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Transcendental Meditation (TM) refers to the Transcendental Meditation technique,^[1] a specific form of mantra meditation, and to the Transcendental Meditation movement, a spiritual movement.^[2]^[3] The TM technique and TM movement were introduced in India in the mid-1950s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1914–2008) and had reached global proportions by the 1960s.

The TM technique came out of and is based on Indian philosophy and the teachings of Krishna, the Buddha, and Shankara, as well as the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali,^[4] and is a version of a technique passed down from the Maharishi's teacher, Guru Dev (Brahmananda Saraswati). The Maharishi also developed the Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI), a system of theoretical principles to underlie this meditation technique. Additional technologies were added to the Transcendental Meditation program, including "advanced techniques" such as the TM-Sidhi program (Yogic Flying).

TM is one of the most widely practiced, and among the most widely researched meditation techniques.^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8] Independently^[9] done systematic reviews have not found health benefits for TM beyond relaxation or health education.^[10]^[11]^[12] Transcendental Meditation was held to be a religion by three different United States courts in two separate cases. Sceptics have called TM or its associated theories and technologies a "pseudoscience".^[13]^[14]^[15] As many as six million people have been trained in the TM technique, including The Beatles and other well-known public figures.

In the 1950s, the Transcendental Meditation movement was presented as a religious organization. By the 1970s, the organization had shifted to a more scientific presentation while maintaining many religious elements.^[4] The movement now describes itself on a spiritual, scientific, and non-religious basis. This shift has been described by both those within and outside the movement as an attempt to appeal to the more secular West.^[4] The TM movement has programs and holdings in multiple countries.

Technique

The Transcendental Meditation technique is a form of mantra meditation that, according to the TM organization, is effortless when used properly. The mantra sound is utilized as a thought in the meditation process,^[16] and as a vehicle that allows the individual's attention to travel naturally to a less active, quieter style of mental functioning.^[16]^[17] The technique is practiced morning and evening for 15–20 minutes each time.^[18]^[19]

The mantras are generally considered to be sounds without meaning,^[17]^[20] though some have claimed that they refer to deities.^[21]^[22] Mantras are selected by trained teachers to suit the individual. Students are told to never share their mantras with anyone.^[23] Scholars say that the original mantras derive from the Vedic or Tantric tradition.^[24]^[25] The Maharishi is said to have reduced the number of mantras used from hundreds down to a minimum number.^[26] Some reports say that the total number of mantras used is 16, and that they are assigned using a simple formula based on gender and age.^[27]^[28]^[29]

The trademarked Transcendental Meditation technique can be learned only from a certified teacher.^[30]^[31] The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught during a standardized seven-step course consisting of two introductory lectures, a personal interview, and four two-hour long instruction sessions given on consecutive days.^[19]^[32] The initial personal instruction session begins with a short puja ceremony performed by the teacher, after which the student is taught the technique.^[33] Following initiation the student practices the technique twice a day. During subsequent group sessions the teacher gives the student feedback so that they know they're practicing TM correctly. During step five the teacher again corrects the student and provides him/her further instruction; during step six the teacher tells the student the mechanics of the TM technique based on his/her personal experiences; and in step seven the teacher explains the higher stages of human development according to this system of belief.

The fee charged for instruction has varied over time and also by country. In the 1960s, in the United States, the usual fee was one-week's salary or $35 for a student.^[34]^[35]^[36] In the 1970s, it became a fixed fee of $125 in America with discounts for students and families.^[37] By 2003, the fee in the United States was set at $2,500.^[38] It has since been reduced to $1,500.^[39]^[40] Advanced techniques^[41] and rounding sessions require additional fees.^{[citation needed]}

"Rounding" is a combination of yogic breathing techniques and meditation repeated for a prolonged period in a supervised setting.^[42] There are other "advanced techniques" that build on the basic TM technique. Using TM-Sidhi, the most prominent of these, practitioners are said to achieve "Yogic Flying".^[43]^[27]^[44]

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi predicted that the quality of life for an entire population would be noticeably improved if one percent (1%) of the population practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique. This is known as the "Maharishi Effect".^[45]

Movement

The Transcendental meditation movement came out of the Spiritual Regeneration Movement (SRM) founded by the Maharishi in 1958. The SRM was incorporated as a religious organization, however, this wording was removed from the articles of incorporation in the 1970s in an effort to appeal to a more secular west.^[4]

The Transcendental Meditation movement encompasses initiatives by Marishi Mahesh Yogi spanning multiple fields and across several continents. Sociologist J.R. Coplin says that TM is both a "private technique" and a "public ideology".^[46]

The terms "Transcendental Meditation", "TM", and "Science of Creative Intelligence" are servicemarks owned by Maharishi Foundation Ltd., a UK non-profit organization.^[47] These servicemarks have been sub-licensed to the Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation (MVED), an American non-profit, tax exempt organization which oversees teaching the Transcendental Meditation technique and related courses in the U.S.A.^[48]^[49]

Two entities, the Maharishi School of Vedic Sciences-Minnesota (as a successor to the World Plan Executive Council)^[50] in 1997 and the Maharishi Spiritual Center in 2001, were denied property tax exemptions as the educational activities of the organizations did not reach the ‘purely public charity’ threshold in one case, and did not involve the entire real estate in the other.^[51]

