To enhance your enlightened enjoyment!
A new site http://mumosa.com exposes fallacies of Maharishi University of Management and life in Fairfield, Iowa - the North American mecca for the Transcendental Meditation Movement.
Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Maharishi Effect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maharishi Effect. Show all posts
Monday, April 07, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Inside Pandit Compound with Rekha Basu - Des Moines Register
This morning's Des Moines Register featured Rekha Basu's visit to Vedic City's Pandit Compound :
Read the full article and enlightening comments at :
Maharishi Vedic City: Inside the compound with Rekha Basu
Ms. Basu wrote an eloquent summary of the conditions of these young men.
She reported in such a way that insightful readers will question implications between the lines.
As she said in the above video "Decide for yourself".
Hopefully this report brought up enough questions that an external investigation will ensue.
TMFree hopes that investigators will fully evaluate the circumstances of this camp.
Where there is smoke, there is often fire.
Transparency is necessary.
One correction to the Register's article - TMFree is NOT Gina's blog.
TMFree is a co-moderated blog with several contributors listed in the right side bar. Mike Doughney "owns" the blog. (Thank you, Mike!)
Read the full article and enlightening comments at :
Maharishi Vedic City: Inside the compound with Rekha Basu
Ms. Basu wrote an eloquent summary of the conditions of these young men.
She reported in such a way that insightful readers will question implications between the lines.
As she said in the above video "Decide for yourself".
Hopefully this report brought up enough questions that an external investigation will ensue.
TMFree hopes that investigators will fully evaluate the circumstances of this camp.
Where there is smoke, there is often fire.
Transparency is necessary.
One correction to the Register's article - TMFree is NOT Gina's blog.
TMFree is a co-moderated blog with several contributors listed in the right side bar. Mike Doughney "owns" the blog. (Thank you, Mike!)
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Pandits for (non)Profit
Essay 3 of a 3-part Series.
The first in this series may be read here - Pandits in Captivity.
The second essay may be read here - CPs : Course Participants or Captive Pandits.
The TM Organization focuses upon FUNDRAISING for Pandits, while promising magic. Despite TM's assertion, there is no evidence that Pandits' impact global harmony. After years of fundraising for world peace through chanting Pandits, neither Maharishi's Global Country of World Peace nor other TM nonprofits disclose finances related to these captive Indians.
In a recent TM Organization announcement, Raja (Dr.) John Hagelin encourages donations to support an 11-day national Yagya (prayer ceremony) to begin on September 19, 2012. The final date for payment for this particular yagya was to be September 13. For of a mere $1,250, a donor could designate someone to be named during the performance.
The message flatters donors for TM Pandits’ prayer ceremonies, “As a direct result of the generosity and vision of our donors, the Maharishi National Yagya program has grown into a powerful force for America.”
Hagelin credits the Pandits' Yagyas with Iowa’s summer rains, and for redirecting this summer’s Hurricane Isaac :
“A few people have asked about Isaac. Originally forecast to be a Category 3 or 4 hurricane, it only reached Category 1. While the storm produced flooding in some of the most vulnerable areas, the City of New Orleans was largely spared.”
“The rain’s subsequent northward march provided welcome relief to some of the most drought-stricken areas of the country. When national invincibility is more firmly established, we can anticipate even greater protection against national disasters.”
Some True Believers continue to donate to these campaigns, otherwise why would the TM Movement continue to send such messages?
Deemed-scientific correlation between the Pandits and selective good news is as logical as Laurie’s (of TMFree) correlation that 99% of murderers begin their life drinking milk; thus milk leads to murdering.
Hagelin’s message continues, “We are on the verge of realizing Maharishi’s desire of 30 years. The generosity of our donors has brought us to this place. With your support, we will soon have the Super Radiance community we have worked so hard to build.”
Hagelin updates about plans to grow Pandit population :
“ * 556 Pandits now have passports, and 541 have completed their visa applications.
* The first phase of the kitchen expansion to accommodate the new Pandits has been completed, and the next phase is well underway.
* More than 1/3 of the funds needed to bring all 556 Pandits to the U.S. has been raised.
* The arrival of these Pandits will secure the daily Super Radiance numbers in Fairfield and Maharishi Vedic City at more than 2,000. Closing in on the Goal”
Another recent fundraising email from Stan Crowe earlier this summer declared,“a special 11-day National Yagya performance beginning on Guru Purnima, July 3. We chose this date to honor our beloved Maharishi on this most auspicious day, the day of the Guru. The Yagya will also coincide with America’s Independence Day, July 4.”
Donations are designated for “Increased harmony, peace, invincibility and prosperity for the nation and its citizens; AND increasing the number of Pandits in Maharishi Vedic City to our desired goal as quickly as possible.”
Having failed to create a permanent community of 2000 people practicing Maharishi’s TM-Sidhi program twice daily in MUM’s golden domes, In 2001 Maharishi decided to offer donors the opportunity to sponsor others to meditate for them. The sponsorship concept already existed on a smaller scale in the TM Movement. It used to be common practice for those with less funds to seek sponsorships, often arranged as tax deductible donations, to attend advanced TM courses. Wealthy TMers also often sponsored the celibate participants on the Purusha or Mother Divine programs for tax deductions, personal glory, and good karma.
Since 1979's first "World Peace Assembly" in Amherst Massachusetts, Maharishi and the TM Movement promoted the idea that a small percentage of the population could influence world peace, weather, crime and the economy through group meditation. This would create "The Maharishi Effect" to bring heaven on earth, or so Maharishi and the organization's retroactive selective studies claimed.
As Sudarsha suggested in a private message, this goal is as scientific as shooting a blank wall, then drawing a target circle around the spot you hit.
The goal of changing the world was and is used to inspire, or pressure, TM-Sidhi practitioners to devote their lives and funds to Maharishi's plans. This also feeds the narcissism of people who would believe their thoughts alone are powerful enough to influence government decisions and weather patterns.
Since that course in 1979 (Yes, I was there) Maharishi and his minions such as Bevan Morris, John Hagelin and others have long threatened Maharishi's followers with global warfare and other calamities unless a core group of at least 2000 people practiced Maharishi’s TM-Sidhi Program together twice daily.
For example, in 1979 Bevan Morris pulled me aside for a private audience in a small dark room, saying someone had reported me to him for not attending Program as prescribed. Bevan said that I personally would be responsible for bringing WWIII or economic collapse to the world because I did not fully participate in "Program" many hours daily. In response I said that motherhood and supporting my family took precedence over group meditations, that my family is my Program. I told Bevan that Maharishi did not have children, so he didn't understand families. Bevan excused me, seemingly without officially black-listing me. Others tell similar stories of intimidation and threats for their non-participation in program, or if they requested permission to leave.
