By THIRSTY
Norman E. Rosenthal, MD, is a New York Times bestselling author whose
latest book, Super Mind, continues
his work to bring Transcendental Meditation (TM) to the forefront of public
awareness and to improve people’s lives. A clinical professor of psychiatry at
Georgetown University School of Medicine, he was the first psychiatrist to
diagnose seasonal affective disorder. With over two hundred scholarly articles
to his credit, Dr. Rosenthal’s Super Mind
has earned praise from professionals and practitioners alike, from Richard A.
Friedman, MD (New York Times) and Dr.
Jennifer Ashton (ABC News) to Hugh
Jackman, Arianna Huffington and Maria Shriver.
Stay
Thirsty Magazine was honored to invite Dr. Rosenthal to participate in
our One Hundred Words project by
writing one hundred words about topics that we suggested.
STAY THIRSTY: Consciousness.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: The science of consciousness has made tremendous
strides recently by defining consciousness so that it can be measured scientifically.
For example, an image can be flashed on a screen at different speeds that are
either so fast that a person can’t report seeing it, or slow enough so that a
person can. Resulting brain wave
changes differ, depending on whether an image is consciously or unconsciously
perceived. In another context, different states of consciousness, such as
waking, sleeping and dreaming, have been observed for years. According to
practitioners of Transcendental Meditation, a fourth state of consciousness,
transcendence, should be added.
STAY THIRSTY: Meditation.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: Although meditation has become increasingly popular,
many people still don’t realize that there are several different types of
meditation. The two most popular types of mediation are Transcendental
Mediation (TM) and mindfulness. In TM a person is taught how to think a word
sound effortlessly in such a way as to induce a state of transcendence or pure
consciousness. In mindfulness, the meditator is encouraged to focus on what is
happening in the moment, which might include one’s breath, the visualization of
an image, or a thought. These two forms of meditation result in different
psychological and brain wave effects.
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| Norman E. Rosenthal, MD |
STAY THIRSTY: Transcendence.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: During transcendence, a person is conscious though
there is no specific content to the consciousness; hence it is called “pure
consciousness.” At the same time the muscles are typically relaxed, breathing
slows down, and there is a general feeling of pleasant relaxation. Transcendence
may occur infrequently in ordinary life, for example, between sleeping and
waking, but it is most reliably accessed by the TM practice. After people have
been doing TM for some time, the experience of transcendence can filter into
their daily lives. This can lead to many beneficial effects, which are part of
the Super Mind, described below.
STAY THIRSTY: Body.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: The practice of TM can lead to many physical benefits
over time as a result of its ability to reduce stress, acting as a surge
protector for the fight-or-flight response system. Thus, many controlled
studies have shown that TM can reduce blood pressure, increase sensitivity to
insulin, and reverse atherosclerosis. This translates to fewer heart attacks
and strokes and an overall increase in longevity in TM practitioners. TM-induced
relaxation may also help with other physical problems such as pain (including
migraines) and movement disorders. TM might also help other stress related illnesses,
such as impaired immune functioning and wound healing.
STAY THIRSTY: Mind.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: During TM sessions, meditators show brainwave changes,
including more alpha waves, which are associated with calm reflection, and
greater alpha coherence, which probably represents better collaboration between
different brain regions. The greatest benefits of TM, however, are seen between
TM sessions. TM practitioners typically react less to minor insults and are
better able to focus on their goals and activities. There is a decrease in
negative emotions such as anxiety and anger, and an increase in happiness and
well-being. Insomnia decreases, sleep quality improves, and meditators
typically feel more rested and refreshed during the day. Creativity flourishes
and productivity increases.
STAY THIRSTY: Mindfulness.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: Mindfulness in its general sense means attending to
what one is doing, feeling or thinking in the moment. Mindfulness also refers to
a school of meditation derived from the Buddhist tradition, in which the
meditator focuses on something specific that is occurring in the moment – such
as an image, the breath, or thoughts of loving-kindness with a positive
attitude. One of the major goals of mindfulness is that it helps the meditator
develop insight into reality, as it changes from moment to moment. Mindfulness
proponents claim many benefits of zeroing in on the present moment, based on
several research studies.
STAY THIRSTY: Super Mind.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: Through the repeated practice of TM, inner stillness
develops throughout the day, along with many benefits. I have called this
combination of inner stillness and its fruits, the “Super Mind.” A survey of
over 600 regular meditators revealed a self-reported improvement in the
following: A sense of stillness when awake, authenticity, vividness in one’s
surroundings, and improved sleep. Respondents reported being more “in the
zone,” more creative, and found that it was easier to get things done. They
made better choices, developed better relationships, were more successful, and
felt luckier. Finally, they were more resilient, present, mindful, content and
happier.
STAY THIRSTY: Engagement and Detachment.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: Although we appropriately value engagement in our
personal and professional lives, we may well be less aware of the psychological
importance of detachment, which has been emphasized in Eastern writings.
Detachment may be important, for example, in breaking free from bad habits or
relationships; and from overvaluing certain ideas. The balance between
engagement and detachment offers an important key to a happy and successful
life. Repeated TM practice and the development of the Super Mind improves the
ability to balance these countervailing forces. I provide several examples of
how this balance can enrich one’s life in my book Super Mind.
STAY THIRSTY: Connected Universe.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: As you continue to practice TM and your Super Mind
develops, the benefits extend beyond your own boundaries to include the wider
world. In Super Mind, I offer several examples of meditators who have
enjoyed this progression: A New York psychiatrist who begins to feel a
connection with the homeless; a husband finding empathy for his ex-wife after a
rancorous divorce; and a hedge fund owner developing a broader perspective on
his limited role in the universe. This helps us realize we are part of a
connected universe, in which we breathe the same air and share the same waters.
STAY THIRSTY: Happiness.
NORMAN ROSENTHAL: Happiness, as Aristotle pointed out, is the one
quality that everybody wants for its own sake, not because of what other
benefit it can produce: Hence the universal quest for
greater happiness. In my survey of 600 plus TM meditators, the vast majority
said that they had felt greater levels of contentment and well-being (i.e.
happiness) since starting to meditate, with greater levels of happiness
correlating with how long and regularly they had been meditating. A common response to the question: Have
you been happier since starting to meditate was: “Absolutely, 100 percent!” Put
simply, TM can make you happier.
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