Transcendental Meditation

Kyle Nelson2 said:Transcendental Meditation is actually backed by over 300 scientific studies proving it really works.

That’s all well and good, but I don't see why anyone needs to chant specific mantras. Honestly, isn't it enough to just "veg out" for an hour or two a day with almost zero mental stimulation?

Once someone conducts a study comparing people like me—who are (dare I say?) smart enough to find ways to unwind daily—against those who rely solely on TM, then we can have a real conversation...

What you’re talking about is basically Zen meditation.
First, you just focus on your body and your breathing, and then you move on to external sounds—you don't try to grab onto them or anything, you just let them pass through you...
It's really just an intro to some other kind of meditation...

Rebecca Cox2 said:That’s all well and good, but I don't see why anyone needs to chant specific mantras. Honestly, isn't it enough to just "veg out" for an hour or two a day with almost zero mental stimulation?

Once someone conducts a study comparing people like me—who are (dare I say?) smart enough to find ways to unwind daily—against those who rely solely on TM, then we can have a real conversation...

Then go ahead and run the study! Get a group from Brighton together (you know, the geniuses like yourself) and prove that, by any measurable standard, you guys have stats just as good as the T-Mobile people. That would actually be a massive argument against T-Mobile and a huge win for Brighton.
Right now, it just looks like you're digging your heels into your beliefs despite what all those peer-reviewed scientific journals are saying.

mistyfox812 said:Then go ahead and run the study! Get a group from Brighton together (you know, the geniuses like yourself) and prove that, by any measurable standard, you guys have stats just as good as the T-Mobile people. That would actually be a massive argument against T-Mobile and a huge win for Brighton.
Right now, it just looks like you're digging your heels into your beliefs despite what all those peer-reviewed scientific journals are saying.

It’s not a bad suggestion. I might bring it up with the folks at Bright-ovac, but honestly, there are much bigger fires they're trying to put out right now. I doubt they'll take on TM until these "more dangerous threats" are dealt with...😬

mistyfox812 said:Then go ahead and run the study! Get a group from Brighton together (you know, the geniuses like yourself) and prove that, by any measurable standard, you guys have stats just as good as the T-Mobile people. That would actually be a massive argument against T-Mobile and a huge win for Brighton.
Right now, it just looks like you're digging your heels into your beliefs despite what all those peer-reviewed scientific journals are saying.

I'm simply being skeptical because there is a more logical explanation available. Besides, we both know that science and scientists can be dead wrong sometimes (even if they eventually correct themselves)...

Is this meditation practice actually as beneficial as all those "scientifically proven" studies claim, or is it just another massive scam?
I can't help but wonder why, in the West, there seems to be such an obsession with researching TM specifically rather than looking into other meditative traditions.
Does TM actually end up doing more harm than good?
And don't even get me started on the whole philosophy behind it... it feels like a twisted version of Hinduism, especially with their claims that Hinduism and all other religions are fundamentally flawed.

Casey Morgan26 said:Is this meditation practice actually as beneficial as all those "scientifically proven" studies claim, or is it just another massive scam?
I can't help but wonder why, in the West, there seems to be such an obsession with researching TM specifically rather than looking into other meditative traditions.
Does TM actually end up doing more harm than good?
And don't even get me started on the whole philosophy behind it... it feels like a twisted version of Hinduism, especially with their claims that Hinduism and all other religions are fundamentally flawed.

It's just one method among many, and certainly not better than others... like, say, the Rosary. 😁

They push the "scientific" angle because that’s what sells, even though most people interested in spiritual practices don't really care about that stuff. That’s why you don't see as many clinical studies on spiritual exercises; they aren't trying to frame them through a medical lens. That doesn't make the practices bad, it's just their choice. Though, I'll admit, there is a hint of deception there—they try to present everything as purely technical while hiding behind these mysterious initiations.

The TM component of Indian philosophy (the yogic side) is really just a rebranding. They swapped out traditional Indian terms for their own proprietary names just to sound more exclusive than they actually are. 😁

Casey Morgan26 said:Is this meditation practice actually as beneficial as all those "scientifically proven" studies claim, or is it just another massive scam?
I can't help but wonder why, in the West, there seems to be such an obsession with researching TM specifically rather than looking into other meditative traditions.
Does TM actually end up doing more harm than good?
And don't even get me started on the whole philosophy behind it... it feels like a twisted version of Hinduism, especially with their claims that Hinduism and all other religions are fundamentally flawed.