In the early 1980's Maharishi claimed that donations to support participants on the celibate Purusha and Mother Divine programs would bring financial prosperity, health and speed enlightenment for donors. In fact, my (then)husband wanted us to tithe 10% of our income to support his former girlfriend on the Mother Divine course. They had attended and graduated together in 1981 from Maharishi International University. She was a sweet young woman, who vigilantly 'put her attention' on my husband's business daily and wrote us newsy letters about Maharishi's latest inspirations. The young woman's prolonged meditations did not enhance our economic status. My (then) husband often blamed his business problems on the bad karma that I brought to his business because I did not attend “Program” (6-8 hours) daily. This was a prevalent community attitude at that time.
Per their own counts, the TM Movement repeatedly fails to realize the mystical 2000 meditator/Sidhas for twice-daily Program attendance. Other TMers must be making similar choices about responsibilities, personal and family needs, thereby decreasing Program attendance.
To solve this problem, Maharishi came up with the brilliant idea of raising funds to import professional meditators from India. This idea was proposed as early as November 2001.
Note : Maharishi's idea is FUNDRAISING for Pandits, not to really improve the world through mystical practices.
In January 2002, after coming out of his annual silent retreat to begin the new year, Maharishi proposed that for a mere $250 Million, the world’s problems could be solved by establishing a permanent community with 10,000 Pandits.
Maharishi's fundraising scheme to support a group of meditating Pandits provided, then and now, a means for TM's wealthy donors to assure spiritual good karma, enlightenment or entry to heaven by donating large sums of money for others meditate in their stead.
This is remarkably similar to the Medieval Catholicism when noblemen paid servants to make spiritual pilgrimages for them, thereby gleaning heavenly accolades for both the nobleman and the pauper who made the pilgrimage.
I doubt the Movement will attain the 2000 which they claim necessary for a Super Radiance effect. This dream is an eternal carrot-on-a-stick, never to be achieved. After all, the Movement would lose credibility with its followers if 2000 Pandits meditate twice daily, and the world inevitably continues with political travails, natural disasters, environmental carcinogens and economic vicissitudes.
Being a practical Guru, Maharishi established nonprofit corporations so that donors could receive tax deductions while profiting their Guru. Despite public perception, a "nonprofit" organization does not have to meet any ethical qualifications. The primary difference between a nonprofit corporation vs a for-profit is the stated purpose of the organization, how funds are dispersed and taxed. Nonprofits are allowed to generate revenue surpluses (er, that would be synonymous with ‘profit’).
Using threats of global collapse to fear-monger for Pandit donations in October, 2003, a national conference call quoted (still living) Maharishi "'The world would not completely end, there will be a few people left...You don't know how fast the destruction is approaching. Do it, go fast... 'Don't wait until tomorrow when the whole thing collapses. If you don't prevent this, don't blame us.'"
In 2003, the Program "8000 Now" was created to fundraise for a Pandit program. Their website cleverly does not initially reveal their true intentions, until one clicks about on various links.
TMFree readers may enjoy videos on the "National Yagya Program" website. Among highlights, see Raja Dr. John Hagelin explain how important it is to “engage the power of natural law at a very deep level” through the performance of Yagyas to help Japan after their tsunami and nuclear crisis. Japan's Raja also reads aloud a letter of gratitude for Pandits he credits with helping Japan..
In his documentary film David Wants to Fly, David Seiveking interviews Earl Kaplan. Earl admits that he is not proud of his former TM-alliance and donations exceeding $150million to Maharishi. Earl also says he asked Maharishi about the promised Pandits; despite Earl's large donation for this purpose, none had been gathered together. Earl says that Maharishi told him "I don't know if it will work." In his former brainwashed state, Earl was shocked that his Guru had been recruiting for a cause that he was not sure would work. Earl, his twin brother David, and their wives then left the Movement.
In late October 2006, shortly after Howard Settle granted $600 per person monthly scholarship to hire pandits, up to one million dollars monthly, an initial group of Pandits arrived from India. The Movement announced "A permanent group of 1,000 Maharishi Pandits has been established in America”. Photos here show TM Movement dignitaries (note their requisite beige/gold themed suits) greeting Pandits at the airport, and chatting at the Pandits' welcome dinner.
Ostensibly, there are plans to bring enough Pandits for a permanent group creating a global Maharishi Effect of world peace, balanced economy, wealth, good weather, lush agriculture, and enlightenment for all!
The Pandits are hired to save the world by meditating en masse.
For obscure reasons, the Movement still fails to have the requisite number of Pandits together. Looks like stalling tactics to me, to keep donations flowing.
For those with special needs and the ability to make tax deductible donations, the Organization states Pandits can customize mystical Yagya ceremonies for special purposes. Even my late-father had purchased several custom Yagyas for himself.
Lacking foresight, when the first Pandits arrived to Iowa in autumn of 2006, they lacked proper clothing for Iowa’s subzero winters. Local meditators in Fairfield and Vedic City created a coat drive to garner winter wear so these thin Indian men could survive their first subzero winter. Many Pandits had arrived from India to the United States with only simple kurtas and shawls.
One year after their arrival, Maharishi approved the provision of winter coats in October 2007, for the Pandits. Separate fundraising efforts were conducted to purchase these coats,
Interestingly, Vedic City has an identity crisis about their Pandits.
Official Vedic City maps, provided by The Raj Spa's receptionist, do not identify the location of this fenced, guarded compound. Still, it’s easy enough to find. Just drive north in front of The Raj along Jasmine Ave., turn left, west, at 170th street at toward their touted luxury Rukmapura Park Hotel. The fenced Pandit compound is almost directly across 170th street from the hotel’s gravel driveway, conveniently outside the official grid of Vedic City's Master Plan, at the intersection of 170th Street and “Invincible America Ave.”
While not listed among Vedic City's attractions, a small image of meditating Pandits appears in the upper banner of Vedic City’s website.
Vedic City wants tax benefits for the Pandits, according to a February 2011 story from Iowa’s Heartland Connection, channel 3 KTVO posted on February 17th "Can Census Make 1000 Iowans Disappear? ”
Vedic City officials claim the US Census miscounted their residents, neglecting to include over one thousand residents of the pandit compound at 1675 Invincible America Drive. According to the 2001 Boundary and Annexation Survey file, the Pandit compound lies within Vedic City's boundaries.
Are the Pandits actually Iowans as claimed by KTVO news? Are they legal residents of Vedic City, Iowa and the USA? Are they guests, or students? Only their US State Department Visas know for sure.
