A (MOSTLY) GOOD WORD ABOUT MEDITATION

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Over the years I've received many communications that are variations on a basic theme, "What do you have against meditation?" (Feel free to substitute "alternative health," "multi-level marketing," you name it, for "meditation.")

I am not critical of meditation itself for most people.

Meditation is one of nature's miracles.

For most people it is an extraordinary experience that adds much to life. Dr. Herbert Benson, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard University, and other researchers have shown that many forms of meditation offer specific benefits, such as lowered blood pressure and increased relaxation when practiced regularly. (Coauthor, with Maharishi University of Management's Keith Wallace, of seminal research on Transcendental Meditation, Dr. Benson later denied that the results from TM were substantively different from other forms of meditation.)

And TM seems to be as good or better than any of the forms of meditation that I know of.

I believe that the majority of people who practice TM will find that they enjoy it. I believe it is as good as similar techniques taught by Hindus, Christians, Muslims, hypnotherapists, and others. I do, however, think there is evidence that it is either not effective, not enjoyable, or downright dangerous for a certain percentage of the population, on the order of 10% to 20%.

But the bottom line is if you enjoy Transcendental Meditation -- and the religious aspects or repressive policies of the TM movement do not conflict with your beliefs -- why not do it?

I do feel, however, that the Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation movement and the Natural Law Party are in need of serious reform to bring it in line with the ethical -- even legal -- standards that our culture expects.

It's not my purpose to debate satisfied members of these groups. I have no reason to doubt that many, many have experiences and beliefs that are very fulfilling. Who can ask for more? It is my hope, however, that by raising concerns that many of us on all sides have in common, we can move the discussion of TM -- and similar groups -- past futile name-calling and on to meaningful discussion of where we might go from here. The jury is still out on whether TM and similar groups will become yet more radical -- or whether they will enter the mainstream.

Honest attempts at measured reform may hold the balance. Current and former members together, the future of our groups is in our hands.

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