I’ve been practicing TM for over a decade. It was a serious help to me in coping with extreme PTSD symptoms. Welcome to the wonderful world of ‘Ohm’!

Nice article, I attended the concert and it was fantastic! If anyone wants to know more about Transcendental Meditation please click on my name and read my article “How To Learn Transcendental Meditation”. Peace!

The scientific research verifying the TM program’s benefits and 100% positive effects involves 350 peer-reviewed studies on over 10,000 subjects who were practicing the TM technique. This peer-reviewed research includes numerous randomized controlled trials, along with eight meta-analyses of 597 separate studies on the effects of meditation. The studies were conducted at Harvard Medical School, Yale Medical School, Stanford Medical School, University of PA, University of Kentucky, and more than 200 other independent institutions, and were done by 360 scientists from 29 countries. All total, over 30,0000 subjects (participating in TM, other techniques or controls) were involved in the hundreds of research studies on TM. The majority of these studies compared TM to other practices or control groups. No well-controlled, peer-reviewed research has ever found harmful effects from TM.

the author’s research is “lightweight” indeed. the “cult awareness network” is a total joke. i can’t believe you even reference those people. have a little dignity, please.

and mentioning the lame (and dismissed) lawsuits is so irrelevant to TM. (plus there were only 2, not 3, and one was completely thrown out of court, the other dismissed on the majority of counts and settled. big deal.)

if you’re a fan of meditation, you should know that TM is the most widely practiced, widely prescribed by doctors, and most scientifically validated form of meditation there is, and has been learned by over 6 million people worldwide. sorry to so strongly correct you, but, really, when something so positive, so effective and so direly needed by the school kids is written of so loosely and with an air of condescension, it deserves a little rebuke.

“Strip people of the ability to think and make decisions?” that is utterly absurd and counterfactual to tons of research.

@ Michele - Thank you for the welcome

@ Dr. Keith DeBoer - Thanks for the link - I’ve edited the post to include it so new readers could see your blog.

@ Dr. Jean Tobin - Thanks for chiming it I personally can’t understand what would be harmful about TM; of course, I’m not a doctor, either. I do think it’s interesting though that while one of the lawsuits was thrown out, another was “settled” out of court. I wonder what would have made the defendant(s) feel there was enough risk of an actual case against them to go ahead and handle it outside of the courtroom. Sheer curiosity, on my part.

Thanks for this great article on the Paul McCartney concert. I was at the concert and it was beyond expectation - simply wonderful. And in support of the great cause to bring Transcendental Meditation to “at-risk” children in schools. I have been doing TM for many years and know first-hand of its great effect in reducing stress. Well done David Lynch, and thanks to all involved.

@ laughing crow - Calm down, dear. If you’ll review this post, I think you’ll find it’s not a personal attack on TM or your feelings about TM; rather, it’s merely an announcement about what the musicians partook in and why, some links to where people can learn more about TM, and some links to the “colorful history” TM has had. It’s pretty black and white.

And there’s no need to apologize; you aren’t “correcting” me, strongly or otherwise. The incidents I quoted are merely that - quotes, and not my own information. There are links to where I found the information; I don’t pull this stuff out of thin air. Please remember that quoting another person’s or source’s information isn’t an automatic reflection of the quoter’s personal beliefs (and I would hope the fact that I never wrote “TM sucks! Stay away from it!” would be enough to validate that).

Thanks for chiming in!

@ bloggabix - I bet you had a fantastic time! Wow, to see two of the Beatles live…that’d be enough for me, haha. Thanks for sharing

If the consciously ‘enlightened’
health-boosting & stress-busting claims touted about
the (famously tax-evading & ‘giggling’)
Maharishi’s TM methods are supposedly valid,
then why does DAVID LYNCH
blatantly CHAIN-SMOKE
CIGARETTES like an ADDICT during interviews
in recent years — when he claims
that he’s been consistently & blissfully doing T.M.
for over three decades ???
Please explain —
Why does TM-proselytizer David Lynch
smoke two packs of cigarettes a day (documented)
– if the purported “stress-free” panacea
of “transcendental meditation”
is so incredibly healthful & calming ?
(it’s also exhorbitant
& fraudulent at a cost
of $ 2,500 dollars to get
a (generic) so-called “secret” mantra
which is assigned solely based on
a student’s age — in accordance with a chart
(during a “Puja” religious-ritual worship & chanting ceremony).

