So he never answered why TM is different from other meditation... if TM meditation is silently repeating a word in your mind and when a thought arises putting it aside and returning focus to the sound of the word on exhaltion. How is that not a concentrative meditation? How is that different from focusing on the in and out breath and putting any thought that rises aside?
That is not an accurate description of the TM technique. You cannot learn TM by following a written description. You must be taught by a teacher who is carefully trained to give you instructions, see what your experience is, and then give you further instructions. Otherwise it would not be effortless because you'd be putting forth some effort to figure out what to do next.
In the video "Are all meditations the same?" Dr. Travis talks in detail about the EEG of different meditations.
You're right, we cannot conclude anything from this demonstration. But it's not a research experiment, it's just a demonstration of what EEG looks like when a person is practicing Transcendental Meditation. There have been at least 50 EEG studies published in well-respected, peer reviewed journals, and they draw valid conclusions about how TM affects brain functioning. In the video "Transcending and the brain: latest research" Dr. Travis explains some of his published research.
Transcendental Meditation is a specific meditation technique. Dr. Travis talks a little about how it's different from other meditations in this video. He has another video "Are all meditations the same?" where he addresses this issue.
Every type of meditation has its own procedure, its own goals, and its own benefits. So you have to be careful -- if there's research about the benefits of one particular meditation technique, another meditation may not provide those same benefits.
April 11, 2009 Interesting experiment. I think it would be better if there were other subjects, one meditator, one nonmeditator, and one each practicing other techniques, and all inside a soundproof booth.
also, I think the eeg should be displayed longer so people can get more of an idea how the eeg is changing.
This was just a demonstration, not actually research. If you're interested in TM research, check out Dr. Travis's video "Transcending and the Brain: Lastest Research." This show longitudinal EEG data for TM meditators and non-meditators, with their eyes closed and during complex computer tasks.
your brain never rest, just parts of it such as your logic part of your brain, and parts that don't rest are hearing senses thats why sounds like alarm clocks can wake u up, and u can't die from not sleeping you'll just end up passing out sooner or later
You're wrong bubbler. Sleeping is as necessary as eating and drinking, without it you'll most centainly die within a max of 2 weeks. You'll turn into coma and there is a big chance that you won't come out of it. Don't believe..than check sites about neurology.
Sorry to break this theory. But the Alfa-rhythm is NOT a rhythm that indicates resting of the brain. That would be slow waves (Delta-activity). The only time the brain 'rests' is when we are sleeping, not when we close our eyes. (If you don't sleep, you'll die. Closing your eyes won't help)
Dr Travis says:"Yes, delta is seen in deep sleep when the brain is being repaired. Alpha is the recognized sign that the brain is alert but not processing. When you close your eyes, the visual centers produce alpha. Thalamo-cortical loops maintain alertness, so when your eyes open, you can see right away. In TM, the frontal areas produce alpha: the executive areas are resting but you stay alert."
If you dont sleep youll die? haha, thats funny, many monks do not sleep, what is your definition of sleep? If you are aware of your dreams occuring are you still asleep? Why couldnt you be aware of the real world outside your body as you are sleeping in the same manner.
As far as being offensive goes, listen to the Tibetan meditation researchers on NPR when TM is mentioned. The implication of their reaction being that Fred doesn't know how to do research and that he's dishonest as well.
Its too bad he clumps all Tibetan Meditation practices together. There are dozens of types, many of which use a mantra in the same way it is used in TM, and some, like Dzogchen or Mahamudra (NO-Meditation_ are even more effortless than TM, which requires you to at least sit down and begin the mantra. I'm not disagreeing with the doctor, but to say that "Tibetan meditation" involves strenuous concentration is a blatant generalization and is categorically false.
Here's a note from Dr. Travis: "I am talking about Tsonhakapa, which is what has been researched most. I should have been more specific - thanks for your comment."
Hey, thanks for your reply. I love what you all are doing (Im a big Ken Wilber fan, an he uses your research.) and some of the most shining people i know in my life have been to your University. You light up the world. Thank you. But your comments about other types of meditation can be offensive. Different meditations do different things, all of which can be benificial, yes?
You're absolutely right - different techniques of meditation have different effects. Dr. Travis certainly didn't mean to offend anyone. He was explaining his EEG research on TM, and how TM differs from other techniques. You might want to watch this video again - he doesn't say anything negative about other meditations, just that they don't have the same effects on the brain as TM. Research that studies one type of meditation does not apply to other meditation techniques.
brain is a complex organ. meditation really helps to rest the brain that allow us to think rightfully.
happinesson 2 months ago
So he never answered why TM is different from other meditation... if TM meditation is silently repeating a word in your mind and when a thought arises putting it aside and returning focus to the sound of the word on exhaltion. How is that not a concentrative meditation? How is that different from focusing on the in and out breath and putting any thought that rises aside?
mmmga 2 years ago
That is not an accurate description of the TM technique. You cannot learn TM by following a written description. You must be taught by a teacher who is carefully trained to give you instructions, see what your experience is, and then give you further instructions. Otherwise it would not be effortless because you'd be putting forth some effort to figure out what to do next.
In the video "Are all meditations the same?" Dr. Travis talks in detail about the EEG of different meditations.
