Open Thread for Night Owls!

A nightly offering of space as fresh, clean, and untouched as any Transcendental Meditation Nun.

Discuss amongst yourselves!

Legal Intimidation Transcendental Meditation's New Spiritual Technique?

In the last few months, there have been a number of reports of various arms of the TM Org threatening legal action against critics, usually for copyright or trademark infringement.

My webinar protesting teaching TM in public schools was threatened by Bill Goldstein, who claimed to represent MVED. This resulted in me canceling the webinar.

Natural Stress Relief USA reports being pursued by TM Org lawyers claiming trademark infringement.

Jim Nemmers, claiming to represent Maharishi Foundation, Ltd. demanded we delete TMFB posts that he felt infringed copyright.

Steve Sashen gives a report of how his Web site was threatened:

I received a cease-and-desist letter from the same organization about my post at http://www.meditationtruth.com/l...ee- instructions

Their original argument had some merit, so I made changes to the post to make it clear that:

a) That you can find the TM instructions in books and online at no cost
b) I wasn't teaching TM
c) The technique on the post isn't TM

They also took issue with my opinions (shared by a number of well-respected publications) that the TM "studies" were not as rigorous as they are presented and, more likely, don't prove what the TM people want them to prove.

And, similarly, they didn't like that I compared the simple mantra meditation on that post to TM (another mantra meditation) saying that I couldn't PROVE that it could be as effective.

I wasn't aware that I had to PROVE an opinion (I don't).

Their last contact insisted that I put a "disclaimer" on my site which looked a lot more like an AD for TM than a disclaimer.
Steven Sashen

We are going to track these threats and publicize them as one means to fight the TM Org's attempts at what look like intimidation.

If you know of any individuals or groups that have recently received threatening communications from TM Org representatives, please post them in the comments below or email me directly at jmknapp53@gmail.com .

I am organizing a Twitter campaign to publicize TM's legal shenanigans. Search for #TM_Critics.

I see strong parallels between TM's apparent attempts to silence critics with similar efforts of Scientology.

Is that really the model that TM leaders wish to emulate?

The TM brand

One thing that is interesting about TM is the branding component. Buddhism and other traditions that include meditation do not try to use marketing like TMO has, to build a brand to help create the impression that their techniques were special, unique and valuable.

A principle of modern business is that there is almost nothing that competitors can't duplicate. The TMO went to some lengths to try to keep the teaching techniques secret. But the internet came along and enough information is now available so it is relatively easy to figure out how to teach TM without teacher training. So what is left? The brand. No one in the United States can call the meditation technique they teach "TM" or "Transcendental Mediation" unless the TMO gives them permission because TM and Transcendental Mediation are registered service marks. The TMO has spent years creating a strong brand identity. MMY's picture appears everyone, often in the same form, much like a logo. Even the price for the techniques is a component of branding, with higher prices creating the perception of value. Little things, like the golden colors in promotional material are part of the brand.

An interesting article on religion and branding is here: http://archives.subscribermail.com/msg/ADAN56FB8861.htm#3 The author talks about how branding has taken many of its lessons from the world of religion, with the following as the 10 commandments of branding:

1. A sense of belonging
2. A clear vision
3. Power from the enemy
4. Authenticity
5. Consistency
6. Perfection
7. Symbols
8. Mystery
9. Rituals
10. Sensory appeal

The author said that he did not wish to imply that religion has learned anything from branding. However, MMY certainly did a superb job of learning about branding, creating a powerful combination.

In the late 60s and the 70s, what came to mind when hearing the words Transcendental Mediation? Relaxing. Scientifically supported. Secular. Easy.

But the brand has gradually changed over the years. Was it intentional on the TMOs part? The brands are no longer limited to the simple technique marketed to everyone in the US. Instead, the price for TM went way up and the branded products became odder and thus did not necessarily reflect the old TM brand that called to mind "Relaxing. Scientifically supported. Secular. Easy."

