disagree with your point of view as having an unhealthy obsession I suggest that you stop engaging in mind reading. We all have point of views and Rebecca’s dismissal of my point of view as coming from some sort of personal problem that I have is troublesome.

• laughing crow December 30th, 2008 at 10:08 AM #64

  not sure who “Rebecca” is. the previous, well-articulated post was from someone named Vanessa — and I commend you, Vanessa!

  as clearly expressed above by various highly credentialed authorities, it is entirely this person’s (“ruth’s”) idiosyncratic and private opinion, counter to
  scientific evidence (and, it seems, common sense) to claim that meditation produces harm, whether Zen, mindfulness, TM or the advanced TM-sidhis practices. all evidence is to the contrary.

  and with over 350 peer-reviewed scientific research studies on the TM technique and $24 million in research grants for TM from the NIH, it’s a joke that there are still people claiming that TM is a cult, quasi-cult or even minutely cultish. i’ve been practicing it for decades and laugh at the prospect that someone thinks i am in a cult! as said above, this ‘cult-screaming finger-pointing’ is witch-hunt mentality.

  as peer-reviewed studies show, TM actually creates independent thinking, increased critical thinking, self-sufficiency, and allows the mind to transcend the whole field of dogma and conceptuality. that’s what Self-realization is all about.

  i can’t think of anything that could be more non-cultish than to practice TM and grow in these values of clearer thinking and increased awareness of the Self.

  this has all been addressed already, and is hardly worth responding to, but for the sake of the innocent reader, here’s another medical doctor’s take on it, from http://www.askthedoctors.com:

  Dr. Sandeep Chaudhary, Medical Director of Endocrinology, Scripps Memorial Hospital: “If anyone is concerned that the TM program might be some kind of religious sect or cult, then just ask yourself: How many so-called cults have been awarded $24 million in research grants by the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, or offer programs verified by research studies in hundreds of refereed medical and scientific journals, including the American Medical Association’s Archives of Internal Medicine?

  “How many religious sects have offered AMA-approved continuing education courses for physicians, or teach systematic instruction in a technique that’s regularly featured in brain research presentations at the American Psychological Association’s annual conferences, and highlighted in the American College of Cardiology press releases for benefits to cardiovascular health?

  “The distinguished recognition and scientific validation goes on and on.”

  there is also no shred of evidence to support the claim, coming back from the anti-meditation activist like a broken record, that most people who learn TM quit or that all meditations are the same or will produce the same results. there are many forms of meditation, with different aims and that engage the mind in different ways. many of these practices are not concerned with deep rest or transcending and have an entirely different purpose. and as the research shows, while Zen, mindfulness, Vipassana etc have been shown to have many good, specific benefits, no other form of meditation has been found to consistently produce the same range of holistic effects as TM.

  for any therapist wanting to know the facts, all these issues are discussed at http://www.askthedoctors.com and truthabouttm.org. …discussed by doctor, scientists, psychiatrists, etc.

  happy new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• ruth December 30th, 2008 at 3:46 PM #65

  Sorry, I don’t know how I managed to remember Vanessa as Rebecca! Rushing as usual, going through my google alerts.

  We are now repeating ourselves. I think the TM organization is a cult ruled by a quasi “king” and “rajas” who wear crowns, mix in doses of quantum mechanics with religious concepts like finding god, advise against west or south facing homes, promote jyotish (astrology) and other unscientific concepts. You can meditate without being part of the cult. But I don’t want to give money to support a cult, which paying the big fee for meditation will do.

  Askthedoctors.com is a TM site. There are 800,000 plus MDs in the US, of course some will be found to promote TM.

  The NIH grants? Heck, they give grants laying on of the hands, prayer, and all sorts of practices that appear to have no scientific basis. Research grants don’t prove that the TMO is not a cult.

  And happy new year to you to.

• Billigflüge January 7th, 2009 at 2:10 AM #66

  excellent read!
  I have always heard about meditation but never knew what is it.
  “Those who start TM typically find improved sleep, reduced anxiety and depression, more happiness, greater ability to enjoy, feelings of wholeness and less physical illness”
  Meditation seems to be an extremely powerful method and has a lot of benefit. I have the intention to try it in the next days.
  keep up your good work
  I will be a regular reader of ur blog.

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