> > THose same reviews say the same about virtually > > all other meditation studies... > > Vaj: > Fortunately much non-TM meditation research > continues to improve... > The key issue is that 'mindfullness' is simply a relaxation technique that does not produce much health benefit, other than a brief tranquil rest.
Anyone that has practiced Buddhist Mindfullness knows that with vippasana, the mind remains on the conscious thinking level. The practice of TM can lead to a state of 'mind emptiness', which is the true goal of Yoga. That's why the Buddhist sect Yogacara adopted 'emptiness' meditation instead of the simple Theravada 'Vippasana', or mindfullness. Yoga produces 'emptiness'; mindfullness produces a mind full of thoughts. In fact, research on those techniques that produce a state of "mental silence" may produce health benefits that far surpass a mind full of thoughts - mindfullness. "In 2006 NCCAM revised their definition of meditation, emphasizing the experience of the "suspension of thought activity". This definition led to the possibility of comparing mental silence oriented meditation with resting alone and studies have found significant physiological differences between the two. It has been found that all approaches to meditation can achieve some non-specific benefits, however the mental silence approach may be associated with additional specific benefits which are clinically beneficial...." 'Meditation, mindfulness and mind-emptiness' By Manocha, Ramesh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_on_meditation
