h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Movement. - A697494
Author: Zed, Please visit the Bookworms Club!!! (and I can't spell but am not stupid) - U185843

Hiya, another one that's just about ready to be ripped to bits and improved as a result. I have to say that there's not much balance at all on this subject on the internet and I'm trying to inject some. If you think this is unbalanced please let me know.

Hi Zed,

I think this is a good subject for the Edited Guide. However I feel that Ayurveda (I've not seen the spelling Ayur Veda previously) shoud be a separate entry. There's much more to be said about it than this.

Things may have changed since I did TM, however I only did one evening introduction and induction into TM (I think - it's a long time ago). OK I may have done one introduction with other people and then one individual session. I did not do any follow up work.

I got a student discount and although it was quite a sum for me to find at the time, I understand that the fee has gone up sharply since. I remember being told that it was either one week's salary or one month's - again I can't remember.

I remember being told that you have to follow a thought back to the origin and this being described on a flip chart as bubbles going back to the base.

I know there were other stages, but I did not do them, however I remember that they cost a fortune. I shared a house with my teacher, who did follow up training and then could not meditate together as he did a much longer session than mine.

There are some typos to correct:

state of piece > peace;

lead to a endless benefits > omit the 'a';

Ayur Veda > Ayurveda (much more usual spelling).

It might be useful to link to other sites on this. Deepak Chopra (who no doubt has a site) teaches Ayurveda and is a devotee of TM. There are bound to be others.

Initial thoughts!

Another quick thought - my teacher met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and said that he could hold a flower in his hand and it did not wilt or die.

There's a conventional string of Aryuveda, (note the conventional spelling), but the type practiced by most TMers is Maharishi Ayru Veda, the difference as far as I can see seems to be the spelling and the heavey promotion of Marhirishi Aryu Veda Products, such as Marhrishi Amrit Kalash.

Your right there is more to it but I don't know enough to write an article on it, but I will try if you want? I thought it deserved a mention because it's so heavily marketed by the TM movement and plays an important part in most TMers lives. (usually as something they can't afford as much as they'd like) I could re write it if you want making the difference bettween branded and tradtional clearer? would that be adquate.

When I was at school (I went to the TM school in Skelmersdale but I no longer practice TM)I was told in 1996 that Deepka Chopra was no longer involved in the movement. Though in 1994 we were using "perfect health" by him as a textbook in science.

As to your experiences you should have had a three day check, I'm ringing my mum in a minute so I'll ask her if it has changed, as far as I know that it hasn't. But I'm only 20 and my memories a bit rusty.

Well I'm wrong and out of date, Mahrarrishi Aryurveda uses the conventional spelling now. But they still have the branded products. Still waiting for an answer on the other issues.

I've added a paragraph explaing a bit more of the relationship between Ayruveda and TM. Sorry if my last post seemed a bit cynical I've tried really hard to make an balanced entry and I think I've managed. It please point out any ommissions.

After doing a google search I've decided there needs to be another section, on Critism of TM, and TM EX movement. As that means that I no longer consider the entry to be finished I'm removing it from Peer Review for the time being. (well a day or two) whilst I write in the extra bits.

Ta and sorry for entering this before it was ready!

I know it's a bit pedantic, but the title could do with a tweak so as to avoid giving the impression that Transcendental Meditation is a trademark.

Oh yes good idea, I never thought of that, actually it is a tradmark, but the reason I put it there was because most meditators refer to it as TM.To be honest when I was a (very) small child I could never understand why the Transecndental Meditation logo was on so much packaging!.

Hi Zed,
I think this all reads very well now. Do you want help of the proof-reading sort - or does that get done somewhere else?

I think this reads much better now, too, Zed.

As the section on Ayurveda is not long and not very detailed, I don't think it would preclude a separate entry on it (do I feel another entry coming on?).

In the days when I did TM, I didn't get the support that now appears to be on offer, although I was told that once having paid to have the training, I could get support throughout my life. I'd have a hard job proving it, though - I've moved house many times since then andh have lost my card.

It might be worth saying that (and in part you have touched upon it, so maybe it doesn't need emphasising) there is a distinction between the practice and the promoters. A practice may have good value even though some people may be using it in wrong/dubious/misguided ways. A bit like Christianity and the Christian Church, which can be said to be totally different animals.

Thanks for your kind remarks everyone, ,


, vegantoo, if/when this entry gets picked the Sub Editors (or subs) will proof read it, but if you can give them a hand by spotting any mistakes then that would be great!.

ZSF, I can't imagine a teachers asking for proof if you went to or called a TM centre and asked for a check. If they are really cynical they can always check your file, but I imgaine most would take your word for it.

Well the title of the is the Transcendental Mediation Movement not Transcendental Mediation, so it's primally about the movement, it's self not the practice and the people who promote it. I have stated the the scientific claims about TM are proved, I think I might add another sentance to that effect though.

Also I don't think I'm qualified to write an entry to Ayruveda, (my way of rebeling against the movement was to go to conventional medical school after all) I just wrote about how the movement promotes it's own brand of Maharishi Ayuveda. If you feels that they could write one this wouldn't preclude it all, and it would be a useful link.

Also I don't think I'm qualified to write an entry to Ayruveda, (my way of rebeling against the movement was to go to conventional medical school after all) I just wrote about how the movement promotes it's own brand of Maharishi Ayuveda. If you feels that they could write one this wouldn't preclude it all, and it would be a useful link.

Also I don't think I'm qualified to write an entry to Ayruveda, (my way of rebeling against the movement was to go to conventional medical school after all) I just wrote about how the movement promotes it's own brand of Maharishi Ayuveda. If you feels that they could write one this wouldn't preclude it all, and it would be a useful link.

OK then, Zed. I'll have a go at writing one. I have a reasonably good understanding of the doshas, the tastes and the concept of 'ama', although I wouldn't claim to be a real expert on Ayruveda.

Interestingly, when I did TM, Ayurveda was never mentioned and there was no heavy pushing of expensive products.

As far as doctors and the NHS are concerned, I can think of a reasonably analogous case. A doctor I met is also a qualified homeopath and treats patients under both systems. For instance, when her mother, aged 80, broke an arm, she gave her homeopathic remedies as well as setting the bones and it healed in only five weeks. A real result!

When it gets to Peer Review, I look forward to your comments.

That was some years ago wasn't it? I don't remember it being mentioned until the mid 80's, Maharishi tends to only mention these ascpects of the knowledge when he feels the world is ready for it. The products aren't heavily pushed when you've just started, or really at the TM centre level, though it might be mentioned if you fall ill.

Oh and I've put this entry back into PR!

I just spotted a few places where you put mediator where I assume you meant meditator (or did you really mean mediator?!) I'll go through it properly if you like (don't want to tread on anyone's toes in terms of proof reading). (And I'm not that wonderful at spelling myself - sometimes you can spot things if you haven't written it yourself though.)
Thought you were going to be off-line! (You really are addicted - aren't you!!)