Scientific Research

The Transcendental Meditation (TM) and TM-Sidhi programs are the most thoroughly researched and proven methods for producing more coherent brain functioning in the individual, and for creating a more peaceful and harmonious society.

BENEFITS OF
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION

The TM technique is easy to learn, effortless to practice, and offers many positive effects that have been proven by more than 650 scientific research studies.

BENEFITS FOR THE BODY

Reduced stress and anxiety
Faster recovery from stress
Decreased depression and insomnia
Reduced Hypertension and death from cardiovascular diseases

BENEFITS FOR THE MIND:

Higher levels of brain functioning
Improved intelligence, creativity, and learning ability
Improved academic performance and school behavior
Increased longevity

BENEFITS FOR BEHAVIOR

Reduced substance abuse
Effective criminal rehabilitation
Increase in high school graduation rates
40-55% reduction in symptoms of PTSD

The Transcendental Meditation technique allows the mind to transcend, to go beyond the thinking process and gain a unique state of deep rest for both mind and body. This process of transcending also produces a high degree of orderliness or coherence in the brain.

When we practice the TM technique, we naturally begin to experience more settled, or less active, levels of our own mind. And when we transcend to the finest, most quiet level of awareness, we experience a state of inner wakefulness or “transcendental consciousness.”

Scientists have identified this experience as a fourth major state of consciousness which is measurably different from sleeping, dreaming, and waking. Transcendental consciousness is a natural state of deep rest that enlivens our body’s own inner intelligence and healing abilities, and awakens the creativity and intelligence of our mind.

Research has correlated brainwave coherence on the EEG with transcendental consciousness and valuable benefits in daily life.

HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND PREVENTION OF DISEASES

More than 400 published research studies have shown that the Transcendental Meditation technique can reduce stress, anxiety and tension, while increasing intelligence, health and happiness.

Transcending vs. Relaxation

Effectiveness in reducing Trait Anxiety

Meta-Analysis 146 Studies

Journal of Clinical Psychology 45, no. 6 (1989): 957–974

Reduced Rates of Death,heart Attack, and Stroke

Circulation. Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes 5, no. 6 (2012): 750–758

Decreased Hospital Admissons

Rate in all Categories of Disease

Psychosomatic Medicine 1987; 49:493–507

MORE ORDERLY BRAIN

The TM technique spontaneously creates brainwave coherence, which means that the different areas of the brain are working together as one whole. This brain integration creates more orderly functioning for the mind and body.

The pre-frontal cortex or “higher brain” is what separates us from the primitive species of animals. It sits over the primitive brain and exerts executive control, including judgment, planning, moral reasoning, control of the attention.

In the presence of stress, the pre-frontal cortex shuts down.

TM develops brain integration and EEG coherence, providing powerful tools for learning and creativity.

TM:

Improves basic skills, reduces drop out rates, and increases the percent of students graduating.

Improves attention, intelligence, creativity, and learning in all age groups, including the elderly.

The normal brain (image on the left) shows all areas of the brain involved in thinking and making decisions, including the all-important pre-frontal cortex.

When the brain is coherent and fully involved, our decisions, speech and action reflect that orderliness within the brain.

But when the brain is stressed (image on the right) we see what are called “functional holes” in the brain. These are not actual holes, but areas of the brain, including the pre-frontal cortex, that are not actively involved in thinking and decision-making.

Activity in the “functional holes” of the brain is restored as blood flow returns to the total brain. With regular practice of TM, the pre-frontal cortex will return to normal and continue to be more active.

TWICE AS EFFECTIVE

Scientific research shows that the Transcendental Meditation program is twice as effective as other relaxation or stress reduction techniques for reducing blood pressure and anxiety, increasing physical relaxation, improving mental functioning, and decreasing the use of cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs.

Brain research has identified three basic approaches to meditation:

Focused attention— concentrating on a thought or an object.
Open monitoring—observing the breath, thoughts, or the environment.
Automatic self-transcending—spontaneously experiencing quieter levels of thought, and achieving a unique state of restful alertness.

The Transcendental Meditation technique involves no focused attention or concentration, and no open monitoring or concentration.

It is the process of self-transcending, and allows the mind to experience the silent source of thought deep automatic within.

The brainwave patterns for TM and mindfulness are completely different.

Open monitoring or mindfulness creates limited connections or EEG coherence in the brain. The TM technique, on the other hand, produces global brainwave coherence.

This is the basis for the many positive changes in thinking, speech and behavior, as well as for the influence of coherence experienced by society as a whole.

During the TM technique our mind easily settles inward, moving through quieter levels of thought, until we experience the most silent and peaceful level of our own awareness—transcendental consciousness.

Transcendental Meditation is completely effortless, and involves no trying to empty the mind.

Anyone can practice TM successfully and gain the benefits.

TM-SIDDHI PROGRAM

The Transcendental Meditation technique allows the active mind to settle down to experience the source of thought. The advanced TM-Sidhi program develops the ability to think and act from this quietest and most powerful level of the mind.

More than fifty published scientific studies have shown that when 1% or more of a city or town’s population is practicing the TM technique, or when the square root of 1% is practicing the TM-Sidhi program together in large groups, a powerful influence of coherence and harmony radiates into the surrounding population, neutralizing societal stress and tension, and promoting positive social trends.

By defusing social stress, these Creating-Coherence Groups have been scientifically shown to lower crime and prevent social conflict, thereby contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world.

There are now 23 published studies verifying that Creating-Coherence Groups defusing social stress can:

DECREASE CRIME AND OTHER NEGATIVE SOCIAL TRENDS

DECREASE TERRORISM AND WAR

DEFUSE ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL TENSIONS

INCREASE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

This influence of creating coherence through the TM and TM-Sidhi program for society at large is known as the “Maharishi Effect” since it was predicted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi nearly fifty years ago.

Summary: Effects of U.S. √1% TM and TM-Sidhi Groupon U.s. Crime and Fatalities

Summary: Effects of U.S. √1% TM and TM-Sidhi Group on U.S. Crime and Fatalities

THE WASHINGTON DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Scientific studies have shown that the square root of 1% of the population practicing the TM-Sidhi program in large groups can defuse and prevent social conflict throughout the entire region.

Research on three large coherence-creating assemblies revealed a 72% reduction in worldwide terrorism during the three assemblies taken together, as compared to all other weeks during a two-year period.

A demonstration project in Washington DC created a significant drop in crime, in contrast to the usual increase in crime during the summer months.

But when the participants returned home at the end of these assemblies, the crime and terrorism returned to their previous levels. This shows the importance of establishing permanent groups practicing the TM-Sidhi program.

The goal of the Akanksha Welfare Foundation projects is to create permanent Coherence-Creating Groups of 10,000 people throughout India.

National Demonstration Project

in Washington, D.C