History of Transcendental Meditation

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of Transcendental Meditation (TM), began his journey into meditation in the late 1940s. Born in India in 1917, he was a disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math in the Himalayas. Maharishi spent several years with his guru and learned the ancient Vedic techniques of meditation.

In the 1950s, Maharishi began to travel around India, teaching meditation to interested individuals. His teachings emphasized the importance of deep relaxation, which he believed was essential for achieving inner peace and spiritual growth.

In 1958, Maharishi established the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in India, which aimed to promote meditation as a means of achieving world peace. He began to teach his meditation techniques to a wider audience, and by the 1960s, his teachings had spread to Europe and the United States.

In 1961, Maharishi founded the International Meditation Society, which later became the Transcendental Meditation movement. The goal of the movement was to bring the benefits of meditation to people around the world, regardless of their religious or cultural background.

Maharishi’s approach to meditation was unique in that it was designed to be easy to learn and practice, even for people with no prior experience. He developed a specific technique known as Transcendental Meditation, which involves the use of a mantra, a sound or phrase repeated silently in the mind, to achieve a state of deep relaxation and inner peace.

Over the years, Maharishi continued to refine and improve his meditation technique, incorporating insights from modern science and medicine. He established the Maharishi University of Management in Iowa in 1971, which was dedicated to exploring the potential of meditation in education, health, and other fields.

Today, Transcendental Meditation has become one of the most popular meditation techniques in the world, with millions of people practicing it daily. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s vision of promoting world peace through meditation continues to inspire people around the globe.

In conclusion, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s journey into meditation began with his guru in the Himalayas, and he went on to spread the benefits of meditation to people around the world. His legacy continues to inspire millions of people to practice Transcendental Meditation and experience the inner peace and well-being it can bring.

What is Transcendental Meditation?

Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural, and effortless technique that allows you to relax deeply and experience a state of restful alertness. Unlike other forms of meditation, TM does not require any special concentration, focus, or discipline. It involves the use of a mantra, a word or sound, repeated silently to oneself, to help the mind settle down and become more tranquil.

Benefits of Transcendental Meditation

Research has shown that TM has numerous benefits for both mental and physical health. Here are some of the most significant benefits of TM:

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Improves cardiovascular health
• Boosts brain function
• Enhances creativity and productivity
• Promotes inner peace and happiness
• Increases self-awareness and emotional intelligence

How to do Transcendental Meditation

Here’s how to do TM in seven simple steps:

Step 1: Find a Certified TM Teacher

To learn TM, you need to find a certified TM teacher who can guide you through the process. TM teachers are trained to provide personalized instruction and support to help you get the most out of your meditation practice.

Step 2: Attend an Introductory Lecture

Before you begin your TM practice, you’ll need to attend an introductory lecture to learn more about the technique and how it works. This lecture typically lasts around an hour and covers the benefits of TM, the science behind it, and what to expect from the practice.

Step 3: Personal Instruction

After the lecture, you’ll receive personal instruction from your TM teacher. This one-on-one session typically lasts around 90 minutes and covers everything you need to know to practice TM successfully.

Step 4: Receive Your Mantra

During your personal instruction, your TM teacher will give you a specific mantra to use during your practice. This mantra is chosen based on your individual needs and is meant to help your mind settle down and become more tranquil.

Step 5: Practice Twice a Day

To get the most out of TM, you’ll need to practice twice a day, ideally in the morning and evening. Each session should last around 20 minutes.

Step 6: Sit Comfortably

Find a comfortable, quiet place to meditate where you won’t be disturbed. Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet on the ground, or sit cross-legged on a cushion on the floor.

Step 7: Repeat Your Mantra

Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and begin repeating your mantra silently to yourself. Allow your mind to become settled and focused on the sound of the mantra. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to the mantra.

Pros of Transcendental Meditation

1. Effective Stress Reduction

One of the most significant benefits of Transcendental Meditation is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Regular practice of TM has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

2. Improves Brain Function

Research has shown that TM can improve cognitive function, including memory, concentration, and creativity. It has also been found to increase gray matter in areas of the brain associated with emotional regulation and self-awareness.

3. Easy to Learn and Practice

Transcendental Meditation is easy to learn and practice, requiring only 20 minutes twice a day. Unlike other forms of meditation, it does not require any special concentration, focus, or discipline.

4. Personalized Instruction

TM is typically taught by a certified teacher who provides personalized instruction and support. This ensures that you learn the technique correctly and get the most out of your practice.

5. Enhances Well-being and Happiness

TM has been shown to enhance overall well-being and happiness. Regular practice of TM can lead to increased feelings of inner peace and contentment.

Cons of Transcendental Meditation

1. Expensive

One of the biggest drawbacks of Transcendental Meditation is its cost. The technique is typically taught by certified teachers who charge a fee for instruction. This can be a significant barrier for many people who are interested in learning TM.

2. Lack of Transparency

TM has been criticized for its lack of transparency. The organization that oversees TM, the Maharishi Foundation, has been accused of being secretive and not providing enough information about the technique.

3. Not Scientifically Proven

While there is some research to support the benefits of TM, some critics argue that the evidence is not strong enough to conclusively prove its effectiveness.

4. Requires Regular Practice

Like any form of meditation, TM requires regular practice to experience its benefits. This can be challenging for some people who struggle to maintain a consistent practice.

5. Not Suitable for Everyone

Transcendental Meditation is not suitable for everyone. Some people may find it difficult to sit still and focus for 20 minutes twice a day. Additionally, TM is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Overall, Transcendental Meditation can be an effective tool for improving mental and physical health. While there are some drawbacks to the technique, many people have found it to be a valuable addition to their self-care routine. If you’re interested in learning TM, it’s important to do your research and consider whether it’s the right practice for you.

Health Benefits Of Transcendental Meditation

Transcendental Meditation has been shown to provide a range of benefits for both physical and mental health. Here are some of the health problems for which TM has been found to be particularly effective:

1. High Blood Pressure

Studies have shown that TM can help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. It is believed that the relaxation response triggered by TM helps to reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the “fight or flight” response.

2. Anxiety and Depression

Transcendental Meditation has been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that regular practice of TM can help to reduce cortisol levels, which are associated with stress and anxiety.

3. Insomnia

TM can also be an effective tool for treating insomnia. Research has shown that regular practice of TM can help improve sleep quality, reduce the time it takes to fall asleep, and increase total sleep time.

4. Chronic Pain

TM has been found to be helpful in managing chronic pain, such as back pain and headaches. It is believed that the deep relaxation state induced by TM can help to reduce pain perception and improve mood.

5. Cardiovascular Disease

TM may also be beneficial for people with cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown that regular practice of TM can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as improve overall cardiovascular health.

While TM has been found to be effective for a range of health problems, it is important to note that it is not a substitute for medical treatment. If you are experiencing any health problems, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate course of treatment.

PubMed studies on Transcendental Meditation

Here is the list of studies I could find and that show the effectiveness of TM

• Efficacy of Transcendental Meditation to Reduce Stress Among Health Care Workers: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36121655/
• Effects of the transcendental meditation technique on trait anxiety: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24107199/
• Neurophysiological, cognitive-behavioral and neurochemical effects in practitioners of transcendental meditation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31166449/

These studies provide evidence for the effectiveness of Transcendental Meditation for a range of health issues, including blood pressure, quality of life, insomnia, anxiety and depression, cardiovascular disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol abuse, cognitive function, and brain function.

Transcendental Meditation Alternatives

If Transcendental Meditation (TM) is not appealing to you, there are plenty of other meditation techniques and alternative medicine approaches to explore. This allows you to find a practice that suits your needs and preferences the most.

For instance, if you’re interested in meditation but unsure about TM, there are numerous alternative meditation techniques to consider. Below are some popular choices:

1. Mindfulness Meditation: This technique involves focusing on the present moment, without judgment. It can be practiced while sitting, walking, or even doing everyday activities like washing the dishes.
2. Loving-Kindness Meditation: Also known as Metta meditation, this technique involves sending love and compassion to oneself and others.
3. Vipassana Meditation: This technique involves observing the breath and body sensations to cultivate self-awareness and insight.
4. Zen Meditation: Also known as Zazen, this technique involves focusing on the breath and emptying the mind to achieve a state of calm and clarity.
5. Yoga: This ancient practice incorporates physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
6. Guided Meditation: This technique involves following the guidance of a teacher or recording to relax the mind and body.
7. Chakra Meditation: This technique involves focusing on the energy centers in the body to promote balance and healing.
8. Transcendental Meditation Alternatives: Some similar techniques to TM include Primordial Sound Meditation, which uses a personalized mantra, and Vedic Meditation, which focuses on the repetition of a specific sound.

Overall, the key to finding the right meditation technique for you is to experiment with different practices and find one that resonates with your unique needs and preferences.

Celebrities Who Swear by Transcendental Meditation

Here is the list of celebs that publicly claimed they use TM often:

1. Oprah Winfrey – Media executive, talk show host, and philanthropist
2. Hugh Jackman – Actor known for his roles in “X-Men” and “The Greatest Showman”
3. Katy Perry – Singer-songwriter and judge on “American Idol”
4. Cameron Diaz – Actress known for her roles in “There’s Something About Mary” and “Charlie’s Angels”
5. Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian and actor known for his eponymous sitcom
6. Ellen DeGeneres – Comedian, talk show host, and actress
7. Clint Eastwood – Actor and director known for his roles in “Dirty Harry” and “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”
8. Gisele Bundchen – Supermodel and businesswoman
9. Russell Brand – Comedian and actor known for his roles in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to the Greek”
10. Howard Stern – Radio personality and host of “The Howard Stern Show”
11. Jennifer Aniston – Actress known for her role in “Friends” and films such as “Marley & Me” and “The Break-Up”
12. David Lynch – Filmmaker and creator of “Twin Peaks”
13. George Lucas – Filmmaker and creator of “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones”
14. Tom Hanks – Actor known for his roles in “Forrest Gump” and “Saving Private Ryan”
15. Paul McCartney – Singer-songwriter and member of The Beatles
16. Gwyneth Paltrow – Actress and founder of the lifestyle brand, Goop
17. Martin Scorsese – Filmmaker known for his work on “Goodfellas” and “The Departed”
18. Dr. Oz – Cardiac surgeon and host of “The Dr. Oz Show”
19. Jim Carrey – Comedian and actor known for his roles in “Ace Ventura” and “The Truman Show”
20. Lady Gaga – Singer-songwriter and actress known for her roles in “A Star is Born” and “American Horror Story”
21. Liv Tyler – Actress known for her roles in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “Armageddon”
22. Miranda Kerr – Model and founder of Kora Organics
23. Nicole Kidman – Actress known for her roles in “Moulin Rouge!” and “Big Little Lies”
24. Sheryl Crow – Singer-songwriter and musician
25. Russell Simmons – Entrepreneur and co-founder of Def Jam Recordings
26. Jennifer Lopez – Singer, actress, and dancer
27. Beyonce – Singer-songwriter and actress
28. Stevie Wonder – Singer-songwriter and musician
29. Tina Turner – Singer-songwriter and actress
30. Donovan – Singer-songwriter and musician
31. Mia Farrow – Actress known for her roles in “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Hannah and Her Sisters”
32. Roseanne Barr – Comedian and actress known for her eponymous sitcom
33. Bob Roth – TM teacher and advocate

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The owner of the orpahange when they showed me 3 tricks was a professional thief. It is called Thief Temple.

Here is a website you can read about this orphanage

http://www.saibaba-x.org.uk/7/Sai_amrita_divine%20nectar%20or_sugared_tea-rose_water.html

He says:

This supposed ‘orphanage’ is also famous as ‘The Thief’s Temple’ because its owner had famously once been caught out as a professional as a thief – a ‘baggage lifter. He stole in Bangalore bus and train stations and also tried his luck on Sai Baba’s followers at the ashrams too. Someone informed on him, no doubt, and so Sai Baba pointed him out in the crowd and accused him. (People believed this was SB’s omniscience at work!). Halagappa told me he had been a thief himself, but proclaimed that he had mended his ways because Sai Baba told him to run an orphanage and get a temple built instead.

Halagappa who is demonstrating the trick in video below was apparently a thief too.

I am not sure how Sai Baba did not publicly scrutinize this orphanage. I was scammed for like 17 years, thinking I had a divine experience.

UPDATE, on the same site I linked above Sai Baba apparently warned people from these places

Sai Baba has himself warned strongly in discourses against “happenings in Mysore and Madras” (Sathya Sai Speaks vol. 10, p. 186) and “in Mysore state there are some who distribute amrith, vibhuuthi and other articles announcing that they are showering from their pictures at their places… Devotees should keep far away from such places and persons” (Sathya Sai Speaks vol. 11, p. 147). Sanathana Sarathi also published a prominent warning against the Mysore/Sri Ranga Patna orphanage and unauthorised money collections there. So much for the genuineness of Halagappa’s tricks and his collection of funds (another financial competitor to the Sai Central Trust!)

The Sri Ranga Patna orphanage, founded in 1984, is located on the Mysore – Bangalore road, some 15 km. north of the city of Mysore, India. The orphanage can be reached in six hours by taxi from Sai Baba’s main ashram.

It took me 6 hours to reach this place and be scammed….Thank got for internet, I would still live like a stupid believer.

The post Supernatural Experience In India Exposed After 17 years appeared first on Alternative Complementary Medicine.

I loved the experience. I was just shocked by visiting the orphanage that Sai Baba blessed where they demonstrated AMRITHA phenomenon, which is so-called Divine Honey…

I was there. I hold the small image of Sai Baba in my hands, and I saw what is going on. It was recorded on video but the person who recorded it, never gave me the video… so it was sadly lost….

However, here is a video that somebody else took and it shows you exactly what happened to me.

The caretaker of this orphanage showed us paintings of Sai Baba, that stand vertical on walls and the so-called vibhuti, a divine dust was recollecting repeatedly on these images/paintings of Sai Baba. He shook the pictures and the dust fall down, but after few minutes, you could see it coming back and collecting on the same picture of Sai Baba. THe dust is like ash, it smells like perfume and you can also eat it a bit. They say it is healthy. I still have it in my home, vibhuti from that place.

Then a real surprise…He put a tiny ceramic image of Sai Baba in my hand and this divine honey or amritha was pouring out….The image is very tiny it could in no way collect several spoons full of amritha. I saw that on my own!

From one small image, he got like five full spoons. The honey was pouring out constantly. It tasted very sweet, similar to honey.

And outside that orphanage is a foot statue, which was pouring out this liquid, and you wipe it with a cloth, and it appeared again. Unexplainable…. I could not believe it.

For the first time I saw something I could not explain….It was divine experience, the only one I had in my life…The orphanage is near Puttaparthi, one or two hours drive with Taxi, you should visit it

Here is the video:

And here is the picture of the feet, outside the orphanage

And on this site, the writer claims thre is no video that shows this amritha phenomenon for longer time, but in video above, you can see the image is hollow and could not contain so much honey.

http://www.saibaba-x.org.uk/7/Sai_amrita_divine%20nectar%20or_sugared_tea-rose_water.html

The author say the following

No one has produced a convincing video where the amulet is held for a long enough, steeply enough, for it either to run very long or to become become amrit-free, because Halagappa controls when it will be returned to the jar. Upon reflection, the whole thing was as suspicious as could be, when one thought about it thoroughly from all angles.

He will do this several times, and the amazed or excited recipient does not take much notice of it if any, and would not think to question it feeling it might even be sacrilegious to do so (and most people want to be convinced and feel they are personally worth a divine blessing). Besides, everyone knows it is a big social sin in India to question a person so the lose face. Mr. Awle thinks he saw it running for “several minutes” while Hallagappa four times scooped away (!) the gathering liquid and put it into his other hand. Halagappa never waits for a minute, just 10 to perhaps even 20 seconds, until oozing slows or actually stops, when he scoops again with his suspicious large tablespoon. He also holds the person’s hand so it is nearly horizontal, thereby making the flow last longer.

I have read other websites and this is apparently a trick. The demostrator of amrit dips the spoon in honey several times….and I could not figure it out.

Continued……

The post My Supernatural Experience In India appeared first on Alternative Complementary Medicine.

Meditation generally involves discounting wandering thoughts and fantasies, and calming and focusing the mind. Meditation does not necessarily require effort and can be experienced as “just happening”. Physical postures include sitting cross-legged, standing, lying down, and walking (sometimes along designated floor patterns). Quietness is often desirable, and some people use repetitive activities such as deep breathing, humming or chanting to help induce a meditative state.

Meditation can be done with the eyes closed (as long as one does not fall asleep), or with the eyes open: focusing the eyes on a certain point of an object or image, and keeping the eyes constantly looking at that point.

Besides the physical factors related to meditation perhaps the most important strategy relates to the very process through which the relevant state of consciousness is achieved. The most common approach is to focus one’s full attention on the natural cycle of breathing. As one takes in a breath, one is called to experience that particular inbreath fully, as if nothing else existed in the world at that particular moment in time. Similarly, one follows the outbreath with full awareness. If for any reason the mind should get distracted during this process the key is to acknowledge this shift in attention, slowly pull one’s awareness back to the breath, and continue focusing on its natural cycle. Another common approach is to attempt to block all sensory input (visual, auditory, tactile being key) and concentrate on something other than yourself.

Purposes of meditation

The purposes for which people meditate vary almost as widely as practices. It may serve simply as a means of relaxation from a busy daily routine, or even as a means of gaining insight into the nature of reality or of communing with one’s God. Many have found improved concentration, awareness, self-discipline and equanimity through meditation. The disciplined self-cultivation aspect of meditation plays a central role in Taoism, Sufism, Sikhism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Generally, there is religious meditation, where one meditates to commune with or on the Divine, and focus meditation, where one meditates to improve health or mental faculties. Very often there is significant overlap between these two positions in many meditative traditions.

However, see spiritual materialism.

Samadhi

In the Samadhi or Shamatha, or concentrative, techniques of meditation, the mind is kept closely focused on a particular word, image, sound, person, or idea. This form of meditation is often found in Hindu and Buddhist traditions (especially the Pure Land school), as well as in Christianity (Gregorian chant, for example), Jewish Kabblah, and in some modern metaphysical schools.

Mindful awareness traditions

Vipassana (insight) and anapanasati (observance of breath) are parts of the broader notion of mindful awareness, which is part of the Noble Eightfold Path, which is held to lead to Enlightenment, and expounded upon in the Satipatthanasutra. While in anapanasati meditation the attention is focused on the breath, in vipassana the mind is instead trained to be acutely aware of not only breathing, but all things that one comes to experience.

The concept of vipassana works in believing that the meditator’s mind will eventually take note of every physical and mental experience “real-time” or as it happens, the goal being that it will gradually reveal to the practitioner how one’s mind unknowingly attaches itself to things that are impermanent in nature. Thus, when such things cease to exist, one experiences suffering from their loss. This in turn can gradually free one’s mind from the attachment to the impermanent that is the root of suffering. In other words, in vipassana (insight, or seeing things as they are) meditation, the mind is trained to notice each perception or thought that passes without “stopping” on any one. This is a characteristic form of meditation in Buddhism.

However, in at least some forms of vipassana, notably the Burmese Theravada school as taught by S. N. Goenka, one does not attend to whatever perceptions arise, but purposely moves one’s attention over their body part by part, checking for sensations, being aware and equanimous with them, and moving on. This form of meditation has some resemblance with “choiceless awareness” — the kind of meditation that J. Krishnamurti addressed.

Health applications and clinical studies of meditation

In the recent years there has been a growing interest within the medical community to study the physiological effects of meditation (Venkatesh et al., 1997; Peng et al., 1999; Lazar et al., 2000; Carlson et.al, 2001). Many concepts of meditation have been applied to clinical settings in order to measure its effect on somatic motor function as well as cardiovascular and respiratory function. Also the hermeneutic and phenomenological aspects of meditation are objects of growing interest. Meditation has entered the mainstream of health care as a method of stress and pain reduction. For example, in an early study in 1972, transcendental meditation was shown to affect the human metabolism by lowering the biochemical byproducts of stress, such as lactate (lactic acid), and by decreasing heart rate and blood pressure and inducing favorable brain waves. (Scientific American 226: 84-90 (1972)) The meditative aspects of T’ai Chi Ch’uan and some forms of yoga have also become increasingly popular as means of healthful stress management in recent years.

As a method of stress reduction, meditation is often used in hospitals in cases of chronic or terminal illness to reduce complications associated with increased stress including a depressed immune system. There is a growing consensus in the medical community that mental factors such as stress significantly contribute to a lack of physical health, and there is a growing movement in mainstream science to fund and do research in this area (e.g. the establishment by the NIH in the U.S. of 5 research centers to research the mind-body aspects of disease.) Dr. James Austin, a neurophysiologist at the University of Colorado, reported that Zen meditation rewires the circuitry of the brain in his landmark book Zen and the Brain ( Austin, 1999). This has been confirmed using sophisticated imaging techniques which examine the electrical activity of the brain.

Dr. Herbert Benson of the Mind-Body Medical Institute, which is affiliated with Harvard and several Boston hospitals, reports that meditation induces a host of biochemical and physical changes in the body collectively referred to as the “relaxation response” (Lazar et.al, 2003). The relaxation response includes changes in metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and brain chemistry. Benson and his team have also done clinical studies at Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan Mountains. Among other well-known studies within this particular field of interest we find the research of Jon Kabat-Zinn and his colleagues at the University of Massachusetts who have done extensive research on the effects of mindfulness meditation on stress (Kabat-Zinn et.al, 1985; Davidson et.al,2003).

One of the most important invitations to study the clinical effects of meditation comes from The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has had many dialogues with Western scientists about this subject and it was at the top of the agenda when he visited Massachusetts Institute of Technology in September 2003 for the “Investigating the Mind conference”.

