Depersonalization and Meditation

In "Psychiatry," Vol, 53, May 1990,
" Deikman and Kennedy reported cases in which depersonalization and derealization occured in individuals practicing meditative techniques designed to alter consciousness. Deikman's cases reported depersonalization and derealization during meditation practice. Kennedy's cases reported these conditions in waking consciousness. In order to determine whether experiences of depersonalization and derealization were occuring in the waking consciousness of meditators, six practioners of Transcendental Meditation (TM) were engaged in daily activity. All of the persons interviewed reported having at least one experience of what could be classified as depersonalization.
DSM -II-R (APA 1087) defones depersonalization as ; "(1) an experience of being a if detatched from and an outside observer of one's mental processes of body; of (2) an experience of feeling like an automaton or as if in a dream." (p.276) Typically, depersonalizatrion is a state in which an individual experiences a "split" in consciousness between a "participating self" and and "observing self." The participating self is composed of body, thoughts, feelings, memories, and emotions. The observing self is experienced as a separate, uninvolved "witness" of the participating self, with the perception that all of the normal aspects of personality are somehow unreal and do not belong to the observing self. There is the experience of being split off from one's participating self and "watching' that self behave.
...
There are also secondary characteristics fo depersonalization, which may include; feelings of dizziness, floating, of giddiness, a feeling of the participating self being "dead," a loss of affective responsiveness, and a feeling of calm detatchment."
* * * * *
As a past heavy meditaor and teacher of TM, I will say that these descriptions of depersonalization were regarded as desirable and a positive result of meditation. In fact the very term "witnessing" is used to describe what is regarded as an advanced level of meditative practice, and the meaning of this word is identical to what the researchers say it is: a kind of observing oneself in action rather than feeling completely involved or completely engaged in what you are doing.
I personally never experienced feelings of dizziness. I had lots of giddiness at the end of the days on teacher training courses; I thought this was like the joy that monastic nuns feel at the end of their quiet days of prayer, and actually enjoyed these times of laughing with at least one friend I had on a course; Pam Brudo. We had fun laughing and joking in her room often at the end of the day; she was a friend of mine there. But in reflecting on my behaviour after coming home at the time, when I practiced just twice a day (TM)meditation, I would say that I was much less responsive to human acts of kindess or humor than I am now. I laugh all the time now, unless I am feeling depressed. If I feel disconnected nowadays, I am aware of it, and I don't like it.

Response to "Request for Help"

Response to Request for Help
Gina Catena, M.S.

Dear Ms. "X":

You lived as a second-hand cult member. Ouch! You survived a confusing and painful period with a loved one.

Please take whatever you find useful from below and discard the rest. You are not alone in the confusing period you lived. Nor are your children. There are many who struggle with similar situations.

You are affected by a psychological phenomenon that is not yet labeled by the American Psychological Association (APA). Some forward thinking therapists are studying this.

I expect there will eventually be a diagnosis category in Psychiatry's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Meanwhile, I choose to call this Cult Affected Personality Disorder (CAPD).

Dr. Philip Zimbardo and other leading psychologists and social psychologists have written extensively about cult thought reform. Very few have written about cult members' effects on loved ones.

Unlike other personality disorders, it is possible to recover from what I half-joking call CAPD. And like any other personality disorder, there is a broad spectrum of manifestations.

You are not crazy, even though you may have felt as if you were. You were given confusing mixed messages, and judgements that had nothing to do with objective reality.

With three generations of my family influenced by devout TMers, I likewise have ongoing influence from gradations of what you describe. There is always more to learn, and I am continually humbled by both our brains’ resilience and vulnerability.

TM practitioners have a broad expression spectrum. There are “lifers” on monastic programs who cannot function in the working world, to those barely affected who meditated for a few years but never disclosed their mantra.

You believe your ex-husband's noble intentions and well-rehearsed philosophy. The nobility contrasts greatly with his behavior. His intentions are good! This contrast creates dissonance in you, the outsider.

Some experts claim that cult members behave as those who have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). You can find help for living with a Borderline Personality Disorder person in your life through BPD Central.

IMHO, your ex was addicted to the "bliss of meditation" - his meditation endorphin induced high - refocus.org offers helpful tips for recovering from trance-addiction.

His anger after meditation was likely in response to mental shock when jumping out of his trance state into full-on real functioning.

You asked how he could be so angry after meditating six hours daily for six years? That statement originates from TM's promises that prolonged meditations would magically dissolve inner anger. Not so.

In actuality meditating for six hours daily does not cure anger or frustration, if anything it will be the CAUSE of frustration when he tries to function in the real world (as a "householder" in TM terminology). Everyday life is a continual bombardment that interferes with the "feel the bliss."

Your husband believed that he wanted to "witness" life, to experience total bliss internally and observe the world around him. The Beatles described that state "and the eyes in his head see the world spinning round."

His failure to maintain that state when interacting with you, or anyone else, frustrated him! So, anger lashed out. His anger was his own frustration from being pulled out of trance.

He tries carefully to live "an evolutionary life in support of nature" such that the simplest variation from his narrow view could provoke anxiety, another cause of anger. You were the recipient because you happened to be there. Nothing more.