—————-

note:
Of course, there are secular Meditation,
Mindfulness, visualization,
breathing exercises (such as “Chi Kung”),
and Stress-reduction programs & techniques,
which are well-researched, medically-recommended,
very effective, & definitely more affordable !
* These non-sectarian methods are
also beneficially appropriate for PUBLIC SCHOOL settings
— without getting involved with
a religious-political organization,
such as TM — that has displayed
a history of cult-type conduct,
theocratic & sexist (medieval) framework,
a pattern of deception,
and a penchant for censorship.

_____

Here are VERY INFORMATIVE websites
from TM investigators & ex-TM members
who provide insider info. of the facts
(behind the facade)
re: the “Transcendental Meditation” religious-political
organization, including: deliberate deception,
fascist organizational framework, pay-to-play crowned Rajas,
duped & fleeced (advanced TM) ‘Sidhi - flyers’,
sexual discrimination as to women’s roles,
violations of the U.S. Constitution (as per
U.S. District Court & U.S. Appeals Court rulings),
& the organization’s obvious
penchant for bullying & censorship, etc. —

=> http://minet.org/

=> http://tmfree.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-open-letter-to-mr-goldstein.html

=> http://www.suggestibility.org/

**** Also, this RICK ROSS INSTITUTE
useful website provides a compendium of news articles
from various sources
about T.M. organization,
history & issues –
(click) => http://www.rickross.com/groups/tm.html

____________

TM history —
Robert N. Bellah meets with Robert Winquist, a well-known
TM movement insider and faculty member of Maharishi International University. Robert Bellah was Ford Professor of Sociology and Comparative Studies, UC Berkeley and author of the highly regarded book “Beyond Belief: Essays on Religion in a Post-Traditional World”. During the meeting, as related in his sworn affidavit for the (1977) New Jersey Court case, he “expressed [his] opinion that TM definitely seemed to be a religion and I wondered why the people in the TM movement denied its religious nature. [Winquist] replied by affirming that it is certainly true that TM is religious, but stated that they didn’t admit that to
be the case for public relations reasons.”

- - - - - - -
note: “Transcendental Meditation”, due to the “Puja” (chanting & worship) initiation ceremony & other religious factors,
was banned from being taught in public schools by a U.S. District Court ruling. The Court ruled that Transcendental Meditation was “a religion”
– see ruling of The United States District Court, District of New Jersey, Docket No. 76-341 (H.C.M.) Civil Action, in the case of Alan B. Malnak. et al., Plaintiffs, v. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, et al., Defendants, in a summary judgment issued October 19, 1977, followed by an order and judgment, filed December 12, 1977.” Subsequently, this federal ruling was upheld (in 1979) by the U.S. Appeals Court (Philadelphia).
- - - - - - -

BE INFORMED:
“An Open Letter from a
(former) TM Initiator” —
What you should know about
the “Transcendental Meditation”
religious-political Organization —
history, beliefs, practices,
marketing tactics & deliberate deception:
view webpages =>
http://www.trancenet.net/personal/abe/abe12097.shtml
and
http://trancenet.net/groups/tm.shtml
_____

