Peace is found within
How often, as you juggle the different demands of your life, – work, home, study, family – do you long for some peace, some time to yourself? Women are especially good at compartmentalising our different challenges in life, but over time if we do not nourish ourselves, stress and fatigue build up.
Inner peace is more than just the absence of stress. With the TM technique we do have that simple way of gaining deep rest of mind and body. As you transcend thought in meditation, you experience the source of thought which is pure consciousness—consciousness awake in itself, beyond thoughts, without sensory input. It is an orderly, restful, peaceful state. It is expansive, it is freedom of mind – it is your innermost Self. And it is available to everyone.
This is the settled state of mind, or peace of mind – which we have often longed for in the midst of the busyness of modern life. As you meditate 20 minutes twice a day regularly, the qualities of that state—peacefulness, steadiness, harmony—permeate and enrich every aspect of your life.
Inner peace is a mind / body experience
Inner peace is an experience, not an intellectual concept or an affirmation. Research has shown that TM reduces anxiety, depression, and stress. During TM your breathing slows down, your heart rate decreases and cortisol (a major stress hormone) is reduced. True inner peace is the calm and centredness you need in today’s demanding world. In sports, they call it “the zone,” when athletes perform at their peak while maintaining a calm, comprehensive point of view.
Change begins within. For women and girls balancing all the varied interests and challenges of life this is the key to maintaining a good positive balance of your mind and body, inner peace of mind with greater mental clarity and creativity, so life can be enjoyed.
A meta-analysis (used for drawing objective conclusions from large bodies of research) found that the Transcendental Meditation technique produced a significant decrease in basal skin conductance compared to eyes-closed rest, indicating profound relaxation. Deep rest and relaxation were also indicated by greater decreases in respiration rates and plasma lactate levels compared to ordinary rest. These physiological changes occur spontaneously
as the mind effortlessly settles to the state of restful alertness, Transcendental Consciousness.
References: 1. American Psychologist 42 (1987): 879–881.
2. Science 167 (1970): 1751–1754.
3. American Journal of Physiology 221 (1971): 795–799.
Statistical meta-analysis of all available studies (42 independent outcomes) indicated that the effect of the Transcendental Meditation program on increasing self-actualisation is much greater than concentration, contemplation, or other techniques. Self-actualisation refers to realising more of one’s inner potential, expressed in every area of life: integration and stability of personality, self-regard, emotional maturity, capacity for warm interpersonal relationships, and adaptive response to challenges.
References: 1. Journal of Social Behaviour and Personality 6 (1991): 189–248.
2. Journal of Counselling Psychology 19 (1972): 184–187.
3. Journal of Counselling Psychology 20 (1973): 565–566.