As expected by anyone familiar with the TM Movement, Vedic City claims or disavows the Pandit presence according to what is most advantageous at any given moment.
“Funnily enough” (one of Maharishi’s phrases), 2010 tax returns for only one fundraising arm for the pandit and yagya donations can be viewed here - 2010 Exempt Organization Tax Return "Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation". And an overview of the financial status of Maharishi's Global Country of World Peace can be viewed here.
Transcendental Meditation Organizations keep separate legal and financial structures. Readers can glean a glimmer of this global organization by clicking on a few links and drop down menus on this site for Maharishi's Global Country or here for Peace Initiative Projects.
On a human note - One wonders if the fenced Pandits know their rights as foreign nationals within the United States. Human rights agencies queried in Chicago and elsewhere require a complaint filed by one of the Pandits themselves to initiate an investigation about unlawful restraint, confinement, or anything else.
How would an imprisoned person, with neither English language fluency nor outside access, inquire for assistance or file a complaint?
The first in this series may be read here - Pandits in Captivity.
The second essay may be read here - CPs : Course Participants or Captive Pandits.
The TM Organization focuses upon FUNDRAISING for Pandits, while promising magic. Despite TM's assertion, there is no evidence that Pandits' impact global harmony. After years of fundraising for world peace through chanting Pandits, neither Maharishi's Global Country of World Peace nor other TM nonprofits disclose finances related to these captive Indians.
* The first phase of the kitchen expansion to accommodate the new Pandits has been completed, and the next phase is well underway.
* More than 1/3 of the funds needed to bring all 556 Pandits to the U.S. has been raised.
* The arrival of these Pandits will secure the daily Super Radiance numbers in Fairfield and Maharishi Vedic City at more than 2,000. Closing in on the Goal”
Donations are designated for “Increased harmony, peace, invincibility and prosperity for the nation and its citizens; AND increasing the number of Pandits in Maharishi Vedic City to our desired goal as quickly as possible.”
Since 1979's first "World Peace Assembly" in Amherst Massachusetts, Maharishi and the TM Movement promoted the idea that a small percentage of the population could influence world peace, weather, crime and the economy through group meditation. This would create "The Maharishi Effect" to bring heaven on earth, or so Maharishi and the organization's retroactive selective studies claimed.
The goal of changing the world was and is used to inspire, or pressure, TM-Sidhi practitioners to devote their lives and funds to Maharishi's plans. This also feeds the narcissism of people who would believe their thoughts alone are powerful enough to influence government decisions and weather patterns.
Per their own counts, the TM Movement repeatedly fails to realize the mystical 2000 meditator/Sidhas for twice-daily Program attendance. Other TMers must be making similar choices about responsibilities, personal and family needs, thereby decreasing Program attendance.
To solve this problem, Maharishi came up with the brilliant idea of raising funds to import professional meditators from India. This idea was proposed as early as November 2001.
Note : Maharishi's idea is FUNDRAISING for Pandits, not to really improve the world through mystical practices.
In January 2002, after coming out of his annual silent retreat to begin the new year, Maharishi proposed that for a mere $250 Million, the world’s problems could be solved by establishing a permanent community with 10,000 Pandits.
Maharishi's fundraising scheme to support a group of meditating Pandits provided, then and now, a means for TM's wealthy donors to assure spiritual good karma, enlightenment or entry to heaven by donating large sums of money for others meditate in their stead.
This is remarkably similar to the Medieval Catholicism when noblemen paid servants to make spiritual pilgrimages for them, thereby gleaning heavenly accolades for both the nobleman and the pauper who made the pilgrimage.
I doubt the Movement will attain the 2000 which they claim necessary for a Super Radiance effect. This dream is an eternal carrot-on-a-stick, never to be achieved. After all, the Movement would lose credibility with its followers if 2000 Pandits meditate twice daily, and the world inevitably continues with political travails, natural disasters, environmental carcinogens and economic vicissitudes.
Being a practical Guru, Maharishi established nonprofit corporations so that donors could receive tax deductions while profiting their Guru. Despite public perception, a "nonprofit" organization does not have to meet any ethical qualifications. The primary difference between a nonprofit corporation vs a for-profit is the stated purpose of the organization, how funds are dispersed and taxed. Nonprofits are allowed to generate revenue surpluses (er, that would be synonymous with ‘profit’).
In 2003, the Program "8000 Now" was created to fundraise for a Pandit program. Their website cleverly does not initially reveal their true intentions, until one clicks about on various links.
TMFree readers may enjoy videos on the "National Yagya Program" website. Among highlights, see Raja Dr. John Hagelin explain how important it is to “engage the power of natural law at a very deep level” through the performance of Yagyas to help Japan after their tsunami and nuclear crisis. Japan's Raja also reads aloud a letter of gratitude for Pandits he credits with helping Japan..
In his documentary film David Wants to Fly, David Seiveking interviews Earl Kaplan. Earl admits that he is not proud of his former TM-alliance and donations exceeding $150million to Maharishi. Earl also says he asked Maharishi about the promised Pandits; despite Earl's large donation for this purpose, none had been gathered together. Earl says that Maharishi told him "I don't know if it will work." In his former brainwashed state, Earl was shocked that his Guru had been recruiting for a cause that he was not sure would work. Earl, his twin brother David, and their wives then left the Movement.
In late October 2006, shortly after Howard Settle granted $600 per person monthly scholarship to hire pandits, up to one million dollars monthly, an initial group of Pandits arrived from India. The Movement announced "A permanent group of 1,000 Maharishi Pandits has been established in America”. Photos here show TM Movement dignitaries (note their requisite beige/gold themed suits) greeting Pandits at the airport, and chatting at the Pandits' welcome dinner.
The Pandits are hired to save the world by meditating en masse.
For obscure reasons, the Movement still fails to have the requisite number of Pandits together. Looks like stalling tactics to me, to keep donations flowing.
For those with special needs and the ability to make tax deductible donations, the Organization states Pandits can customize mystical Yagya ceremonies for special purposes. Even my late-father had purchased several custom Yagyas for himself.
Lacking foresight, when the first Pandits arrived to Iowa in autumn of 2006, they lacked proper clothing for Iowa’s subzero winters. Local meditators in Fairfield and Vedic City created a coat drive to garner winter wear so these thin Indian men could survive their first subzero winter. Many Pandits had arrived from India to the United States with only simple kurtas and shawls.
One year after their arrival, Maharishi approved the provision of winter coats in October 2007, for the Pandits. Separate fundraising efforts were conducted to purchase these coats,
Interestingly, Vedic City has an identity crisis about their Pandits.