Is this TM “Puja” ceremony chanting appropriate for PUBLIC SCHOOLS ??? — especially when there is deliberate deception & obfuscation by the TM missionaries when communicating with school staff, students & parents — Here is a brief excerpt (translated from Sanskrit) of chanting that occurs during the standard TM “Puja” initiation ceremony (along with an altar, a painting of a Guru, incense, candles & offerings) — in which students each receive a “secret” (& supposedly unique & “meaningless”) mantra. However, in fact, each TM student’s mantra is actually derived from the name of one of several Hindu deities; these generic mantras are routinely assigned based solely on the student’s age in accordance with a chart —
“To LORD NARAYANA, to lotus-born BRAHMA the Creator, to VASHISHTHA to SHAKTI and his son, PARASHAR, To VYASA, to SHUKADEVA, to the great GAUDAPADA,… to SHANKARACHARYA, the redeemer, hailed as KRISHNA… I bow down again and again…”
source: http://www.trancenet.net/secrets/puja/alternate.shtml
http://www.trancenet.net/secrets/puja/tradt.shtml

_______

Please be aware & informed:

The modus operandi of the TM missionaries is to deliberately MISINFORM school STUDENTS, PARENTS, & staff about the ‘Transcendental Meditation’ organization & procedures. The TM movement has used various front-organizations and program-labels over the years. One of their current evangelical guises is the innocuous-sounding “QUIET TIME” in schools. The “Quiet Time” program permission slips (given to students along with their lunch forms, etc. at the beginning of the school year) only mention the slogan “Quiet Time” — however these permission slips DO NOT PROVIDE ANY ACCURATE DESCRIPTION WHATSOEVER of TM procedures, “Puja” worship-initiation ceremony, nor any mention of the “Transcendental Meditation” organization or background info. about TM agendas (”World Plan”, “yogic flyers”, “crowned Rajas”, etc.) — see website — http://www.cultnews.com/?p=2155

Here is a direct quote from an article published in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (JAMA):
“Ex-members say that the TM movement trains them in the kinds of deception noted here. “I was taught to lie and to get around the petty rules of the ‘unenlightened’ in order to get favorable reports into the media, ” said one. “We were taught how to exploit the reporters’ gullibility and fascination with the exotic, especially that [which] comes from the East. We thought we weren’t doing anything wrong because we were told it was often necessary to deceive the unenlightened to advance our guru’s plan to save the world.” — see reference article
re: “T.M.’s Deceptions” — http://www.rickross.com/reference/tm/tm2.html

_____

relevant overview of
“Transcendental Meditation” –
website
=> http://skepdic.com/tm.html

Here is a brief excerpt (translated from the original Sanskrit) of the chanting that occurs during the standard TM “Puja” initiation ceremony (along with an altar, a painting of a Guru, incense, candles, & offerings) — in which individual students each receive a “secret” (& supposedly unique & “meaningless”) mantra. However, in fact, each TM student’s mantra is actually derived from the name of one of several main Hindu gods; these generic mantras are routinely assigned based solely on the particular student’s age, in accordance with a chart –

“To LORD NARAYANA, to lotus-born BRAHMA the Creator, to VASHISHTHA to SHAKTI and his son, PARASHAR, To VYASA, to SHUKADEVA, to the great GAUDAPADA,… to SHANKARACHARYA, the redeemer, hailed as KRISHNA…
I bow down again and again…”
source: http://www.trancenet.net/secrets/puja/alternate.shtml
http://www.trancenet.net/secrets/puja/tradt.shtml

—–

some background info.
re: TM history, agendas,
affiliated organizations,
& projects
(please see webpages below)…

* (TM Rajas & governing structure) –
http://tinyurl.com/d5zz4f

* (example of TM political agenda & outlook) –
http://www.uspeacegovernment.org/structure.html

* (USA ‘Raja’ John Hagelin posing with crown) –
=> http://tinyurl.com/dh2kxl

note: these appointed, so-called TM “Rajas”
or monarchs (who are always male)
are assigned to countries, and
are generally expected to each pay/donate
one million dollar$ to purchase
their vanity-ruler title

recommended
viewing:
* TIME magazine article
describes the TM fiasco
incident in Germany:
=> http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1684582,00.html

