A Personality study of university students beginning transcendental meditation

Abstract

Transcendental meditation (TM), as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, is now being practised by hundreds1 of New Zealand University students. This meditation form, which is defined as "a simple, natural process which involves the progressive refinement of the nervous system through the regular alternation of deep rest and activity" (Katz 1968, p 2) is claimed to be easily taught and universally applicable. From the research point of view it has a number of advantages: (1) Large numbers of subjects are being taught at the same time. (2) The effects are said to become apparent from the beginning of practice. (3) Practice starts at the beginning of a short (4 days) "training" period. (4) No concentration or effort of any kind is involved. (5) Subject can practice in any comparatively quiet environment for as little as 15 minutes twice a day. These considerations allow the practice of transcendental meditation to be scientifically investigated with comparative ease. Physiological measurements on practitioners have already been carried out.