Transcendental Meditation is taught in the United Kingdom by the Maharishi Foundation, a registered educational charity (number 270157).^[52] TM is taught in South Africa by teachers registered with Maharishi Vedic Institute — a non-profit organisation, registration number 025-663-NPO.^[53] In Australia TM is taught through the Maharishi's Global Administration through Natural Law Limited, which is registered as a non-profit educational institution.^[54]

The Skeptics Dictionary refers to TM as a "spiritual business".^[55] Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh note in their book Trick or Treatment that TM is part of a larger system of beliefs than other types of meditation, with strong religious associations.^[56]

In 1992, a political party, the Natural Law Party (NLP) was founded based on the principles of TM.^[4] Most of the party was disbanded by 2004.^[4] NLP ran candidates in at least ten countries, including the United States, Canada, UK, several European countries, Israel and India, but rarely received more than a few percent of the vote. Candidates in Croatia and India did win seats for regional councils.

History

File:GuruDevtint.jpg

Brahmananda Saraswati

According to religious scholar Kenneth Boa in his 1990 book, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, the Transcendental Meditation technique is rooted in the Vedantic School of Hinduism, "repeatedly confirmed" in books authored by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi such as the Science of Being and the Art of Living and Commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.^[57] Boa writes that the Maharishi "makes it clear" that Transcendental Meditation was delivered to man about 5,000 years ago by the Hindu god Krishna. The technique was then lost, but restored for a time by Buddha. It was lost again, but rediscovered in the 9th century AD by the Hindu philosopher Shankara. Finally, it was revived by Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru Dev) and passed on to the Maharishi.^[58]

George Chryssides similarly says, in his 1999 book Exploring new religions, that the Maharishi and Guru Dev were from the Shankara tradition of advaita Vedanta.^[59] Peter Russell, his 1976 book The TM Technique, says that the Maharishi believed that from the time of the Vedas, this knowledge cycled from lost to found multiple times, as is described in the introduction of the Maharishi's commentaries on the Bhagavad-Gita. Revival of the knowledge recurred principally in the Bhagavad-Gita, and in the teachings of Buddha and Shankara.^[30] Chryssides notes that, in addition to the revivals of the Transcendental Meditaton technique by Krishna, the Buddha and Shankara, the Maharishi also drew from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.^[59] Bromley also says the technique is based on Indian philosophy and the teachings of Krishna, the Buddha, and Shankara.^[4] In a chapter of a 1998 book titled Alternative medicine and ethics, Vimal Patel writes that the Maharishi drew from Patanjali when developing the TM technique.^[60]

While the Transcendental Meditation technique was originally presented in religious terms during the 1950s, this changed to an emphasis on scientific verification in the 1970s. This change has been attributed to an effort to improve its public relations, and as an attempt to enable the TM technique to be taught in American public schools where church and state are separated.^[61]^[62]

Research

There has been ongoing research on Transcendental Meditation since the 1970s. Reviews and medical textbooks indicate the technique is the most studied form of meditation and to date includes research on physiological changes during meditation, clinical applications, cognitive effects, mental health, addiction, and rehabilitation. Beginning in the 1990s, a focus of research has been the effects of Transcendental Meditation on cardiovascular disease, with over $20 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health.^[63]

An independently done systematic review, the Opsina meta-analysis has not found significant results "over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients". ^[64]^[65]^[12] It is difficult to determine definitive effects of "meditation practices in healthcare" as the quality of research has design limitations and a lack of methodological rigor.^[12]^[66]^[67] Part of this difficulty is due to the fact that studies have the potential for bias because of a connection of researchers to the TM organization, and on subjects with a favorable opinion of TM.^[68]^[69]

Medical journals that have published the research include Archives of Internal Medicine^[70] (published by the American Medical Association) and Hypertension^[71] (published by the American Heart Association).

