Research on the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Programs

19 papers found

• 1987· Perceptual and Motor Skills· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 5
  Gelderloos, P.; Lockie, R. J.; and Chuttoorgoon, S. Field independence of students at Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment and a Montessori school. Perceptual and Motor Skills 65: 613–614, 1987.

  Grade school children at a school implementing Maharishi's Unified Field Based Integrated System of Education scored significantly higher on a test of cognitive and perceptual ability than students in another school.

  • Cognitive Performance: Greater Field Independence in Children
• 1987· Perceptual and Motor Skills· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 5
  Gelderloos, P.; Goddard III, P. H.; Ahlström, H. H. B.; and Jacoby, R. Cognitive orientation toward positive values in advanced participants of the TM and TM-Sidhi program. Perceptual and Motor Skills 64: 1003–1012, 1987.

  Three studies showed that participants in the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program have more positive attitudes and perceptions than controls.

  • Psychological Health: Greater Orientation toward Positive Values: Lower Recognition Thresholds for Positive Words than Negative Words
  • Social Behavior: More Positive Appraisal of Others
  • Psychological Health: Greater Orientation toward Positive Values: Better Recall for Positive than Negative Words
• 1987· Modern Science and Vedic Science· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 5
  Gelderloos, P. Psychological health and development of students at Maharishi International University: A controlled longitudinal study. Modern Science and Vedic Science 1: 471–487, 1987.

  Students at a college implementing Maharishi's Unified Field Based Integrated System of Education who learned the TM-Sidhi program showed increased autonomy, creativity, spirituality, well-being, and integration.

  • Psychological Health: Greater Psychological Health—Greater Unifying Ability
  • Self Development: Greater Autonomy
  • Self Development: Greater Intrinsic Spirituality
  • + 9 more findings
• 1988· Social Science Perspectives Journal· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 5
  Gelderloos, P.; Frid, M. J.; Goddard, P. H.; Xue, X.; and Löliger, S. A. Creating world peace through the collective practice of the Maharishi Technology of the Unified Field: Improved US–Soviet relations. Social Science Perspectives Journal 2(4): 80–94, 1988.

  Time series analysis of public statements of the U.S. president concerning the Soviet Union indicated a warming of U.S.-Soviet relations associated with periods of high participation in the group practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program in the U.S.

  • Sociological—Improved Quality of Life: Increased Friendliness in Statements of the President of the United States towards the Soviet Union (USA-USSR, 1985–1987)
• 1988· International Journal of Neuroscience· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Orme-Johnson D. W., and Gelderloos, P. EEG relative alpha power during Yogic Flying. International Journal of Neuroscience 38, 427–434, 1988.

  Individuals practicing Yogic Flying, an aspect of the Transcendental Meditation Sidhi program, showed a higher percentage of relative alpha EEG power in almost all electrode locations in comparison to a control condition approximating the physical movements of the practice.

  • During the Practice—Brain Activity: EEG Alpha Power During TM-Sidhi program Yogic Flying
• 1989· Social Science Perspectives Journal· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 4
  Orme-Johnson, D. W.; and Gelderloos, P. The long-term effects of the Maharishi Technology of the Unified Field on the quality of life in the United States (1960 to 1983). Department of Psychology, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, 1984. See also Orme-Johnson, D.W.; Gelderloos, P.; and Dillbeck, M.C. The effects of the Maharishi Technology of the Unified Field on the U.S. quality of life (1960-1984). Social Science Perspectives Journal 2(4): 127-146, 1988.

  The increase in the number of people practicing the Maharishi Technology of the Unified Field individually and collectively in the U.S.A. between 1975 and 1983 was found to be the major factor contributing to the improved quality of life in the nation over these years, as measured by an index comprising social indicators from the fields of crime and justice, health, education, economic welfare, creativity, marital stability, and safety.

  • Sociological—Improved Quality of Life: Improved Quality of National Life as Measured by an Index Including: Crime Rate, Percentage of Civil Cases Reaching Trial, Rate of Infectious Diseases, Infant Mortality Rate, Suicide Rate, Cigarette Consumption Rate, Alcohol Consumption Rate, Gross National Product per Capita, Patent Application Rate, Degrees Conferred per Capita, Divorce Rate, and Traffic Fatality Rate (USA, 1976–1983)
• 1989· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 4
  Cavanaugh, K. L.; Orme-Johnson, D. W.; and Gelderloos, P. The effect of the Taste of Utopia Assembly on the World index of international stock prices. Department of Management and Public Affairs and Department of Psychology, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, 1984.

  The collective practice of the Maharishi Technology of the Unified Field by 7,000 experts-the square root of one percent of the world's population-assembled at Maharishi International University, U.S.A. was found to create coherence in the entire world consciousness, as reflected by a substantial increase in the World index, an international index of stock prices in 19 countries.

