TM Shown to Extend LifespanTranscendental Meditation (TM) reduces death rates by 23% according to a new study in the May 2, 2005 issue of American Journal of Cardiology. The relaxation technique was found to be more effective than other relaxation programs or health education. The study followed 202 men and women aged on average 71 years and having mildly elevated blood pressure. Some subjects participated in TM, others used mindfulness or progressive muscle relaxation, and others participated in health education programs. Compared to the other two groups, the TM practitioners had a 23% reduction in death rate from all causes, 30% reduction in death rate from heart disease, and 49% reduction in death rate from cancer. According to one of the authors of the study: "Research has found the Transcendental Meditation program reduces risk factors in heart disease and other chronic disorders, such as high blood pressure, smoking, psychological stress, stress hormones, harmful cholesterol, and atherosclerosis," said Robert Schneider, M.D., FACC, principal author of the study and director of the Center of Natural Medicine and Prevention. "These reductions slow the aging process and promote the long-term reductions in death rates." It is hard to imagine how this process could have such a high level of effectiveness when compared to other relaxation techniques. That it helps reduce stress comes as no surprise, but why would it be better than other stress-reducing practices? TM is a very simple meditative technique that relies on the silent repetition of a mantra, a short word or phrase, while sitting comfortably. Practitioners claim the particular mantra is key, that it must be matched to the person, and that TM mantras are more effective than well-known yogic mantras such as om mani padme hum or simply om, but that claim seems self-serving. Still, it is hard to argue with results as strong as this study shows. |
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