References

^ "Transcendental Meditation". Oxford English Dictionary.
^ "Transcendental Meditation – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica Online Encyclopedia.
^ Dalton, Rex (July 8, 1993). "Sharp HealthCare announces an unorthodox, holistic institute". The San Diego Union – Tribune. p. B.4.5.1. TM is a movement led by Maharishi Mehesh Yogi,....
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Bromley, David G.; Cowan, Douglas E. (2007). Cults and New Religions: A Brief History (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion). Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 48–71. ISBN 1-4051-6128-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Murphy M, Donovan S, Taylor E. The Physical and Psychological Effects of Meditation: A review of Contemporary Research with a Comprehensive Bibliography 1931–1996. Sausalito, California: Institute of Noetic Sciences; 1997.
^ Benson, Herbert; Klipper, Miriam Z. (2001). The relaxation response. New York, NY: Quill. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-380-81595-1.
^ Sinatra, Stephen T.; Roberts, James C.; Zucker, Martin (December 20, 2007). Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late. Wiley. p. 192. ISBN 978-0-470-22878-4.
^ Travis, Frederick; Chawkin, Ken (Sept–Oct, 2003). New Life magazine. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
^ "Methods Co-ordinator | The Cochrane Collaboration". Cochrane Collabortion. The Cochrane Collaboration is an independent, not-for-profit, research organisation
^ Ospina MB, Bond TK, Karkhaneh M, Tjosvold L, Vandermeer B, Liang Y, Bialy L, Hooton N, Buscemi N, Dryden DM, Klassen TP. (June 2007). Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research (PDF). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. p. 4. A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM® had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N (2010). "Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6 (6): CD006507. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2. PMID 20556767. As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias, we are unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy for ADHD.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ ^a ^b ^c Krisanaprakornkit T, Krisanaprakornkit W, Piyavhatkul N, Laopaiboon M (2006). "Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1): CD004998. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2. PMID 16437509. The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Cite error: The named reference "Cochrane06" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
^ "James Randi Educational Foundation — An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural".
^ Sagan, Carl (1997). The demon-haunted world: science as a candle in the dark. New York: Ballantine Books. p. 16. ISBN 0-345-40946-9.
^
^ ^a ^b Phelan, Michael (1979). "Transcendental Meditation. A Revitalization of the American Civil Religion". Archives des sciences sociales des religions. 48 (48–1): 5–20. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
^ ^a ^b Hunt, Stephen (2003). Alternative religions: a sociological introduction. Aldershot, Hampshire, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate. pp. 197–198. ISBN 978-0-7546-3410-2.
^ "Behavior: THE TM CRAZE: 40 Minutes to Bliss". Time. October 13, 1975. ISSN 0040-718X. Retrieved November 15, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check |issn= value (help)
^ ^a ^b Cotton, Dorothy H. G. (1990). Stress management : an integrated approach to therap. New York: Brunner/Mazel. p. 138. ISBN 0-87630-557-5.
^ Shear, J. (Jonathan) (2006). The experience of meditation : experts introduce the major tradition. St. Paul, MN: Paragon House. pp. 23, 30–32, 43–44. ISBN 978-1-55778-857-3.
^ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1955). Beacon Light of the Himalyas (PDF). p. 63.
^ Forsthoefel, Thomas A.; Humes, Cynthia Ann (2005). Gurus in Americ. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-7914-6573-8.
^ Oates, Robert M. (1976). Celebrating the dawn: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the TM technique. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. 194. ISBN 9780399118159.
^ Russell, pp. 49–50
^ Williamson, Lola (2010). Transcendent in America. New York University Press. p. 86. ISBN 9780814794500.
^ Jefferson, William (1976). The Story of The Maharishi. New York: Pocket (Simon and Schuster). pp. 52–53.
^ ^a ^b Bainbridge, William Sims (1997). The sociology of religious movements. New York: Routledge. p. 188. ISBN 0-415-91202-4.
^ "Transcendental Truth". Omni. Jan 1984. p. 129.
^ Scott, R.D. (1978). Transcendental Misconceptions. San Diego: Beta Books. ISBN 0892930314.
^ ^a ^b Russell, Peter H. (1976). The TM technique. Routledge Kegan Paul PLC. p. 134. ISBN 0-7100-8539-7.
^ "Learn the Transcendental Meditation Technique – Seven Step Program". Tm.org. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
^ Grosswald, Sarina (October 2005). "Oming in on ADHD". Washington Parent.
^ Martin, Walter (1980). The New Cults. Vision House Pub. p. 95. ISBN 978-0884490166.
^ Slee, John (November 4, 1967). "Towards meditation (with the unmistakable fragrance of money)". The Age. Melbourne, Australia. p. 5.
^ Souter, Gavin (December 30, 1967). "Sydney 1967: Non-eternal city". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 2.
^ Brothers, Joyce (January 27, 1968). "Maharishi is vague on happiness recipe". Milwaukee Journal. p. B1.
^ LaMore, George (December 10, 1975). "The Secular Selling of a Religion". The Christian Century. pp. 1133–1137.
^ Overton, Penelope (September 15, 2003). "Group promotes meditation therapy in schools". Hartford Courant. p. B1.
^ Johnson, Jenna (December 20, 2009). "Colleges Use Meditation". Washington Post.
^ Carmiel, Osharat (September 18, 2009). "Wall Street Meditators". Bloomberg.
^ "The Advanced Techniques: Developing Bliss Consciousness to Create Heaven on Earth". Maharishi Health Education Center. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010.
^ Knopp, Lisa (1998-11). Flight Dreams: A Life in the Midwestern Landscape. University of Iowa Press. p. 167. ISBN 0877456453. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
^ Forsthoefel, Thomas A.; Humes, Cynthia Ann (2005). Gurus in America. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-7914-6573-8.
^ Williamson (2010) p. 97
^ Wager, Gregg (December 11, 1987). "Musicians Spread the Maharishi's Message of Peace". Los Angeles Times. p. 12.
^ Coplin, J.R. (1990). "Chapter One: Introduction". Text and Context in the Communication of a Social Movement's Charisma, Ideology, and Consciousness: TM for India and the West (Ph.D. thesis). University of California, San Diego. TM is a private technique (for "evolution of consciousness") and a public ideology.
^ "Service Mark – Transcendental Meditation". U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices. Retrieved September 4, 2010.
^ "Conditions of Use – Maharishi University of Management". Mum.edu. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
^ "10 Facts About the Benefits of Transcendental Meditation". tm.org. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010.
^ World Plan Executive Council v County of Ramsey, 560 NW2d 87 (Minn 1997)
^ Thompson, Jim (January 6, 2001). "Property Tax Commission Rules Against Maharishi Spiritual Center". Mountain Times. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
^ "Transcendental Meditation". Official TM website for the United Kingdom. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
^ "Transcendental Meditation". Official TM website for South Africa. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
^ "Transcendental Meditation (TM)". Official TM website for Australia. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
^ Carroll, RT (July 23, 2010). "Transcendental Meditation". The Skeptic's Dictionary. Retrieved August 16, 2010.
^ Edzard E; Singh S (2008). Trick or treatment: the undeniable facts about alternative medicine. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. p. 317. ISBN 0-393-06661-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Boa cites Meditations of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, and The Science of Being and Art of Living.
^ Boa, Kenneth (1990). Cults, world religions, and the occul. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-89693-823-6.
^ ^a ^b Chryssides, George D. (1999). Exploring new religions. London: Cassell. pp. 293–296. ISBN 978-0-8264-5959-6.
^ Patel, Vimal (1998). "Understanding the Integration of Alternative Modalities Into an Emerging Healthcare Model In the United States". In Humber, James M.; Almeder, Robert F. (eds.). Alternative medicine and ethics. Humana Press. pp. 55–56. ISBN 9780896034402.
^ Dawson, Lorne L. (2003). Cults and New Religious Movements: A Reader (Blackwell Readings in Religion). Blackwell Publishing Professional. p. 54. ISBN 1-4051-0181-4.
^ Chryssides, George D.; Margaret Lucy Wilkins (2006). A reader in new religious movements. London: Continuum. p. 7. ISBN 0-8264-6167-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ QUICK, SUSANNE (October 17, 2004). "Delving into alternative care: Non-traditional treatments draw increased interest, research funding". Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee, WI. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
^ Ospina, MB.; Bond, K.; Karkhaneh, M.; Tjosvold, L.; Vandermeer, B.; Liang, Y.; Bialy, L.; Hooton, N.; Buscemi, N. (2007). "Meditation practices for health: state of the research" (PDF). Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) (155): 4. PMID 17764203. A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM® had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients {{cite journal}}: More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ Krisanaprakornkit, T.; Ngamjarus, C.; Witoonchart, C.; Piyavhatkul, N. (2010). "Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6: CD006507. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2. PMID 20556767. As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias, we are unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy for ADHD.
^ Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M; et al. (2007). "Meditation practices for health: state of the research". Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) (155): 1–263. PMID 17764203. Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N (2010). "Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6: CD006507. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2. PMID 20556767. As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Canter PH, Ernst E (2004). "Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials". Journal of Hypertension. 22 (11): 2049–54. PMID 15480084. All the randomized clinical trials of TM for the control of blood pressure published to date have important methodological weaknesses and are potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ Canter PH, Ernst E (2003). "The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials". Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. 115 (21–22): 758–66. doi:10.1007/BF03040500. PMID 14743579. All 4 positive trials recruited subjects from among people favourably predisposed towards TM, and used passive control procedures … The association observed between positive outcome, subject selection procedure and control procedure suggests that the large positive effects reported in 4 trials result from an expectation effect. The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
^ Paul-Labrador M, Polk D, Dwyer JH, ‘’et al.’’ (2006). "Effects of a randomized controlled trial of transcendental meditation on components of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with coronary heart disease". Archives of Internal Medicine. 166 (11): 1218–24. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.11.1218. PMID 16772250. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ Schneider RH, Staggers F, Alexander CN, ‘’et al.’’ (1995). "A randomised controlled trial of stress reduction for hypertension in older African Americans". Hypertension. 26 (5): 820–7. PMID 7591024. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Bibliography