Official Vedic City maps, provided by The Raj Spa's receptionist, do not identify the location of this fenced, guarded compound. Still, it’s easy enough to find. Just drive north in front of The Raj along Jasmine Ave., turn left, west, at 170th street at toward their touted luxury Rukmapura Park Hotel. The fenced Pandit compound is almost directly across 170th street from the hotel’s gravel driveway, conveniently outside the official grid of Vedic City's Master Plan, at the intersection of 170th Street and “Invincible America Ave.”
While not listed among Vedic City's attractions, a small image of meditating Pandits appears in the upper banner of Vedic City’s website.
Vedic City wants tax benefits for the Pandits, according to a February 2011 story from Iowa’s Heartland Connection, channel 3 KTVO posted on February 17th "Can Census Make 1000 Iowans Disappear? ”
Vedic City officials claim the US Census miscounted their residents, neglecting to include over one thousand residents of the pandit compound at 1675 Invincible America Drive. According to the 2001 Boundary and Annexation Survey file, the Pandit compound lies within Vedic City's boundaries.
Are the Pandits actually Iowans as claimed by KTVO news? Are they legal residents of Vedic City, Iowa and the USA? Are they guests, or students? Only their US State Department Visas know for sure.
As expected by anyone familiar with the TM Movement, Vedic City claims or disavows the Pandit presence according to what is most advantageous at any given moment.
“Funnily enough” (one of Maharishi’s phrases), 2010 tax returns for only one fundraising arm for the pandit and yagya donations can be viewed here - 2010 Exempt Organization Tax Return "Brahmananda Saraswati Foundation". And an overview of the financial status of Maharishi's Global Country of World Peace can be viewed here.
On a human note - One wonders if the fenced Pandits know their rights as foreign nationals within the United States. Human rights agencies queried in Chicago and elsewhere require a complaint filed by one of the Pandits themselves to initiate an investigation about unlawful restraint, confinement, or anything else.
How would an imprisoned person, with neither English language fluency nor outside access, inquire for assistance or file a complaint?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Kudos to Dr. Fred Travis of Maharishi U's Transcendental Meditation Research
Fred Travis, Ph.D., professor of Maharishi Vedic Science at Maharishi University of Management, has been participating in discussion on TMFreeblog about his recently published research on Transcendental Meditation and brain functioning.
A couple of scientists, Maharishi's biographer, and other former TMers who are educated about TM's promotional methods are having an interesting discussion with Fred about TM research. We hope this discussion will continue.
We are grateful and honored that Dr. Fred Travis joined us to discuss research on Transcendental Meditation.
We honor Fred's integrity to openly discuss TM research!
Fred, I always liked you, even though I never fully agreed with your conclusions. It's truly an honor to have you here.
You may read Fred's University bio here.
Fred is offering to provide copies of published research so that individuals may intelligently discuss his studies.
In the course of discussion, Fred acknowledged negative side effects seen by long TM rounding programs; he wrote "I am also concerned about the issues you bring up about long rounding. Thank you for bringing these to my attention again."
He also humbly acknowledged, "There are no studies on Yagya, and one on MVVT. Yes, they need to be investigated."
For our TMFreeblogspot readers who are not following this discussion, you might find it of interest - stop by to read comments to the following blog post :
More Doubtful Transcendental Meditation "Research" Clogging the Intertubes by John Knapp.
For more information on Dr. Fred Travis, a google search provides oodles of background about Fred's research and work promoting Transcendental Meditation with brain research, click :
"fred travis" "transcendental meditation"
Again, to Fred, Thank you for stopping by! We hope you stay a while!
Again, the conversation with Dr. Travis can be read in comments to this post:
More Doubtful Transcendental Meditation "Research" Clogging the Intertubes by John Knapp.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Critiquing Transcendental Meditation's "scientific research"
Question: How valid is TM's scientific research?
Answer: Not very.
A Brief Overview of TM Research:
According to the Transcendental Meditation organization (TMO), "...More than 600 scientific studies have been conducted at more than 250 universities and research institutes in 33 countries. These studies have been published in over 100 leading scientific journals worldwide, and they objectively document the profound physiological, psychological, and sociological benefits of Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Programme in every area of life...." (1)
What the TM organization does not publicize, however, is:
(1) that a high percentage of these studies are suspect. The research is specifically designed so that TM will come out looking good. (See http://trancenet.net/research/index.shtml
In addition, the quote above from the TMO website does not mention that:
(2) a lot of the research is done by TMers or funded by TMers, and is therefore inherently biased; and
(3) when non-TM scientists do research, they compare various types of meditations, and the results have been that each meditation has its own strengths and weaknesses. TM does not stand out as best. These studies are ignored by the TMO. For information, google "Google -- Scholar" and type in something like "comparision meditation techniques research results." Also, see http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/expressnews_template/article.cfm?id=8572and
(4) Research has shown that TM can sometimes be harmful. These studies are never quoted by the TMO. (See http://minet.org/research.html.)
So where do we come in?
While most TMFree readers are not professional researchers, I think we can contribute something useful to the research, specifically to the bias problem mentioned in item (1) above. Critics of the research papers have done a good job in critiquing what has been published. But what if something questionable was done that was not reported in the final paper?
So that's where we come in.
Many of us have "insider" experiences with the TMO. During our time in the TMO, we may have accidentally stumbled upon a small piece of the research that was unscientific. So I invite readers to search their memories. Do you recall incidents which at the time seemed simply quirky or isolated, but in retrospect, were examples of a violation of the scientific method? You may have to think outside the box or reframe the incident to see how it is related to the scientific method. You may have to consider not what was done, but what was not done; not what you saw, but what you didn't see....
Our stories will only be anecdotes, and anecdotal evidence is not scientific proof. However, these anecdotes provide glimpses which may inspire researchers to dig deeper into questionable practices.
So, to get the ball rolling, I will share my own memories that relate to the biased quality of TM research. In addition, I will relate a few anecdotes from old TMFree posts and comments. Unfortunately I have neither the time nor the inclination to dig up all the original posts and comments, so I apologize in advance for any errors in my memory or interpretation.
So here goes. To reiterate, the question for the day is:
Did you ever personally see evidence of violation of the scientific method in TM studies?
