Transcendental Meditation And Other Techniques

The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique is unique for many reasons. But the most important one is that it provides more benefit than other meditation and relaxation techniques. This was the conclusion of a meta-analysis of 597 studies of meditation practices that was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion. This study found that the Transcendental Meditation program was significantly superior to other forms of meditation and relaxation in a wide range of criteria related to mental and physical health. A second meta-analysis, published in the Journal of Social Behavior Personality, found the effect of the TM technique on self-actualization (growth towards one’s total potential) to be markedly greater than that of other forms of meditation and relaxation.

The TM technique is a unique practice both in its procedure and in the depth and scope of its benefits for the mind and body. Research studies have shown a positive correlation between the technique and a wide variety of benefits. In the field of physical health alone, research has shown improvement in lung function for patients with asthma, reduction of high blood pressure, younger biological age, decreased insomnia, reduction of high cholesterol, reduced illness and medical expenditures, decreased outpatient visits, decreased cigarette smoking, decreased alcohol use and decreased anxiety, to name a few. Here are a few of the studies:

Allen, C.P. Effects of Transcendental Meditation, electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback relaxation, and conventional relaxation on vasoconstriction, muscle tension, and stuttering: A quantitative comparison. Dissertation Abstracts International 40(2): 689B, 1979.
Gaylord, C. et al.

The effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique and progressive muscle relaxation on EEG coherence, stress reactivity, and mental health in black adults. International Journal of Neuroscience 46: 77–86, 1989.

Wilson, AF., Honsberger, R., Chiu, JT., Novey, HS. "Transcendental Meditation and asthma." Respiration, 1975, 74-80, Hypertension 26: 820–827, 1995, International Journal of Neuroscience 16: 53–58, 1982, Journal of Counseling and Development 64: 212–215, 1985, Journal of Human Stress 5: 24-27, 1979, The American Journal of Managed Care 3: 135–144, 1997, The American Journal of Managed Care 3: 135–144, 1997, Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 13–87, 1994, Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 13–87, 1994, Journal of Clinical Psychology 45: 957–974, 1989

By: Keith DeBoer Ph.D.