Ospina MB, Bond TK, Karkhaneh M, Tjosvold L, Vandermeer B, Liang Y, Bialy L, Hooton N, Buscemi N, Dryden DM, Klassen TP. (June 2007). Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research (PDF). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M; et al. (2007). "Meditation practices for health: state of the research". Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) (155): 1–263. PMID 17764203. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

External links

Official TM site
A look at four psychology fads — a comparison of est, primal therapy, Transcendental Meditation and lucid dreaming at the Los Angeles Times

[1] "Transcendental Meditation". Oxford English Dictionary.

[2] "Transcendental Meditation – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Britannica Online Encyclopedia.

[3] Dalton, Rex (July 8, 1993). "Sharp HealthCare announces an unorthodox, holistic institute". The San Diego Union – Tribune. p. B.4.5.1. TM is a movement led by Maharishi Mehesh Yogi,....

[Bromley-4] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Bromley, David G.; Cowan, Douglas E. (2007). Cults and New Religions: A Brief History (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion). Wiley-Blackwell. pp. 48–71. ISBN 1-4051-6128-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[5] Murphy M, Donovan S, Taylor E. The Physical and Psychological Effects of Meditation: A review of Contemporary Research with a Comprehensive Bibliography 1931–1996. Sausalito, California: Institute of Noetic Sciences; 1997.

[6] Benson, Herbert; Klipper, Miriam Z. (2001). The relaxation response. New York, NY: Quill. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-380-81595-1.

[7] Sinatra, Stephen T.; Roberts, James C.; Zucker, Martin (December 20, 2007). Reverse Heart Disease Now: Stop Deadly Cardiovascular Plaque Before It's Too Late. Wiley. p. 192. ISBN 978-0-470-22878-4.

