Brain development through the experience of a unique fourth state of consciousness

Transcription

1 A new approach to human growth Brain development through the experience of a unique fourth state of consciousness By Jaan Suurküla, M.D. To the executive summary To summary for the layman Abstract The presented results represent six different categories of anomalies that concurrently demonstrate that the effects of TM do require a change of present paradigms of psychology and neurophysiology to incorporate Transcendental Consciousness (TC) as a formerly unknown and unique natural state of consciousness, characterized by profound rest and a high degree of coherence and integration in the functioning of the brain. The research indicates that the regular experience of TC brings about a profound transformation of the functioning of the brain in the direction of increasing brain integration and coherence not only during TC but in activity as well. This transformation has been found to bring about considerable improvements of conditions so far considered incurable or taking decades to improve. The effects of TM distinguish it distinctly and unequivocally from relaxation techniques, auto-suggestion, self-hypnosis, hypnosis and various kinds of stress management techniques.. As the technique and effects of TM differ fundamentally from meditation techniques, there is no scientific basis for assuming that these results are valid for them. Introduction Transcendental Meditation (TM) was introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi about 50 years ago as a technique for achieving the highest level of human development and selfactualization, so-called higher states of consciousness or enlightenment. More than 600 scientific studies have investigated the effects of TM on the psychology and physiology. The purpose of this article is to present studies indicating that TM brings about effects of an anomalous kind, that is novel effects and results not known by science to be possible to achieve through a mental technique.

2 TM is not a relaxation technique As one of TM's effects is deep rest and relaxation, it has been a common belief among psychologists that it is a kind of relaxation technique. However this is a misconception. Relaxation is just a "side benefit" of TM. Relaxation techniques are, by definition, methods for intentional relaxation of muscles. In contrast, the TM technique contains no elements of intentional control of any bodily organ, including no intention to relax. It is a purely mental technique. So already by definition, TM is not a relaxation technique. The existence of the so-called Relaxation response, suggested by Benson as an explanation of the effects of TM, has been seriously challenged by different scientists, and the original technique designed by Benson for eliciting it has neither produced physiological effects significantly different from uninstructed relaxation or sitting quietly nor any significant long-term effects (53). For example Irwin and Jack Tessman state in the journal Science: "We see Benson as a publicizer of therapeutic claims that appear not to be supported by the data." (54) In addition, as will be shown below, the effects of TM are much deeper than, and different from, what has been found in relaxation, autosuggestion including affirmation techniques, self-hypnosis, autogenic training and other common mental techniques. Also, TM differs distinctly from meditation techniques in its method as well as in its effects (53). TM is in reality not a meditation technique in the common sense of the word. TM is a method for regularly experiencing the least excited state of consciousness, also called pure consciousness. It is a natural state of complete inner peace that people rarely, if ever, experience spontaneously. However, Dr Harald Harung at the University of Oslo, Norway, has recently found that successful and ingenious people experience this state spontaneously more often than others (55). But even among them, it occurred irregularly and seldom. So a technique is required to enable regular experience of it. As you will find below, research has confirmed that TM brings this about. Unique effects of an anomalous character An anomaly is a phenomenon or effect not formerly known to science and not predicted by current theories. Below we will present a number of anomalous effects of TM. They demonstrate that TM causes a unique state of brain physiology and a unique development of brain functioning. We will present instances of considerable improvements of conditions that have been considered impossible to affect to a significant extent. Unique brain wave patterns Usually deep relaxation is associated with brain wave (EEG) signs of drowsiness or

3 superficial sleep. But EEG during TM indicates a state of alertness in spite of the deep physiological rest with periods of greatly decreased breathing and long periods of breath suspension without compensatory breathing. There is a pronounced increase of Alpha and Theta frequencies in the EEG (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The EEG pattern is distinctly different from what is found during relaxation, self-hypnosis and hypnosis (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 46). This difference is especially pronounced during the socalled periods of experience of transcendental consciousness, a state of deep silence without any thoughts (13, 14, 15). Comment: The conclusion of these studies is that TM causes the appearance of a specific state of consciousness, called the fourth state of consciousness, or transcendental consciousness. This state is physiologically clearly distinct from relaxation, hypnosis and other formerly known mental techniques. Unique development of the functioning of the brain a) Development of coherence: During TM the brain activity appears to be synchronized to a considerably greater extent than commonly. This appears as so-called EEG coherence that means that the peaks of the brain waves occur simultaneously in different parts of the brain. The extent of EEG coherence during TM increases the longer one has meditated and encompasses increased numbers of wave frequencies, reflecting different aspects of the functioning of the brain, see the diagram below. In the first few days the Alpha frequency becomes coherent, followed by the Theta frequency and later Delta and Beta. The diagram: The more coherence, the more of white "crests" in the diagram (For a full explanation of the diagrams, click here.)