1. The year was 1980, I think. I lived on the MIU campus in Fairfield, Iowa, USA. I did the TM and TM-Sidhis program in the meditation hall from 2 to 4 times a day with up to 700 other women. One day, after everyone was seated on the mattresses, the leader announced that we were all going to add something to our program. She had something like an electric meter in her hand. She spoke a phrase that went something like: "Turn back the meter." She instructed us to think this phrase in the same manner as we thought the "sutras" in our TM-Sidhis program (the technique in which the phrase we thought was supposed to manifest in the world.) We were to think the above phrase 2 or 4 times (I can't remember which), after we finished TM but before we started the TM-Sidhis. She didn't tell us who had ordered this change, or who had designed it, or why we were doing it. The only additional thing she said was, "Do not say a word about this to anybody!"
We did this practice for about a week, and then we were told to stop doing it. We weren't told why we were now stopping. We were reminded, "Do not mention this to anyone!" And we never heard another word about it.
What was this all about?
Today, I believe we were guinea pigs in an experiment to prove that the TM-Sidhis actually produced effects in the physical world. (An illegal experiment, I might add, since we had not volunteered, and we had not been warned about possible harmful effects.) If 700 sidhas had actually succeeded in causing the meter's hand to move even a millimeter, I think they would have published that. I think we failed to produce the result they wanted, so the experiment was scrapped, we were warned against spilling the secret, and the failure was never reported.
2. A few years ago, one of our TMFree regulars (possibly Sudarsha) wrote that he once saw Maharishi sit with someone and review a line graph illustrating the results of a study showing the benefits of TM. Maharishi asked, "Couldn't you draw the line 'this' way instead of 'that' way, in order to make the results look better?" The other person agreed to make the change.
3. About a year ago, one of our readers shared that she had chatted with a researcher at MIU who was studying the "Maharishi Effect." (The ME states that when a certain percentage of the population practices TM, quality of life improves, as shown by crime statistics, pollution, unemployment rate, etc.) The research compared cities that had comparable demographics but a different percentage of TMers. The researcher told her, "In some cases, the city with the higher percentage of TMers did not show an improved quality of life. So we deleted those groups of cities from our final study."
4. A few months ago, contributor Gina wrote that when TM researchers in Fairfield were studying TMers to prove TM's benefits, they first eliminated "heavy unstressers" from their sample.
5. An old TMFree post is a reprint of a public letter from Earl Kaplan, a TMer who together with his brother David had donated over $100 million dollars (U.S.) to the TMO. He writes that "Mahesh for years had been raising hundreds of millions of dollars for his world peace groups...." (World peace groups were the gatherings of thousands of pundits to one location to chant together, thus assuring world peace forever.) According to Earl's letter, Earl said to Maharishi, "Maharishi, since you have the money and supposedly you have enough pundits, why don't you create a 10,000 group in India and the world will experience peace?..." (Several years previously, his brother David had obtained U.S. governmental approval to bring one or two thousand pundits to the USA. before this could happen, he got word that Maharishi had changed his mind and felt it was not a good time to send them.) Mahesh looked at Earl like he was crazy and said, "Earl, if we created the group then we don't know if it would create world peace or not. We would have to have the group and then see what the effect it has." Earl and David have since left the TMO.
Aside from the contempt and deceit Maharishi exhibited, I believe Maharishi was also saying that he did not want an experiment to be performed if the results would not make TM look good, i.e. if the results disproved the "Maharishi Effect."
OK, those are my offerings. Anyone else have memories about TMO's corruption of the scientific method in TM studies?
Footnotes:
(1) www.globalgoodnews.com/research.html
Answer: Not very.
A Brief Overview of TM Research:
According to the Transcendental Meditation organization (TMO), "...More than 600 scientific studies have been conducted at more than 250 universities and research institutes in 33 countries. These studies have been published in over 100 leading scientific journals worldwide, and they objectively document the profound physiological, psychological, and sociological benefits of Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Programme in every area of life...." (1)
What the TM organization does not publicize, however, is:
(1) that a high percentage of these studies are suspect. The research is specifically designed so that TM will come out looking good. (See http://trancenet.net/research/index.shtml
In addition, the quote above from the TMO website does not mention that:
(2) a lot of the research is done by TMers or funded by TMers, and is therefore inherently biased; and
(3) when non-TM scientists do research, they compare various types of meditations, and the results have been that each meditation has its own strengths and weaknesses. TM does not stand out as best. These studies are ignored by the TMO. For information, google "Google -- Scholar" and type in something like "comparision meditation techniques research results." Also, see http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/expressnews_template/article.cfm?id=8572and
(4) Research has shown that TM can sometimes be harmful. These studies are never quoted by the TMO. (See http://minet.org/research.html.)
So where do we come in?
While most TMFree readers are not professional researchers, I think we can contribute something useful to the research, specifically to the bias problem mentioned in item (1) above. Critics of the research papers have done a good job in critiquing what has been published. But what if something questionable was done that was not reported in the final paper?
So that's where we come in.
Many of us have "insider" experiences with the TMO. During our time in the TMO, we may have accidentally stumbled upon a small piece of the research that was unscientific. So I invite readers to search their memories. Do you recall incidents which at the time seemed simply quirky or isolated, but in retrospect, were examples of a violation of the scientific method? You may have to think outside the box or reframe the incident to see how it is related to the scientific method. You may have to consider not what was done, but what was not done; not what you saw, but what you didn't see....
Our stories will only be anecdotes, and anecdotal evidence is not scientific proof. However, these anecdotes provide glimpses which may inspire researchers to dig deeper into questionable practices.
So, to get the ball rolling, I will share my own memories that relate to the biased quality of TM research. In addition, I will relate a few anecdotes from old TMFree posts and comments. Unfortunately I have neither the time nor the inclination to dig up all the original posts and comments, so I apologize in advance for any errors in my memory or interpretation.
So here goes. To reiterate, the question for the day is:
Did you ever personally see evidence of violation of the scientific method in TM studies?
1. The year was 1980, I think. I lived on the MIU campus in Fairfield, Iowa, USA. I did the TM and TM-Sidhis program in the meditation hall from 2 to 4 times a day with up to 700 other women. One day, after everyone was seated on the mattresses, the leader announced that we were all going to add something to our program. She had something like an electric meter in her hand. She spoke a phrase that went something like: "Turn back the meter." She instructed us to think this phrase in the same manner as we thought the "sutras" in our TM-Sidhis program (the technique in which the phrase we thought was supposed to manifest in the world.) We were to think the above phrase 2 or 4 times (I can't remember which), after we finished TM but before we started the TM-Sidhis. She didn't tell us who had ordered this change, or who had designed it, or why we were doing it. The only additional thing she said was, "Do not say a word about this to anybody!"
We did this practice for about a week, and then we were told to stop doing it. We weren't told why we were now stopping. We were reminded, "Do not mention this to anyone!" And we never heard another word about it.
What was this all about?