[8] Travis, Frederick; Chawkin, Ken (Sept–Oct, 2003). New Life magazine. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)

[9] "Methods Co-ordinator | The Cochrane Collaboration". Cochrane Collabortion. The Cochrane Collaboration is an independent, not-for-profit, research organisation

[10] Ospina MB, Bond TK, Karkhaneh M, Tjosvold L, Vandermeer B, Liang Y, Bialy L, Hooton N, Buscemi N, Dryden DM, Klassen TP. (June 2007). Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research (PDF). Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. p. 4. A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM® had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[11] Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N (2010). "Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6 (6): CD006507. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2. PMID 20556767. As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias, we are unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy for ADHD.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[Cochrane06-12] Krisanaprakornkit T, Krisanaprakornkit W, Piyavhatkul N, Laopaiboon M (2006). "Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1): CD004998. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2. PMID 16437509. The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Cite error: The named reference "Cochrane06" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).

[randi.org-13] "James Randi Educational Foundation — An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural".

[Sagan,_1997_p16-14] Sagan, Carl (1997). The demon-haunted world: science as a candle in the dark. New York: Ballantine Books. p. 16. ISBN 0-345-40946-9.

[Pseudo-15] 
Boa, Kenneth, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, David C. Cook, 1990 ISBN 0896938239, 9780896938236 p. 204

Carlson, Ron, Decker, Ed, Fast Facts on False Teachings Harvest House Publishers, 2003 ISBN 0736912142, 9780736912143 p. 254

Hexham, Irving, Pocket Dictionary of New Religious Movements, InterVarsity Press, 2002 ISBN 0830814663, 9780830814664 p. 74

Marvizon, Juan Carlos "Meditation", Shermer, Michael (ed)The Skeptic: Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience ABC-CLIO, 2002 ISBN 1576076539, 9781576076538 p 141

Nanda, Meera "Postmodernism, Hindu Nationalism and Vedic Science", Koertge, Noretta Scientific Values and Civic Virtues, Oxford University Press US, 2005 ISBN 0195172256, 9780195172256 p 232

Kinman, John M., Of One Mind:The Collectivization of Science Springer, 1995 ISBN 1563960656, 9781563960659 p 130

Hook, Ernest B, Prematurity in Scientific Discovery; On Resistance and Neglect University of California Press, 2002 ISBN 0520231066, 9780520231061 p 215

Becker, Carl B. Paranormal Experience and Survival of Death, SUNY Press, 1993 ISBN 0791414752, 9780791414750 p 1

Bainbridge, William Sims, Across the Secular Abyss: From Faith to Wisdom Lexington Books, 2007 ISBN 0739116789, 9780739116784 p 10

Stenger, Victor, Quantum Gods: Creation, Chaos and the Search for Cosmic Consciousness Prometheus Books, 2009 ISBN 1591027136, 9781591027133

[16] Boa, Kenneth, Cults, World Religions and the Occult, David C. Cook, 1990 ISBN 0896938239, 9780896938236 p. 204

[17] Carlson, Ron, Decker, Ed, Fast Facts on False Teachings Harvest House Publishers, 2003 ISBN 0736912142, 9780736912143 p. 254

[18] Hexham, Irving, Pocket Dictionary of New Religious Movements, InterVarsity Press, 2002 ISBN 0830814663, 9780830814664 p. 74

[19] Marvizon, Juan Carlos "Meditation", Shermer, Michael (ed)The Skeptic: Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience ABC-CLIO, 2002 ISBN 1576076539, 9781576076538 p 141

[20] Nanda, Meera "Postmodernism, Hindu Nationalism and Vedic Science", Koertge, Noretta Scientific Values and Civic Virtues, Oxford University Press US, 2005 ISBN 0195172256, 9780195172256 p 232

[21] Kinman, John M., Of One Mind:The Collectivization of Science Springer, 1995 ISBN 1563960656, 9781563960659 p 130

[22] Hook, Ernest B, Prematurity in Scientific Discovery; On Resistance and Neglect University of California Press, 2002 ISBN 0520231066, 9780520231061 p 215

[23] Becker, Carl B. Paranormal Experience and Survival of Death, SUNY Press, 1993 ISBN 0791414752, 9780791414750 p 1

[24] Bainbridge, William Sims, Across the Secular Abyss: From Faith to Wisdom Lexington Books, 2007 ISBN 0739116789, 9780739116784 p 10

[25] Stenger, Victor, Quantum Gods: Creation, Chaos and the Search for Cosmic Consciousness Prometheus Books, 2009 ISBN 1591027136, 9781591027133

[Phelan-16] Phelan, Michael (1979). "Transcendental Meditation. A Revitalization of the American Civil Religion". Archives des sciences sociales des religions. 48 (48–1): 5–20. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)

[Hunt-17] Hunt, Stephen (2003). Alternative religions: a sociological introduction. Aldershot, Hampshire, England ; Burlington, VT: Ashgate. pp. 197–198. ISBN 978-0-7546-3410-2.

[Craze-18] "Behavior: THE TM CRAZE: 40 Minutes to Bliss". Time. October 13, 1975. ISSN 0040-718X. Retrieved November 15, 2009. {{cite news}}: Check |issn= value (help)

[google138-19] Cotton, Dorothy H. G. (1990). Stress management : an integrated approach to therap. New York: Brunner/Mazel. p. 138. ISBN 0-87630-557-5.