  • Sociological—Improved Economy: Rise of the World Index of Stock Prices and Simultaneous Increases in the World’s Major Stock Market Indices (Worldwide, 1983–1984)
• 1989· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 4
  Orme-Johnson, D. W.; Cavanaugh, K. L.; Alexander, C. N.; Gelderloos, P.; Dillbeck, M.; Lanford, A. G.; and Abou Nader, T. M. The influence of the Maharishi Technology of the Unified Field on world events and global social indicators: The effects of the Taste of Utopia Assembly. Department of Psychology and Department of Management and Public Affairs, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, and Department of Nutrition and Food Service, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, 1984.

  The collective practice of the Maharishi Technology of the Unified Field by one group of 7,000 experts-the square root of one percent of the world's population-assembled at Maharishi International University, U.S.A., was found to create coherence in the entire world consciousness, leading to an improved quality of life throughout the world. This was reflected in increased progress by heads of state in reversing negative trends and accelerating positive trends; increased harmony in international affairs; increased worldwide economic prosperity, as expressed in the simultaneous rise of stock markets in many different countries; decreased traffic fatalities; decreased air traffic fatalities; increased creativity, as measured by increased numbers of patent applications; decreased incidence of infectious diseases; and decreased crime.

  • Sociological—Reduced Violent Conflict: Increased Harmony in International Affairs—Increased Progress towards Peaceful Resolution of Conflict (Worldwide, 1983–1984)
  • Sociological—Improved Quality of Life: More Positive, Progressive Statements and Actions of Heads of State and Greater National and International Support for Their Policies and Leadership (Worldwide, 1983–1984)
  • Sociological—Improved Economy: Rise of the World Index of Stock Prices and Simultaneous Increases in the World’s Major Stock Market Indices (Worldwide, 1983–1984)
  • + 5 more findings
• 1989· Psychologia· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 5
  Gelderloos, P.; and Beto, Z. H. A. D. The Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program and reported experiences of Transcendental Consciousness. Summary of findings published in Psychologia 32: 91–103, 1989.

  Participants in the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program were found to have more frequent experiences of higher states of consciousness than controls.

  • Self Development: More Frequent Experiences of Higher States of Consciousness
• 1989· Modern Science and Vedic Science· Theoretical/Review· Collected Papers Vol. 5
  Gelderloos, P.; and Berg, W. P. van den. Maharishi’s TM-Sidhi program: Participating in the infinite creativity of nature to enliven the totality of the cosmic psyche in all aspects of life. Modern Science and Vedic Science 2: 373–412, 1989.

  This paper introduces Maharishi's TM-Sidhi program as the technique to enliven the self-interacting dynamics of consciousness in the awareness of the individual, thus accelerating growth of higher states of consciousness. Scientific research demonstrates that this practice enhances neurophysiological integration and improves psychological functioning. Sociological research also indicates that the group practice of the TM-Sidhi program creates coherence in collective consciousness, resulting in improved quality of life in society.

  • Theoretical Paper—Consciousness: Theoretical and Review Paper—TM-Sidhi program
• 1990· Journal of Psychology· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 5
  Gelderloos, P.; Hermans, H. J. M.; Ahlström, H. H. B.; and Jacoby, R. Transcendence and psychological health: Studies with long-term participants of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program. Journal of Psychology 124: 177–197, 1990.

  Participation in the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program produced cumulative improvement in psychological health.

  • Psychological Health: Higher Scores on General Factor of Psychological Health
  • Psychological Health: Longitudinal Growth of Psychological Health
• 1990· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Walton, K. G.; Brown, G. M.; Pugh, N.; MacLean, C.; and Gelderloos, P. Indole-mediated adaptation: Does melatonin mediate resistance to stress in humans? Society for Neuroscience Abstracts 16: 273, 1990.

  This study found that participants in the Transcendental Meditation program had lower levels of melatonin turnover; high melatonin turnover was found associated with high stress.

  • Biochemical: Lower Melatonin Turnover, Associated with Lower Stress
• 1990· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Walton, K. G.; Gelderloos, P.; Pugh, N.; Macrae, P.; Goddard, P.; MacLean, C.; and Levitsky, D. Stress and serotonin turnover in normal subjects: relation to serotonin deficiencies in mental disorders. Abstract presented at the 5th International Congress of Psychophysiology, Budapest, Hungary, 9-13 July, 1990.

  This study found that participants in the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program showed higher levels of whole body serotonin turnover and less mood disturbance. In general, higher levels of whole body serotonin were correlated with less anxiety, less depression, less aggression, and less impulsiveness.