Look, if you're that terrified, maybe it's better to just stay far away from this weird stuff. You could always just grab your rosary, head to Mass, and then follow that up by seeing your doctor for a handful of pills. Then you'll be all set. 😍😂
You'll feel like a brand new person tomorrow! 😉

The tricky thing about TM is how they lure you in. They claim it’s just this "relaxation technique" that has absolutely nothing to do with religion and won't require you to overhaul your lifestyle or habits... and then, before you know it, they’re lecturing you on mantra chanting and all that Maharishi nonsense and philosophy...
I actually ended up feeling worse after just five days of TM. My tension, anxiety, and depression spiked, and I felt completely disoriented. It was a total shock to my system; it took me nearly twenty days just to feel steady again...
I originally signed up for the course because I couldn't sleep and was becoming dependent on sleeping pills, but instead, TM just triggered more psychological issues for me...
So, I decided to try practicing it again, but only for five minutes instead of the full twenty... I did that for about nine days. I can't even say what the effects were, really. At times, it would calm me down and quiet my thoughts, but other times it would leave me in this state of lethargy and apathy, or occasionally, it would just irritate my psyche again...
I suppose doing a minute or two of TM before bed helped me fall asleep for a couple of nights...
But my overall impression? TM just stirs up negative emotions in me. It feels like it numbs me out or makes me indifferent to everything around me, giving off this fake sense of peace...
At least, that's how it felt to me...
People say you have to stick with it for at least twenty or thirty days to see the actual results, but honestly, I'm afraid that continuing might just make my mental health even worse...

What I’m specifically wondering about is: why is TM the only one that gets all this scientific scrutiny? They spout all this fluff about a "fourth state of consciousness" and similar nonsense, when in reality, the technique just triggers alpha waves in the brain which induces relaxation, slows down breathing, and lowers metabolism—basically just a way to release some stress...
Apparently, that helps some people resolve health issues, while for others, it creates even bigger problems...

So, I want to know, does only TM have this kind of effect, or do all other forms of meditation work this way?
Is there anything else that could help with insomnia and anxiety?
Maybe some milder meditation or something?
Because clearly, the pills aren't solving the problem, lol...

Casey Morgan26 said:The tricky thing about TM is how they lure you in. They claim it’s just this "relaxation technique" that has absolutely nothing to do with religion and won't require you to overhaul your lifestyle or habits... and then, before you know it, they’re lecturing you on mantra chanting and all that Maharishi nonsense and philosophy...
I actually ended up feeling worse after just five days of TM. My tension, anxiety, and depression spiked, and I felt completely disoriented. It was a total shock to my system; it took me nearly twenty days just to feel steady again...
I originally signed up for the course because I couldn't sleep and was becoming dependent on sleeping pills, but instead, TM just triggered more psychological issues for me...
So, I decided to try practicing it again, but only for five minutes instead of the full twenty... I did that for about nine days. I can't even say what the effects were, really. At times, it would calm me down and quiet my thoughts, but other times it would leave me in this state of lethargy and apathy, or occasionally, it would just irritate my psyche again...
I suppose doing a minute or two of TM before bed helped me fall asleep for a couple of nights...
But my overall impression? TM just stirs up negative emotions in me. It feels like it numbs me out or makes me indifferent to everything around me, giving off this fake sense of peace...
At least, that's how it felt to me...
People say you have to stick with it for at least twenty or thirty days to see the actual results, but honestly, I'm afraid that continuing might just make my mental health even worse...

What I’m specifically wondering about is: why is TM the only one that gets all this scientific scrutiny? They spout all this fluff about a "fourth state of consciousness" and similar nonsense, when in reality, the technique just triggers alpha waves in the brain which induces relaxation, slows down breathing, and lowers metabolism—basically just a way to release some stress...
Apparently, that helps some people resolve health issues, while for others, it creates even bigger problems...

