Testimonials on Transcendental Meditation Program
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Letters from Religious Leaders on the Transcendental Meditation Program A
universal theme in these letters from religious leaders is that the
Transcendental Meditation program deepens their own spiritual life and enhances
their comprehension and love of their own tradition. They note that it does not
require any belief or change in life style to practice. They point out that the
technique has been scientifically validated to reduce stress and improve mental
clarity, health, and interpersonal relations, which are beneficial to any
cultural tradition and which serve to increase appreciation and tolerance of
other people's traditions and worldviews.
Contents:
Andean Path: Shaman Mallku Aribalo, November 4, 2008 Catholicism:
Father Leonard Dubi, December 1, 2008
Father Thomas R. Miller, June 17, 2008
Father Cletus Stein, October 2, 2008
Sister Carol Wirtz, August 25, 2008
Islam Mohammad Haghverdi, December 24, 2008
Judaism: Senior Rabbi Allan Green, June 27, 2008
Rabbi Michael Shevack, November 12, 2008
United Methodist Church: Reverend Jonathan Chadwick, November 4, 2008
Unity Church: Reverend Don Lansky, June 30, 2008
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Andean Path:
Shaman Mallku Aribalo, November 4, 2008
As a Shamanic Andean spiritual leader, I can say that Transcendental Meditation
(TM) as a technique for inner development and growth has no contradictions to
what the ancient masters from the Andes were teaching and practicing. Au
contraire, we are finding that some of the spiritual wisdom regarding both
theory and practice of the Andean traditions was lost. Now, through
Transcendental Meditation, the Andean people can receive the great benefits of
understanding and experiencing that they can have a life where their mind,
heart, and daily actions can be in balance and harmony with all of nature; they
can grow in peace, energy, creativity, love, and wisdom. I think it is also
important to express that there have been hundreds of scientific research
studies performed on the TM technique that have shown its effectiveness in
enriching all, aspects of life. From my own experience, I can recognize the soft
and clear ways in which the TM technique acts in the life of a person, and I
highly recommend the TM technique to be introduced and taught in our communities
with the main goal of having peace on Earth.
With gratitude to master Maharishi for illuminating this time with his
blessings."
Mallku Aribalo
Author of the books: "The Awakening of the Puma," "Machu Picchu Forever," "Cusco
Forever," and "Inka Power Places." President of the: Mondial Association of
Andean Writers (AMEA)
Catholicism:
Father Leonard Dubi, December 1, 2008
I am an active 66-year-old Roman Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago
who has served 7 parishes in a 40-plus year career. I began practicing
Transcendental Meditation (TM) in my middle 30s while serving in a third
assignment as an associate pastor. I went on to serve two more parishes as an
associate pastor until the archbishop made me a pastor of a parish that I served
for 21 years. I am in my present assignment as a pastor for almost three years.
The practice of TM has been among the highest priorities in my life since I
began to meditate 33 years ago. I also became a Sidha by learning the advanced
TM-Sidhi program, including Yogic Flying, 17 years ago. During this entire time
span I have practiced these techniques faithfully, twice a day, 365 times a
year, including all the secular and religious holidays. I have meditated on
airplanes, ocean liners, buses and cars; in airports, bus stations, hospital
chapels, banquet halls, friend's homes as well as my favorite prayer chair in my
room.
The time commitment has been woven into the fabric of my spiritual life. My
prayer and preparation to celebrate the Sacraments of the Catholic liturgical
tradition, especially the Holy Eucharist, has been augmented by practicing the
TM and TM-Sidhi programs.
The daily centering experience as a meditator and a Sidha has deepened my
appreciation of the contemplative dimensions of mental prayer taught in the
Catholic spiritual tradition. As a calmer and more centered person, my prayerful
reading of the sacred scriptures is more profound and rewarding. Deeper meaning
seems to surface as I read the various passages of the books of the Holy Bible.
My prayer life has become richer. Life has slowed down interiorly even as it has
accelerated externally. In addition, using the various easy Yogic breathing
exercises as well as the Yoga postures I learned from the TM Movement has
increased my lung capacity and my physical strength. I look and feel younger
than my age.
The distress that comes with being a pastor in a Catholic parish in a 21st
century urban setting in the mid-west of the USA, as well as just living in the
modern world of instant communication is potentially debilitating. Regular
practice of TM has proven to be an effective way of dissolving stress as well as
an effortless way to slow me down.