The Maharshi Foundation and other affiliated entities have a number of United States trademarks and service marks for a variety of goods and services, including:

ACCADEMIA MAHARISHI SATHYANANDA
REJUVENATION FOR LADIES
MAHARISHI STHAPATYA VEDA
MAHARISHI UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT
VITAL MAN
OSTEO RELIEF
VITAL LADY
RAAM RAJ PRODUCTION
MAHARISHI HONEY
MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
MAHARISHI
GRACEFUL TRANSITION
FERTILITY PLUS
DRY THROAT FORMULA
CONGESTIVE THROAT FORMULA
MAHARISHI YAGYA AYURVEDA FOR KIDS
MY VAIDYA VEDA AROMA
JOYFUL BABY ORGANICS
MAHARISHI VEDIC
INTELLIGENCE PLUS
YOGIC FLYING
MAHARISHI VEDIC
INTELLIGENCE PLUS
MAHARISHI VEDIC FARMS
VEDIC AROMA
GLOBAL GOOD NEWS
STRESS FREE TEINT JEUNE
MOTHER DIVINE RASAYANA AMRIT
YOUTHFUL SKIN
ACI-BALANCE
SLUMBER TIME
OSTEO RELIEF
SMOOTH CYCLE
SELF-REFERRAL BEAUTY
TOTAL HEALTH
ALLER SKIN
ALLER-BREATHE
ALLER-GI
FLEXCELYOUTHFUL SKIN
ELIM-TOX
REGEN
M-SPA
CHOLESTEROL PROTECTION
PROSTATE PROTECTION
BE TRIM
WORRY FREE
HEALTH & WHOLENESS
MAHARISHI VEDA LAND
THROAT EASE
MAHARISHI AMRIT KALASH
WORRY FREE
REJUVENATION FOR MEN
BLISSFUL JOY
BP BALANCE
JOINT SOOTHE I
ALLER-TABS
GLUCOSTAT
GENITRAC
RAJA'S CUP
SNIFFLE FREE
JOINT SOOTHE
FLU SEASON DEFENSE
FATIGUE FREE
STUDY POWER
BLISSFUL SLEEP
YOUTHFUL MIND
MIDLIFE FOR WOMEN I
MIDLIFE FOR WOMEN II
RADIANT SKIN
BE TRIM
MAHARISHI SCHOOL OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT
MIND PLUS
HERBAL CLEANSE
MAHARISHI STHAPATYA VED
PITTA
KAPHA
GANDHARVA VEDA MUSIC
MAHARISHI AYURVEDA
VATA
TM-SIDHI
SCIENCE OF CREATIVE INTELLIGENCE
TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION
TM
MAHARISHI

It is fun to see the description of the goods or services for the various marks. (You can search at www.uspto.gov). For example, Yogic Flying services are described as: Education services, namely, providing programs, courses and seminars in the field of personal growth, development and relaxation.

So what do the TMO brands convey today? Is it still a brand where people think "secular and scientifically supported"? Do the auyervedic products, the architecture, etc. detract from the main brand? I think that they probably do.

I also think that the branding has a negative effect on the scientific community, with Haglin et al making over- hyped claims on what the research has "proven. "

It is hard to build a brand but it is easy to destroy a brand.

Please Help Us Defend Ourselves against Transcendental Meditation Bullying

You may know the "Maharishi Foundation, Ltd." legally threatened us for alleged copyright violations because I publicly posted Transcendental Meditation Movement insider emails. Emails that they had requested be forwarded to all interested parties! (You can read the redacted versions below. Just look for recent posts with FBI-style blackened text.)

How do you spell Transcendental Meditation? S-c-i-e-n-t-o-l-o-g-y!

But we are not without defenses! You, our readers, are our secret weapon.

Please consider posting about this attack on your Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter streams. Or emailing to any friend that may have a sincere interest.

Together we can stop their outrageous attempts to silence critics by shedding light on TM's dark secrets through public knowledge.

Here's the tweet I'm hoping will be retweeted to make their outrageous attack on free speech viral.

Transcendental Meditation trying to silence critics. Pls help! RT to make outrageous legal threats viral. http://bit.ly/FEfN2

Would you consider posting such a message to your social networking accounts or email?

If you do post a message, please let us know in the comments to this post. Just click on "Comments" below and share your feelings and actions around this issue.

Thanks for all your support!

Transcendental Meditation Spa More Costly than Carribbean Cruise!

UPDATE: Bumped from June 20, 2009. I redacted the post below to attempt to meet the demands of Jim Nemmers, Esq., of Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., who claims to represent the Maharishi Foundation Ltd., England. He states that MFL owns the copyright to the email and the service marks and trademarks in the email below.

