Written by John Freeman | 03 November 2009

Introduced nearly 50 years ago by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the TM technique develops the full potential of human consciousness, unfolding creativity and intelligence and developing the full brain physiology. In addition, the technique produces a unique experience of physiological “restful alertness” that dissolves deep-rooted stress and fatigue, thereby promoting ideal health and behavior. More than 6 million people from all countries, religions, and educational backgrounds have learned the technique, and hundreds of scientific research studies have confirmed the practical benefits of the TM program for mind, body, behavior, and society as a whole2.
The Transcendental Meditation technique is not a religion, and Consciousness-Based Education should always be considered by educators who honor outcome-based research when searching for effective tools for combating classroom stress and improving academic performance.
The Issue: Is the Transcendental Meditation program a religion?
Millions of people, from all religious faiths, including priests, rabbis, and ministers, have learned the Transcendental Meditation program. They find no conflict between the practice and their religion.
The Federal Government has never declared that the TM program is a religion. In fact, over the last 25 years, numerous approved programs by the Federal and State agencies have implemented or researched the TM program in health facilities, schools, universities, research facilities, prisons and probation programs. Over 20 million dollars in government grants have been provided for these purposes.
It is true, that 30 years ago, one federal court case in New Jersey deemed that the Federal Department of Education’s funding of the teaching of a particular curriculum in “The Science of Creative Intelligence” to public secondary school students was an unconstitutional entanglement of the government with religion due to the claim that “Creative Intelligence” was somehow used as a religious concept in that particular program. (Malnak v. Yogi, 592 F2d 197, 1979).
However, before or since this case, no court in the United States or elsewhere has come to such a similar conclusion. A court has never ruled that the practice of the TM program itself is religious. As Judge Adams noted in his opinion in the Malnak case, the issue was “not a course in TM alone, but a course in the Science of Creative Intelligence” (Malnak p. 213).
That very localized, narrow and anomalous ruling has not been followed by any court since, or found to be of any legal significance by the numerous government agencies that have funded or approved the use of the TM program in their fields.
The fact that the TM program was derived from an ancient tradition in India and revived by a man revered with a spiritual title, has no bearing on the validity of the use of the TM program. The TM program is no more Hinduism, than Einstein’s theory of relativity is Jewish, or Genetic theory, conceived of by Monk Gregor Mendel is considered Christian. The practice of the program does not involve religious beliefs; it is a mechanical and effortless technique for experiencing increasingly refined or restful levels of mental and physiological activity 3 enjoyed by individuals of all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
To hold the opinion that the Transcendental Meditation program is a religion is to ignore an enormous body of scientific research which demonstrates clearly that it is not a religion. Transcendental Meditation is a scientific technique whose benefits have been validated through more than 600 research studies conducted at 209 independent universities and research institutions in 29 countries and published in leading, peer-reviewed journals. The Transcendental Meditation program participants who were subjects in these research studies represented all religious traditions.
The practice of the Transcendental Meditation program does not involve contemplation about any religious or secular ideas, nor does it involve concentration, which is characteristic of some religious practices. It is a simple, universal technology of consciousness that allows the active mind to settle to its silent self-referral state, a level which has distinctive physiological correlates, such as increased EEG coherence and decreased respiration rate—and a wide range of practical benefits for all areas of life—physiology, psychological, sociological, and ecological.
Consciousness Based Education and the TM program, is an effective tool for combating classroom stress and improving academic performance – it is a tool for any school.
For more information on the Transcendental Meditation program and Consciousness-Based Education, please contact; Dr. John Freeman at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
1 (www.davidlynchfoundation.org).
2 (see www.tm.org )
3 (www.doctorsontm.org).
Relevant Research from peer reviewed refereed journals
e.g., Wallace, R. K. Physiological effects of Transcendental Meditation. Science 167: 1751–1754, 1970.
Wallace, R. K., et al. A wakeful hypometabolic physiologic state. American Journal of Physiology 221: 795–799, 1971.
Wallace, R. K., et al. The physiology of meditation. Scientific American 226: 84–90, 1972.
Badawi, K.; Wallace, R. K.; Orme-Johnson, D.; and Rouzeré, A.-M. Electrophysiologic characteristics of respiratory suspension periods occurring during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation program. Psychosomatic Medicine 46(3): 267–276, 1984.
Farrow, J. T., and, Hebert J. R. Breath suspension during the Transcendental Meditation technique. Psychosomatic Medicine 44(2):133–153, 1982.