Today, I believe we were guinea pigs in an experiment to prove that the TM-Sidhis actually produced effects in the physical world. (An illegal experiment, I might add, since we had not volunteered, and we had not been warned about possible harmful effects.) If 700 sidhas had actually succeeded in causing the meter's hand to move even a millimeter, I think they would have published that. I think we failed to produce the result they wanted, so the experiment was scrapped, we were warned against spilling the secret, and the failure was never reported.
2. A few years ago, one of our TMFree regulars (possibly Sudarsha) wrote that he once saw Maharishi sit with someone and review a line graph illustrating the results of a study showing the benefits of TM. Maharishi asked, "Couldn't you draw the line 'this' way instead of 'that' way, in order to make the results look better?" The other person agreed to make the change.
3. About a year ago, one of our readers shared that she had chatted with a researcher at MIU who was studying the "Maharishi Effect." (The ME states that when a certain percentage of the population practices TM, quality of life improves, as shown by crime statistics, pollution, unemployment rate, etc.) The research compared cities that had comparable demographics but a different percentage of TMers. The researcher told her, "In some cases, the city with the higher percentage of TMers did not show an improved quality of life. So we deleted those groups of cities from our final study."
4. A few months ago, contributor Gina wrote that when TM researchers in Fairfield were studying TMers to prove TM's benefits, they first eliminated "heavy unstressers" from their sample.
5. An old TMFree post is a reprint of a public letter from Earl Kaplan, a TMer who together with his brother David had donated over $100 million dollars (U.S.) to the TMO. He writes that "Mahesh for years had been raising hundreds of millions of dollars for his world peace groups...." (World peace groups were the gatherings of thousands of pundits to one location to chant together, thus assuring world peace forever.) According to Earl's letter, Earl said to Maharishi, "Maharishi, since you have the money and supposedly you have enough pundits, why don't you create a 10,000 group in India and the world will experience peace?..." (Several years previously, his brother David had obtained U.S. governmental approval to bring one or two thousand pundits to the USA. before this could happen, he got word that Maharishi had changed his mind and felt it was not a good time to send them.) Mahesh looked at Earl like he was crazy and said, "Earl, if we created the group then we don't know if it would create world peace or not. We would have to have the group and then see what the effect it has." Earl and David have since left the TMO.
Aside from the contempt and deceit Maharishi exhibited, I believe Maharishi was also saying that he did not want an experiment to be performed if the results would not make TM look good, i.e. if the results disproved the "Maharishi Effect."
OK, those are my offerings. Anyone else have memories about TMO's corruption of the scientific method in TM studies?
Footnotes:
(1) www.globalgoodnews.com/research.html
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Believing Critic: "No Place" for the Unfit in TM's Perfect World
I would characterize self-proclaimed "satisfied TM customer" Bob Brigante as a "believing critic" of Transcendental Meditation. As I understand it, he criticizes the TM Org for some policies, but believes the meditation has good effects for the individual and the world. His viewpoint appears to be well-respected in some circles, such as online TM-only listserv communities.
A TMFB reader emailed me today about a recent post Brigante made to his website regarding the apparent current failure of the "Maharishi Effect." For those not familiar with this particular Maharishi teaching, the "Maharishi Effect" states that when the square root of 1% of a country's population "flies" together, there will be an Ideal Society. When a square root of 1% of the world's population flies together, the golden age, Sat Yuga, will descend on earth ("Heaven on Earth").
The number of people "flying" together in Fairfield, Iowa is currently very near this magic number, yet the US is experiencing a difficult financial climate, combined with a number of natural disasters. Brigante gives two reasons why the US continues to suffer despite the supposed "Maharishi Effect."
First, because the Maharishi died in February 2008, he states: "With the departure of this great saint, maybe we just need to create much larger groups of Yogic Fliers and Pundits meditating together in order to compensate for this."
I've got quibbles with this line of thinking, since the Maharishi never mentioned his departure from the scene would have disastrous effects in his original postulation of the "Maharishi Effect."
But his second suggestion verges on the edge of downright scary.
I can think of more commonsense reasons for the failure of the "Maharishi Effect."
For instance, it's poppycock. Time and again, events have shown the "Maharishi Effect" just doesn't work.
But am I the only one who sees this sort of "spiritual Darwinism" as thinly veiled "spiritual ethnic cleansing"?
It's to be sincerely hoped this is Brigante's idiosyncratic thinking and that this uncompassionate, hateful thinking is not widespread throughout the TM Org.
J.
A TMFB reader emailed me today about a recent post Brigante made to his website regarding the apparent current failure of the "Maharishi Effect." For those not familiar with this particular Maharishi teaching, the "Maharishi Effect" states that when the square root of 1% of a country's population "flies" together, there will be an Ideal Society. When a square root of 1% of the world's population flies together, the golden age, Sat Yuga, will descend on earth ("Heaven on Earth").
The number of people "flying" together in Fairfield, Iowa is currently very near this magic number, yet the US is experiencing a difficult financial climate, combined with a number of natural disasters. Brigante gives two reasons why the US continues to suffer despite the supposed "Maharishi Effect."
First, because the Maharishi died in February 2008, he states: "With the departure of this great saint, maybe we just need to create much larger groups of Yogic Fliers and Pundits meditating together in order to compensate for this."
I've got quibbles with this line of thinking, since the Maharishi never mentioned his departure from the scene would have disastrous effects in his original postulation of the "Maharishi Effect."
But his second suggestion verges on the edge of downright scary.
Maharishi: "Nonexistence of the unfit has been the law of nature." So if this second way of looking at the situation is correct, then we should not be surprised to see an increase in disaster and dislocation along with the rise of bliss-creating forces in the world, and if the unfit don't come along there will be no place for them." [Emphasis added.]
I can think of more commonsense reasons for the failure of the "Maharishi Effect."
For instance, it's poppycock. Time and again, events have shown the "Maharishi Effect" just doesn't work.
But am I the only one who sees this sort of "spiritual Darwinism" as thinly veiled "spiritual ethnic cleansing"?
It's to be sincerely hoped this is Brigante's idiosyncratic thinking and that this uncompassionate, hateful thinking is not widespread throughout the TM Org.
J.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Thirty Years Later - the next generation's satire
A generational cohort of "kids" raised in TM and Fairfield are now in their thirties and younger.
They continue to support one another with friendships forged through shared confusion.
An insightful myspace site unites them after leaving childhood "utopia" to enter the "world of ignorance."
Myspace profile for "Children of the Golden Spaceships"
Read comments, view videos of Lynch w/ Raja while listening to Mother Divine voices - for shared memories, frustration, and looney loved ones still captured in group-think.