* also, crucial reading —
INDEPENDENT (UK) article
(TM fascist-style sloganeering !
at New World Order rally,
involving Raja Emanuel & David Lynch)
=> http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/david-lynchs-german-guru-angers-students-with-goebbels-rallying-cry-758742.html

*** Also, view
VIDEO of this
TM fiasco event =>
http://nosedef.blogspot.com/2009/04/david-lynch-forces-my-video-of-him.html

* astounding photo of TM “Raja” / Germany
(in full regalia)
=> http://www.agpf.de/TM-Oebisfelde-Nader-2003.jpg

=====

T.M. marketing/recruitment campaign
(world peace is a wonderful goal
& marketing ploy, as well) =>
view info. about
duped & fleeced
“Sidhi” flyers –
=> http://tmyogicflying.org/youpeacea.htm

=====

Here are 3 VERY INFORMATIVE
websites from TM skeptics
(& ex-TM members)

=> http://minet.org/

=> http://tmfree.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-open-letter-to-mr-goldstein.html

=> http://www.suggestibility.org/

**** Also, this RICK ROSS INSTITUTE
webpage provides a compendium of news articles
from various sources
about T.M. organization,
history & issues –
(click) => http://www.rickross.com/groups/tm.html

>>>>>

plus,
(inadvertent)… HUMOR
check this out –
TM ‘Science of Economics’
(circa 2007)
brought to you by “Invincible America”
‘his majesty-Raja’ John Hagelin
& TM devotees –
=> http://istpp.org/news/2007_11_ia_assembly.html

>>>>>

Finally, here are 2 TM websites
re: separate TM instructional strands
for “ladies” — to engender
enlightenment & ‘ladylike’ behavior,
to groom delicate, feminine-trait girls
who walk five steps behind
the (always) male leaders –
*note: several women formerly involved
with the TM movement have reported about
rampant sexual discrimination =>
http://archive.tm.org/explore/vedic_education/msu.html
and
http://www.maharishiuniversityofenlightenment.com/

—–

* key overview
of the “Transcendental Meditation
religious-political organization:
=> http://skepdic.com/tm.html

“Patrick Ryan, a graduate of “MUM” (Maharishi University of Management) and a practitioner of TM for ten years, founded a support group for former members (TM-Ex).”
According to Mr. Ryan –
“In its advertising, TM emphasizes the practical benefits of meditation - particularly the reduction of stress. TM promoters show videos of members from all walks of life testifying to its benefits. TM sales pitches are full of blood pressure charts, heart-rate graphs, and other clinical evidence of TM’s effectiveness. Not mentioned is the fact that scientific tests show similar benefits can be obtained by listening to soothing music, or by performing basic relaxation exercises available in books costing a couple of dollars. After a TM student pays up to several thousand dollars (currently) and receives his own personal mantra to chant, he is told never to reveal it to another. Why? Because the same “unique” mantra has been given — on the basis of age — to thousands of people.”

_______

Let’s see what the
“Transcendental Meditation”
acolytes & their leaders
are up to these days…

* (TM Rajas & governing structure) –
http://tinyurl.com/d5zz4f

* (example of TM political agenda & outlook) –
http://www.uspeacegovernment.org/structure.html

trick or treat (?)
* (USA ‘Raja’ John Hagelin posing with crown) –
http://tinyurl.com/dh2kxl

note: these appointed, so-called TM “Rajas”
or monarchs (who are always male)
are assigned to countries, and
are generally expected to each pay/donate
one million dollar$ to purchase
their vanity-ruler title

recommended
viewing:
* TIME magazine article
describes the TM fiasco
incident in Germany:
=> http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1684582,00.html

** also, crucial reading —
INDEPENDENT (UK) article
(TM fascist-style sloganeering !
at New World Order rally,
involving Raja Emanuel & David Lynch)
=> http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/david-lynchs-german-guru-angers-students-with-goebbels-rallying-cry-758742.html

*** Also, view
VIDEO of this
TM fiasco event =>
http://nosedef.blogspot.com/2009/04/david-lynch-forces-my-video-of-him.html

