Author's Note

C H A P T E R 1  (cont.)

Not All Rest Is Equal

Rest eliminates stress. The deeper the rest, the better. The rest gained during a night's sleep is sufficient to eliminate some of the stress and fatigue that comes from a full day of activity. But obviously a night's sleep, no matter how deep, isn't enough. We may feel better the next morning, but all too often we don't feel completely refreshed, completely free from the fatigue of the day -- and days -- before.

So we may exercise to help cope with stress -- play tennis, work out at the gym, take an evening walk -- or listen to music, read a book, knit a sweater, or go on a fishing trip.

But something is missing. Despite our best efforts, stress clings to the nervous system and builds up day after day, year after year. Butterflies in the stomach from pre-exam nerves at age 16 can turn into stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, or premature aging, at age 40 -- all from too many years of too much worry.

What is missing? Very, very deep rest.

Recreation or a vacation may be relaxing, but they don't provide the depth of rest necessary to eliminate accumulated stress. Because of this, the benefits are short-lived. (Recall your first day back at work after a week-long vacation. Within a few hours it feels like you never left.)

What is the solution?

Deep Rest Eliminates Deep Stress

Transcendental Meditation. It provides very deep rest -- which is exactly what the body needs to eliminate the very deeply-rooted stress that sleep or a vacation never touch.

In one stroke of Transcendental Meditation, the mind and body are rejuvenated. Then you can play tennis, work in the garden, read a book, or go fishing, because you enjoy it, and not because you are trying to cope with an ever-increasing amount of stress in life.

All Techniques Are Not the Same

Are all meditation and relaxation techniques the same? Are all their benefits equal?

No. Four major "meta-analyses" have been published that compare findings of hundreds of scientific studies on Transcendental Meditation and all other forms of meditation and relaxation. The studies show clearly that Transcendental Meditation is far more effective in reducing anxiety; improving psychological health; increasing self-actualization; and reducing cigarette, drug, and alcohol misuse.

Practical Technique for Health, Happiness, and Success

For a long, long time meditation has been considered the domain of recluses. For people with families and jobs, meditation, at its best, was seen as a momentary refuge from the demands of living; at its worst, an escape from life.

Transcendental Meditation is neither. It is a practical, proven technique for developing more energy, creativity, and intelligence -- for awakening the unlimited potential of mind and body and enjoying greater health, happiness, and success in life.

What Transcendental Meditation Is Not

Transcendental Meditation is not a religion, a philosophy, or a lifestyle. Nor does it involve any codes of conduct or moral training, a value system, belief, or worship. To elaborate:

• Transcendental Meditation is not a religion -- it's a technique. Millions of people of all religions, including clergy, practice Transcendental Meditation. It supports all religions because it releases stress and purifies the mind, body, and emotions of the person who practices it.
• Transcendental Meditation is not a philosophy -- it's a simple, mechanical technique. Turning on a light switch is a technique; it involves no philosophy. Using a lever to move a large rock is a technique; it involves no philosophy. And Transcendental Meditation is a scientific technique because it is universally applicable, repeatable, and verifiable by anyone, anywhere.
• Transcendental Meditation is not a lifestyle -- it's a technique. You don't have to change your lifestyle in order to start Transcendental Meditation. Just learn it, practice it, and enjoy the benefits.

-- John Zamara, M.D., a specialist in cardiology and internal medicine, Orange County, California. Dr. Zamara has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 21 years.

-- Kelvin O. Lim, M.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California. Dr. Lim has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 13 years.

"I've always felt that Transcendental Meditation was an aid to my Christian growth. It never replaced my Christian growth, but it was an aid to it. In fact, I decided to commit my life to Christ after I'd been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 3 months.

"I would say to any Christian -- to anyone of any religion -- that Transcendental Meditation would benefit your life. It's a technique, a simple process that requires no belief. It is not a religion. There are so many thoughts that clutter the mind, and Transcendental Meditation is like taking a bath -- it's very cleansing and very refreshing."

-- Rev. Dr. Craig Overmyer, a pastoral counselor in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Overmyer received his Master of Divinity in 1982 and his Doctorate of Ministry in 1985 from the Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. He has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 22 years.

-- Rabbi Alan Green of Beth Israel Synagogue in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Rabbi Green has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 20 years.

-- Glenn Pilling, actor, Los Angeles. Mr. Pilling has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 14 months.

-- Merrily Manthey, M.S., Director of the Institute for Executive Stress Management in Kent (greater Seattle area), Washington. She has been meditating for 22 years.

-- Denise Droese, mother of four children, ages 4, 10, 12, and 20, Carmel, Indiana. Ms. Droese has been practicing Transcendental Meditation for one month.