(Interestingly, a little sweat applied to a Google search box reveals that MFL appears to be a nonprofit corporation dormant for 10 years — without assets, without any mention of intellectual property assets.)

I believe my original post met the requirements for a Fair Use exception to copyright laws, being news, information, criticism, educational, and parodic, as well as being for a non-commercial purpose. In fact, I thought the full post served the TM Org well by providing the entire context of their email so readers could make their own informed opinions about the material presented.

I've got to wonder why Jim and his client MFL are scared of us publishing their own, exact words in full context. Especially when these emails are typically accompanied by requests to share them with any interested parties.

This is a temporary response to Jim's demands, as I research with our advisers how copyright and intellectual property rights apply to this situation.

Of course, you can't get enlightened on a Carribbean cruise.

Oh, wait. You can't get enlightened on any TM Org course either.

My bad.

Thanks to our anonymous TMFB reader who shares so much about current TM Org programs.

Provided for discussion purposes only. We urge all readers to exercise caution before engaging in any TM Org&endash;sponsored activity!

Dear John,


10 days of treatment regularly cost $7324! Both my husband and I have gone on holidays together in the Carribbean during our winter that cost us less for the
both of us!

---

From: National Office of Communication Date: June 19, 2009 11:28:27 AM MDT
To: <Xxxxx>

Subject: Discover the new Lancaster Ayurveda Health Center Reply-To: info@lancasterhealth.com

• 
  Discover the new Lancaster Ayurveda Health Center
  
  
  


• 
  xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxx
  
  
  


• 
  xxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx
  
  


• 
  xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx
  
  
  


• 
  xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  
  


• 
  xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx
  
  
  


• 
  xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx/span>

xxx, xxx xxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx (xxxx) xx xxxxxxxxx! xx xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxx xx xxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxx, xxx xxxx xxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx, xx xxx xxxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxx. xx xxxx, xxxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxx, x.x., xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xx xxx xxx, xxxxxxx. xxxxx, xxx xxx xx xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xx xxxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xx,xxx xxxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxx xxx x xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx.




xxxxx xxxxxxxx xx x xxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxxx. xxxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxx xx x xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx.


For more information xxxxxx xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xx xxx-xxx-xxxx, xx xxxxx xxxx xx x-xxxx xx.


xxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx



A Special Welcome for our July* Guests: With our compliments, enjoy a healthful gift basket, sent directly to your home. *(for guests enjoying treatment packages of 5 or more days)



Lancaster Summer Specials



xxxx xxxxxx, xxxxx xxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xx xxxx xxxx—x xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxxx, xxxx xxx xxxxxx. xxxxx xx xx xxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xxx xxxx xxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx. xxxx xxx xxx xxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxx xxxx x xx xxxxxx xx.



xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx, xxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx, xxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx, xxx xxx xxxxx. xx xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx, xxxx xxxxxxx, xxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx.


Two Day Rejuvenation Weekend xxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxx

• 1 night/2 days xxxx xxxxx, xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx
  Regular Price: $1,119.00 Now: $975.00 save $144.00
  
  


• Five Day Revitalizing Package xxxx xxxxxx xxx xxxx, xxxx, xxx xxxx
  
  6 nights/5 days xxxx xxxxx, xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx.
  xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
  
  Regular Price: $3,829.00 Now: $3,330.00 save $499.00


• Seven Day Renew and Cleanse Program xxxxxx, xxxxxx, xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx
  
  8 nights/7 days xxxx xxxxx, xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx
  xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
  xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
  
  Regular Price: $5,227.00 Now: $4,547.00 save $680.00
  
  


• Ten Day Royal Rejuvenation Package xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxxxxxxx, xxx xxxxxx.
  xx xxxxxx/xx xxxx xxxx xxxxx, xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx
  xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx.
  xxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx
  
  Price: $7,324.00 Now: $6,372.00 save $952.00
  
  

xxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxx, xxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxx. • xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx: xxxxxx xxxxx, x.x., xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxx

• 
  xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx: xxxxxxx xxxxxx, x.x., xxxxxxxx, xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx, xxxxx
  
  
  


• 
  xxxxxxx xxxxxxx: xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xxxx xxxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxxx xx xxx xxxxx'x xxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxx xxxx.
  