  • Biochemical: Higher Whole Body Serotonin Turnover
  • Psychological Health: Less Mood Disturbance
  • Biochemical: Higher Levels of Whole Body Serotonin Turnover Correlated with Less Anxiety, Less Depression, Less Aggression, and Less Impulsiveness
• 1990· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Gelderloos, P.; Cavanaugh, K. L.; and Davies, J. L. The dynamics of US-Soviet relations, 1979–1986: Effects of reducing social stress through the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program. Proceedings of the American Statistical Association, Social Statistics Section, pp. 297–302. Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association, 1990.

  This time series study of an independent data bank found that when the size of a group of participants in the Transcendental Meditation Sidhi program in the United States was larger than the square root of one per cent of the U.S. population (a little over 1500 at the time—from 1979 to 1986), there was a significant increase in the positivity of actions of the United States towards the Soviet Union compared to periods when the size of the group was below 1500. When the group of participants in the TM-Sidhi program was larger than 1700, creating the strongest influence of the Maharishi Effect in the United States, there was also an independent significant increase of positivity of actions of the Soviet Union towards the United States.

  • Sociological—Improved Quality of Life: Improved USA Statements and Actions Towards the USSR and Improved USSR Statements and Actions Towards the USA (USA and USSR, 1979–1986)
• 1990· Theoretical/Review· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Gelderloos, P. Maharishi’s Vedic psychology: Alleviate suffering by enlivening bliss—reconnect the partial values of life with the wholeness of life. In Psychotherapy, Meditation & Health, ed. M. G. T. Kwee, pp. 215–238. London: East-West Publications, 1990.

  This paper analyses how Maharishi’s Vedic Psychology fulfills the practical goals of psychology and reviews scientific research indicating that Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program improves the physical and mental health of the individual and creates an influence of harmony in society.

  • Review Paper—Psychology: Theoretical and Review Paper—Psychology
• 1991· Journal of Social Behavior and Personality· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Alexander, C. N.; Rainforth, M. V.; and Gelderloos, P. Transcendental Meditation, self-actualization, and psychological health: A conceptual overview and statistical meta–analysis. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality 6: 189–248, 1991.

  This meta-analysis of all research on the effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on self-actualization, in comparison to other techniques, found that Transcendental Meditation had three times the effect size of other procedures in enhancing self-actualization and its underlying components (emotional maturity, integrative perspective on self and world, and resilient sense of self). The Transcendental Meditation program was also found to lead to significant improvements on each of the 12 scales of the most common test of self-actualization.

  • Self Development: Increased Synergy (Sees Opposites of Life as Meaningfully Related)
  • Self Development: Increased Acceptance of Feelings
  • Social Behavior: Increased Capacity for Intimate Contact (Warm Interpersonal Relationships)
  • + 12 more findings
• 1991· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Cavanaugh, K. L.; and Gelderloos, P. U.S.–Soviet relations and the Maharishi Effect: A time series analysis. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Statistical Association, Social Statistics Section, Atlanta, Georgia, August 1991.

  This study, using time series transfer function analysis of an independent data source on U.S.-Soviet relations from 1979 to 1986, found that during and immediately after the months in which were held assemblies of TM-Sidhi program participants large enough to predict an international influence, there was a statistically significant and substantial increase in the peaceful quality of actions of the Soviet Union toward the United States, controlling for the preceding behavior of the United States toward the Soviet Union. Supplementary analyses indicated that this effect was independent of any outlying data points, independent of seasonal behavior of the Soviet Union toward the United States, and independent of changes associated with the Gorbachev administration.

  • Sociological—Improved Quality of Life: Improved USSR Statements and Actions Towards the USA, Controlling for Behavior of USA, Seasonality, and Gorbachov Administration (USSR, 1979–1986)
• 1991· The International Journal of the Addictions· Research Review· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Gelderloos, P.; Walton, K. G.; Orme-Johnson, D. W.; and Alexander, C. N. Effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program in preventing and treating substance misuse: A review. The International Journal of the Addictions 26: 293–325, 1991.

  The authors review research studies demonstrating decreased substance abuse among the general population, among participants in treatment programs, and among prison inmates through practice of the Transcendental Meditation program.

  • Review Paper—Rehabilitation: Review Paper—Reduced Substance Abuse
• 1995· The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine· Empirical· Collected Papers Vol. 6
  Walton, K. G.; Pugh, N. D. C.; Gelderloos, P.; Macrae, P. Stress reduction and preventing hypertension: preliminary support for a psychoneuroendocrine mechanism. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 1: 263–283, 1995.

  This study found that individuals practicing the Transcendental Meditation program display psychoneuroendocrine patterns characteristic of lower stress, with implications for the prevention of hypertension.

  • Biochemical: Lower Excretion of Cortisol and Aldosterone
  • Biochemical: Higher Excretion of Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Serotonin Metabolite 5-HIAA
  • Biochemical: Lower Excretion of Sodium, Calcium, Zinc, and Sodium/Potassium Ratio
  • + 2 more findings