Sitting in a field of flowers, legs crossed, wrapped in white cloth, the sweet smell of incense wafting through the air. That's what most people think of when they hear the word: meditation. But what we see and hear in the media is not always an accurate picture of reality. The Transcendental Meditation technique is a simple mental procedure that is practiced for twenty minutes twice per day. It has been learned by millions of people and has been the subject of hundreds of research studies. But just what is Transcendental Meditation (or TM) and how does one learn it? Here are some of the details regarding the TM technique and its practice.
In our current reality, doing nothing (or non-doing) is seen as a ridiculous waste of time. There's money to be had, and sitting around watching your thoughts is seen as a perfect way to miss out on making it. We're here to tell you that this couldn't be further from the truth. Your thoughts act as a lens through which you perceive reality. In this way, they guide and shape all your decisions and actions, and in turn, either make you money or make you lose money. Therefore, if you want to make a lot of money, learning how to control and alter your thoughts is of vital importance. This is where meditation comes into play. Meditation allows you to step out of your thoughts and watch them as an observer. It enables you to understand your thought processes and patterns of thinking. And it is only once you understand how you think, that you can begin to change what you think.
Concentration-In a concentration technique for self development a person might be asked to focus on a candle, to eliminate all thoughts, to visualize something or to focus on a particular thought, part of the body etc. Then, whenever the mind wanders from the candle or the visualization etc. the concentration technique requires that we bring our attention back to the point or topic of focus i.e. candle etc. The TM technique however, is unique and different in that it does not involve any concentration or focus. Transcendental Meditation is a completely effortless technique in which the mind flows naturally and purposefully to the field of creative silence (or Pure Consciousness) at the source of the mind. This happens spontaneously and naturally, with out effort, when one practices the Transcendental Meditation technique.Breathing-Many meditation techniques focus on the rhythm of the breath. The TM technique does not focus on the breath or its rhythm. Instead TM utilizes the minds own natural tendency to move towards greater peace and silence within in the same way that gravity causes a stone to sink through the water in a pond. In this same way, the mind is spontaneously and naturally drawn deep inside during the TM practice, independent of what may be going on with the breath.
The technique of TM is easy and effortless. It is also unique and profound. Because each person has different experiences during their TM course and also learns at a different pace, personal instruction by a certified TM teacher is vital. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM technique, in his book The Science of Being and Art of Living explains it like this: "The practice of Transcendental Meditation must always be given by the expert teachers of Transcendental Meditation who have been properly trained to give it and who have been trained to check the experiences. The checking of experiences is a vital point in the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Again, it cannot be done through books."
Don't worry, I hear your preemptive questions, "bbbbbuutt what about the secret to becoming a pro-meditator overnight?". Well, luckily for you, we've found the magic recipe to becoming an adept meditator. Best of all, it'll only take you approximately three weeks to become a pro (but you'll have to immerse yourself in meditation during this time).Alright, so here's our secret to entering deep levels of meditation relatively quickly. Are you ready for it? To reach the deepest levels of meditation in a short period of time we use audio entrainment devices. These audio products abound on the internet, and you can choose whichever one you like, so long as you consistently use it for at least three weeks.
People might tell you this is cheating, that meditation requires a lot of effort and years of practice. This is bull. People who tell you this are scared of change, and they usually have their egos attached to meditation. To reach the deepest levels of meditation you have to be willing to try new methods and techniques until you find one that is right for you. We've found that after using these audio programs for three weeks (in the morning and before going to sleep) we've been able to slow down and analyze our thoughts on a regular basis. This means we can now begin to change the thoughts we have to the ones we want to have. This will be the basis for our next article, but for now you should have an idea of what you have to start working on. Here's what you have to do:
"Medication for ADHD is very effective for some children, but it is marginally or not effective for others. Even for those children who show improved symptoms with the medication, the improvement is often insufficient or accompanied by troubling side effects," Stixrud said. "Virtually everyone finds it difficult to pay attention, organize themselves and get things done when they're under stress. So it stands to reason that the TM technique which reduces stress and organizes brain function would reduce ADHD symptoms." While in some cases a child cannot function without medication, there is growing concern about the health risks and side effects associated with the common ADHD medications, including mood swings, insomnia, tics, slowed growth, and heart problems. In 2006 the FDA required manufacturers to place warning labels on ADHD medications, listing the potential serious health risks.
These high risks and growing concerns are fueling parents' search for alternatives that may be safer for their kids.The study was conducted in a private K-12 school for children with language-based learning disabilities. Participation was restricted to 10 students, ages 11-14, who had pre-existing diagnoses of ADHD. About half of the students were on medication. The students meditated at school in a group for 10 minutes, morning and afternoon.To determine the influence of the TM technique, at the beginning and end of the three-month period, parents, teachers and students completed standard ADHD assessment inventories measuring stress and anxiety, behavior and social competency, and executive function. Students were also given a battery of performance tests to measure cognitive functioning.
