Are All Meditation Techniques the Same?
In the 1950's the adults did it
In the 1950's the adults did it. In the 1960's it was the college crowd. Now in the new millennium, everybody has tried some type of meditation. So as a teacher of the
Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique I am often asked: "Aren't all meditation techniques basically the same?" Let's take a look and see.
1. Concentration and Visualization: We've all been to a yoga class and been asked to clear our mind of thoughts, let go of our stress or imagine ourselves floating on a cloud. These are attempts to push away stress and tension by focusing on, or visualizing a pleasant thought, a peaceful place or by relaxing a specific body area. But this kind of meditation could also involve looking at a candle or contemplating love, or life or God etc. These are all considered to be in the same category of meditation techniques that require mental focus or concentration.
2. Mindfulness: This involves the dispassionate monitoring of our thoughts and experiences by maintaining an attitude of non-evaluation.
3. Effortless and Automatic: So far, only the Transcendental Meditation technique falls into this category. Why? Because thinking a mantra is only the starting point in the TM technique. It sets up the initial conditions that allow the mind to automatically sink into deep silence. It does not involve any concentration, contemplation or mindfulness of the thought or meditation process.
Can this be verified objectively? Well, let's find out by examining the brain wave or EEG results
for the various types of meditation.
Category 1 meditation (concentration) requires that we hold our attention on a single thought, a visualization or a series of thoughts. These kinds of meditation produce EEG in the beta-2 (20-30 Hz) and gamma (30-50 Hz) frequency bands.
Category 2 meditation (mindfulness) also requires focus but instead of visualizing, it requires us to focus on our thinking process and asks us to monitor it in a dispassionate and non-evaluative way. This kind of meditation technique is characterized by brain wave activity in the frontal area, theta (5-8 Hz) EEG, and sometimes also the occipital area, generating gamma (30-50 Hz) EEG patterns. (Cahn, Delorme, & Polich, 2010).
Category 3 meditation (TM technique) is an automatic, self-transcending, meditation that is effortless and requires no point of focus, not even focusing on the mantra. That's right, even though a customized mantra is part of the Transcendental Meditation technique it is merely a starting point or vehicle for the automatic process of transcending or going beyond the thought process itself.
The TM technique is the only meditation technique that produces alpha-1 (7-9 Hz) EEG,
brain wave activity that is characteristic of reduced mental activity and physical relaxation occurring simultaneously while remaining alert. This kind of brain wave activity is both coherent and synchronous in the left and right hemispheres and frontal and posterior brain and is not seen in any other type of meditation practice. (Travis, Arenander, & DuBois, 2004; Travis et al., 2010).
It's important to note that EEG coherence is the innocent byproduct of the TM technique not the goal. During the technique we could care less about our EEG or anything else for that matter. There is no concentration or manipulation of the mind or thoughts.
Be a wise and informed participant. There are many meditation techniques available in health spas and yoga centers etc. So do a little research and find the one that's right for you. Look for one that offers personalized training, follow up classes and is backed by scientific research. Personally and professionally I use the Transcendental Meditation technique, but everyone needs to decide for themselves. Good luck and peace to you!
More Research on TM and other relaxation techniques:
Allen, C.P. Effects of Transcendental Meditation, electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback relaxation, and conventional relaxation on vasoconstriction, muscle tension, and stuttering: A quantitative comparison. Dissertation Abstracts International 40(2): 689B, 1979.
Gaylord, C. et al.
The effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique and progressive muscle relaxation on EEG coherence, stress reactivity, and mental health in black adults. International Journal of Neuroscience 46: 7786, 1989.
This TM blog article was written by Dr. Keith DeBoer http://AdventuresinTranscendentalMeditation.blogspot.com
Transcendental Meditation, TM and Maharishi are registered or common law trademarks licensed to Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation and are used under sublicense. Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation, is a non-profit, educational organization.
Are All Meditation Techniques the Same?
By: Dr. Keith DeBoer
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