+ astounding photo of TM “Raja” / Germany
(in full regalia)
=> http://www.agpf.de/TM-Oebisfelde-Nader-2003.jpg

_____

Here are 2 illustrative
TM-organization websites
re: separate TM instructional strands
for “ladies” — to engender
enlightenment & “ladylike” behavior,
to groom delicate, feminine-trait girls
who walk five steps behind
the (always) male leaders -
note: several women formerly involved
with the TM movement have reported about
rampant sexual discrimination =>
http://archive.tm.org/explore/vedic_education/msu.html
and
http://www.maharishiuniversityofenlightenment.com/

=============

note: “enlightening” excerpt from a website
concerning a range of pertinent topics:
TM history, practices & agendas =
=> http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Transcendental_meditation_-_Criticisms_and_controversies/id/2085021

(Part 1) “Transcendental meditation
– Sexism and the TM organization”

“According to historian Stanley Wolpert (A New History of India, sixth edition, Oxford University Press: 2000), — ancient Vedic society was undeniably patriarchal, and this characteristic is reflected in the present structure of the TM organization. Although women are not barred from becoming teachers of TM, they are rarely seen in positions of political leadership, especially at the highest and most visible level of the organization. Evidence of discrimination against women can be seen in the failure to include women as ministers when Maharishi proclaimed his Global Country of World Peace (all of the 40 appointed ministers were men) and in the failure to include female spokespersons in the discussions that accompany Maharishi”s weekly televised press conferences.”

————–

(PART 2) — “Sexism and the TM organization”

“This is because Maharishi has outlined three acceptable “paths” for women in society: 1) marriage and motherhood, 2) monastic celibacy (in his “Mother Divine” program), and 3) engagement in a life-supporting profession or occupation that does not strain the allegedly delicate nervous system of female physiology. Also, in live and televised presentations sponsored by the TM organization, females are patronizingly referred to as “ladies” (not “women”) while men are called “men” (not “gentlemen”). TM apologists point out that even married women are called ladies as a sign of respect and married men are at other occasions called gentlemen also as a sign of respect, but fail to appreciate that gender bias is inherent in the organization”s failure to consistently apply the corresponding term “gentlemen” to males. Over the years, the TM organization has implemented a deliberate policy of segregating the sexes in its parochial schools, course facilities,
assemblies, etc., and in doing so, has placed itself outside the mainstream of American life.”
=====

quote from a “Transcendental Meditation” Organization
(TM) proselytizer –
“because David Lynch pays for it,
it’s O.K. to have in public schools”

SAY WHAT?

How about if the Pope or Pat Robertson
– or Scientology or Rev. Moon or Chabad
or Nichiren (”Nam Myoho Renge Kyo”) –
would like to fund a program
targeting public schools
to be implemented in every classroom
of those public schools
during the academic school-time schedule ???

- - - - - -

Transcending The U.S. Constitution? —
Why the “Transcendental Meditation” (TM)
religious-political group
DOESN’T Belong In Public Schools –

see a recent article written by Rob Boston
at the website of the highly respected organization
“AMERICANS UNITED FOR THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE” –

http://blog.au.org/2009/04/06/transcending-the-constitution-why-tm-doesnt-belong-in-public-schools-even-if-ringo-wants-it/

==============

TM ploy –
proselytize in disguise

see insightful website
providing background info. about TM,
religious factors, U.S. court rulings, etc. –
http://www.behind-the-tm-facade.org/transcendental_meditation-religion.htm

- - - - -
Ruling of the United States District Court:
Transcendental Meditation was ruled a religion by the U.S. District Court,
District of New Jersey, Docket No. 76-341 (H.C.M.) Civil Action, in the case of Alan B. Malnak. et al., Plaintiffs, v. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, et al., Defendants, in a summary judgment issued October 19, 1977, followed by an order and judgment, filed December 12, 1977. This federal ruling was subsequently upheld in 1979 by the U.S. Appeals Court (Philadelphia).
- - - - -

note: Students & school district staff are fully capable
of implementing secular meditation,
visualization, mindfulness
or other well-researched & medically recommended
stress-reduction strategies/techniques –
without the involvement of a
religious-political cult, such as TM
that has a fascist framework and
(historic & current) pattern of deceptive tactics.