I had learned the Transcendental Meditation technique several years before. And though I loved beautiful things like anyone else, I also loved the beautiful, inner silence I experienced during my twice daily meditations even more. Through my practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique I found a place within me, from which all my creativity emerged; a flow of subtle impulses that guide me serenely through my daily life, even to this day.
Everyone noticed the change," Andy added.Grosswald explained that there is substantial research showing the effectiveness of the TM technique for reducing stress and anxiety, and improving cognitive functioning among the general population. "What's significant about these new findings is that among children who have difficulty with focus and attention, we see the same results. TM doesn't require concentration, controlling the mind or disciplined focus. The fact that these children are able to do TM, and do it easily shows us that this technique may be particularly well suited for children with ADHD," she said.This study was funded by the Abramson Family Foundation and the Institute for Community Enrichment.A second, recently completed TM-ADHD study with a control group measured brain function using electroencephalography (EEG). Preliminary data shows that three months practice of the technique resulted in significant positive changes in brain functioning during visual-motor skills. Changes were specifically seen in the circuitry of the brain associated with attention and distractibility. After six months TM practice, measurements of distractibility moved into the normal range.A third, $2 million TM-ADHD study, to be funded in part by a grant from The David Lynch Foundation, will more fully investigate the effects of the technique on ADHD and other learning disorders.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).The Center for Disease Control reports that nearly 50 percent of the 4.5 million children (ages 4-17) in the United States diagnosed with ADHD are on ADHD medication-and the majority of those on medication stay on it in adulthood.The rate of prescriptions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the U.S. has increasing by a factor of five since 1991-with production of ADHD medicines up 2,000 percent in 9 years.The commonly used drugs for ADHD are stimulants (amphetamines). These drugs can cause persistent and negative side effects, including sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, weight loss, suppressed growth, and mood disorders. The side effects are frequently treated with additional medications to manage insomnia or mood swings. Almost none of the medications prescribed for insomnia or mood disturbances are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with children.The long-term health effects of ADHD medications are not fully known, but evidence suggests risks of cardiac disorders and sudden death, liver damage and psychiatric events. It has also been found that children on long-term medication have significantly higher rates of delinquency, substance use, and stunted physical growth.
It is interesting to note that adherents from all religions choose to learn transcendental meditation. Although it has roots in Hinduism, the transcendental meditation technique can be applied to any cultural context. In fact, those who learn transcendental meditation are encouraged to adapt symbols that have meaning and depth for the individual. For example, a rabbi may choose to focus on a symbol or image rooted in Judaism to enhance the effectiveness of the session. In contrast, an agnostic may choose an image from nature such as a beautiful meadow or sunset to achieve relaxation. The beauty of transcendental meditation is its flexibility.
[the science of getting rich]
In our current reality, doing nothing (or non-doing) is seen as a ridiculous waste of time. There's money to be had, and sitting around watching your thoughts is seen as a perfect way to miss out on making it. We're here to tell you that this couldn't be further from the truth. Your thoughts act as a lens through which you perceive reality. In this way, they guide and shape all your decisions and actions, and in turn, either make you money or make you lose money. Therefore, if you want to make a lot of money, learning how to control and alter your thoughts is of vital importance. This is where meditation comes into play. Meditation allows you to step out of your thoughts and watch them as an observer. It enables you to understand your thought processes and patterns of thinking. And it is only once you understand how you think, that you can begin to change what you think.
Concentration-In a concentration technique for self development a person might be asked to focus on a candle, to eliminate all thoughts, to visualize something or to focus on a particular thought, part of the body etc. Then, whenever the mind wanders from the candle or the visualization etc. the concentration technique requires that we bring our attention back to the point or topic of focus i.e. candle etc. The TM technique however, is unique and different in that it does not involve any concentration or focus. Transcendental Meditation is a completely effortless technique in which the mind flows naturally and purposefully to the field of creative silence (or Pure Consciousness) at the source of the mind. This happens spontaneously and naturally, with out effort, when one practices the Transcendental Meditation technique.Breathing-Many meditation techniques focus on the rhythm of the breath. The TM technique does not focus on the breath or its rhythm. Instead TM utilizes the minds own natural tendency to move towards greater peace and silence within in the same way that gravity causes a stone to sink through the water in a pond. In this same way, the mind is spontaneously and naturally drawn deep inside during the TM practice, independent of what may be going on with the breath.
The technique of TM is easy and effortless. It is also unique and profound. Because each person has different experiences during their TM course and also learns at a different pace, personal instruction by a certified TM teacher is vital. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM technique, in his book The Science of Being and Art of Living explains it like this: "The practice of Transcendental Meditation must always be given by the expert teachers of Transcendental Meditation who have been properly trained to give it and who have been trained to check the experiences. The checking of experiences is a vital point in the practice of Transcendental Meditation. Again, it cannot be done through books."