Of course, you didn't know that, and probably wondered what you did to provoke his anger. Merely asking him where the newspaper is could provoke agitation when he is in that state.

In my experience, any attempt at truly rational conversation with a devoted cult member will result in angry arguments. (read conversations in our "comments" and on TM online groups for ongoing examples).

Again, I acknowledge everyone's experience is unique. However, many have shared similar experiences with me.

There are many many such cases documented by the International Cultic Studies Association.

As to your theory of his frozen emotional development - I would say a resounding "Yes".. for political correctness, I should say "Probably".

Once again, ICSA studies found that cult members are regressed (or in your ex-husband's case frozen) at approximately the age of a fifteen. A devoted cult member will trust first and foremost in the cult leader(s), who are not held accountable to anyone. After all, to whom would a voice of God or spiritual Master be accountable?

A cult member who puts wholehearted trust in the cult leader(s), or methodology (Maharishi, SCI, and the lifestyle) as the answer to life problems is unable to navigate the difficult terrain of moral decisions, gradations of right and wrong and personal prioritization.

Trusting in this divine leadership, the cult member/devotee/thought reformed individual lives according to the group's higher purpose.

In TM this higher purpose manifests as a narcissistic drive to enlightenment and global world peace through large group meditations. The devout TMer believes in the nobility of these goals. S/he does not see the apparently narcissistic drive to maintain their trance-induced high.

Most who join cults are of above average intelligence, somewhat idealistic and were caught at a vulnerable time of life (IQ is not a protective factor for thought reform susceptibility). Many, as we know, continue to function well in the business world or other facets of their life. Many, however, fail abysmally. Just like any addiction manifestation spectrum.

The promised allure, like Pizarro's mythic fountain of youth, "TM is a scientific method for deep rest, increased intelligence, improved test scores, happiness, infinite support of the laws of nature, enlightenment, world peace, perfect health, flying, and invincibility” may entice someone at a vulnerable time of life. (Has MMY promised followers they can walk on water or rise from the dead yet?)

The lure of support from this noble group is slow but sure for those vulnerable to the trance state, or looking a higher meaning or perfect support group.

Arthur Deikman in "Them and Us" describes the lure to remain in
childlike innocence, trusting someone else to lead the way. He compares cult mentality to that of a child sleeping peacefully in the back seat of a car, trusting in the parent to drive safely.

True adulthood is not lived in the back seat of one's own life. True adulthood involves taking the driver's seat - usually without a roadmap. For someone who has been in a cult for decades, that IS frightening!

When leaving TM, the organization or the technique, a "walk away" has not necessarily left the mentality or neuro-programming that occurred during the years (decades?) of TM involvement. The depth of involvement will determine the extent of needed recovery. Many seek other so-called spiritual teachers to provide direction. Many become cult-hoppers after learning of TM’s false promises, only to commit themselves to another leader.

Undoing the brainwash takes concerted effort. Other studies show between 18 months to three years to undo the effects for someone who obtains appropriate exit counseling or self education about thought reform.

For someone who does not invest in cult-recovery, the patterns may continue as a permanent part of their personality. (See
Rick Ross' website for his booklist- unfortunately, Rick is upgrading his website and it may not be currently accessible.)

If your TMer left the Movement and technique, but has not learned what happened to him and how his mind and behavior were controlled for decades, he will continue to function as if still from the TM trance-induced mentality, regardless of what other form of meditation he practices.

Physical neural dendrites (brain cell branches) were formed permanently in his brain. The physical pathways will remain always. Those physical structures will continue to govern his brain functioning until alternative pathways are grown in his brain. I kid you not!

Like learning to ride a bicycle, or perform complicated ice skating stunts, growing new dendritic pathways, takes determination and repetition. Eventually the new patterns will run automatically. There will be an occasional reversion to old patterns when confronted with an unexpected trigger. A person can learn to identify when they are triggered, and compensate accordingly.

With appropriate exit counseling, or motivated retraining, he may become more well-adjusted. However you cannot impose that upon him. It is his choice to become well or not. It is hard work. TM training biased him against therapy or any psychological literature. Many leave TM and continue to function as emotional/psychological cripples for years.

There is some evidence to support "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” as a helpful specialized therapy for former cultists attempting to retrain their brain.

Continuing with the cult-(non)functional member in your life is difficult. In my humble opinion, you took the only option that you could - you saved yourself and your sanity.

Your children will learn to function between you two. They deserve to love both their parents. They will have their own struggles with the situation.

Again, there are very few studies on children raised in cults, or by cult-affected parents. You may search the ICSA website for the few studies on the effects to children of dissociated parents.

I wish you well in your challenging path. Thank you, "X", for having the courage to voice what others experienced living with devout TMers, or with those who recently left TM after depths of involvement.

g

THINK FREE: 04/12/07

THINK FREE is a regular feature of TM-Free Blog. It features a summary of news about TM and other orgs labeled "cults" by critics.