_____

trick or treat (?)
* (USA ‘Raja’ John Hagelin posing with crown) –
http://tinyurl.com/dh2kxl

note: these appointed, so-called TM “Rajas”
or monarchs (who are always male)
are assigned to countries, and
are generally expected to each pay/donate
one million dollar$ to purchase
their vanity-ruler title

recommended
viewing:
* TIME magazine article
describes the TM fiasco
incident in Germany:
=> http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1684582,00.html

** also, crucial reading —
INDEPENDENT (UK) article
(TM fascist-style sloganeering !
at New World Order rally,
involving Raja Emanuel & David Lynch)
=> http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/david-lynchs-german-guru-angers-students-with-goebbels-rallying-cry-758742.html

*** Also, view
VIDEO of this
TM fiasco event =>
http://nosedef.blogspot.com/2009/04/david-lynch-forces-my-video-of-him.html

+ astounding photo of TM “Raja” / Germany
(in full regalia)
=> http://www.agpf.de/TM-Oebisfelde-Nader-2003.jpg

_____

the TM evangelists are serious,
but look at this
(inadvertent) …

HUMOR
– TM “science of economics” (!)

brought to you by “Invincible America”
“his majesty-Raja” John Hagelin
& TM devotees –
=> http://istpp.org/news/2007_11_ia_assembly.html

——

ANTI-GRAVITY ‘LEVITY’

T.M. marketing/recruitment campaign
(world peace is a wonderful goal
& marketing ploy, as well) =>
view info. about
duped & fleeced
“Sidhi” flyers –
=> http://tmyogicflying.org/youpeacea.htm

Some info. about the TM-organization’s
“Natural Law” phantasmagoria and
their massive, unified
meditation efforts in defiance of gravity
– a modern-day religious folktale
of “Golden Domes” & wannabe flyer-bouncers,
set so picturesquely in (amid
the cornfields & hog farms
& hogwash for miles
surrounding) Fairfield & Vedic City, Iowa:

=> http://goldendome.org/

also…
=> http://tmyogicflying.org/aboutc.htm

_____

T.M. marketing/recruitment campaign
(world peace is a wonderful goal
& marketing ploy, as well) –
view info. about duped & fleeced
“Sidhi” flyers –
=> http://tmyogicflying.org/youpeacea.htm

ANTI-GRAVITY ‘LEVITY’

Some info. about the TM-organization’s
“Natural Law” phantasmagoria and
their massive, unified
meditation efforts in defiance of gravity
– a modern-day religious folktale
of “Golden Domes” & wannabe flyer-bouncers,
set so picturesquely in (amid
the cornfields & hog farms
& hogwash for miles
surrounding) Fairfield & Vedic City, Iowa:

=> http://goldendome.org/

also…
=> http://tmyogicflying.org/aboutc.htm

_____

eye-opening, must read: —
“THE MAHARISHI CAPER”

It’s written by a professional science journalist –
about a
(blissful & always positive) PATTERN OF CORRUPTION
& DECEPTION within the “Transcendental Meditation”
(TM) organization …
=>
http://www.aaskolnick.com/naswmav.htm

——-

JustAThought56 –

“The technique that Transcendental Meditation (religious-political organization) teaches is common, and can easily be taught without
all of the ridiculous TM trappings. The benefits realized are
identical. “TM” takes an ancient and widespread practice,
imposes a layer of pure drivel over it, then packages it
and sells it as uniquely theirs and charges for the drivel.
It is profoundly dishonest.”