Be sure to scroll down their site for enlightening videos and comments!
Some "kids"continue familial devotion to Maharishi, blaming Movement dysfunction upon TM's administrative space-cadettes.
Others are angry about MVED's slick scam which governed their lives.
By and large, their lifelong friendships support one another across the belief spectrum.
While I am not of this cohort (I preceded them & babysat during their preschool years), all can appreciate enlightened satire!
Enjoy! Enlightenment at its finest!
Myspace profile for "Children of the Golden Spaceships"
AND.. more tongue-in-cheek! Myspace profile for Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - while Donovan sings "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and links to our long-lost "family"!
g :)
They continue to support one another with friendships forged through shared confusion.
An insightful myspace site unites them after leaving childhood "utopia" to enter the "world of ignorance."
Myspace profile for "Children of the Golden Spaceships"
Read comments, view videos of Lynch w/ Raja while listening to Mother Divine voices - for shared memories, frustration, and looney loved ones still captured in group-think.
Be sure to scroll down their site for enlightening videos and comments!
Some "kids"continue familial devotion to Maharishi, blaming Movement dysfunction upon TM's administrative space-cadettes.
Others are angry about MVED's slick scam which governed their lives.
By and large, their lifelong friendships support one another across the belief spectrum.
While I am not of this cohort (I preceded them & babysat during their preschool years), all can appreciate enlightened satire!
Enjoy! Enlightenment at its finest!
Myspace profile for "Children of the Golden Spaceships"
AND.. more tongue-in-cheek! Myspace profile for Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - while Donovan sings "Hurdy Gurdy Man" and links to our long-lost "family"!
g :)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Devotion
Devotional Video honoring Maharishi's Message January 2008, Maharishi European Research University, Vlodrop, The Netherlands
Victory Day Celebration October 2007, Vlodrop, The Netherlands
(MUST SEE! Rajas performing group puja!)
Guru Purnima celebration July 2007, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa USA
Universal Love and Peace by 2012 An Interview with John Briganti from Maharshi TM Center in Beverly Hills, California
Victory Day Celebration October 2007, Vlodrop, The Netherlands
(MUST SEE! Rajas performing group puja!)
Guru Purnima celebration July 2007, Maharishi University of Management, Fairfield, Iowa USA
Universal Love and Peace by 2012 An Interview with John Briganti from Maharshi TM Center in Beverly Hills, California
Sunday, October 28, 2007
And More from Lynch
It sounds natural and effortless.
Please read through to the end, like Pizarro's foundation of youth:
Deep Thoughts by David Lynch
Please read through to the end, like Pizarro's foundation of youth:
Deep Thoughts by David Lynch
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
Mind-Body Medicine - debunking the "Quantum Theories"
The following abstract may interest some readers. Dr. Christian Janicki, a medical physicist, will send us the written presentation's link once it becomes available.
Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies: How Quantum Mechanics and the Mind-Body Paradigm are Used to Explain Spontaneous Regression and Self-Healing
Complementary and Alternative Cancer Therapies: How Quantum Mechanics and the Mind-Body Paradigm are Used to Explain Spontaneous Regression and Self-Healing
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Raja speaks : It's your fault/obligation. Please come!
Invincible America
For Information and to apply to the course: www.InvincibleAmerica.org
Please Read Immediately
OPEN LETTER FROM DR. JOHN HAGELIN
TO AMERICA'S YOGIC FLYERS
September 24, 2007
Dear Fellow Governors and Sidhas:
I had the great honor of announcing in July to Maharishi and the world press the results of the first year of our Invincible America Assembly.
The news was excellent-and exactly what we had predicted one year earlier: a record-breaking stock market and a surprisingly robust economy; mounting bipartisan support for a peaceful resolution of the Iraq conflict; improved relations with North Korea, including an unexpected treaty; and fewer natural disasters (in fact, no hurricanes hit the US mainland in over a year-defying the predictions of every respected meteorologist in the country!).
The cause of such extraordinarily good news is an established scientific fact: nearly 1800 Yogic Flyers assembled together in groups in Maharishi University of Management and Maharishi Vedic City-enough to create a high degree of coherent national consciousness-the basis for a healthy, peaceful, prosperous, invincible nation.
But now, two months later, it's a different story. The market has turned volatile, peace efforts in Iraq have stalled, and US-Iran relations are flaring up again.
Why? There are now up to 200 fewer Yogic Flyers in the flying halls.
I write to every Yogic Flyer in America to give a gentle but urgent call: Please come here and fly together in a large group! We must immediately bring our numbers up again above the super radiance threshold of 1730. And ideally, we must increase those numbers to 2000 and beyond!
Yes, it is true that more Vedic Pandits are on their way from India and should be here in a few months. And their arrival will certainly raise our numbers.
But the Vedic Pandits should come here to "crown the nation with invincibility"-not to lay the groundwork. Creating national coherence is the responsibility of all American Yogic Flyers-including all of us who are blessed to be living in this sublime community.
Please come. You will hasten the rise of your own supreme enlightenment and enjoy life in a state of perpetual bliss consciousness. And you will radiate your bliss to America and the world.
Thank you so much.
Jai Guru Dev
John
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Experiences!
Advanced TM practice emphasizes "experience," rather than externally measureable phenomena.
Of course only feel-good experiences are valued.
Negative experiences are discredited as "un-stressing."
Some of us (moderators), along with experts in coercive persuasion, agree that many TM "experiences of (so called) higher states of consciousness" were induced through prolonged meditations, pseudo-hypnotic suggestion and group dynamics.
We observed others' "experiences" to the extremes of psychosis, schizophrenic-like symptoms, some leading to mental institutions and suicides. sigh.
The following New York Times article describes studies of induced "out of body experiences."
This is among the first of such neurologic research, using external sensory stimuli to create internal experiences.
Using electronic devices, out-of-body experiences were induced in participants. We hope there will be more such studies to come. Such studies may eventually explain 'siddhi-experiences.'
To read about this, click here.
Of course only feel-good experiences are valued.
Negative experiences are discredited as "un-stressing."
Some of us (moderators), along with experts in coercive persuasion, agree that many TM "experiences of (so called) higher states of consciousness" were induced through prolonged meditations, pseudo-hypnotic suggestion and group dynamics.
We observed others' "experiences" to the extremes of psychosis, schizophrenic-like symptoms, some leading to mental institutions and suicides. sigh.
The following New York Times article describes studies of induced "out of body experiences."
This is among the first of such neurologic research, using external sensory stimuli to create internal experiences.