So, I want to know, does only TM have this kind of effect, or do all other forms of meditation work this way?
Is there anything else that could help with insomnia and anxiety?
Maybe some milder meditation or something?
Because clearly, the pills aren't solving the problem, lol...

... for calming herbs, I'd suggest combining valerian with lemon balm—and as for exercise, try hiking until you're absolutely wiped out.😍

Spiritual techniques were designed for spiritual work, not for psychiatry. You really should be in a healthy headspace to even start using them. If you look at the prerequisites in the literature, they don't suggest you just be "healthy"—they basically expect you to be a desert saint before you even begin.

The rest of it is mostly just clever ways for certain organizations to spread their message and repackage old ideas to make them seem trendy and original—promising mountains and valleys for almost zero effort.

Regarding research, as I mentioned, most of it is heavily pushed by those involved. Sure, there are studies on yoga or women’s health, but it feels like the initiative usually comes from within those specific circles, often just to promote themselves. That dictates what gets studied and how much.

How much we can actually trust those studies is a whole different issue.

For instance, I already wrote about one such study in another thread.

Basically, they gathered meditators in some American city to test the theory that just one percent of the population could significantly impact the surrounding area—specifically, reducing crime rates and things like that.

And according to their study, it worked perfectly.
Well, when they are the ones talking about it.

When you hear the other side, though: they practically conducted the research themselves. There was no objective way to control the results (I mean, how would anyone know how much crime would have occurred if they hadn't meditated?). In fact, crime was actually higher than during the same period last year. Objectively speaking, you could argue they were doing more harm than good, even if that wasn't the case.
How did they reach their conclusion? They used methods known only to themselves to calculate that crime *should* have been even higher than it actually was. It doesn't exactly scream "scientific rigor."

I don't know about other studies, but personally, I’d stay far away from those kinds of propaganda tricks.

Besides, do you know why Lennon left Maharishi (the founder of TM)? Living with him in an ashram in Rishikesh, he saw that the guy's famous persona was somewhat of an act—he knew he had his limits. He didn't care for how much the man tried to project a certain image to everyone else.😁

Anyway, there are plenty of documented cases where spiritual techniques actually aggravated mental health issues or even triggered them, rather than helping.

Technique and meditation are great in theory, but the magic isn't all in the technique, and it’s certainly no universal substitute for a doctor.😁

Edit: Regarding techniques, I think boldsailor2’s suggestion—that first stage of Yoga Nidra—is actually more effective than standard meditation. Or maybe some other kind of progressive relaxation; it feels more like a structured system.

I do remember a stretch when I was getting acupuncture constantly, and it just didn't work. In fact, it had the opposite effect. Even though I could get my body perfectly relaxed thanks to previous autogenic training, being physically immobile while my mind was racing just made the mental buzzing worse. Honestly, I'm more of a hiking person. Get out into the fresh air, eat until I can't move, stay warm... then just sleep. 😁

I really need to get on the same page as bluemason3 🤔 😍

So, I was at a TM instructor's place for a check-in the other day, and the guy seemed incredibly irritated by my comments or just my general vibe. I honestly can't pin down what exactly rubbed him the wrong way, but you could tell he was visibly tense, like he was barely holding back from just blowing up at me...
I don't know... that doesn't really strike me as how someone who’s supposedly enlightened—someone who’s been meditating for twenty years (and charges a fortune for some mediocre mantra that you aren't even allowed to share with anyone, it's strictly yours, yet everyone gets the exact same thing anyway)—should act. And it didn't even make sense to me why the books insist you can only learn this through a teacher; couldn't you just read the instructions on a piece of paper and figure it out yourself?
And then there's that silly Maharishi channel they have where they spend all day droning on about nonsense like the "invincible nation." Then you have Maharishi claiming he has this grand blueprint for world peace involving how governments should be structured and even how houses should be built. Honestly, who comes up with this stuff? 😂...
Oh, and they actually celebrate Maharishi's birthday like it's some major national holiday. It was even being broadcast on TV, which was just... lol.
Anyway, I have no clue why I annoyed the instructor. Maybe it was because my landlord asked me what that music playing on the channel was, and I just told her I wasn't really into that Indian music. I mean, it isn't terrible, it's just not my style. Plus, I mentioned that Hinduism feels a bit strange to me; if I had to pick an Eastern religion, Buddhism seems more grounded, though I generally stay away from all of it. Even Christianity, really. It seems to me that when people struggling with anxiety or depression latch onto a religion, they tend to become overly obsessed with it...
And I think I added, well, that TM is just a technique...
That's when the instructor lost it. First, he started lecturing me about the Bhagavad Gita, and when he saw me just eating a cookie and not paying attention, he stormed off into another room for about twenty minutes...
When he finally came back, he was dead silent before announcing that the session was over. Later on, he started rambling about how TM isn't a religion, but also how it *is* a religion. He even used this weird analogy that common spices aren't a religion, but they kind of are.
He went on about how this all stems from ancient Vedic science and religion, claiming TM is the foundation of all faiths, and that Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism have all lost touch with that core. He even claimed Sanskrit is the proto-language for all European, Indo-European, African, and Asian languages (which, frankly, sounds like total nonsense)...
So, yeah. That's how my last check-in with the instructor wrapped up...