With warm regards from Lancaster,


Your Maharishi Ayurveda Team



xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx | xxx xxxxxx xxxx xxxx | xxxxxxxxx, xx xxxxx


xxxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxxxxx. xxx-xxx-xxxx (xxxx-xxxx xxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxx), xxx-xxx-xxxx. xxx: xxx-xxx-xxxx x-xxxx:xxxx@xxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx.xxx | xxx.xxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxx.xxx



Please feel free to forward this e-mail to your friends and family.

Transcendental Meditation Nuns Want You!

UPDATE: Bumped from June 29, 2009. I redacted the post below to attempt to meet the demands of Jim Nemmers, Esq., of Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., who claims to represent the Maharishi Foundation Ltd., England. He states that MFL owns the copyright to the email and the service marks and trademarks in the email below.

(Interestingly, a little sweat applied to a Google search box reveals that MFL appears to be a nonprofit corporation dormant for 10 years — without assets, without any mention of intellectual property assets.)

I believe my original post met the requirements for a Fair Use exception to copyright laws, being news, information, criticism, educational, and parodic, as well as being for a non-commercial purpose. In fact, I thought the full post served the TM Org well by providing the entire context of their email so readers could make their own informed opinions about the material presented.

I've got to wonder why Jim and his client MFL are scared of us publishing their own, exact words in full context. Especially when these emails are typically accompanied by requests to share them with any interested parties.

This is a temporary response to Jim's demands, as I research with our advisers how copyright and intellectual property rights apply to this situation.

An anonymous reader of TMFB shared this via email. Thanks -- you know who you are!

It would appear that US TM leaders are putting an awful lot of eggs in the Guru Purnima basket. With a Governor Refresher Course, a rounding course, a huge pandit ritual, and now a Mother Divine course, the illusion of a living Movement is nearly complete.

Night of the Rounding Dead?

From: National Office of Communication communication@tm.org

Date: June 22, 2009 11:32:15 AM MDT
To: < xxxxxx >
Subject: Global Mother Divine-A Guru Purnima Course





xxx xxx xxxx xxxxxxxxxx, xxxxxx, xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx xxxx





xxxxxxxxx, xxxx

July 5th and 6th



xxxxx xx xxx xxxxxx:




THE DYNAMICS OF SURRENDER ON THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT


"xxx xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxxxxx xxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxx. xx xx xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxxxx...xxxx xxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx."
Maharishi

xxxxxxxx xx, xxxx




xx xxxx xxx-xxx xxxxxx, xx xxxx xx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx'x xxx-xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xx xxxx xxx, xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxx xxx'x xxxxx xxx xxxxxxx xxx xxxxx, xxxxxxxx xxxxxx xx xxxxx.



The course will include tapes and quotes on:

• The dynamics of surrender
  
  


• 
  xxx xxxx xx xxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxx xx xxxxxx xxxxxx xx xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  


• 
  xxx xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxx xx xxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxx
  


• 
  xxx xxxxxxxx xx xxx xxxxxx/xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxx
  

Also included: a very special, live Vedic Dance performance



xxxxx xx xx xxxxxx xxx xxxx xxxxxx.




xxxxxx xxxx xxx xxxx xx.




xxx xxxx xxx




^SM Mother Divine Program is a trademark licensed to Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization, and used under sublicense or with permission.

Open Thread for Night Owls!

It's my pumpkin time again. But here's a reward for all those courageous souls still reading TMFB at such a late hour:

A fresh Open Thread to discuss the news of the day or any other topic you so desire!

Transcendental Meditation Rattles Our Chains -- Yet Again

Another day. Another adversarial letter from a lawyer representing a TM organization asking us to shut something down.

Ho-hum.

I redacted two posts, here and here, to attempt to meet the demands of Jim Nemmers, Esq., of Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., who claims to represent the Maharishi Foundation Ltd., England. He states that MFL owns the copyright to the email and the service marks and trademarks in two emails I posted.

(Interestingly, a little sweat applied to a Google search box reveals that MFL appears to be a nonprofit corporation dormant for 10 years — without assets, without any mention of intellectual property assets.)

I believe my original posts met the requirements for a Fair Use exception to copyright laws, being news, information, criticism, educational, and parodic, as well as being for a non-commercial purpose. In fact, I thought the full posts served the TM Org well by providing the entire context of their email so readers could make their own informed opinions about the material presented.

I've got to wonder why Jim and his client MFL are scared of us publishing their own, exact words in full context. Especially when these emails are typically accompanied by requests to share them with any interested parties.

