Comment Rescue

From time to time, a commenter makes a point so clearly that we want to showcase it in the main TM-Free Blog. Commenter "Boaz" discusses the need for "warning labels" for Transcendental Meditation -- and truth in advertising. Below is an anonymous post, followed by Boaz's response. Way to go, Boaz!

Anonymous said:

A warning label for learning TM?

Are you joking? I've bought sets of kitchen knives, which I've occasionally nicked myself on, and automobiles which I've had fender benders in, and neither came with a warning label.

I've also learned TM, and over the decades of regular use have nary a scratch or odd occurence to show for it. It works exactly as promised.

So, relax your anti-TM agenda for a moment, grow up, and get real.

Thanks, you'll like it.

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Boaz said...

There's a difference between a knife or car and a meditation technique. For the knife or car, its clear what its supposed to do, and the risks are relatively well known, because most people are pretty familiar with these things.

On the other hand, a meditation technique, or a drug is not so clear as to what its supposed to do, at least to the consumer. You rely on the advertising to understand what the basic function is.

You are like someone who took a drug and it helped them talking to someone who had a very bad reaction to that drug and saying that they should be quiet because you were helped by the drug. I suggest you grow up and realize that just because you had a good response to TM doesn't mean that others will as well.

This is an important point about truth in advertising. TM does offer benefits to some, but not all. Both from the perspective of the technique itself and the community/philosophy aspects.
Its unfortunate that websites like these are necessary to provide the appropriate warning label, that could be coming from the TM organization itself.

      -Boaz