Well, nowhere do I see the four Ph.D's that you clipped from TM websites! So, I guess one might say that those statements are not "independent" ones! That's what I supposed.
I'm always in favor of digging deeper into a claim, so am happy to see you doing that. Now, why are we having this discussion? As I've said, I'm for any practice that works to give the person what they're looking for. Be it freedom from stress, greater mental clarity, solace in believing one is helping to achieve world peace, etc. You don't need to prove to me that TM is a viable meditation technique. I believe you. I also believe Mindfulness is. http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/mindfulness/research/ http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/mindfulness/research/ Here's one research paper with sources listed. http://marc.ucla.edu/workfiles/pdfs/marc-mindfulness-research-summary.pdf http://marc.ucla.edu/workfiles/pdfs/marc-mindfulness-research-summary.pdf And, about mindfulness in schools... http://www.mindfulschools.org/about-mindfulness/research/ http://www.mindfulschools.org/about-mindfulness/research/ Sounds a whole lot like what TM is purporting to do. In the end, while I understand that those in the TM village believe TM is the best....I play the devil's advocate. TM is expensive. "Awakening" and/or "enlightenment" can take decades to occur or never occur. I am not sold on the TM program as a pathway to a mature "emotional intelligence." (In most, not all cases.) I am not encouraged by the non-stop solicitation by the TMorg for money. I am not a follower of MMY and am not clear that ultimately, "separation of church and state" would be smiled upon by the TM structure. In the textbooks on comparative religion I have read, one thing that jumps out to me is that every culture, religion, philosophy and/or practice has a language and a way of perceiving and translating the world and the universe. While many wars are fought over these micro-differences paired with righteous indignation, the spiritual themes and values that are contemplated—in an attempt to understand the universe, the human condition and live out a worthwhile life in relative peace and happiness—are the same down through the ages by all cultures. TM.org and many TM'ers seem to spend an inordinate amount of time focusing on what makes them so exceptional....exceptionalism. Perhaps, TM is just another meditation technique. Maybe TM has certain strengths others don't and certain weaknesses others don't. Perhaps the reason the TM.org needs and fosters this characteristic of exceptionalism, is so that it will survive (on its own terms.) I'm not knocking you or TM or the passion with which you practice or your belief system. I'm just hoping you keep an open mind to the idea that while TM might be your own personal choice for meditation, your neighbor might find deep meditative fulfillment in fly-fishing. ---In [email protected], <[email protected]> wrote :