[Shear-20] Shear, J. (Jonathan) (2006). The experience of meditation : experts introduce the major tradition. St. Paul, MN: Paragon House. pp. 23, 30–32, 43–44. ISBN 978-1-55778-857-3.

[Beacon-21] Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1955). Beacon Light of the Himalyas (PDF). p. 63.

[Forsthoefel-22] Forsthoefel, Thomas A.; Humes, Cynthia Ann (2005). Gurus in Americ. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-7914-6573-8.

[23] Oates, Robert M. (1976). Celebrating the dawn: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the TM technique. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. p. 194. ISBN 9780399118159.

[Russell2-24] Russell, pp. 49–50

[25] Williamson, Lola (2010). Transcendent in America. New York University Press. p. 86. ISBN 9780814794500.

[26] Jefferson, William (1976). The Story of The Maharishi. New York: Pocket (Simon and Schuster). pp. 52–53.

[Bainbridge-27] Bainbridge, William Sims (1997). The sociology of religious movements. New York: Routledge. p. 188. ISBN 0-415-91202-4.

[28] "Transcendental Truth". Omni. Jan 1984. p. 129.

[29] Scott, R.D. (1978). Transcendental Misconceptions. San Diego: Beta Books. ISBN 0892930314.

[Russell1-30] Russell, Peter H. (1976). The TM technique. Routledge Kegan Paul PLC. p. 134. ISBN 0-7100-8539-7.

[31] "Learn the Transcendental Meditation Technique – Seven Step Program". Tm.org. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

[32] Grosswald, Sarina (October 2005). "Oming in on ADHD". Washington Parent.

[33] Martin, Walter (1980). The New Cults. Vision House Pub. p. 95. ISBN 978-0884490166.

[34] Slee, John (November 4, 1967). "Towards meditation (with the unmistakable fragrance of money)". The Age. Melbourne, Australia. p. 5.

[35] Souter, Gavin (December 30, 1967). "Sydney 1967: Non-eternal city". Sydney Morning Herald. p. 2.

[36] Brothers, Joyce (January 27, 1968). "Maharishi is vague on happiness recipe". Milwaukee Journal. p. B1.

[37] LaMore, George (December 10, 1975). "The Secular Selling of a Religion". The Christian Century. pp. 1133–1137.

[38] Overton, Penelope (September 15, 2003). "Group promotes meditation therapy in schools". Hartford Courant. p. B1.

[39] Johnson, Jenna (December 20, 2009). "Colleges Use Meditation". Washington Post.

[40] Carmiel, Osharat (September 18, 2009). "Wall Street Meditators". Bloomberg.

[41] "The Advanced Techniques: Developing Bliss Consciousness to Create Heaven on Earth". Maharishi Health Education Center. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on October 20, 2010.

[42] Knopp, Lisa (1998-11). Flight Dreams: A Life in the Midwestern Landscape. University of Iowa Press. p. 167. ISBN 0877456453. {{cite book}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

[Forsthoefel66-43] Forsthoefel, Thomas A.; Humes, Cynthia Ann (2005). Gurus in America. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-7914-6573-8.

[44] Williamson (2010) p. 97

[Wager-45] Wager, Gregg (December 11, 1987). "Musicians Spread the Maharishi's Message of Peace". Los Angeles Times. p. 12.

[CoplinI-46] Coplin, J.R. (1990). "Chapter One: Introduction". Text and Context in the Communication of a Social Movement's Charisma, Ideology, and Consciousness: TM for India and the West (Ph.D. thesis). University of California, San Diego. TM is a private technique (for "evolution of consciousness") and a public ideology.

[47] "Service Mark – Transcendental Meditation". U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices. Retrieved September 4, 2010.

[autogenerated1-48] "Conditions of Use – Maharishi University of Management". Mum.edu. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

[49] "10 Facts About the Benefits of Transcendental Meditation". tm.org. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010.

[50] World Plan Executive Council v County of Ramsey, 560 NW2d 87 (Minn 1997)

[51] Thompson, Jim (January 6, 2001). "Property Tax Commission Rules Against Maharishi Spiritual Center". Mountain Times. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)

[52] "Transcendental Meditation". Official TM website for the United Kingdom. Retrieved August 16, 2010.

[53] "Transcendental Meditation". Official TM website for South Africa. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.

[54] "Transcendental Meditation (TM)". Official TM website for Australia. Archived from the original on September 4, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010.

[55] Carroll, RT (July 23, 2010). "Transcendental Meditation". The Skeptic's Dictionary. Retrieved August 16, 2010.

[56] Edzard E; Singh S (2008). Trick or treatment: the undeniable facts about alternative medicine. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. p. 317. ISBN 0-393-06661-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[57] Boa cites Meditations of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on the Bhagavad-Gita, and The Science of Being and Art of Living.

[58] Boa, Kenneth (1990). Cults, world religions, and the occul. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-89693-823-6.

[Chryssides-59] Chryssides, George D. (1999). Exploring new religions. London: Cassell. pp. 293–296. ISBN 978-0-8264-5959-6.

