Question

Short Response

Full Response

The Transcendental Meditation organization does not have any of the defining characteristics of a cult. The TM organization is not isolated, but interacts openly on both personal and professional levels with all levels of the larger society.

There are no intense indoctrination methods.  Most people who learn the technique never join the organization, and those that do join and stay do so purely of their own volition. 

There is no unquestioned allegiance to Maharishi, but rather Maharishi invites open discussion on all topics in public forums, including regular globally televised press conferences. Research shows that those involved in the organization are physically and mentally healthier than the norm.

The Transcendental Meditation technique produces physiological and psychological changes that are in the opposite direction of a cult, including increased open-mindedness, increased ability to see the perspective of others, increased resistance to social pressure, increased intelligence and creativity.

Although the Transcendental Meditation program originates from humanity's oldest continuous spiritual tradition, the Vedic tradition of India, it is not a religion per se because it requires no belief, faith, or change in life style to practice the technique or gain its benefits.

The Transcendental Meditation program is practiced by people and religious leaders of all faiths.  Maharishi University of Management is nonsectarian and its faculty, staff, and students represent all the major religions of the world.

Extensive research shows that transcendental consciousness is a unique neurophysiological state of restful alertness, referred to by physiologists as a wakeful hypometabolic state, characterized by decreased metabolic activity together with increased EEG coherence. 

Recent research has distinguished transcendental consciousness from other states during meditation.

Many people are experiencing the classical milestones of enlightenment, which arise from regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation program. These include witnessing of sleep and activity, equanimity during challenging experiences, and increase creativity. 

Recent published research on these individuals has scientifically verified the reality of unique physiological characteristics and benefits of enlightenment. Moreover, the entire body of research on the Transcendental Meditation program demonstrates holistic development of the qualities of enlightenment.

Research shows that creativity arises from the silent inner depths of bliss  consciousness.  The writings of artists who suffered in their lives, such as van Gogh, indicate that their creative process was an escape from their suffering, not that suffering was the cause of their creativity.  Their periods of suffering were down times when they could not create.

Any negative effects that one experiences on the path to enlightenment arise from pre-existing conditions in the individual that he has created for himself through his past behavior.  These stresses in the system are blocks on the path to enlightenment, and the Transcendental Meditation program normalizes them as one progresses. An individual with few stresses would not experience any negativity on the path to enlightenment.  In principle, suffering is completely unnecessary for gaining enlightenment or for attaining anything else.