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Inner Peace
Inner peace is easy
In a natural, effortless way, Transcendental Meditation allows anyone to experience the peaceful field of pure consciousness deep within the mind. This is the essence of human awareness, wide awake in its most settled, expanded state.
During TM, mental activity settles down spontaneously to quieter and quieter levels, until the mind transcends or goes beyond thinking to arrive at the silent, peaceful state of pure awareness. Over time, as you continue to meditate for 20 minutes twice a day, the qualities of that state - serenity, harmony, steadiness of mind - increasingly permeates your life. Research studies verify that TM increases calmness and decreases stress even outside of meditation.
Inner peace: a mind-body experience
Scientific research studies show that Transcendental Meditation produces a state of peace for both your mind and your body.
The physiology of inner peace
Scientists have found that the deep physiological rest gained during the practice of TM allows the body to dissolve deep-rooted stress and accumulated fatigue. When your nervous system is less tense, you can react more calmly and effectively to problems that may arise in daily life. Studies show that TM creates a healthier response to stress, and that it reduces anxiety, depression and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress.
Research shows that while practising TM, breathing slows down, the heart rate decreases and cortisol (a major stress hormone) is significantly reduced. Transcendental Meditation produces more coherent, harmonious brain functioning: EEG brain wave research shows heightened alpha coherence - which is associated with inner silence, increased wakefulness and more holistic brain functioning.
When you experience this peaceful state of restful alertness twice a day, everyday, over time it gets stabilised in your physiology and your inner peace becomes increasingly unshakable.
Inner peace is not passive
True inner peace is a stabilised state of calm, clarity and focus that allows one to be more effective and dynamic in all situations. An athlete might call it "being in the zone."
Athletes often report that they perform best when they feel comfortable inside - cool, calm and focused. To achieve such equanimity, you don't need to retreat to a forest or withdraw from daily activity. Hundreds of research studies show that this peaceful state of restful alertness grows spontaneously in mind and body through twice-daily practice of TM.
Scientific studies
Increased inner calm:
During Transcendental Meditation, skin resistance significantly increases, indicating greater calm or peacefulness. Physiology & Behavior 35:591–595,1985. Chart
Calmer style of physiological functioning:
People practising TM show a calmer style of physiological functioning outside of meditation, in contrast to controls. American Psychologist 42:879–881,1987. Chart
Biochemistry of inner peace:
TM significantly decreases plasma levels of cortisol, an endocrine response to stress, indicating reduced stress levels. Hormones and Behavior 10:54–60,1978. Chart
Inner peace outside of meditation:
Transcendental Meditation is found to produce a more calm and efficient brain response to external stimuli. Biological Psychology 61:293–319,2002.
David Lynch, Filmmaker
Founder of the David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness Based Education and World Peace:
"I have been diving within through the Transcendental Meditation technique for over 30 years. It has changed my life, my world."