Don't worry, I hear your preemptive questions, "bbbbbuutt what about the secret to becoming a pro-meditator overnight?". Well, luckily for you, we've found the magic recipe to becoming an adept meditator. Best of all, it'll only take you approximately three weeks to become a pro (but you'll have to immerse yourself in meditation during this time).Alright, so here's our secret to entering deep levels of meditation relatively quickly. Are you ready for it? To reach the deepest levels of meditation in a short period of time we use audio entrainment devices. These audio products abound on the internet, and you can choose whichever one you like, so long as you consistently use it for at least three weeks.
People might tell you this is cheating, that meditation requires a lot of effort and years of practice. This is bull. People who tell you this are scared of change, and they usually have their egos attached to meditation. To reach the deepest levels of meditation you have to be willing to try new methods and techniques until you find one that is right for you. We've found that after using these audio programs for three weeks (in the morning and before going to sleep) we've been able to slow down and analyze our thoughts on a regular basis. This means we can now begin to change the thoughts we have to the ones we want to have. This will be the basis for our next article, but for now you should have an idea of what you have to start working on. Here's what you have to do:
"Medication for ADHD is very effective for some children, but it is marginally or not effective for others. Even for those children who show improved symptoms with the medication, the improvement is often insufficient or accompanied by troubling side effects," Stixrud said. "Virtually everyone finds it difficult to pay attention, organize themselves and get things done when they're under stress. So it stands to reason that the TM technique which reduces stress and organizes brain function would reduce ADHD symptoms." While in some cases a child cannot function without medication, there is growing concern about the health risks and side effects associated with the common ADHD medications, including mood swings, insomnia, tics, slowed growth, and heart problems. In 2006 the FDA required manufacturers to place warning labels on ADHD medications, listing the potential serious health risks.
These high risks and growing concerns are fueling parents' search for alternatives that may be safer for their kids.The study was conducted in a private K-12 school for children with language-based learning disabilities. Participation was restricted to 10 students, ages 11-14, who had pre-existing diagnoses of ADHD. About half of the students were on medication. The students meditated at school in a group for 10 minutes, morning and afternoon.To determine the influence of the TM technique, at the beginning and end of the three-month period, parents, teachers and students completed standard ADHD assessment inventories measuring stress and anxiety, behavior and social competency, and executive function. Students were also given a battery of performance tests to measure cognitive functioning.
I had learned the Transcendental Meditation technique several years before. And though I loved beautiful things like anyone else, I also loved the beautiful, inner silence I experienced during my twice daily meditations even more. Through my practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique I found a place within me, from which all my creativity emerged; a flow of subtle impulses that guide me serenely through my daily life, even to this day.
Everyone noticed the change," Andy added.Grosswald explained that there is substantial research showing the effectiveness of the TM technique for reducing stress and anxiety, and improving cognitive functioning among the general population. "What's significant about these new findings is that among children who have difficulty with focus and attention, we see the same results. TM doesn't require concentration, controlling the mind or disciplined focus. The fact that these children are able to do TM, and do it easily shows us that this technique may be particularly well suited for children with ADHD," she said.This study was funded by the Abramson Family Foundation and the Institute for Community Enrichment.A second, recently completed TM-ADHD study with a control group measured brain function using electroencephalography (EEG). Preliminary data shows that three months practice of the technique resulted in significant positive changes in brain functioning during visual-motor skills. Changes were specifically seen in the circuitry of the brain associated with attention and distractibility. After six months TM practice, measurements of distractibility moved into the normal range.A third, $2 million TM-ADHD study, to be funded in part by a grant from The David Lynch Foundation, will more fully investigate the effects of the technique on ADHD and other learning disorders.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).The Center for Disease Control reports that nearly 50 percent of the 4.5 million children (ages 4-17) in the United States diagnosed with ADHD are on ADHD medication-and the majority of those on medication stay on it in adulthood.The rate of prescriptions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in the U.S. has increasing by a factor of five since 1991-with production of ADHD medicines up 2,000 percent in 9 years.The commonly used drugs for ADHD are stimulants (amphetamines). These drugs can cause persistent and negative side effects, including sleep disturbances, reduced appetite, weight loss, suppressed growth, and mood disorders. The side effects are frequently treated with additional medications to manage insomnia or mood swings. Almost none of the medications prescribed for insomnia or mood disturbances are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with children.The long-term health effects of ADHD medications are not fully known, but evidence suggests risks of cardiac disorders and sudden death, liver damage and psychiatric events. It has also been found that children on long-term medication have significantly higher rates of delinquency, substance use, and stunted physical growth.
It is interesting to note that adherents from all religions choose to learn transcendental meditation. Although it has roots in Hinduism, the transcendental meditation technique can be applied to any cultural context. In fact, those who learn transcendental meditation are encouraged to adapt symbols that have meaning and depth for the individual. For example, a rabbi may choose to focus on a symbol or image rooted in Judaism to enhance the effectiveness of the session. In contrast, an agnostic may choose an image from nature such as a beautiful meadow or sunset to achieve relaxation. The beauty of transcendental meditation is its flexibility.
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