[Patel-60] Patel, Vimal (1998). "Understanding the Integration of Alternative Modalities Into an Emerging Healthcare Model In the United States". In Humber, James M.; Almeder, Robert F. (eds.). Alternative medicine and ethics. Humana Press. pp. 55–56. ISBN 9780896034402.

[61] Dawson, Lorne L. (2003). Cults and New Religious Movements: A Reader (Blackwell Readings in Religion). Blackwell Publishing Professional. p. 54. ISBN 1-4051-0181-4.

[Chryssides,_George_D.;_Margaret_Lucy_Wilkins_2006_7-62] Chryssides, George D.; Margaret Lucy Wilkins (2006). A reader in new religious movements. London: Continuum. p. 7. ISBN 0-8264-6167-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[63] QUICK, SUSANNE (October 17, 2004). "Delving into alternative care: Non-traditional treatments draw increased interest, research funding". Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee, WI. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.

[Ospina-64] Ospina, MB.; Bond, K.; Karkhaneh, M.; Tjosvold, L.; Vandermeer, B.; Liang, Y.; Bialy, L.; Hooton, N.; Buscemi, N. (2007). "Meditation practices for health: state of the research" (PDF). Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) (155): 4. PMID 17764203. A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM® had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients {{cite journal}}: More than one of |pages= and |page= specified (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

[65] Krisanaprakornkit, T.; Ngamjarus, C.; Witoonchart, C.; Piyavhatkul, N. (2010). "Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6: CD006507. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2. PMID 20556767. As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias, we are unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy for ADHD.

[66] Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M; et al. (2007). "Meditation practices for health: state of the research". Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) (155): 1–263. PMID 17764203. Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[67] Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N (2010). "Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)". Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6: CD006507. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2. PMID 20556767. As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[68] Canter PH, Ernst E (2004). "Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials". Journal of Hypertension. 22 (11): 2049–54. PMID 15480084. All the randomized clinical trials of TM for the control of blood pressure published to date have important methodological weaknesses and are potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

[69] Canter PH, Ernst E (2003). "The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials". Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. 115 (21–22): 758–66. doi:10.1007/BF03040500. PMID 14743579. All 4 positive trials recruited subjects from among people favourably predisposed towards TM, and used passive control procedures … The association observed between positive outcome, subject selection procedure and control procedure suggests that the large positive effects reported in 4 trials result from an expectation effect. The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)

[70] Paul-Labrador M, Polk D, Dwyer JH, ‘’et al.’’ (2006). "Effects of a randomized controlled trial of transcendental meditation on components of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with coronary heart disease". Archives of Internal Medicine. 166 (11): 1218–24. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.11.1218. PMID 16772250. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

[71] Schneider RH, Staggers F, Alexander CN, ‘’et al.’’ (1995). "A randomised controlled trial of stress reduction for hypertension in older African Americans". Hypertension. 26 (5): 820–7. PMID 7591024. {{cite journal}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