These benefits are attested to in numerous scientific studies that have been
conducted on the TM technique. The best "study," however, has been my personal
experience.
I have recommended that friends and parishioners learn the TM technique. Some
have. Those who have continued to practice the technique regularly have
experienced the same results as I have.
I certainly recommend Transcendental Meditation to everyone, particularly to
those in the society who are responsible for the spiritual and intellectual
growth of congregations and students. I have used TM as a tool that has helped
me in my vocation as a priest and as a man of faith and prayer. The technique
has only helped me experience the spiritual core of my religious belief at a
deeper level.
Sincerely,
Father Leonard Dubi
Saint Victor Parish, Calumet City, IL
Catholicism:
Father Thomas R. Miller, June 17, 2008
To whom it may concern:
In my experience of thirty-nine years regular practice of Transcendental
Meditation (TM), I have found it only strengthens and enhances the practice of
my Christian religious faith. In fact, it is clear to me that growing more and
more familiar with the simple state of inner awareness cultivated by TM opened
my ear to the "still small voice" within, and paved the way for my vocation in
Christian ministry twenty-two years ago.
In my experience as a priest, many TM meditators who left formal religious
practice earlier in their lives, almost as a rule, returned to it after learning
to meditate. Most of these credit their practice of TM for leading them back to
their faith.
Scientific research has shown that the TM technique reduces stress, improves
health, mental clarity, social responsibility, and moral maturity. These
benefits are directly supportive to a life of spiritual development, devotion
and service to God.
The technique of TM does not provide an alternative faith. The practice itself
strengthens faith in God. So, my answer to those who wonder whether TM is a
religion is that there is nothing to fear and everything to gain for Christians
who wish to deepen and enrich their prayer life and faith.
Sincerely,
Father Thomas R. Miller
Rector St. Gabriel and All Angels Church Fairfield, Iowa
Catholicism:
Father Cletus Stein, October 2, 2008
Dear Catholic friends,
I am a retired Catholic priest who practices Transcendental Meditation (TM) and
did so while I served in the Catholic Church for about 30 years. Based on my own
experience, I know that TM is a universal technique that is in harmony with the
goals of our religion. It requires no change in personal lifestyle or beliefs
and is an effective aid for us to become stronger in our own faith.
Transcendental Meditation has enhanced my own religious practice and has been a
great way for me to relax and become more alert for my work and my life as a
whole.
I served in parishes in Kansas for 20 years and in Texas for 11 years, also
doing some hospital and student chaplain ministry. I did my Theology studies in
Rome and was ordained there in 1966. It is my experience that TM is an excellent
way to prepare for prayer. I have also found that TM teachers and practitioners
have great respect for all religions; therefore, I believe that TM allows us to
practice ecumenism and not just talk about it.
Meditation has been encouraged by the Church over the ages and by the saints,
including the writer of the Cloud of Unknowing, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of
the Cross, and many others. TM is a proven technique for joining them in
meditation. Many scientific research studies over the years have shown
significant results with TM; it has been known to improve physical health and to
increase mental clarity and creativity. It is my experience that the practice of
TM and the benefits that it brings only get better over the years. I believe
that anyone can find great value in practicing this meditation regularly.
Sincerely,
Cletus Stein
Retired Catholic Priest
Catholicism:
Sister Carol Wirtz, August 25, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a letter of support for the practice of Transcendental Meditation. I
have been a Catholic Sister for twenty-two years and have been practicing
Transcendental Meditation for fourteen years. I have found this technique to be
very beneficial in different aspects of my life. It has helped calm and focus my
mind during times of stress as well as in everyday life. I have also noticed
physiological effects such as less muscle tension, more relaxed breathing and
just overall greater awareness. In addition, there have been many scientific
studies to support the benefits of Transcendental Meditation.
Since Transcendental Meditation is not a religion nor is it taught as a
doctrine, it does not interfere or conflict with my Catholic Christian faith. In
my years of practicing this technique I believe it has enhanced my prayer and
Christian life.
Sincerely,
Sister Carol Wirtz
Anthony, New Mexico
Islam:
Mohammad Haghverdi, December 24, 2008
To Whom it May Concern,
I am a Muslim who practices Transcendental Meditation (TM). In my experience of
many years of regular practice of TM, I have found a deeper level of
understanding of everything in life. TM opened my mind and heart; it expanded my
awareness, helped me to be more forgiving and compassionate, sharpened my
senses, and has made me much more alert to everything.
When I look back to those days of my life without TM, I could not believe
myself. I was so ignorant and dull to everything, but, at the time, I did not
even know it. When I consider the great contrast in my life between before and
after learning TM, it is so clear to me how much my life has improved in so many
ways.
I was also very pleased to learn that the benefits I was experiencing from TM
have been documented by a great quantity of scientific research. This research
has shown that the TM technique reduces stress, improves health, increases
mental clarity and creativity and improves social responsibility and moral
maturity.
I have found that TM's benefits are supportive to life as a whole and are also
supportive to a religious life that is dedicated to spiritual development and to
devotion and service to God. As a Muslim, I have found that TM makes me more
effective and successful in my religious life on the "Saarat el mostaghim" on
the straight path to God. I have discovered that TM can help one to achieve the
highest level of service to God, which can only be accomplished through a
complete surrender to the will of God.
However, TM does not replace my religion it is only an excellent support to it.
TM does not provide an alternative faith; it is not a religion. But, it does
serve to strengthen one's faith in one's own God and in one's own religion. So
my answer to those who wonder whether TM is a religion is that there is nothing
to fear and everything to gain for Moslems who wish to deepen and enrich their
own prayer life and faith.
Sincerely,
Mohammad Haghverdi
Practicing Muslim, Fairfield, Iowa
Judaism:
Senior Rabbi Allan Green, June 27, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
The first thing I want to say about my thirty-seven year practice of the
Transcendental Meditation program is that I never would have become a rabbi
without it. Transcendental Meditation saved my Jewish life.
How so? The short story is that in addition to its many other benefits, verified
by over 600 scientific studies, the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique
gave me an experiential referent for the word, "God." Based on my own developing
experiences with TM, I grew in love and appreciation for God, for His amazing
universe, and for my own religious traditions. At the same time, I would
emphasize that TM is truly universal, as anyone of any age, education, or
background can practice it successfully, without any need for change in personal
beliefs or lifestyle.
With the regular practice of TM, people not only become more calm, energetic,
and creative than before, but they also change in ways they couldn't possibly
have anticipated—innocently growing in love, compassion, ethical sensitivity,
and devotion to God. All too often in religious life, these ideals prevail far
more in theory than in practice. But the TM program gently, effectively
transforms these ideals into living realities.
Therefore, I would recommend the practice of Transcendental Meditation to any
student or teacher of Judaism (or indeed, of any religious tradition) interested
in living the highest ideals of their tradition in everyday life. In the words
of the rabbis, "May we then find grace and enlightenment, in the eyes of both
God and humankind."
Very sincerely yours,
Allan Green
Senior Rabbi, Shaarey Haarey Zedek Synagogue Winnipeg, MB Canada
Judaism:
Rabbi Michael Shevack, November 12, 2008
To whom it may concern:
As a rabbi, I would like to comment on my experience of the technique of
Transcendental Meditation (TM) in relationship to the practice of my religion of
Judaism.
There is a common misconception amongst many different "western" religions,
mainly Judaism, Christianity and Islam that Transcendental Meditation is a form
of some kind of Hindu worship and is therefore pagan. Based on my direct
experience with the TM technique, I can clearly say that this idea is a
misunderstanding and is simply not true.
In fact, my experience as a TM practitioner, since the age of 17 (I am now 55)
has proven just the opposite. At first I was attracted to TM as a way to reduce
stress, and was very excited by the hundreds of studies that demonstrated it
having a positive effect on lowering stress, blood pressure and improving
generally well-being, both mental and physical. However, as I practiced TM, I
found that these benefits were actually mere "by products" of the experience.
I found that I was opening, day after day, meditation after meditation, to what
I considered to be a deep spiritual experience. Such an experience was not
"other worldly", nor did it belong to "another religion". Such an experience was
deeply rooted in the practical day to day experiences of life, and as such,
became deeply integrated with the practice of my day to day Judaism. I found
that TM opened me up to intuitive insights and understandings which helped "make
sense" of my Jewish practice; it made the observance of my own faith
increasingly alive and spiritually vibrant.