• Blogger Reprints Article on David Lynch & TM community.livejournal.com
  
• Hindu Blogger States the Maharishi Induced Westerners to Adopt Hindu Belief System [Mention] hinduminority.blogspot.com
  
• Hotel to Be Razed, Once Planned Maharishi Hotel blog.360.yahoo.com
  
• Blogger Excerpts Salon Article on TM Initiator & Comedian Andy Kaufman mrontemp.blogspot.com
  
• Blogger Suggests Maharishi Ayurveda Being Packaged in Medical Tourism in India ThailandCosmeticSurgery.blogspot.com
  

Have a hot tip? See something we missed? Email jmknapp53@gmail.com.

Request for Readers' Help

I received the following email yesterday. I'd like to ask help from the readers of TM-Free Blog. The writer raised some questions for which I have no answers. It's my hope that the compassionate, intelligent people who hang out here can offer some insights in the comments section below.

X. wrote:

Hey-

I was married to a long term [Transcendental Meditation insider]. After X years of marriage and X children he finally escaped [decades] in the movement, but we divorced at my asking. (I had endured too much of his "unstressing.")

My question is, my ex husband used to emerge from his TM sometimes in excited states of anger, or be very angry if his TM was delayed for any reason. To this day he suffers from bouts of severe anger. Do you have a physiological reason for this???? He still is deeply involved in meditating, but not doing TM. He resents my leaving our marriage; he attempts to be nice until he just can't handle it anymore and then bursts out in a deluge of insults, calling me "dishonest" and the like. I was [many] years his junior; we had sex so few times I could name them all in ten words, and I was an emotional wreck after those X years. I got out for my health. (I am only finally healthy now after X years apart.)

Why is this guy so unpredictable? What is wrong with him hormonally? Where is the anger from??? How can a guy who supposedly meditated for 6 hours every day still need such major help functioning emotionally. Did he stop developing [in his teens] when he joined the TMO???? Enlighten me. I need to start the process of viewing my situation more objectively, I spent a lot of time feeling guilty, and now I see my choice to leave was just survival.

Thanks, X.

I replied (in part):

Dear X.,

First, I'm sorry for the pain you experienced -- and to whatever extent still are experiencing. I also want to state at the outset that any advice I give here is not meant to take the place of professional counseling. I should also say I make no claims of judging your ex's actions -- certainly not without meeting either one of you.

You might start by reading my and Gina's articles on addiction. (You may want to read all the articles on addiction on the Blog.) You may find that some of the behavior you mention is discussed there. I hope that your note published here will also start a discussion that you -- and others -- could gain much from.

There's a lot to talk about in your email. The anger or irritation he felt if meditation was delayed were most likely signs of "trance addiction." This isn't researched as far as I know, but many long-term meditators appear to become addicted, possibly to endorphins and other neurotransmitters produced during meditation. They can experience irritation, anger, fatigue, even flu-like symptoms when meditation is delayed or stopped.

I'm at a loss to give you any insight into his anger right after meditation. I've not bumped into that before. That's why I suggested putting it to the Blog at large to see if anyone else has bumped into this.

At the very least, I guess we can conclude that TM didn't produce the results that your ex hoped for.

If I am right about addiction and TM, then your question about whether his emotional development stopped in his teens is very apropos. In the addictions field, we say that people usually become addicted to substances to modulate their painful emotions. If your ex used TM in this way, he essentially substituted TM for learning to deal with his emotions. If he got upset, he meditated. If he got too excited, he meditated. So in a very real sense the strategies that adults learn to handle their emotions are foreign to him. He may really very well be an emotional teenager in a middle-aged body.

Sorry for the long reply, but you raised important questions. Please feel free to write me as often as you like. I'd really enjoy exploring your questions together with you.

J.

X. wrote later:

Yep, i think that Transcendental Meditation is very well named....you do transcend all your immediate problems by escaping them instead of working through them.....everything other than happiness gets heaped into one big "unstressing" category (such a nice, neat little package) instead of working through the mystery of life itself and being able to dwell in "not knowing".

TMO wants to give you, I mean, sell you, all the questions and the answers to make you feel at ease in life, to label it all so you feel in control of life (and ironically those who have the need for this control are almost always the ones who are internally the most out of control! Note: Bevan Morris's severe weight problem.)

The way MMY used to yell at my ex and manipulate him were insane; however, what is more insane is that my ex would have rather had the consistent attention of someone mean and terrifying than to be released into his own power (which would be the unknown and would have required growth on my ex's part.) It is not unlike an abused wife who prefers the known abuse to the unknown freedom that awaits if she were to leave. I had the strength to leave my situation because I internally knew I was living inside an insane situation, and my deepest soul knew it was harmful[....] No amount of money can buy inner peace, but people sure try to sell it and another whole set of people are out there to purchase. Now I enquire deeply into everything and really listen to my gut when people talk out their mouths.

But I still have to deal with the residual effects of anger because I have kids with my ex husband. Perhaps discussing it and just having more and more objective compassion for the situation is the unfolding answer over time. I think certain personalities are drawn to the TMO, and if it weren't TM, it would have been something else, and truly MMY DID help my enlightenment in a backwards way, because I saw what spirituality is NOT so deeply!