This is a temporary response to Jim's demands, as I research with our advisers how copyright and intellectual property rights apply to this situation.

Transcendental Meditation Vastu Coordinator Training

Our anonymous TMFB reader is on a roll! A forwarded email announces yet another program is being rolled out by TM Central in the US.

Hasn't it always been your secret desire to learn how to put south entrances on your home or office — thus blocking those sneaky Rakshasas from slipping into your home unannounced? ("Rakshasas" are a kind of Hindu demon, of which fundamentalist TMers are desperately frightened. No lie!)

The goal of this seminar is to provide more Fortune-Creating^® homes to our worldwide family, to activate the promotion of Fortune-Creating Vastu projects in each country, and to help with Maharishi Vastu^SM consultations on the local level.

I just can't take any spiritual tradition seriously that hides their lack of content behind trademarks and service marks.

Great spiritual leaders and traditions have not needed legal protection throughout human history. And those guys Jesus Christ^SM and Buddha^® did pretty well for themselves — and humanity — without resorting to lawyers.

The Bible: The best-selling book of all time. Never copyrighted. Same for The Qu'ran. The Tripitaka. The Bhagavad Gita. [Insert your favorite spiritual classic here.]

Transcendental Meditation Brings Replacement Pandits to USA

In another forwarded email from an anonymous reader at TMFB (THANKS!), we learn that Raja Wynne, Mayor of Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, reports, "It is a great joy to announce that 200 more Vedic Pandits will be arriving from India in a few days to replace those who recently went home after their two-year commitment."

Is it just me, or does that sound like the National Guard returning home from Iraq after an extended tour of duty?

Wynne goes on to say the new pandits "will assure that the total number of participants on the Invincible America Assembly is well over the Super Radiance number required for America, morning and evening."

So it would seem there are no more excuses for the TM Org: Either peace and prosperity break out immediately in the US — or the whole Maharishi Effect thing is a fraud.

Ahh, but the real purpose of the email "manifests" in the fourth paragraph:

We need your help to bring this new group of Vedic Pandits to America and to continue to support all the Vedic Pandits while they are here in America. [Emphasis in the original text.]

Although we do not endorse this or any other program of the TM Org and urge caution before taking part in a TM-sponsored program, more details are available at the Global Country of World Peace secure website.

Transcendental Meditation Offering CME Credit to Health Professionals

I received an email on a Maharishi Ayur-Veda Training course in July targeted at physicians and other health professionals. (Many thanks to the anonymous tipster!)

According to the flyer, "Participants will develop practical skills for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease that can immediately be applied in practice."

I wonder what scientifically trained health professionals will make of diagnosing critical health conditions by merely "reading" a wrist pulse -- and treating them with herbal preparations that have been found in the past to be contaminated with insect and fecal matter?

The course looks like an intensive "large group awareness training," similar to courses taught by est, LandMark, or Scientology. Course participants will spend 3-days at a time isolated at Maharishi University of Management.

I wonder if the TM Org is taking a page from Scientology's playbook, focusing on recruiting "medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, chiropractic physicians, naturopathic physicians, nurse practioners, physician assistants, and other allied health professionals."

While we do not endorse this or any program offered by TM, and urge caution when considering taking part in such courses, interested readers can read more about the course here.

Is Transcendental Meditation a Cult?

Ran across this funny video on YouTube. The fact that it is not precisely about TM was part of its power for me. It seemed that by satirically commenting on the general nature of cults, it crystallized my experiences in TM.

I'd be very interested in hearing what TMFB readers thought about the links to TM. Just click on "Comments" below and share your thoughts.

Open Thread for Night Owls!

Hey, don't you guys know that the Maharishi said the last angel train leaves at 11 pm?

Well, I for one am going to bed.

Talk amongst yourselves!

(Nightly Open Threads are a regular feature of TMFB. They offer fresh space for you to discuss whatever's on your heart and mind.)

Open Thread for Night Owls!

Hey, don't all you former practitioners of Transcendental Meditation know that the Maharishi said the last angel train leaves at 11 pm? (Or did he say 10 pm?)

Well, I for one am going to bed.

Talk amongst yourselves!

(Nightly Open Threads are a regular feature of TMFB. They offer fresh space for you to discuss whatever's on your heart and mind.)