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@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 There has been ongoing research on Transcendental Meditation since the 1970s. Reviews and medical textbooks indicate the technique is the most studied form of meditation and to date includes research on physiological changes during meditation, clinical applications, cognitive effects, mental health, addiction, and rehabilitation. Beginning in the 1990s, a focus of research has been the effects of Transcendental Meditation on cardiovascular disease, with over $20 million in funding from the [[National Institutes of Health]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=267105 |title=Delving into alternative care: Non-traditional treatments draw increased interest, research funding|first=SUSANNE|last=QUICK|date=October 17, 2004|work=Journal Sentinel|location=Milwaukee, WI |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070929124114/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=267105 |archivedate = September 29, 2007}}</ref>
+An independently done [[systematic review]], the Opsina meta-analysis has not found significant results "over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients".
-Independently<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cochrane.org/news/opportunities-jobs/methods-co-ordinator |title=Methods Co-ordinator &#124; The Cochrane Collaboration |work=Cochrane Collabortion |accessdate= |quote=The Cochrane Collaboration is an independent, not-for-profit, research organisation}}</ref> done [[systematic reviews]] have not found health benefits for TM beyond [[Relaxation technique|relaxation]] or [[health education]].<ref>{{Cite book|author=Ospina MB, Bond TK, Karkhaneh M, Tjosvold L, Vandermeer B, Liang Y, Bialy L, Hooton N, Buscemi N, Dryden DM, Klassen TP.|url= http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf|title= Meditation Practices for Health: State of the Research|publisher= [[Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality]]|page=4|date = June 2007|quote=A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM® had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue= 6|pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |url= |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias, we are unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy for ADHD.}}</ref><ref name=Cochrane06>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Krisanaprakornkit W, Piyavhatkul N, Laopaiboon M |title=Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=|issue=1 |pages=CD004998 |year=2006 |pmid=16437509 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2 |ref=harv| quote=The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety}}</ref> It is difficult to determine definitive effects of "meditation practices in healthcare" as the quality of research has design limitations and a lack of [[methodological rigor]].<ref name=Cochrane06/><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.'' |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |volume=|issue=155 |pages=1–263 |year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17764203 |doi= |url= |ref=harv |quote=Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue= |pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |url= |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias}}</ref> Part of this difficulty is due to the fact that studies have the potential for bias because of a connection of researchers to the TM organization, and on subjects with a favorable opinion of TM.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |year=2004 |month=November |pmid=15480084|url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2049 |ref=harv| quote = All the randomized clinical trials of TM for the control of blood pressure published to date have important methodological weaknesses and are potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials |journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21&ndash;22 |pages=758&ndash;66 |year=2003 |month=November |pmid=14743579 |doi= 10.1007/BF03040500|url= |quote = All 4 positive trials recruited subjects from among people favourably predisposed towards TM, and used passive control procedures &hellip; The association observed between positive outcome, subject selection procedure and control procedure suggests that the large positive effects reported in 4 trials result from an expectation effect. The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials.}}</ref>
+<ref name=Ospina>{{cite journal|last1=Ospina|first1= MB.|last2=Bond|first2=K.|last3 =Karkhaneh |first3 =M. |last4 =Tjosvold |first4 =L. |last5 =Vandermeer |first5 =B. |last6 =Liang |first6 =Y. |last7 =Bialy |first7 =L. |last8 =Hooton |first8 =N. |last9 =Buscemi |first9 =N. |title =Meditation practices for health: state of the research|journal =Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |issue = 155 |pages =1–263 |month = June |year =2007 |PMID = 17764203|url= http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf|page=4|quote=A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM® had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1 = Krisanaprakornkit | first1 = T. | last2 = Ngamjarus | first2 = C. | last3 = Witoonchart | first3 = C. | last4 = Piyavhatkul | first4 = N. |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue= |pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias, we are unable to draw any conclusions regarding the effectiveness of meditation therapy for ADHD.}}</ref><ref name=Cochrane06>{{Cite journal|last1 =Krisanaprakornkit | first1 = T. | last2 = Krisanaprakornkit | first2 = W. | last3 = Piyavhatkul | first3 = N. | last4 = Laopaiboon | first4 = M. |title=Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=1 |pages=CD004998 |year=2006 |pmid=16437509 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2 |quote=The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety}}</ref> It is difficult to determine definitive effects of "meditation practices in healthcare" as the quality of research has design limitations and a lack of [[methodological rigor]].<ref name=Cochrane06/><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M, ''et al.'' |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |volume=|issue=155 |pages=1–263 |year=2007 |month=June |pmid=17764203 |doi= |url= |ref=harv |quote=Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N |title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue= |pages=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |url= |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias}}</ref> Part of this difficulty is due to the fact that studies have the potential for bias because of a connection of researchers to the TM organization, and on subjects with a favorable opinion of TM.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |year=2004 |month=November |pmid=15480084|url=http://meta.wkhealth.com/pt/pt-core/template-journal/lwwgateway/media/landingpage.htm?issn=0263-6352&volume=22&issue=11&spage=2049 |ref=harv| quote = All the randomized clinical trials of TM for the control of blood pressure published to date have important methodological weaknesses and are potentially biased by the affiliation of authors to the TM organization.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials |journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21&ndash;22 |pages=758&ndash;66 |year=2003 |month=November |pmid=14743579 |doi= 10.1007/BF03040500|url= |quote = All 4 positive trials recruited subjects from among people favourably predisposed towards TM, and used passive control procedures &hellip; The association observed between positive outcome, subject selection procedure and control procedure suggests that the large positive effects reported in 4 trials result from an expectation effect. The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials.}}</ref>
 Medical journals that have published the research include ''Archives of Internal Medicine''<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Paul-Labrador M, Polk D, Dwyer JH, ‘’et al.’’ |title=Effects of a randomized controlled trial of transcendental meditation on components of the metabolic syndrome in subjects with coronary heart disease |journal=Archives of Internal Medicine |volume=166 |issue=11 |pages=1218–24 |year=2006 |month=June |pmid=16772250 |doi=10.1001/archinte.166.11.1218 |ref=harv}}</ref> (published by the [[American Medical Association]]) and ''Hypertension''<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Schneider RH, Staggers F, Alexander CN, ‘’et al.’’ |title=A randomised controlled trial of stress reduction for hypertension in older African Americans |journal=Hypertension |volume=26 |issue=5 |pages=820–7 |year=1995 |month=November |pmid=7591024 |url=http://hyper.ahajournals.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=7591024 |ref=harv}}</ref> (published by the [[American Heart Association]]).

v t e Transcendental Meditation
Programs	History of Transcendental Meditation Maharishi Peace Palace Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health Transcendental Meditation in education Transcendental Meditation technique
Organizations	David Lynch Foundation (US) Global Country of World Peace Maharishi Heaven on Earth Development Natural Law Party Natural Law Party of Canada Natural Law Party (United States) Natural Law Party (Trinidad and Tobago) Transcendental Meditation movement
Education	Maharishi Institute of Management (IN) Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic University (IN) Maharishi School (UK) Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment (US) Maharishi University of Management and Technology (IN) Maharishi International University (US) Maharishi Vidya Mandir Schools (IN)
People	Ashley Deans Bevan Morris Brahmananda Saraswati David Lynch David Orme-Johnson Deepak Chopra John Fagan John Hagelin Nancy Cooke de Herrera Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Nancy Lonsdorf Prudence Farrow Tony Nader The Beatles In Bangor In India
Places	Fairfield, Iowa (US) Golden Domes (US) Hararit (IL) Kolleg St. Ludwig (NL) Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa (US)
Media	Catching the Big Fish David Wants to Fly KSCI TM and Cult Mania Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation