Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 2. 7th March 1973

[Introduction]

Transcendental meditation header

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a simple technique for increasing achievement and fulfillment in daily life. During Transcendental Meditation the mind experiences subtler states of thought and going beyond finest thought, a state of pure Being is experienced. This state of consciousness is found to be one's source of creative intelligence. Finer states of thought lead the mind to clearer thinking, improved health and perceptions-in fact a total integration of personality occurs.

Transcendental Meditation is a process of direct experience rather than one of intellectual analysis. TM allows the conscious attention to be drawn automatically to the deepest and most refined level of thinking. As the mind experiences subtler states of thought, physiological changes occur corresponding to this refined mental activity. Scientific investigation has found that during TM, oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide elimination, cardiac output, heart rate and respiratory rate significantly decrease. The metabolic rate is reduced by an average of 20 per cent (R.K. Wallace & H. Benson - "The Physiology of Meditation", Scientific American, Feb. 1972) This physiological evidence, together with measurements of skin resistance, blood chemistry and brain wave patterns, shows that an individual gains a profoundly deep state of rest while the mind remains awake and able to respond to stimuli. These natural effects clearly distinguish TM from all other techniques which involve effort, control, hypnosis or auto-suggestion. Scientists have described the period of TM as a unique state of "restful alertness". Dr Vernon Katz (D.Phil. Oxford) defines TM as "a simple natural process of progressive refinement of the nervous system through the regular alternation of deep rest with activity".

This innocent, spontaneous process is increasingly pleasant as the mind is attracted deep within to the source of thought. Through personal instruction anyone can learn the technique and begin to enjoy this contact with the source of thought, the inner field of pure creative intelligence.