--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, anon_astute_ff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB <no_reply@> wrote: > > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Michael Dean Goodman > > <Tantra@> wrote: > > > > > > Dear Fairfield Lifers, > > > > > > In response to the recent discussions on this list about > > > the TM course fee [Why does T/M cost so much to join? A > > > little help?], I'll re-post my controversial essay from > > > a few years ago. I first posted it on this list... > > > > Since reposts are in vogue, here's a repost of one > > of mine, somewhat shorter than Michael's: > > > > > > I entered "learn to meditate" into Google and checked > > what it costs to learn, from the first page of sites > > found that listed prices: > > > > 1. $0 -- the techniques are provided on the website. > > 2. $1.65 to $10.85 -- it's a book, sold through Amazon. > > 3. $59.90 -- a home study course (Yogananda tradition). > > 4. $0 -- instruction provided online, MP3s of talks > > provided for free, week-long in-residence retreats > > that include room and board for $295. > > 5. $0 -- instruction provided online. > > 6. $69 to $169 per day -- in-residence instruction that > > includes room and board from Shambhala Mountain Center. > > 7. $11.95 -- book. > > 8. $0 -- instruction provided online. > > 9. $4.95 -- book. > > 10. $10.95 -- book. > > 11. $0 -- Vipassana tradition, free classes. > > 12. $0 -- instruction provided online. > > 13. $2500 -- the first TM-related site, > > http://www.tm.safire.com/ > > 14. $0 -- instruction provided online (Australian). > > 15. $240 -- six-hour course in Stamford, CT. > > 16. $88 to $122 -- London Buddhist Center (4-week course). > > > > Does one stand out from the rest? > > > An insight that may be useful in this discussion is what economists > refer to as "consumer surplus". It is the difference between what a > consumer is willing to pay for a good or service, and the actual > market price. For example, I may be willing to pay up to $300 / month > for broadband internet access -- it has at least $300 of value to me, > but I am more than happy to pay just $40 /month to one of several > providers who offer it for that price. The $260 difference is consumer > surplus -- one of the great windfalls of modern economies. We > generally pay a lot less for things than the value they supply to us. > > Thus, if the argument is that we should be willing to pay up to the > full value of TM has some merit if there are no "substitutes". But if > there are equivalent services available, the market cost of substitues > is much lower than value (willingness to pay). Rational consumers > don't often pay full value -- they pay market price and enjoy the -- > often large -- consumer surplus. > > Some might argue that TM has no equivalents -- that it is a highly > "differentiated" product and thus a price equal to or near full value > is rational. That of course requires that the case for product > uniqueness can be effectively made -- a growing challenge given the > evidence provided in prior posts. >
These posts referred to peer-reviewed research or to personal testimonials? If we're going by testimonials, then Christianity and Islam got ALL forms of meditation beat. And yes, there are peer-reviewed, studies on TM vs other forms of meditation performed by teams of researchers who practice a variety of meditation techniques,who teach and perform research at a variety of institutes, most of which are not affiliated with TM, that DO show that TM has better effects, for themost part, than the other techniques. There are none reporting the opposite, that I am aware of. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/UlWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