What else is just fundamentally flawed about their theories? It’s this idea that once you finally shake off all your stress, you’ll somehow start living a "real" life... as if being totally immune to pressure means you just end up vegetating like some kind of houseplant...
I mean, look at someone like Beethoven. He composed those legendary symphonies precisely because he lost his hearing, and that struggle was what drove him...

I don't know. My psychiatrist just switched me over to these non-habit-forming pills, and honestly, that's basically all our sessions consist of now—just tweaking the dosage up or down...
I've heard about that St. John's Wort, too. Apparently, you have to take it consistently for a long time before anything happens...

Everyone doesn't get the same mantra; it’s actually assigned based on your birth year. During the course, you undergo an initiation—which essentially means accepting Maharishi as your teacher—even if they don't frame it quite that way. You know, that moment when you bring some fruit and the instructor mumbles something in front of a photo of Maharishi or Gurudev (Maharishi's teacher). I can't say I remember the exact ritual.

Respecting the teacher isn't really up for debate.

I find it a little funny, though—this frantic push to present themselves as a "scientific" organization rather than a spiritual one. It feels like masking the initiations and tweaking Sanskrit terms just to try and look more original...

I mean... it's not all that deep. At its core, it's just pretty standard mantra meditation. Over time, as you go through further initiations, you add extra syllables before and after that base bija, which makes it start looking like a more traditional Hindu mantra (like Om followed by something else). 😁

I know they hand them out based on whatever year you were born, but honestly, they just have about ten standard mantras they give to everyone... then they spin this whole story about how it’s some special, personalized mantra meant specifically for you...
and yeah, that's pretty much how the whole initiation process goes...
But what I find most ridiculous is how they market themselves as just this "stress relief and relaxation technique" that supposedly has nothing to do with religion, only to turn around later and lecture you with all their specific philosophy and religious doctrines....

Casey Morgan26 said:I know they hand them out based on whatever year you were born, but honestly, they just have about ten standard mantras they give to everyone... then they spin this whole story about how it’s some special, personalized mantra meant specifically for you...
and yeah, that's pretty much how the whole initiation process goes...
But what I find most ridiculous is how they market themselves as just this "stress relief and relaxation technique" that supposedly has nothing to do with religion, only to turn around later and lecture you with all their specific philosophy and religious doctrines....

Yeah, I’m with you there. That’s my main gripe too. Everything else isn't even that controversial, except for how much they overhype it just to feel different from everyone else. I mean... people can do whatever they want. It's not illegal or anything. 😁
I usually end up being the one who looks like a total fool for even bringing it up. 😁

I actually remembered a better method than the ones I previously mentioned ☕ 🙂

bluemason3 said:Yeah, I’m with you there. That’s my main gripe too. Everything else isn't even that controversial, except for how much they overhype it just to feel different from everyone else. I mean... people can do whatever they want. It's not illegal or anything. 😁
I usually end up being the one who looks like a total fool for even bringing it up. 😁

And then they have the nerve to claim that meditation works for absolutely everyone... which, let's be honest, just isn't true...

Which method, tell me...