Having experienced the opposite I can go into more real, heartfelt directions! I can teach my children to inquire and not blindly accept anything. I can teach them that nothing is more important than honoring questions and living out the answers. I tell them, if anyone tries to give you definitive advice or answers concerning God or the universe, run the other way, because the deepest truth is that NO one really knows the entire mystery, and honoring the mystery itself is of great value, because it sparks the imagination and intuition in such deep ways. Also, health is a great measure of how well something is working (note: TM is full of skinny wraiths and/or overweight cake eaters, very few are examples of glistening health.)

So share my stuff, but keep my name and email info out of it, it isn't necessary anyway. But I am curious as to any displays of anger any others know of or see, and solutions.

-X.

So what about it? I've come to know you as creative and intelligent people. Do you have any insights to share with X.?

J.

Inspiration from the Emailbag

In yesterday's email (posted with permission):

Hi John,
 
I am new to the TM Free Blog, but not new to TM and the problems with the movement. I think your Blog provides some much needed balance to the aggressive marketing that MMY conducts, and wanted to say thanks for that. 
 
I attended MIU from 1978 to 1980, and there were some good things about it back then, like Jerry Jarvis conducting a Gita study group every evening. But the Nazi mentality was firmly in place even then. Everyone was afraid to break a rule and get kicked off campus, so compliance was the key for survival. I still visit Fairfield once in a while (my in-laws live about 30 minutes away). Have you seen Vedic City? What a depressing dump. Built in a corn field with small houses on muddy roads, it looked really depressing.
 
Anyway I guess the reason for my writing to you is to thank you for the balance you provide to those that find your site. There seems to be a new wave of money coming in to TM from some big names like David Lynch, and I hope it is not the Beatles publicity thing all over again. I just want to see the TM organization slowly fade away without getting any more young minds perverted into thinking that TM is the only path for spiritual growth. There really is no path, but it is hard to take the pathless path. The mind really wants a formula, but what the mind wants is usually not the way to go:)
 
I guess my biggest concern with TM, besides the fact that they have plans for global domination to their cause, is that many young seekers will get sucked in then realize it is all a scam and will think that any spiritual endeavor is in the same category as the TM hoax. I do think world consciousness is on the rise, but it is not due to the Narcissists at MUM. And yes, I used to be one of them. Now there is an idea for a research paper.....does the TM doctrine attract narcissists?
 
Sorry for rambling John. I really appreciate your time and energy with your blog. If there is anything I can do to help you with your mission of getting a balance of information out to the world, let me know.
 
Thanks again,
 
Brian Murray

Just keep commenting and sharing your experiences, Brian. That's all the help we need!

A consideration of the yoga sutras (8)

By realizing that all forms are self-awareness, I have beheld my consort's face - the true Mind Within. – Hundred Thousand Songs of Milarepa

By way of summary, I see Patanjali laying out a very non-religious spiritual path to that “mind within”. Īśvara, that great antiquity known to be the teacher of the ancients is that ever-present reverberation, praṇava. We have always had this reverberation present to our conscious awareness.

I am paraphrasing: 43 nirvitarka is, literally, without (nir) rational inquiry (vitarka). But I think the gist of this curious and difficult word is “beyond rational inquiry”, that is, to comprehend things just as they are. When we are shown something we have never seen before, something for which we have no referents, then we just see it, we don’t have any memories or notions to colour our perception. Thus, the object just shines, it doesn’t depend upon memory for meaning. It is as if the mindfulness (smṛti) were wiped clean. - Compare this, if you will, with Mahesh's old-time constant reference to CC and so forth as putting on golden glasses. For Patanjali, we put on nothing to see things as they are, to experience our true being, we simply let go of vṛtti, obscuration, conceptualizations. All of this has been a minute explanation of sutra 2, yogacittavṛttinirodhaḥ.

44: in this way, reflecting and not reflection the subtle viṣaya (sense object) is explained.

“Reflecting and not reflecting” – This expression indicates that we are aware of the object arising on the mirror of mind and yet we do not reflect or think about it; we just know it, experience it.

45: aliṅgaparyavāsna, literally: formless conclusion. Liṅga is mark, token, possibly characteristic. The “a” before it makes it negative, like “un” or “a” in English: unreasonable, amoral. Monier-Williams gives two interesting meanings for aliṅga: “having no distinguishing features” and “an epithet of the supreme being”. (Yes, liṅga also means penis and is the object of worship as the Shivaliṅga.) – I think the sense here is a conclusion not based on pre-conceived notions. We experience the object aliṅga, formlessly, without conclusions attached, just as it is.

We experience the object subtly and in its “thusness” viṣayatvaṃ.

46: we might as well address sabīja first. We have previously considered “bjīa” as “source” (sutra 25). The simple prefix sa means “with”. In this context, therefore, having a source, coming from some place or some cause, having an origin – the negative would be “beginningless”.

these (tā) [are] explicity (eva) “samādhi” with source.