4 This EEG coherence becomes more pronounced with time of practice (16, 17, 18, 19, 20). The EEG-coherence develops to a higher level during TM as well as in activity. The EEG studies indicate a growth of prefrontal brain dominance through TM. This development has been found to be correlated with different measures of the quality of the functioning of the brain, including intelligence and creativity as well as indicators of mental health (21, 22). This concurs with studies indicating development of intelligence in people above 20, which is beyond the age when the intelligence normally stops developing. (24, 25, 26) b) More integrated style of brain functioning: Studies on the reaction of the brain waves to sensory stimuli, so-called "Sensory Evoked Potentials (SEP)" indicate a significant change towards a more holistic way of functioning (23). Usually a stimulus first causes an activity in the part of the brain that localizes the stimulus (primary sensory region). Then the brain-wave activity spreads to so-called secondary sensory regions that interpret the stimulus. In TM practitioners this two-step processing was found to be replaced by a single step where the primary and secondary regions were activated simultaneously. See image below:

5 This kind of functioning has never been found before in spite of several decades of SEP research. Comment: According to many years of EEG research, the development of the brain waves stops around the age of 20. But this appears not to be case in those practicing TM. Most importantly, the nature of change is in the direction of growing coherence between different parts of the brain, indicating a high level of integration of brain activity, not commonly found in people not practicing TM. The connection between intelligence, creativity and EEG-coherence indicates that this more orderly and integrated brain-wave pattern has a connection with a higher quality and efficiency of the functioning of the brain. Likewise the SEP research indicates, from another angle, that TM develops the integration of brain activity. So this research indicates, that TM provides a new, formerly unknown, possibility for profound improvement of the quality of brain functioning. Such effects have not been reported for any kind of relaxation, self-suggestion (affirmation techniques etc) or hypnosis. Pronounced improvement of mental health 1: Healing of pathological defense mechanisms TM has been found to have remarkable effects on psychological defense mechanisms indicating deep-seated disturbances. According to psychology, the proneness to use psychological defense mechanisms in threatening situations is closely related to the presence of deeply seated memories of anxiety-provoking and otherwise traumatic or insecurity-causing experiences. Differently from secure and harmonious people who perceive the threat realistically and handle it adequately, the insecure person subconsciously mobilizes reality-distorting defense mechanisms. This predisposes for serious mistakes in highly stressful situations that require rapid and adequate responses. These disturbances are deeply ingrained and take many years to treat even with the best psychotherapy methods. When they heal, these "mental blinders" disappear. A reliable and sensitive test for detecting defense mechanisms was developed by the

6 Swedish Air force for selecting combat pilots. The effect of TM on defense mechanisms was investigated in two studies (28). A preliminary study found improvements after one year of TM to an extent that in the best cases is achieved after years of psychotherapy. A controlled study confirmed the preliminary result, see diagram below. Comment: Healing of such profound disturbances as indicated by DMT-testing in such a short time has not been believed to be possible. Nothing the like has been found with relaxation technique, autosuggestion/selfhypnosis/autogenic training and stress reduction techniques. According to extensive experience, these are causing, in the best case, some temporary reduction of anxiety and tensions. Their effect is mainly of a symptomatic nature, even if the ability to control symptoms may have some sustained positive effect. But none of these methods act upon the underlying disturbances. These disturbances are the primary cause of stress-sensitivity (the associated insecurity causes a preparedness for perceiving situations as threatening, which elicits the stress response). It is interesting to note that the research at the Swedish Air force indicates that defense mechanism are very common and that a large majority are not aware of any psychological symptoms, while a minority has symptoms indicating anxiety-proneness (trait anxiety). For more, see "Research on Transcendental Meditation (TM) at the Swedish Air force." Pronounced improvement of mental health 2: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Some Vietnam veterans have suffered severe chronic psychological damage from their war experiences (so-called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD). The effect of TM was investigated on a group of such cases compared to a group having psychotherapy (29).