============

bismillah001 –

“Meditation is a powerful thing; it would be
great to expose children to this treasure. I’m
not really sure “TM” is the best avenue for that, though.
Basic Theravada meditation (I think a.k.a. “insight meditation”)
would be better. Children needn’t have any facilitated
association with Mararishi Mahesh Yogi or any other ‘guru’ figure.
That should have nothing to do with meditation, in my opinion.”

- - - - -

Of course, there are a variety of
well-researched meditation, mindfulness,
structured relaxation, visualization,
breathing exercises (such as “Chi Kung”)
& other Stress-reduction strategies/techniques which are secular, healthful, medically-recommended, and beneficially appropriate for a public school setting.

* Additionally, Eastern philosophies, including Buddhism & varied spiritual traditions are very valuable & wonderful, and should be insightfully studied as part of a comprehensive Social Studies curriculum.

Children (especially in public schools)
do NOT need to be involved with a deceptive front-organization
or religious-political cult, such as TM.

____________________

* In perspective: — There are secular stress-reduction strategies/techiniques, including meditation (with a ‘mantra’), visualization, structured relaxation, mindfulness, & breathing exercises (”Chi Kung”) etc. which are well-researched, medically recommended, very effective, and beneficially appropriate for public schools as part of a non-sectarian health ed. (wellness) program. These life-skills plus well-being & study-enhancers can be taught (& practiced) within a knowledge-seeking educational environment which is open to students asking questions and encourages honest discussion — which fosters resilient focus & mindFULness — (rather than mindLESSness or fascist no-questions-asked rote obedience, as per the TM cult).

____________________

The “Transcendental Meditation” religious-political
organization & TM adherents/devotees
have a documented history of CENSORSHIP
of alternative or dissenting views.

see
recent evidence –

http://tmfree.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-open-letter-to-mr-goldstein.html

* also, definitely view
VIDEO info. about TM agenda
in Germany –
=> http://tinyurl.com/cemrv9

& crucial info. re:
aspects indicative of
a cult organization–

http://tinyurl.com/cbj8r6

———-

Of course, there are a variety of
well-researched meditation, mindfulness,
structured relaxation, visualization,
breathing exercises (such as “Chi Kung”)
& other Stress-reduction strategies/techniques which are secular, healthful, medically-recommended, and beneficially appropriate for a public school setting.

* Additionally, Eastern philosophies, including Buddhism & varied spiritual traditions are very valuable & wonderful, and should be insightfully studied as part of a comprehensive Social Studies curriculum.

Children (especially in public schools)
do NOT need to be involved with a deceptive front-organization
or religious-political cult, such as TM.

____________

* In perspective: — There are secular stress-reduction strategies/techiniques, including meditation (with a ‘mantra’), visualization, structured relaxation, mindfulness, & breathing exercises (”Chi Kung”) etc. which are well-researched, medically recommended, very effective, and beneficially appropriate for public schools as part of a non-sectarian health ed. (wellness) program. These life-skills plus well-being & study-enhancers can be taught (& practiced) within a knowledge-seeking educational environment which is open to students asking questions and encourages honest discussion — which fosters resilient focus & mindFULness — (rather than mindLESSness or fascist no-questions-asked rote obedience, as per the TM cult).

____________

**** Also, this RICK ROSS INSTITUTE
useful website provides a compendium of news articles
from various sources
about T.M. organization,
history & issues –
(click) => http://www.rickross.com/groups/tm.html

____________

Here are VERY INFORMATIVE websites
from TM investigators & ex-TM members
who provide insider info. of the facts
(behind the facade)
re: the “Transcendental Meditation” religious-political
organization, including: deliberate deception,
fascist organizational framework, pay-to-play crowned Rajas,
duped & fleeced (advanced TM) ‘Sidhi - flyers’,
sexual discrimination as to women’s roles,
violations of the U.S. Constitution (as per
U.S. District Court & U.S. Appeals Court rulings),
& the organization’s obvious
penchant for censorship —

=> http://minet.org/

=> http://tmfree.blogspot.com/2009/04/my-open-letter-to-mr-goldstein.html

=> http://www.suggestibility.org/

Please share this info. about T.M. ‘missionaries’ operating within San Francisco public school classrooms:

During this school year (2008-2009), the Transcendental Meditation program (with the front-name/slogan “Quiet Time”) has been implemented at another inner-city public middle school in San Francisco. There are two required daily T.M. sessions of 15 minutes each in every classroom throughout the school toward the beginning & the end of the school day, and the students are graded for their robotic participation (compliance) using a point system. The marketing emphasis is on ’stress relief’ and bringing up standardized test scores - (please note: At Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco, which began implementing the David Lynch Foundation T.M. program in February 2007, the school’s recent California state ‘API’/Academic Performance Index ranking based on standardized test scores from the next year - Spring, 2008, actually went down several points!).

Consequently, due to the required T.M. taking a total 1/2 hour of classroom time every school day, this public middle school’s schedule doesn’t provide a homeroom-advisory session for students. The school building has been hijacked by a crew of 20 bullying, clueless T.M. devotees working for the David Lynch Foundation who are not school district staff (they are funded by a large grant of more than $200,000.). They have commandeered a large classroom for use as their T.M. office, and also a wing of the building which contains several small rooms. These T.M. ‘missionaries’ at times disrespectfully (or sometimes perhaps obliviously) interfere with school instruction & logistics. They also deceptively lie & obfuscate to the staff, students & parents about the induction process (’Puja’ religious chanting & worship ceremony), the source & selection of the mantras, and the organization’s checkered history & fascist framework. Of course, they never mention their World Plan scenarios, Fairfield, Iowa & Global shenanigans, crowned-Rajas & pretend-Government, etc., or the observed fact that T.M. mega-huckster (frequently-divorced) David Lynch is a chain-smoking cigarette addict. Recently, the T.M. conglomerate has been targeting students from low-income neighborhoods and schools without an active PTA or strong parent involvement to provide oversight. The T.M. proselytizers have shown themselves to be anti-democracy, anti-educational inquiry (and pro-censorship), and anti- the U.S. Constitution (the separation of Church & State).

In perspective: I’m sensibly & reasonably in favor of meditation, visualization and stress-reduction strategies/techniques within schools as part of a non-sectarian health ed. (wellness) program — devised & guided or overseen by health care & education professionals. These skills can be taught within a knowledge-seeking educational environment which is open to students asking questions and encourages honest discussion — which fosters resilient focus & mindFULness — (rather than mindLESSness or fascist no-questions-asked rote obedience, as per the TM cult).

* Additionally, Eastern philosophies, including Buddhism & varied spiritual traditions are very valuable & wonderful, and should be insightfully studied as part of a comprehensive Social Studies curriculum.

Parents & educators should be holistically promoting Healthy Habits, in general — including exercise, nutrition, positive role models, study & reading time, creative arts & music, productive recreation & hobbies — and avoiding toxic influences (such as excessive exposure to violent entertainment).

—–

here’s the reality ‘
‘on the ground’ —

In a TM group “herd mentality”
within a ‘captive audience’ public school setting, students
are pressured to comply with the TM agenda;
alternatives (such as being sent out of the classroom
or sitting quietly/staring into space, whatever –
induce an odd situation in which a student
suddenly is put into an “outsider” role (and can be
having a stigmatizing experience, in their own school !)

There is deliberate deception & misinformation
that is (standard) TM modus operandi
in the process of obtaining (non-informed) consent
and in the conduct of the religious initiation ritual-ceremony
– which is not appropriate for a public school setting.
Also, school district staff have to help supervise & implement
the twice-daily “T.M.” program within each classroom,
including grading the students’ participation (compliance)
in the “Quiet Time” sessions with a point system.

- - - - - -

Comprehend deeply
the
implications

=========

What a great article. I stumbled into your site when I was searching for movies and I must say I really enjoyed your post. Will be back to check more out in the future!

jesus, sojourner. How they call it? obsessive? why don’t ask the doctor? http://www.doctorsontm.org/