What these? The foregoing sutras have used some challenging words vicāra, nirvicāra, savicāra, vitarka, nivitarka that I have not discussed in much detail. They all have, however referred to paths to samādhi. Here, we learn that samādhi is with a source. Samādhi has been referred to in sutra 20 and translated as trance. “Trance” is not an adequate translation for samādhi, but one I am going to use until Patanjali gives a more precise one. At this point, however, we may infer that Patanjali is saying that there are several sources for experiencing the purity of mind-itself. None of them involve dulling the mind by repeating a meaningless sound.

Further paraphrasing the next 5 sutras, Patanjali says that (47) this non-reflecting quality is the quality of pure-self/mind-itself (adhyātma, core being, primordial nature, a reference to īśvara and praṇava). (48) Truth is born/understood in that prajña (see also 20). Prajña is wisdom, but here, again, we infer a special wisdom, that wisdom arising from seeing things as they are without any overlay or overshadowing of preconceptions. (49) [the ending –abhyām is dual Instrumental/Dative/Ablative all three of which, in this case, can be rendered “by”] [What has been] heard/seen [or] inferred [in the ordinary world on one hand] and [what has been gained] by wisdom/prajña [on the other hand] are distinct from one another arthatvāt by this significance. That is, there are two ways of understanding: by ordinary learning (which Patanjali does not put down) and by direct perception, again, an inference to samādhi. (50) thus the latent impressions (saṃskāra) born of other latent impressions is prevented (the cycle is broken, notions generated by other notions is seen through). (51) Then or through this sourceless (nirbīja) [process] all (sarva) [is] ended ([is] by nothing or is brought to nothing) (rirodhe, Dative singular of nirodha).

If it’s source-less, then it isn’t TM, because the source of quiet (I really suspect of dullness and sleep) in TM is a mantra and Patanjali very clearly by the mid-point of this section of the Yoga Sutras parted from anything Mahesh has been teaching. Yes, Mahesh talks about pure consciousness, but more or less holds it hostage … you can’t have it without “his method” of meditation. Patanjali says quite the opposite, it’s always been there and you can experience it by simply becoming increasingly aware of that reverberation (praṇava) that you have always experienced.

All well and good. But how? How do you "do" samādhi?

It isn’t immediately obvious that we can be aware of what has always been there. Where is it, how do we find it?

First point: you don’t have to give your money to a con man. Money isn’t involved.

Second point: the second section of the Yoga Sutras talks about the way, the method.

The second part of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, yoga teachings, yoga spirituality (darśana), is very fascinating. The means he outlines simply is not TM and without Patanjali’s method, you cannot make sense of what has been mistaken, mis-managed, mis-handled in the name of yogic powers in section three. It is, of course, Mahesh’s method of meditation to which he, Mahesh, has added all sorts of nonsense and corruption. It’s his to do with as he pleases. But his obvious misappropriation of Patanjali’s teachings bears no resemblance to what Patanjali is teaching. Hence, we can anticipate different teachings and different results from Patanjali.

Next

A consideration of kriyāyogaḥ in the the yoga sutras(9)

Crock

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/crock.asp Wednesday, 11 April 2007

A stunning statement about TM and spiritual development.

The Lucifer Effect

"The Lucifer Effect; Understanding How Good People Turn Evil" is a new book by Philip Zimbardo, Emeritus Professor Stanford University and past president of the American Psychological Association.

Click on the link below for an excerpt from the book's webpage:

Resisting Influence; Cults Want to Own Your Mind and Body

Admittedly, most TMers did not succumb to exteme devotion within TM-as-cult.

TM's influence spectrum is broad, fortunately!
(and Maharishi lacked a taste for sadistic violence... forgive my twisted humor)

Zimbardo's latest book examines extreme influence resulting in cruel acts by coerced individuals.
As with any research on negative outcomes, extreme examples are the most obviously identified.

Any of us within the TM organization witnessed good individuals who changed with time to become controlling, judgemental, or hateful to those who questioned regimentation or doctrine. We often giggled while avoiding the "program nazis."

We also know those who lost compassion, blaming others' hardships on deserved bad karma, or lack of purity.

And we know kind generous individuals, afraid to speak their minds lest they would be ostracized from "Program."

My dome badge was nearly revoked because I publicly maintained close friendships with those following another guru. The control mentality frightened me. At the time, stigma of being kicked out of the dome (even though I rarely participated) would have caused me to lose all that I loved - a disquieting proposition.

Those "badge snatchers" believed they were working for the higher good, the "purity of the teaching." We who coveted our badge's active status (even if we did not attend) likewise valued our membership in this noble group. The group psychology influenced us.

We also know individuals who 'willingly' relinquished careers, finances beyond their means, and neglected families to follow the "knowledge" for "support of Nature," "spreading the teachings" and "meditating for world peace."

Good hearted kind people lost the ability to successfully interact outside our protected cocoon.

Did a personality flaw predispose devotees' susceptibility to our "taste of Utopia"? I don't think so.

Is something inherently flawed with a person because their neurologic response to alcohol varies from that of their neighbor? No.

Despite critical comments to the contrary, we own our accountability for prior participation.
That is why we are here.

How about accountability for group leaders and sub-leaders who knowingly deceive?
What of those born or raised in such a group who lack skills for interaction and human connection outside?