7 Eight factors were monitored: alcohol abuse, emotional numbness, insomnia, anxiety (see diagram below), stress-symptoms related to shocking war experiences, family problems, depression and unemployment. Significant improvement in all factors occurred in the TM group while no improvement was found in the psychotherapy group. Effect on TM on anxiety in Vietnam veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Comment: It is well known in psychiatry that it is very difficult to heal the deep psychological scars that are caused by severe war experiences. Consequently, Vietnam veteran PTSD cases are known to be notoriously resistant to common therapy methods. This study indicates that TM provides completely new and effective means to heal severe Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder cases. This finding concurs well with the results of the DMT study. As a consequence of the remarkably beneficial effects of TM, the US Veterans Administration pays the TM course fee for PTSD cases. Pronounced improvement of mental health 3: Rehabilitation of criminals Criminals represent another category where deep personality disturbances, very difficult to treat, are involved. Several studies of the effect of TM on rehabilitation of criminals have yielded concurrent results. In one of the most important ones 241 severe male criminals were followed up during five years after parole (30). The recurrence rate was compared to a matched control group. At an average, 43% of the non-tm group had recurred, compared to 25% in the TM group.

8 In another study, the criminals were followed in 3,5 years after parole (31). The recurrence rate was 30% compared to 50 in four groups, each of them participating in one of following four programs: psychological counseling, drug abuse prevention and two personality development programs. There was also a significant psychological difference between the meditators and the other groups. In the TM group aggressions and mental disturbances decreased and personality development tests indicated improvement. In the other programs no significant changes occurred in these parameters, and there was no significant difference in recurrence between them and those who did not participate any rehabilitation at all. A study, made at Harvard University, followed up inmates released from high security prisons. Still 3 years after release, almost 50% fewer of the TM-practitioners had relapsed into criminal behavior compared to a control group from the same category whose members had participated in conventional prison rehabilitation programs (see diagram below) (51). This result is especially remarkable as such hard-core criminals are deeply entangled in a social network that exerts a heavy pressure on them to commit crimes after release. Traditional rehabilitation programs have a very small if any success rate in this category. Comment: It is a well-established fact in criminology that severe criminality is in most cases associated with deep personality disturbances that have been practically impossible to improve significantly with psychotherapy. The effects of TM on criminality is unprecedented in the history of rehabilitation of severe criminality, where common treatments, including psychotherapy, counseling and group therapy have only marginal (a few percent), if any effects. The effects of TM on criminality concurs with the effects on Defense Mechanisms and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, confirming from a third perspective that TM has an effective normalizing influence on deeply ingrained personality disturbances. For more see "Transcendental Meditation and Offender Rehabilitation: A New Approach to Crime Prevention". See also the experiences of judges and probation officers at The enlightened

9 Sentencing Project. Pronounced improvement of mental health 4: Normalization of stress-related hypertension Chronic stress is the major cause of hypertension. It has been believed to be an incurable disorder that requires life-long antihypertensive medication. Several studies have reported a permanent improvement of the high blood pressure as well as of its complications to such an extent that the long time survival in meditators was 23% better than in non-meditators according to one study. (This is a new section, references and details will be added later). Comment: The permanent improvement of essential hypertension means that the chronic stress condition that was upholding the blood pressure was significantly improved through TM. This is indicates, from another angle, that TM improves the chronic anxiety and insecurity which mostly lies at the heart of chronic stress conditions. This demonstrates from a fourth perspective, that TM has anomalous effects so far believed impossible to achieve. The effects of TM on hypertension have been well confirmed, and a significant part of it (24 million dollars) has been sponsored by the National Institute of Health (NIH) of the US government. Conclusion Summary of anomalies: A unique state of brain physiology A unique development of brain physiology Improvement of defense mechanisms associated with chronic deep-seated psychological disturbances Improvement of chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Unprecedented results in the rehabilitation of severe criminals Improvement of chronic hypertension These findings indicate that TM brings about a unique state of brain physiology, whose regular experience develops growing orderliness and integration of the functioning of the brain. This has so profound effects that it permanently and rapidly improves chronic conditions that have been impossible to affect or have required decades of arduous therapy to improve. Taken together, these findings justify the conclusion that TM and its effects are of an anomalous character, adding a new and formerly unknown dimension to therapy and human development.

