TM for Women is pleased to present our March topics.
Last month’s blog written by women for women
Articles
Online Maharishi Ayurveda Self-Care and Prevention Course for Women
Hong Kong media report on TM
Q&A: What’s the relationship between the TM technique and psychotherapy?
What women say: stable inner calmness
Twice-monthly we post new articles on our blog. You can visit our blog homepage to search for any topic. If you haven’t read the February 2024 posts, the links are below.
Technology jobs are among the most lucrative and fastest growing in corporate America. However, women choosing these roles often face negative day-to-day experiences and barriers to advancement opportunities. The Transcendental Meditation practice can be a powerful tool for women in such challenging work situations. We interviewed two women in tech, Tess Chu and Yvonne Gando to hear their observations…
A Harvard Medical School and Duke University School of Medicine study published in Cell Metabolism in April 2023 found that we can effectively “de-age” after recovering from physically stressful events, such as surgery, severe illness and even pregnancy.
The researchers showed that our biological age, unlike our unchangeable chronological age, is “fluid, fluctuating and malleable.”
Maharishi Ayurveda Self-Care and Good Health Through Prevention
Online Course For All Women Begins March 12th
Maharishi Ayurveda presents a new paradigm in healthcare, teaching that imbalances arise from the disruption of self-repair and immune mechanisms.
This unique approach to health has its foundation in the knowledge that the body is an expression of consciousness. Students will learn simple mind-body modalities that will be easily incorporated into their daily routines.
This 16-lesson course is self-paced. There will be an additional four or five Zoom meetings with the instructors.
Course fee: $250
Nurses earn 22 contact hours.
About the Instructors:
Amy Ruff BSN RN has studied Maharishi Ayurveda since 1984 and helped to establish the first Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center in the United States.
Gina Holleran RN BSN is a Certified Health Coach and a Certified Consciousness Advisor.
Transcendental Meditation: The Quiet Revolution in American Wellness
As reported February 22nd on BNN Breaking:
Transcendental Meditation: The Quiet Revolution in American Wellness
Explore the simplicity and depth of Transcendental Meditation (TM) as a path to inner peace, challenging skeptics with its unique approach and benefits. Dive into the world of TM and unlock the power of silence within.
Imagine a world where the antidote to stress, anxiety, and sleeplessness lies not in the pharmacy, but within the mind itself. This is the promise of Transcendental Meditation (TM), a technique that has quietly woven its way into the fabric of American wellness culture. From 2012 to 2017, the number of U.S. adults practicing TM has seen a significant uptick, signaling a shift towards more introspective forms of self-care. But what sets TM apart in a sea of meditation practices, and why are so many turning to it for solace?
The Essence of TM: Simplicity and Depth
At its core, TM is deceptively simple. Unlike other meditation practices that require focusing on breath or engaging in visualization, TM practitioners are taught to repeat a mantra—a word or phrase—in a specific manner for 15 to 20 minutes twice daily. This method, developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is designed to allow individuals to experience a state of pure awareness or transcendental consciousness, a place of profound rest and relaxation. With over 700 research studies backing its benefits, including enhanced creativity, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep quality, TM’s appeal is both broad and deep.
Learning from the Source
One of the unique aspects of TM is the way it is taught. Unlike apps or online tutorials that have democratized various forms of meditation, TM maintains a traditional approach. Each student learns from a certified teacher in a course that not only teaches the technique but also provides personalized follow-up. This ensures that every practitioner understands the nuances of the practice and integrates iteffectively into their daily life. The emphasis on proper instruction is a cornerstone of TM, reflecting its roots in a rich tradition while adapting to the needs of modern practitioners.
Challenging the Skeptics
Despite its growing popularity and strong body of research, TM is not without its critics. Some argue that its benefits can be achieved through other, less costly meditation practices. Others question the need for certified instruction, suggesting it adds unnecessary expense. However, proponents counter these claims by pointing to the unique quality of rest and the depth of relaxation achieved through TM, which they argue is unmatched by other techniques. Furthermore, the personal guidance received from certified teachers is seen as invaluable in navigating the subtleties of the practice, ensuring that each meditation session is as effective as possible.
As we stand at the crossroads of a wellness revolution, Transcendental Meditation offers a path to inner peace that is both ancient and urgently relevant. It is a reminder that sometimes, the most profound solutions are also the simplest, lying quietly within us, waiting to be unlocked.
Q: What is the relationship between the Transcendental Meditation technique and Psychotherapy?
A:Learning and practicing Transcendental Meditation and participating in psychotherapy are two distinct approaches to well-being, both of which are evidence-based. The TM technique has often been found to enhance the benefits of psychotherapy, and the two can have a complementary relationship.
The TM technique is mechanical, not relying on any observations or understanding or emotional “work” to give a woman the direct experience of her peaceful inner nature, her most authentic Self. In TM, the meditator doesn’t get involved in introspection; it is the deep rest to the body and mind during TM that automatically dissolvesstress and its mentally, emotionally and physically effects, including depression and anxiety.
Psychotherapy aims through ongoing sessions of introspection and discussion to address issues that underlie emotions and behavior in order to improve mental and emotional health, and to help managestress and its effects, eventually promoting a client’s reduction of suffering, and increase self-awareness and peace.
TM can enhance therapy: By reducing stress in the mind and body and improving self-awareness, TM can create a more open and receptive state for therapy.
Psychologist Nicole Valdez, PhD, remarked:
”I can say without a doubt that the (TM) technique brought me more mental clarity. I noticed that I am able to focus on one thing at a time with increased ease and this makes me feel calmer and more effective. With TM, I feel more of a “flow.” I am laughing at myself using this language because it is not really me to speak of things in these terms, but there is really no other way to describe it. In short, I recommend this technique to anyone who is feeling stressed, exhausted, or less productive.”
I look forward to it because of the profound experiences and the benefits I’m gaining. Transcendental Meditation has helped with that tight anxious feeling that I had in my chest that just wouldn’t go away and I feel like I’m better able to deal with stressful situations at home and at work.
But most of all I”m happy that I now have a resource, a tool, that takes me to that stable inner calmness where I can deal with the ever-changing aspects of my life.
– Karen Phillips, LPN Orthopedic Nurse
Editor’s note: We’d love to hear your comments on the benefits you’ve received from the TM practice. And, with your permission, we’ll publish them here for other women to enjoy. Send your comment to info@tm-women.org
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