Once again, Zimbardo succinctly explains dynamics of social psychology. I recommend the link, and entire website, to his lastest book as above.

g

The Stages of Faith

Many TMers claim to be avidly "Spiritual."
Leaving the Movement may create a spiritual void.
This is a common experience when leaving a religiously based cult.

Some might find the following essay of interest - M. Scott Peck's analysis of personal spiritual development.

Peck is known for many writings including "The Road Less Traveled," "People of the Lie,"
"Abounding Grace an Anthology of Wisdom" and others.

The Stages of Faith that every victim of a destructive religious cult should know!

By M. Scott Peck, M.D.
Abridged by Richard Schwartz

THINK FREE: 04/10/07

THINK FREE is a regular feature of TM-Free Blog. It features a summary of news about TM and other orgs labeled "cults" by critics.

• Blogger Mentions TM Research in Discussion of Stress and Anxiety Selfimprovement.42tales.com
  
• Blogger Questions Cost of Transcendental Meditation ($2,500!) evertry.vox.com
  
• Blog Humorist Sees TM as Answer to Global Warming TheAmericanExperiment.blogspot.com
  
• More to Come this Evening!
  

Have a hot tip? See something we missed? Email jmknapp53@gmail.com.

Bankruptcy, Part Deux

Yesterday's post on Bankruptcy in the TM Org apparently struck a nerve. It received the most hits in 24 hours of any post here to date -- nearly twice as many as its nearest rival.

As is often the case, after I publish a post, I start thinking of points I left out. Given the popularity of the post, I thought I'd take the opportunity to add a little more, as well as highlight some of the best that commenters and emailers had to offer.

I neglected to mention that I personally went through a bankruptcy and IRS problem, the beginnings of which I trace back to my time in the Transcendental Meditation Movement. Remember, I started TM at 18, so the financial habits of my early adulthood were completely informed by the values of the Movement.

I think there is a fundamental flaw in comparing cultic processes with brainwashing. A GI in a North Korean prisoner-of-war camp knows who the enemy is and attempts mightily to resist him. In the TM Movement, we did anything but resist the pressures of course leaders. We wanted to believe them. They were our connection to our spiritual natures, to our chosen leader, the Maharishi -- for many of us to God himself (or herself). We invited them into our minds, set the table, and entertained them as best we could. Because cultic processes are first and foremost an abuse of trust, they are the means of the ultimate con game. It only makes sense that so many of us risked our financial well-being to follow the siren call.

I forgot an important thought in the magical thinking that leads to financial ruin: "Nature Supports," the Maharishi's principle that Hindu Gods, eupemistically referred to as the Laws of Nature, will shower blessings on dedicated TM meditators. Gina reminded me:

Additional point... bankruptcies (my situation w/ my ex) also related to magical thinking of priorities:
1) PROGRAM FIRST
2) then nature supports. don't worry about financial and familial logistics because Nature Supports! ........financial neglect resulted in bankruptcy

Sue added this:

Just to add that I picked up a new "attitude" toward money when I was around the Maharishi crowd;;;'It's just 'chrystalized energy.".......Maybe that could be the name of a post. I casually mentioned to my businessman father that if icould have 40,000 dollars, I'd be set for life with M! Luckily he laughed.
Susan

"Curious" raised some good points regarding spirituality and greed in the TM Org:

John, ...

Mr Yogi is a con artist of great skill: he teaches a totally incorrect idea that the mind goes toward more and more. He advertises this as spiritual fulfilment. Then he claims quite falsely that nature supports.

What a crock!

Greed goes towards more and more and there's nothing spiritual about greed, nor are greed and mind the same. Nature is just nature. The more you screw with it, the more you get what you get today!! If we don't harness greed, true spiritual teaching is about harnessing greed, then we have no understanding of supporting nature. Nature, without our support, does what nature is doing. Another thing Mr Yogi is too ignorant to notice.

So, in my appraisal, this makes TM one of the greatest hazzards to spirituality AND nature.

Mahesh isn't alone in the damage he's doing, he isn't even that good at it. But he's much more of the problem than the solution.

For those waiting for nature or Mr Yogi to come to the rescue, it's gonna be a long wait, an endlessly long wait.

Thanks to everyone who shared their own experiences and insights. I may post more of them as time permits.

J.

Off-Topic: I'm No Christian

Yesterday, Fairfield Life poster, Billy G., gave me an opportunity to answer a "criticism" that is fairly often leveled at me: That the reason I write critically about Transcendental Meditation and the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is that I am secretly a Christian. Below is a portion of our interchange that Billy G. graciously gave me permission to post here.

I doubt this will be the last time the question arises. But my answer will probably always be similar.

--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "BillyG." wrote:
>
> I have a sneaking feeling that he's really pushing Jesus...could Mr. Knapp be an 'in the closet' Jesus Freak?
>

Actually, Billy G. I'm a Hindu--although I've bounced back and forth from Hinduism and Buddhism in the past. I was raised a Catholic, but left the Church in my teens. By 8th grade, I found Eastern thought much more interesting and satisfying than Christian thought.

It's always interesting to me when TM proponents suggest that I may be Christian. Doesn't TM support all religions? Why would Christianity -- even fundamental Christianity -- be an exception?