Using electronic devices, out-of-body experiences were induced in participants. We hope there will be more such studies to come. Such studies may eventually explain 'siddhi-experiences.'
To read about this, click here.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Guru-Tender
First Truly International Currency?
Articles about the Raam - the official currency of Maharishi's Global Country of World Peace.
"Dutch Give Nod to Guru Currency" BBC News, April 2003
Online Essay about the Raam, by udayms, 24th Mar, 2007
"The Raam Development Currency" Appropriate Economics, undated, anonymous author
Discussion of the Raam, The Edge; Environmental News from the Brink, November 2002
"Raam" by Answers.com
Articles about the Raam - the official currency of Maharishi's Global Country of World Peace.
"Dutch Give Nod to Guru Currency" BBC News, April 2003
Online Essay about the Raam, by udayms, 24th Mar, 2007
"The Raam Development Currency" Appropriate Economics, undated, anonymous author
Discussion of the Raam, The Edge; Environmental News from the Brink, November 2002
"Raam" by Answers.com
Friday, April 13, 2007
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
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
Monday, March 26, 2007
Group Pressure - Ongoing cult growth
(email just sent to TM center leaders.. "inspiration".. as always w/ urgency)
Urgent Need - Just a Few Hundred More Invincible America Assembly Participants
The Invincible America Assembly has drawn thousands of Sidhas from the United States and many other countries.
The experiences of bliss and higher states of consciousness in the large group program have been greater than in any previous assembly. These experiences have been deeply inspiring to Maharishi, who has brought out such beautiful knowledge in response. Many course participants have naturally stayed on the Assembly longer than planned. Many have returned multiple times.
The size of our group has been close to the national invincibility threshold - about 1,730 Yogic Flyers - even through the cold winter months. And even though we have been somewhat shy of the required number, we have created a dramatic change in our country. The most recent example: the sudden and unexpected turnaround in U.S. foreign policy towards Iran, Syria, and North Korea - a dramatic shift away from confrontation and belligerence towards consensus building and peace.
Now is the time for us to surpass the threshold - and create stable national coherence and lasting invincibility for America.
Next week, 133 more Vedic Pandits will arrive from India. If we can inspire just a few hundred more Sidhas to join the Assembly, we will reach the 2,000 level - our national super radiance number plus a safety factor - and we will create a truly Invincible America.
HOUSING AVAILABLE!
We can accommodate many more people. More on-campus housing will be available very soon, a good amount of off-campus housing is available, and we sare creating additional flying space right next to the Golden Domes.
Annapurna Dining Hall is even offering a new improved menu of organic dishes. And spring weather is here.
Please tell your out-of-town friends to apply and encourage local Yogic flyers to take advantage of this historic opportunity to enhance the power of the Assembly. Maharishi is giving so much sustained attention to this Assembly - and is looking at this as the turning point for our country and our world.
Let's "make hay while the sun shines."
Jai Guru Dev
Urgent Need - Just a Few Hundred More Invincible America Assembly Participants
The Invincible America Assembly has drawn thousands of Sidhas from the United States and many other countries.
The experiences of bliss and higher states of consciousness in the large group program have been greater than in any previous assembly. These experiences have been deeply inspiring to Maharishi, who has brought out such beautiful knowledge in response. Many course participants have naturally stayed on the Assembly longer than planned. Many have returned multiple times.
The size of our group has been close to the national invincibility threshold - about 1,730 Yogic Flyers - even through the cold winter months. And even though we have been somewhat shy of the required number, we have created a dramatic change in our country. The most recent example: the sudden and unexpected turnaround in U.S. foreign policy towards Iran, Syria, and North Korea - a dramatic shift away from confrontation and belligerence towards consensus building and peace.
Now is the time for us to surpass the threshold - and create stable national coherence and lasting invincibility for America.
Next week, 133 more Vedic Pandits will arrive from India. If we can inspire just a few hundred more Sidhas to join the Assembly, we will reach the 2,000 level - our national super radiance number plus a safety factor - and we will create a truly Invincible America.
HOUSING AVAILABLE!
We can accommodate many more people. More on-campus housing will be available very soon, a good amount of off-campus housing is available, and we sare creating additional flying space right next to the Golden Domes.
Annapurna Dining Hall is even offering a new improved menu of organic dishes. And spring weather is here.
Please tell your out-of-town friends to apply and encourage local Yogic flyers to take advantage of this historic opportunity to enhance the power of the Assembly. Maharishi is giving so much sustained attention to this Assembly - and is looking at this as the turning point for our country and our world.
Let's "make hay while the sun shines."
Jai Guru Dev
Friday, February 23, 2007
The Problem with TM Research
Is TM universally benign? Does long-term TM practice cause negative side effects? Why is the scientific research on these issues so contradictory?
There has been some discussion on the TM-Free Blog recently regarding research on Transcendental Meditation and quantum mechanical phenomena.
To further this discussion here are links that discuss research that most TMers are not aware of.
Professor Barry Markovsky, Chair of the Sociology Department at University of South Carolina, talks about the problems facing researchers into consciousness phenomena -- particularly Transcendental Meditation. Also, in a balanced and deeply researched paper, philosopher of science Evan Fales and sociologist Barry Markovsky discuss standards to which exotic scientific theories should be held. Using the "Maharishi Effect" -- Transcendental Meditation's claim that groups of advanced meditators can bring about peace in war- or crime-torn areas -- as an example, they give strong reasons why unusual theories deserve a hearing -- but not necessarily an endorsement -- from serious scientists.
Finally, trancenet.net's research section discusses many research papers that find negative or inconclusive results for practitioners of TM.
If you know of other research that readers should consider, please consider clicking on "Comments" below and pointing us toward it!
There has been some discussion on the TM-Free Blog recently regarding research on Transcendental Meditation and quantum mechanical phenomena.
To further this discussion here are links that discuss research that most TMers are not aware of.
Professor Barry Markovsky, Chair of the Sociology Department at University of South Carolina, talks about the problems facing researchers into consciousness phenomena -- particularly Transcendental Meditation. Also, in a balanced and deeply researched paper, philosopher of science Evan Fales and sociologist Barry Markovsky discuss standards to which exotic scientific theories should be held. Using the "Maharishi Effect" -- Transcendental Meditation's claim that groups of advanced meditators can bring about peace in war- or crime-torn areas -- as an example, they give strong reasons why unusual theories deserve a hearing -- but not necessarily an endorsement -- from serious scientists.
Finally, trancenet.net's research section discusses many research papers that find negative or inconclusive results for practitioners of TM.
If you know of other research that readers should consider, please consider clicking on "Comments" below and pointing us toward it!
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