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Just One Thing – with Dr Michael Mosley on the benefits of mindfulness meditation

Below a 14 minute programme from this mornings Radio 4 on meditation, specifically mindfulness with Dr Michael Mosely. Whilst I have great respect for the founder of mindfulness Jon Kabat Zinn, in making meditation more accessible to the world, this is almost a masterclass in how not to practice Transcendental Meditation (TM) and a reminder of the sheer simplicity and do-ability of TM : no effort, no concentration, no emptying of the mind.

Almost everyone I teach these days has struggled with various forms of “mindfulness” and are looking for something easier.  To get benefits from meditation one needs to meditate reasonably regularly, if its difficult to do, no one will keep it up.  The beauty of Transcendental Meditation (TM) is that its a pleasure to do, enjoyable and consequently people tend to look forward to it anmd thus reap the benefits

Meditate
Just One Thing – with Michael Mosley
Michael explores how mindfulness meditation can have surprising benefits for your attention, your immune system, and even change the shape of your brain for the better.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001817f?fbclid=IwAR1tZHS-IRpydTO9f4iAX5d6w6_KAQ3fYonn-UiBM1KTqeM00lDj15DZ67s

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Billionaire Ray Dalio went broke in 1982. ‘Mantra’ meditation helped in his comeback

All kinds of people meditate.

I do like Ray Dalio’s description of his experience during TM :
“You’re peaceful. You’re quiet,” he said. “You’re not awake, but you’re not asleep.”

The crazy thing about Transcendental Meditation (TM) is that because it is so simple, it is actually surprisingly difficult to describe accurately.  For example when the article say :

“Transcendental Meditation is a form of mantra meditation that eschews chanting and focusing on breathing in favour of repeating a mantra in silence.”

The word “repeating” gives the impression that effort, concentration, ie : getting rid of thoughts is involved.  Wrong, that’s what make Transcendental Meditation different, even unique.  It is so easy, that it becomes effortless to practice.  Hence another favourite quote of mine from someone whom I taught on a TM course in York a few years ago :

“I really enjoyed the course, after years of struggling with thought control meditation techniques, TM feels like a breath of fresh air – it almost feels like cheating! I’m managing to practice twice a day and I’m getting a lot out of it already.”

Zara ~ Leeds

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/billionaire-ray-dalio-went-broke-in-1982-mantra-meditation-helped-in-his-comeback-8582381.html

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James Corden takes up Transcendental Meditation

“Normally if I have a spare 20 minutes, I’ll be on my phone, I’ll be watching something, and that’s it — now I do this. It’s great.” James Corden

I must admit sometimes it does get a bit tiresome to hear of yet another celebrity taking up TM (Transcendental Meditation), but to be fair if it had’nt been for those four young lads from Liverpool most people would never of heard of it – including me 50 years ago.

Since Covid I have been fortunate to discover that teaching TM (Transcendental Meditation) online works beautifully, just as well as face to face, enabling me to introduce people to this wonderful technique across the UK and around the world – brilliant!

Here’s a comment from someone who attended my April 2022 online TM course :

“Twice a day every day for me apart form the odd bump in the road Awesome!”
Tim ~ Richmond, North Yorkshire

https://uk.style.yahoo.com/james-corden-takes-transcendental-meditation-100000909.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAM3SENZtYi8QAWBLLOFAhr48jm8pGdjB0L1dywkeeQ7Z8401RA2Xxt3cuy2VkpRG3TBGz4AnoxR6l97vCjm3xXWIxa91L3hK1Ka8Pvbe8xEsdM8Va1KVWDujoM8uwqaEoML6xjoJ0_MddJepX1dllWqKtG0DU_fI-0bJqyYd9YKl

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“I no longer find [meditation] fun and interesting — I find it a lifesaver.” Ted Danson

Danson, who has been using transcendental meditation for more than twenty years, told EveryDay Health: “Life gets more complicated and stressful the older you are.
“I no longer find [meditation] fun and interesting — I find it a lifesaver.”
Ted Danson echos the experience of tens of thousands of everyday people across the UK and around the world when he says that he finds Transcendental Meditation (TM) a lifesaver.  Having taught TM (Transcendental Meditation) courses for the last 45 years, its a comment I hear again and again from all kinds of people.  Why?  In a nutshell its because it is the easiest meditation technique, simple, effortless, absorbingly pleasant, uncomplicated – do-able.  No concentration, no emptying of the mind.
“I’ve unexpectedly kept up the daily meditations and am surprisingly enjoying them.”
Sophie ~ Whitly Bay, Tyne & Wear (Attended January 22 online TM course)

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1581235/ted-danson-health-arthritis-transcendental-meditation?fbclid=IwAR3m7n_zgBRQoTY8dDweazqubQlcAa8AIcLKGEFS2aapcI0m7sqeWwtv6Qs

Interesting article in a generally underwhelming newspaper 🙂

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Billionaire Ray Dalio credits his success to 40 minutes of meditation per day — here’s how he does it

Below a comment from someone who has just learnt TM (Transcendental Meditation) on our last online course for 2021 followed by a link to an article about Ray Dalio, someone who has practised TM for over half a century.

“I’m two weeks in and haven’t missed one yet.  I’m feeling less stressed, happier and have more energy.  I saw this meditation quote the other day and it hit a chord with me” :

“The question is not so much, how can I afford to give up my time to meditate.  But more – how can I afford not to.”

Keith ~ Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear

https://www.twentyminutesmeditation.co.uk/billionaire-ray-…s-how-he-does-it/

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Long COVID: my work with sufferers reveals that western medicine has reached a crisis point

Interesting article, long but very worthwhile read.  Although not about Transcendental Meditation, (TM) relevant to why it works for so many people in ways you wouldn’t always expect.                                             Of particular interest to me as someone who has taught TM (Transcendental Meditation) for over 40 years, in that it chimes with the experiences of thousands of people from all age groups, backgrounds & nationalities looking for ways to cope better with the pressures of modern day life.                                   One of the most common comments from those about to learn Transcendental Meditation is “I’ve got a very busy mind.”   They are looking for a way to truly relax on a regular basis – to give the mind a break.  In taking up TM people are often amazed at the across the board effect on mind and body.  As the author says :                                                                                                                                                                              “We need to have an open conversation in society about the mind and body, health and illness.”              Alastair Santhouse  Author

https://theconversation.com/long-covid-my-work-with-sufferers-reveals-that-western-medicine-has-reached-a-crisis-point-167417?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB&fbclid=IwAR3rKhYYO9MhAy39ldDqgsmEWQiCYbzna0Rp2pvxCax0Na2JnsaKyKeVdHE

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NHS could give therapy before anti-depressants, under new guidelines

Part of the human condition, how could you be human and not sometimes feel depressed. P.S. That includes men btw. 🙂

Many people find meditation makes a difference.  Why?  Because most people don’t realise how run down they have become through everyday wear and tear.  This results in a gradual accumalation of mental and physical fatigue, even exhaustion which can result in low moods and depression.

Transcendental Meditation (TM) gives one a simple, ultimately “effortless” and absorbing break.  Something that, importantly people don’t just enjoy, but begin to look forward to, little moments of deep mental and physical relaxation, which experienced daily can become transformational.
“The clinical watchdog also recommends mindfulness and meditation as possible alternatives to anti-depressants in new guidelines under consultation.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59383722

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Why millennial managers are burned out

When I first started teaching Transcendental Meditation in the late 70’s, on every course there would be a middle aged man (40’s / 50’s) suffering from work related stress, burnout. Often referred by their GP for conditions like high blood pressure. Teaching TM regularly since then, I can’t help but notice that while I still get people like this on most of my courses, the big difference over the last 20 years is that :

A/ There are as many women as men suffering from stress at work.

B/ The most common age group in this situation is late 20’s early 30’s.

For many Transcendental Meditation is one of the antidotes to the pressures of modern day life.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20211109-why-millennial-managers-are-burned-out?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB

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Sometimes Mindlessness Is Better Than Mindfulness

Interesting article. Worth remembering the approach to Transcendental Meditation is the complete opposite to Mindfulness – easy, effortless, unfocused.

Not to say mindfulness doesn’t work of course, just TM is more natural, easy, direct, less contrived. Most people find it far more do-able, enjoyable, something they’re more likely to continue with through out their life.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sometimes-mindlessness-is-better-than-mindfulness/?utm_source=pocket-newtab-global-en-GB&fbclid=IwAR2JeR1Xi7QnxPQ0su_9jaXULaK1L8DhJ8npQH_b7UYY_yjmWdHTgiSRdKo

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