I believe it's because the first group to object to Transcendental Meditation and the Maharishi were conservative Christians. They saw the obvious conflicts between their religion and TM and SCI. And they acted on it: They attempted to have TM banned in public schools.

Despite being a devout Shaivite, I think they were right. Religion just doesn't have a place in public schools.

But I digress.

I am not a Christian. I do not accept Christ as my Lord and Savior. I have pictures and statues of Shiva, Ganesh, Buddha, and Saraswati all around me.

If you like, Billy G, I'm quite happy to post your question and my response on TM-Free Blog.

John M. Knapp, LMSW

No Force or Coersion

How we could sit hour after hour and listen to the same story about enlightenment is unbelievable. Those lecture halls were filled with promising and brilliant people. How could this be except for brain washing? Oh, the frustration of explaining in a coherent way that that is what happened!
His ways are gentle; THERE IS NO FORCE OR COERSION IN TM; ONLY SUGGESTION! Maybe we are all much more suggestible than we think we are. Think about Coca-cola; those icy adds, Santa Claus and cookies, the good times; Coke sells and NO ONE IS FORCING ANYONE TO DRINK.
I think that TM brings up uncategorizable concepts, so that people can't easily say. "OH, that doesn't make any sense!" It talks about a realm of reality or so called reality that most of us here in the West have never heard of; no wonder we don't know what to do with the information! So, we just figure there's something else to learn and we go sign up for the Magical Mystery Tour, as the Beatles described the new life that comes of it!

REMAINS OF IGNORANCE: Drugs, Sex, and Rock 'n Roll

Leaving Transcendental Meditation leaves a void. First, there may very well be a physical addiction to trance. But beyond this is a spiritual hole that many just can't fill.

One day you are working to realize that you are Divine. The next you must face that you are yet another victim of a spiritual con facing bankruptcy, divorce, or madness. The shock can be horrific.

Unfortunately, as with other addictions, former TMers sometimes turn to new addictions to satisfy their craving for the spiritual connection they believed TM provided. It makes its own warped sense.

But those leaving TM aren't the only ones dealing with addiction. Evidently for some TMers in good standing in the Domes and Centers, TM just isn't enough to fill the hole in their souls.

I've worked with current and former TMers who are secret alcoholics. Ecstasy addicts. Pot heads (like Sir Paul McCartney). Second-generation TMers on heroin and Speed (on the streets of Fairfield). One governor abused ephedra every chance he got. Another confided to me that he drank 8 or more 20 oz. Diet Cokes a day because a caffeine buzz reminded him of what it used to feel like "witnessing" when he was rounding.

And substances aren't the only addictions TMers struggle with. One governor I knew alleged that "Johnny" Gray -- of Mars and Venus fame -- had a real sex problem after he left TM. His first attempt at starting a movement was what he laughingly called the "SCI of Sex." Pretty wild for a former brahmacharya (TM celibate monk). Second generation Fairfield TMers allegedly take part in group sex and other addictive behaviors. And how else explain the fad of young women taking up with much older TM men -- usually well-connected in the Movement -- in Fairfield and elsewhere?

Food, too, can be a problem. Most TMers are slender, no question. But it appears to an outside observer that some suffer from an eating disorder -- usually binge eating. I haven't seen Bevan Morris in a Bramha's age. Is he still tipping the scale at 300 lbs?

I've only written glancingly of these problems rampant in the TM Movement and for those who have left. But in the interest of full disclosure, I struggled with the bottle for about 2 years around 2000. And my own weight is sadly not under control. I'm on a continuous cycle of bingeing and dieting -- something that started 30 years ago during my full-time-for-the-Movement commitment at Livingston Manor. (Most eating disorders blossom in pre-adolescents or adolescents, by the way, not in adults. Update: As Judy Stein rightly points out, binge eating is not typically a disease of childhood. According to the DSM-IV TR, typical onset is in the late teens or early 20s.)

If TM is the most powerful spiritual knowledge in history, why are there so many spiritual voids being filled in such self-destructive ways?

Does any part of this resonate for you? Do you find yourself struggling with one or more addictions?

Do you have this or similar "Remains of Ignorance"?

Please consider posting your thoughts in the comments below. Just click on "Comments" and type away. Please feel free to remain anonymous. You may help another former TMer with your insights!

J.

REMAINS OF IGNORANCE is an occasional feature of quick hits on life after Transcendental Meditation. It's a reversal of the Maharishi's translation of lesh-avidya. He claimed this was a Vedantic concept: Even after enlightenment there remains some slight residue of ignorance without which one would "drop the body" or die.

I've found that even after I left the TM Org behind, there remain in my mind "alien artifacts," bits and pieces of TM-based myths that still affect me today. I represent my own experience only here. But I've learned from my years counseling TMers that a significant number of others have had similar experiences.

REMAINS OF IGNORANCE: Bankruptcy -- Financial and Spiritual

One of the most pressing problems facing current and former TMers I have counseled is financial wreckage -- remaining even long after leaving the Transcendental Meditation Movement.

