There’s lots of meditation techniques that can positively affect the stress response. TM is simply the most well known. Even simple controlled breathing has been shown to be effective.

Aside from the acupuncture, Chi-Gong and even Tai-Chi are wonderful activities that help lower chronic stress. During our training in Chinese Medicine, both Tai-Chi and Chi-Gong were an important part of our education. As I mentioned in the article, and several of you readers already know, there are many many ways to lower stress. Unfortunately, a lot of my patients complain they lack the time and patience for these periods of “time-out” to simply sit and breathe :)

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=> http://minet.org/

=> http://tmfree.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-open-letter-to-mr-goldstein.html

=> http://www.suggestibility.org/

**** Also, this RICK ROSS INSTITUTE
useful website provides a compendium of news articles
from various sources
about T.M. organization,
history & issues –
(click) => http://www.rickross.com/groups/tm.html

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“Patrick Ryan, a graduate of “MUM” (Maharishi University of Management) and a practitioner of TM for ten years, founded a support group for former members (TM-Ex).”
According to Mr. Ryan –
“In its advertising, TM emphasizes the practical benefits of meditation – particularly the reduction of stress. TM promoters show videos of members from all walks of life testifying to its benefits. TM sales pitches are full of blood pressure charts, heart-rate graphs, and other clinical evidence of TM’s effectiveness. Not mentioned is the fact that scientific tests show similar benefits can be obtained by listening to soothing music, or by performing basic relaxation exercises available in books costing a couple of dollars. After a TM student pays up to several thousand dollars (currently) and receives his own personal mantra to chant, he is told never to reveal it to another. Why? Because the same “unique” mantra has been given — on the basis of age — to thousands of people.”
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note: “enlightening” excerpt from a website
concerning a range of pertinent topics:
TM history, practices & agendas =
=> http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Transcendental_meditation_-_Criticisms_and_controversies/id/2085021

(Part 1) “Transcendental meditation
– Sexism and the TM organization”

“According to historian Stanley Wolpert (A New History of India, sixth edition, Oxford University Press: 2000), — ancient Vedic society was undeniably patriarchal, and this characteristic is reflected in the present structure of the TM organization. Although women are not barred from becoming teachers of TM, they are rarely seen in positions of political leadership, especially at the highest and most visible level of the organization. Evidence of discrimination against women can be seen in the failure to include women as ministers when Maharishi proclaimed his Global Country of World Peace (all of the 40 appointed ministers were men) and in the failure to include female spokespersons in the discussions that accompany Maharishi”s weekly televised press conferences.”

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(PART 2) — “Sexism and the TM organization”

“This is because Maharishi has outlined three acceptable “paths” for women in society: 1) marriage and motherhood, 2) monastic celibacy (in his “Mother Divine” program), and 3) engagement in a life-supporting profession or occupation that does not strain the allegedly delicate nervous system of female physiology. Also, in live and televised presentations sponsored by the TM organization, females are patronizingly referred to as “ladies” (not “women”) while men are called “men” (not “gentlemen”). TM apologists point out that even married women are called ladies as a sign of respect and married men are at other occasions called gentlemen also as a sign of respect, but fail to appreciate that gender bias is inherent in the organization”s failure to consistently apply the corresponding term “gentlemen” to males. Over the years, the TM organization has implemented a deliberate policy of segregating the sexes in its parochial schools, course facilities, assemblies, etc., and in doing so, has placed itself outside the mainstream of American life.”
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note: “Transcendental Meditation”, due to the “Puja” (chanting & worship) initiation ceremony & other religious factors,
was banned from being taught in public schools by a U.S. District Court ruling. The Court ruled that Transcendental Meditation was “a religion”
– see ruling of The United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Docket No. 76-341 (H.C.M.) Civil Action, in the case of Alan B. Malnak. et al., Plaintiffs, v. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, et al., Defendants, in a summary judgment issued October 19, 1977, followed by an order and judgment, filed December 12, 1977.” Subsequently, this federal ruling was upheld (in 1979) by the U.S. Appeals Court (Philadelphia).
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BE INFORMED:
“An Open Letter from a
(former) TM Initiator” —
What you should know about
the “Transcendental Meditation”
religious-political Organization —
history, beliefs, practices,
marketing tactics & deliberate deception:
view webpages =>
http://www.trancenet.net/personal/abe/abe12097.shtml
and
http://trancenet.net/groups/tm.shtml
_____

“The technique that Transcendental Meditation (religious-political organization) teaches is common, and can easily be taught without
all of the ridiculous TM trappings. The benefits realized are
identical. “TM” takes an ancient and widespread practice,
imposes a layer of pure drivel over it, then packages it
and sells it as uniquely theirs and charges for the drivel.
It is profoundly dishonest.”

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bismillah001 –

“Meditation is a powerful thing; it would be
great to expose children to this treasure. I’m
not really sure “TM” is the best avenue for that, though.
Basic Theravada meditation (I think a.k.a. “insight meditation”)
would be better. Children needn’t have any facilitated
association with Mararishi Mahesh Yogi or any other ‘guru’ figure.
That should have nothing to do with meditation, in my opinion.”

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