Meditation and the Brain

Mindfulness meditation and related techniques are intended to train attention for the sake of provoking insight. Think of it as the opposite of attention deficit disorder. A wider, more flexible attention span makes it easier to be aware of a situation, easier to be objective in emotionally or morally difficult situations, and easier to achieve a state of responsive, creative awareness or “flow”.

One theory, presented by Daniel Goleman & Tara Bennett-Goleman, suggests that meditation works because of the relationship between the amygdala, the part of the brain that handles emotions (sometimes referred to as the “emotional brain”), and the neocortex, particularly the prefrontal cortex, which handles reasoning and is also known as the inhibitory centre of the brain.

The neocortex processes information very deeply–so it’s smart and flexible, but also very slow. Meanwhile, the amygdala, which is a simpler structure (and older in evolutionary terms), makes rapid guesses about our perceptions, and triggers an appropriate emotional response. These emotional responses are very powerful–often because they are related to our immediate survival needs. In other words, if you’re an early human standing on the savannah and a huge lion jumps out at you, your amygdala will have you running and screaming long before your neocortex can even figure out what’s happening.

Of course, in making snap judgements, our amygdalas are prone to error, seeing danger where there is none. This is particularly true in contemporary society where social conflicts are far more common than encounters with predators. A basically harmless but emotionally charged situation can trigger our amygdala’s fight or flight reflexes before we know what’s happening, causing conflict, stress, anxiety, and frustration.

Certain kinds of meditation (also, martial arts, yoga, etc.) train attention to watch the entire experience, so it’s possible to catch emotional reflexes before they take over–but at the same time without squashing or denying the emotion (which would only cause additional frustration). The trick is that there is very little time to do this (roughly a quarter of a second) before the amygdala takes over and the person is flooded with emotion. But the idea is that a skilled meditator can quickly reframe fear and anger, and mould them into constructive responses and perhaps even good cheer.

The different roles of the amygdala and prefrontal cortex can be easily observed under the influence of various drugs. Alcohol depresses the brain generally, but the complicated prefrontal cortex is more affected than the comparatively simple and robust amygdala, resulting in lowered inhibitions, decreased attention span, and increased influence of emotions over behaviour. Likewise, the controversial drug ritalin has the opposite effect, because it stimulates activity in the prefrontal cortex.

Some other studies of meditation have linked the practice to increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex, which is associated with concentration, planning, meta-cognition (thinking about thinking), and with positive affect (good feelings). There are similar studies linking depression and anxiety with decreased activity in the same region, and/or with dominant activity in the right prefrontal cortex. Meditation increases activity in the left prefrontal cortex, and the changes are stable over time–even if you stop meditating for a while, the effect lingers.

Adverse effects of meditation

Predominantly, studies of meditation report positive effects. However some studies claim that Meditation might, in certain circumstances, have adverse effects.

If practiced improperly or too intensely, meditation can lead to considerable psychological and physiological problems. It is not uncommon for teachers of meditation to warn their students about the possible pitfalls of a contemplative path. Since the practice of meditation might include a powerful confrontation with existential questions it is not considered wise to engage in intense meditation techniques without an extended period of psychological preparation. Preferably in contact with a credible teacher or clinician. In the case of Asian contemplative traditions there often exist major challenges connected to the way the particular tradition is to be applied to a Western culture, or a Western mindset. The import of eastern contemplative concepts into popular Western culture has not always been sensitive to, or familiar with the cultural matrix that the meditative concept originated from.

A growing body of clinical literature is now starting to address the phenomenon of meditation-related problems (Lukoff, Lu & Turner, 1998; Perez-De-Albeniz & Holmes, 2000). Several side-effects have been reported, among these we find uncomfortable kinaesthetic sensations, mild dissociation and psychosis-like symptoms (Craven, 1989). From a clinical study of twenty-seven long term meditators Shapiro (1992) reports such adverse effects as depression, relaxation-induced anxiety and panic, paradoxical increases in tension, impaired reality testing, confusion, disorientation and feeling ‘spaced out’. The possibility that meditation might trigger strong emotional reactions is also reported by Kutz, Borysenko & Benson (1985). Within the context of therapy, meditation is usually contraindicated when the therapeutic goal is to strengthen ego boundaries, release powerful emotions, or work through complex relational dynamics (Bogart, 1991). The tendency of meditation to disturb object-relations and release unconscious material implies that the beginning meditator should approach the practice with moderation. It usually takes years of dedication to become stable in a contemplative practice, a perspective that is often overlooked by many new religious movements and New Age therapies.

Specific traditions

References
Academic and clinical