It is not unusual for TMers to spend hundreds of thousand of dollars on courses, techniques, Ayur Vedic treatments, gems, and more with the Movement. And with current costs running from $2,500 for a beginning meditation technique that takes about an hour to learn to advanced courses that go for up to $1 million, the situation is likely to be much worse for the next generation of TMers.

I've spoken with dozens of TMers who were forced into bankruptcy. And I've heard of hundreds of other cases through third parties.

How do we explain such poor financial judgment? Outsiders, or even TMers who have not attended advanced courses, may never understand the psychological pressure placed on course participants to take advanced courses. Remember, most if not all the Maharishi's courses are announced as a plan for World Peace -- frequently accompanied with threats of world war or other dire consequences if TMers don't step up to the plate.

And most pitches for advanced techniques, courses, and health "consultations" take place when TMers are "rounding," that is when they are practicing many hours of meditation daily. Even just twice daily practice of TM induces trance. And trance increases suggestibility according to many researchers. So selling expensive courses that promise growth toward enlightenment when your marks are in a highly suggestible state is like shooting fish in a barrel.

But we don't have to resort to the "woo woo" factor to observe pressure on TMers for "more and more." And not all pressure comes from the dais from which course leaders extol the glories of advanced courses. On my own SCI course, my course leader repeatedly took me aside to personally exhort me to go on to Teacher Training. She even practiced with me what I could say to my mother to borrow the money from her. "Parents always want the best for children. In this generation, we are fortunate that parents can simply pay for the highest for their children. The knowledge of Maharishi."

Where does all the money come from? From obvious sources like life savings. From forgoing other life goals, like homes and education. From second mortgages. From not filing and paying one's taxes (I know of dozens in trouble with the IRS). From simple begging: More than just families and friends, TMers are encouraged to find wealthy individuals whom they can beg to become "sponsors" of their advanced courses.

And the course fees are not the only sacrifice TMers make for the sake of their spiritual "evolution." They often destroy careers. Many TMers jump from job to job, leaving one each time a new course is announced. The result? A résumé that looks like Swiss cheese in a series of dead-end jobs that should be beneath highly intelligent, talented, and creative individuals like those that chase the Maharishi's dreams. I know: Until I left the Movement in 1995, my résumé had a hole in it nearly every 9 months.

Now, it's true that there are TM millionaires. Some of them were millionaires before joining the Movement. Most of the others became wealthy exploiting cheap, highly skilled labor in the isolated Movement enclaves like Fairfield, Iowa. In either case, they can easily afford the extraordinary costs of honing their spiritual lives on expensive TM courses.

The real worry are the financial hostages of the Movement. Especially the lifelong Purusha and Mother Divine members who are now entering retirement age without money or pension plans.

What a wonder is the legacy of the Maharishi's World Plan.

Does any part of this resonate for you? Do you find yourself in difficult financial straits because of your addiction to TM courses?

Do you have this or similar "Remains of Ignorance"?

Please consider posting your thoughts in the comments below. Just click on "Comments" and type away. Please feel free to remain anonymous. You may help another former TMer with your insights!

J.

REMAINS OF IGNORANCE is an occasional feature of quick hits on life after Transcendental Meditation. It's a reversal of the Maharishi's translation of lesh-avidya. He claimed this was a Vedantic concept: Even after enlightenment there remains some slight residue of ignorance without which one would "drop the body" or die.

I've found that even after I left the TM Org behind, there remain in my mind "alien artifacts," bits and pieces of TM-based myths that still affect me today. I represent my own experience only here. But I've learned from my years counseling TMers that a significant number of others have had similar experiences.

THINK FREE: 04/09/07

THINK FREE is a regular feature of TM-Free Blog. It features a summary of news about TM and other orgs labeled "cults" by critics.

• Blogger Explains How to Learn Transcendental Meditation health-meditation-yoga.com [No Mention of the $2,500 Price Tag]
  
• Blogger Explains Maharishi Effect KnightofSwords.wordpress.com [No Mention of Research Criticism]
  
• Blogger Discusses Meditation Types, Stating TM Free of Religious Beliefs MotivationCentre.blogspot.com
  
• Blogger Writes about George Harrison's Alleged Conversion to Christianity Before Death DrBobK.blogspot.com
  
• AyurVeda Approach to Treating Stress about.com [Maharishi Ayur Veda, That Is]
  
• Meditation for Health Purposes IndiaAlternativeMedicine.blogspot.com [Discusses Upcoming Research on TM]
  
• Transcendental Meditation Mentioned in Article on Research into Global Prayer ScienceBlogs.com
  
• Blogger Writes about Stress-Reduction via TM for Cancer Victims scienceblogs.com
  
• People's Temple: How Could It Happen? Deseret News
  
• NYC Councilman Endorses Controversial Scientology Treatment Hollywood.com
  
• Scientologist Cruise Set to Play Nazi Faux News
  
• "Jonestown" Vividly Recalls Mass Suicide Boston.com
  
• Unification Church Preacher Apprehended for Capturing Sharks for Illegal Trade SFGate.com
  
• Cruise to Host Gala for Scientology 9/11 Detox WCBSTv.com
  

Have a hot tip? See something we missed? Email jmknapp53@gmail.com.