Maharishi University of Management newsletter,
"The Review," I submit this:
http://www.mum.edu/TheReview/#1
Dr. Travis Presents Paper Comparing Forms of Meditation
Faculty researcher Fred Travis recently presented
a paper showing that different forms of meditation
have much different neurophysiological characteristics
and that the Transcendental Meditation® technique
is distinguished by being effortless.
Speaking at the annual conference on the science
of consciousness in Tucson, Dr. Travis spoke on the
topic "Are all Meditations the Same?" He compared
Tibetan Buddhist meditation, mindfulness meditation,
and the Transcendental Meditation technique using
neural imaging and EEG data.
He showed that Tibetan meditation is strenuous, with
EEG readings in the 40 Hz range, or otherwise known
as gamma waves. In addition, neural imaging shows
that the brain is very active.
In mindfulness meditation, the brain appears to be
imbalanced, with considerable activity in the left front
cortex — the part of the brain associated with evaluating.
In contrast, EEG patterns during the Transcendental
Meditation technique characteristically show global
coherent alpha waves, which are correlated with the
simplest form of awareness or pure consciousness.
This EEG pattern isn't seen in other practices of
meditation.
Neural imaging of the practice of the Transcendental
Meditation technique shows that the front and back
of the brain, the attentional system, are more awake
and active than when one is just sitting with one's
eyes closed, while the thalamus, which is the gateway
of experience, is less active.
In other words, this indicates an experience of restful
alertness. The attentional system is alert, while the
mental experience is inward rather than outward.
"The response of the audience was very positive," Dr.
Travis said. "They saw the necessity to differentiate
the various forms of meditation."
He said the most difficult concept for them to
understand was that the Transcendental Meditation
technique is effortless. They had assumed it entailed
concentration, but the EEG and neural imaging made
clear that the mind was in a restfully alert state,
especially as compared to the other forms of meditation.
Dr. Travis explained that the practice can be effortless
because it is based on the natural tendency of the
mind to go in a direction of greater charm. And
because it is natural and effortless, the characteristic
EEG patterns are seen within two months of an
individual's first beginning the practice.
"We need to continue to clarify this critical point that
the Transcendental Meditation technique is effortless
and uses the natural tendency of the mind," Dr.
Travis said.
Also, faculty member David Scharf gave a poster
presentation at the conference titled "A New Angle
on the Neural Correlates of Consciousness: Insights
from Maharishi Vedic Science." He said that the
foundational importance of Maharishi's programs
and knowledge are increasingly being recognized.
http://www.mum.edu/TheReview/#1
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