Researchers studying elderly African Americans (mean age 66) dwelling in an inner-city community concluded that TM helps blood pressure. During the study they compared Transcendental Meditation was with the most widely used method of producing physiological relaxation. This meant that the team randomly assigned subjects, with Transcendental Meditation, or Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR). In addition they assigned other subjects to another category, by giving them ‘usual care’.
Research findings:
Over a 3-month interval, systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped by 10.6 and 5.9 mm Hg, respectively, in the Transcendental Meditation group. In contrast the drop was 4.0 and 2.1. mm Hg in the PMR group. And, significantly there was virtually no change in the usual care group.
Similar study at Harvard finds same results
Researchers conducted a second random assignment study with the elderly at Harvard. This study found similar blood pressure changes produced by Transcendental Meditation over 3 months (11 mm Hg for systolic blood pressure).
Research reference 1: “In search of an optimal behavioral treatment for hypertension: A review and focus on Transcendental Meditation”, chapter in Personality, Elevated Blood Pressure, and Essential Hypertension (Washington, D.C., Hemisphere Publishing, 1992).
Research reference 2: “Transcendental Meditation, mindfulness, and longevity: An experimental study with the elderly”, published by the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 57(6): 950-964, 1989.
Meta-analysis confirms effectiveness of TM
Research reference 3: JW Anderson et al. “Blood pressure response to Transcendental Meditation: a meta-analysis”, published by the American Journal of Hypertension 2008 21:310-316
On another occasion an independent team carried out a meta-analysis on TM and blood pressure. This study also confirmed that the TM programme leads to clinically important reductions in blood pressure. The researchers found that this conclusion was still robust when they limited their analysis to only the highest quality research.
Hence, the authors conclude that sustained blood pressure changes of the magnitude produced by TM would be associated with substantially decreased risk of heart attack and stroke, the leading cause of mortality worldwide.
Do you want to learn to meditate?
If you live in one of the major English-speaking countries, you can find out more about TM and where to learn by clicking on the ‘What is Transcendental Meditation?’ page. Then scroll down the right-hand margin and click on your national flag to go to your country’s TM website.
Go on, give it a go.
You will benefit directly from experiencing the daily inner silence of the TM technique.
TM helps blood pressure in society as a whole
But, in addition, every time you meditate you radiate blessings to your family, your community and your whole nation. This is because you are contributing to the amazing 1% effect. You see, TM isn’t just helping your blood pressure. Another major facet is that meditators also have a powerful influence on the stress levels in their local environment. In fact, the research shows that as little as 1% of the population meditating will reverse negative trends in society. For instance crime in the area spontaneously reduces. Meanwhile business activity and employment in the affected area tend to improve. (Read more about the 1% effect or Maharishi effect here.)
Later on, once you are well-established with your meditation, and if you want to take the technique further you are able to train up to become a TM-Sidha. At which point you may join one of the Super Radiance groups around the world dedicated to creating peace on earth.
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Thanks for sharing 🙂