MaharishiUniversity 2 years ago
This expirement is absolutely irrelevant. We cannot possibly conlude anything about affects of transcendental meditation in the brain.
zeels 2 years ago
You're right, we cannot conclude anything from this demonstration. But it's not a research experiment, it's just a demonstration of what EEG looks like when a person is practicing Transcendental Meditation. There have been at least 50 EEG studies published in well-respected, peer reviewed journals, and they draw valid conclusions about how TM affects brain functioning. In the video "Transcending and the brain: latest research" Dr. Travis explains some of his published research.
MaharishiUniversity 2 years ago
what is the difference between meditation and transcendental meditation?
dailyshowme 2 years ago
Transcendental Meditation is a specific meditation technique. Dr. Travis talks a little about how it's different from other meditations in this video. He has another video "Are all meditations the same?" where he addresses this issue.
Every type of meditation has its own procedure, its own goals, and its own benefits. So you have to be careful -- if there's research about the benefits of one particular meditation technique, another meditation may not provide those same benefits.
MaharishiUniversity 2 years ago
True meditation is without a goal;)
kovrcek 2 years ago
@MaharishiUniversity I like that answer. its neither neglecting its own worth , nor the others worth. I think that speaks for itself =)
lezvarthok 1 year ago
exellent brain waves, waves responding to your closing of eyes moving up and down
enrikoa 2 years ago
April 11, 2009 Interesting experiment. I think it would be better if there were other subjects, one meditator, one nonmeditator, and one each practicing other techniques, and all inside a soundproof booth.
also, I think the eeg should be displayed longer so people can get more of an idea how the eeg is changing.
sam sam
sampraki 2 years ago
This was just a demonstration, not actually research. If you're interested in TM research, check out Dr. Travis's video "Transcending and the Brain: Lastest Research." This show longitudinal EEG data for TM meditators and non-meditators, with their eyes closed and during complex computer tasks.
MaharishiUniversity 2 years ago
your brain never rest, just parts of it such as your logic part of your brain, and parts that don't rest are hearing senses thats why sounds like alarm clocks can wake u up, and u can't die from not sleeping you'll just end up passing out sooner or later
bubbler92 4 years ago
You're wrong bubbler. Sleeping is as necessary as eating and drinking, without it you'll most centainly die within a max of 2 weeks. You'll turn into coma and there is a big chance that you won't come out of it. Don't believe..than check sites about neurology.
nlvinnie 3 years ago
you can't die from not sleeping. eventually, you will fall asleep.
Kikiyo52 4 years ago 2
and if you can't you'll die. :-D
inyourfacetimmy 3 years ago
Lots of anger and spite in people comments. Disagreeing should not spark those emotions.
3Storm 4 years ago 11
well said
IntuitiveMediums 3 years ago 2
Anger is just an illusion;)
kovrcek 2 years ago
Sorry to break this theory. But the Alfa-rhythm is NOT a rhythm that indicates resting of the brain. That would be slow waves (Delta-activity). The only time the brain 'rests' is when we are sleeping, not when we close our eyes. (If you don't sleep, you'll die. Closing your eyes won't help)
nlvinnie 4 years ago
Dr Travis says:"Yes, delta is seen in deep sleep when the brain is being repaired. Alpha is the recognized sign that the brain is alert but not processing. When you close your eyes, the visual centers produce alpha. Thalamo-cortical loops maintain alertness, so when your eyes open, you can see right away. In TM, the frontal areas produce alpha: the executive areas are resting but you stay alert."
MaharishiUniversity 4 years ago
If you dont sleep youll die? haha, thats funny, many monks do not sleep, what is your definition of sleep? If you are aware of your dreams occuring are you still asleep? Why couldnt you be aware of the real world outside your body as you are sleeping in the same manner.
kungfumonkyman 4 years ago
its live!
equationoracle 4 years ago
As far as being offensive goes, listen to the Tibetan meditation researchers on NPR when TM is mentioned. The implication of their reaction being that Fred doesn't know how to do research and that he's dishonest as well.
sparaig 5 years ago
Its too bad he clumps all Tibetan Meditation practices together. There are dozens of types, many of which use a mantra in the same way it is used in TM, and some, like Dzogchen or Mahamudra (NO-Meditation_ are even more effortless than TM, which requires you to at least sit down and begin the mantra. I'm not disagreeing with the doctor, but to say that "Tibetan meditation" involves strenuous concentration is a blatant generalization and is categorically false.
davidtitterington 5 years ago
Here's a note from Dr. Travis: "I am talking about Tsonhakapa, which is what has been researched most. I should have been more specific - thanks for your comment."
MaharishiUniversity 5 years ago
Hey, thanks for your reply. I love what you all are doing (Im a big Ken Wilber fan, an he uses your research.) and some of the most shining people i know in my life have been to your University. You light up the world. Thank you. But your comments about other types of meditation can be offensive. Different meditations do different things, all of which can be benificial, yes?
davidtitterington 5 years ago
You're absolutely right - different techniques of meditation have different effects. Dr. Travis certainly didn't mean to offend anyone. He was explaining his EEG research on TM, and how TM differs from other techniques. You might want to watch this video again - he doesn't say anything negative about other meditations, just that they don't have the same effects on the brain as TM. Research that studies one type of meditation does not apply to other meditation techniques.
MaharishiUniversity 5 years ago