Many decades ago, I had come across a quote by Maharishi which said, "As you
spontaneously meditate you begin to understand the religion of your birth." This
has proven to be the truth. The more I meditated, the more the customs, the
traditions, the theology and the practice of my religion deepened within me. TM
did not remove me from Judaism; it actually guided me back to Judaism, with
improved understanding, deepened spiritual experience, and greater love and
commitment.
I have therefore recommended TM to many Jews within my congregation and beyond
my congregation, as well as to all seekers-of-Truth, including many within
Christianity and Islam. Based on my experience, I can say that there is nothing
to fear about TM. If you are Christian it will make you more Christian. If you
are Jewish, it will make you more Jewish. If you are Muslim, it will make you
more Muslim. Due to the growing appreciation of one's own faith through TM, one
does not seek out other religions; one becomes fulfilled in one's own.
Lastly, as a leader in inter-religious dialogue, who has worked with many of the
world's noble religions, I believe that TM can provide a doorway to a common
spiritual understanding and experience that can help bring about, and speed
about, the development of mutual respect and understanding of the world's
religions, by deepening and enlivening the universal spiritual foundation upon
which they are all based.
In short, it is a fast, effective, universal approach to peace.
Rabbi Michael Shevack
The Bucks County Free Synagogue Point Pleasant, Pennsylvania
United Methodist Church:
Reverend Jonathan Chadwick, November 4, 2008
Dear friends,
I would like to take a brief moment to address the issue of the teaching of the
Transcendental Meditation Technique (TM) in the public schools.
Many years ago I learned TM while in high school and during that time I had
opportunity to attend several weekend TM residence courses led by Dr. John
Hagelin, who is currently the National Leader of the TM Movement in the U.S.
Also, I was fortunate to spend my sophomore year of college in residence at
Maharishi International University in Fairfield, Iowa. After graduating from
Boston University and seminary, I then served for twelve years as full-time
pastor in charge of various United Methodist churches throughout Iowa.
The relationship between meditation and religion is an interesting and complex
question. During my years in parish ministry my exploration of this question was
detailed and included dialogue on this topic with Bishop Rueben P. Job, who
ordained me twice. Overall, I have come to the conclusion that the practice of
TM really does not conflict with any religion; at least, whatever perceived
"rubbing points" there might be in the opinion of some, are greatly outweighed
by the benefits of TM, many of which have been documented by years of scientific
research.
Please note that I do not make this claim lightly. For more than three decades I
have asked tough questions on these matters to TM officials, and their responses
were quite satisfactory. Also, in recent years, I have made it a point to
communicate in some depth with a number of prominent critics of TM. As far as I
am concerned, TM resoundingly passes the test.
Perhaps the best watchword on these considerations is "diversity." My own alma
mater, Boston University School of Theology, has produced graduates as diverse
as Norman Vincent Peale and Martin Luther King, Jr. So it is in their spirit of
prophetic positivity that I would encourage you to check out TM both for
yourself and your public school. Personally I can't imagine continuing to grow
without it.
Yours sincerely,
Reverend Jonathan Chadwick
Pastor of various United Methodist churches throughout Iowa
Unity Church:
Reverend Don Lansky, June 30, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
When I first learned the Transcendental Meditation technique in 1970 I was an
avowed agnostic. Over my years of practicing the TM technique, I found myself
growing into a greater awareness of something much larger than myself.
Particularly on the TM retreats I attended, this awareness continued to blossom
into a deep appreciation and gratitude for the Creator — and a profound and
abiding love of Jesus Christ. At no point have I ever found a conflict with TM
and my religious beliefs and practices. In fact, the TM program has not only
served to strengthen my faith in God, it has also deepened my prayer life as
well.
When I first learned TM in 1970, there was only one scientific study conducted
by the Harvard Medical School. Today, TM is the most widely researched technique
of meditation in the world with over 600 scientific studies validating its
benefits for improving health and overall well being.
On a more practical level, I cannot imagine doing ministry without my daily,
twice-a-day TM practice. The deep rest and silence of the TM technique helps me
to find balance, energy, and the spiritual connection to cope with the rigorous
demands and stresses of ministry. In short, I am a better minister because of
the TM program.
With my direct experience of the TM technique for over 38 years and the growing
body of scientific research, I can whole-heartedly recommend the TM program. I
especially would recommend the TM technique to my brothers and sisters in the
clergy, whatever their denomination or faith tradition.
Sincerely,
Reverend Don Lansky
Co-Minister, Unity Church Charlottesville, North Carolina