Transcendental Meditation
Transcendental Meditation
Meditation
Harold H. Bloomfield
e-Book 2016 International Psychotherapy Institute
From The Psychotherapy Guidebook edited by Richie Herink and Paul R. Herink
DEFINITION
HISTORY
TECHNIQUE
APPLICATIONS
www.freepsychotherapybooks.org 4
Transcendental Meditation
Harold H. Bloomfield
DEFINITION
that produces deep rest on the level of the body and clarity on the level of the
mind. The TM program is particularly suited to active people who want the
HISTORY
introduced it to the United States in 1959, and since then over a million
Psychotherapy Guidebook 5
increased energy, clarity of thinking, emotional stability, greater health, and
decreased drug abuse. But since an article appeared in 1970 in Science,
around the world indicate that the TM program does indeed produce
profoundly beneficial changes.
More than just a technique of relaxation, the TM program has as its goal
knowledge from the Indian Vedas — one of the oldest traditions of knowledge
in the world — and modern scientific technology, in order to explore the
TECHNIQUE
specific method of allowing the activity of the mind to settle down, while one
sits comfortably with eyes closed. This mental process triggers a physiological
response conducive to both deep rest and increased wakefulness.
www.freepsychotherapybooks.org 6
TM students have a mantra (sound which has no meaning but whose
effects are known) specifically chosen for them. Thinking the mantra is
new skill, but instead simply involves allowing an innate ability of the
awareness, transcending,” “being awake inside with nothing going on,” “not
being asleep, but not being aware of anything in particular.” Our daily
experience is made up of an unending cascade of thoughts, emotions,
APPLICATIONS
Psychotherapy Guidebook 7
In the current edition of the Comprehensive Textbook of Psychiatry, Dr.
and since TM has been shown to reduce anxiety, there has been increasing
disturbances.
the patient. If he feels better, the result is due not to a pill or his relationship
with a therapist but to a natural process under his own control. Drugs may
help the patient feel less anxious but may make him feel listless and groggy,
and may become addictive. TM has no adverse side effects and can promote
www.freepsychotherapybooks.org 8
published in January 1974 in the American Journal of Psychiatry, Mohammed
Shafii, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Louisville Medical
Center, showed that the longer one practices TM, the sharper the decline in
marijuana use.
The most significant contribution that TM might make to the health field
each individual to unfold his full potential has always been the highest goal
Psychotherapy Guidebook 9