10 Theoretical considerations It may seem surprising that a mental technique that is practiced 20 minutes twice daily may give so remarkable effects. But the mentioned physiological studies indicate a plausible explanation. It is logical to expect that the regular experience of a high degree of orderliness, coherence and integration of the system during TM might have important effects. "Learning" optimal brain circuitry Memories are formed through repeated experience of a specific state in the brain. This causes changes (facilitation) that make it easier for nervous impulses to pass the connections (synapses) that are active in conjunction with this state. Similarly, it is highly likely that the repeated experience of the global brain coherence facilitates the synaptic connection patterns that are active in TC. This is indicated by the observation that the EEG coherence first appearing during TM becomes more and more established outside TM practice. It is conceivable that the experience of bliss during TC may enhance this process, as brain research indicates that the experience of pleasant feelings promote synaptic facilitation and the consequent learning. Dissolution of traumatic memory patterns It seems that this changed of neuro-physiological functioning goes along with an extinction of the synaptic connection patterns associated with traumatic memories. The dissociation between the painful emotional content of a traumatic event from the memory of associated impressions is the key element in the healing of psychological traumas. It may be speculated that the area in the brain called Amygdala is involved in this process. Amygdala is involved in the memorizing of emotional experiences. It is responsible for connecting a perceptual impression with the emotion experienced at the same moment. This includes connecting trauma percepts with the fearful emotions experienced in that situation.

11 Perhaps the bliss-related connectivity patterns that are active in amygdala during TM get reinforced while the connectivity patterns associated with traumatic memories get attenuated. It may be speculated that these two patterns are mutually exclusive because the experience is that, with growing development through TM, all kinds of perceptions get more and more emotionally colored by bliss along with the dissociation of negative emotional content. Conducive to this process may be the pronounced increase of Theta EEG activity during TM. Budzynski (49, 50) has found that Theta EEG activity may facilitate the resolution of disturbances caused by traumatic experiences in the childhood. Prefrontal cortex dominance When a person is insecure due to a significant number of conscious or subconscious memories of traumatic events, a state of chronic stress appears because the associated fear is an effective activator of the stress response. It has been well established that with stress, the prefrontal cortex is suppressed. A dissolution of stress-activating memory patterns reduces this suppression and makes an increasing dominance of the prefrontal cortex possible. Dominance of the prefrontal cortex is associated with emotional stability, good impulse control, a positive emotional frame, a caring, loving attitude to others, a high ethical level, as well as well functioning intelligence, creativity and judgment. Recent studies indicate that TM develops increasing dominance of the prefrontal cortex and several psychological studies indicate that TM develops the above mentioned typical symptoms of prefrontal cortex dominance.

12 Healing by establishing coherent functioning Psychotherapy can, when successful, only achieve the dissociation between traumatic memories and corresponding emotions. But this does not automatically improve the "wiring" or neural connection patterns in the brain with more or less of suppression of the prefrontal cortex which is responsible, among others, for emotional stability, impulse control and sense of well-being. Clinical experience support this, as psychotherapy patients tend to remain sensitive, impulsive and unstable, even after successful treatment. Differently from psychotherapy, TM does not primarily address the problems, but works by establishing healthy functioning. It primarily develops a highly integrated and coherent connectivity pattern with prefrontal cortex dominance that provides a stable basis for good mental health and high stress tolerance. The dissociation of traumatic memories from the corresponding emotional content appears to be a side benefit of this process. Stressful or traumatic memory connection patterns are associated with pathological Defense Mechanisms, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well as criminal personality disturbances. They probably also underlie the chronic stress causing Hypertension. So here we have a common denominator that explains the remarkable results of TM. The studies mentioned here are selected examples of the over 600 studies about TM. Taken as a whole it indicates, from many different angles, that TM causes a deep transformation of the functioning of the whole system, physiologically as well as psychologically, in the direction of increasing integration, harmony and dynamic balance. Safety TM does not act through any kind of artificial manipulation of the psyche but through the influence of deep physiological rest associated with a state of highly coherent brain function that replaces a more or less chaotic, trauma-related connection pattern with a more and more orderly and integrated connection pattern in the brain. This process is spontaneously regulated without any interference by the meditator. It can be described as a natural and spontaneous self-healing process. This might explain why TM, in spite of its powerful therapeutic effects, has no harmful sideeffects. A good indicator of psychological safety of a method is its effect people in the most fragile psychological state, so-called pre-psychosis. In a study at an American Psychiatric clinic, it was found that people in this state did not deteriorate after learning TM. On the contrary, every case improved in stead of deteriorating into a psychosis, which is the usual consequence of pre-psychosis. In addition, a study in Sweden, made by the National Institute of Health (socialstyrelsen), found that the number of psychiatric emergency cases were about 150 times less among meditators than expected (see diagram below). This indicates that TM is not only completely safe, but has also a protective effect. This concurs well with other studies indicating that TM promotes mental stability.

13 For more about these studies, see the article "The safety of the Transcendental Meditation Technique" Self-actualization So far, we have discussed pathological disturbances. The effect of TM does not stop at eliminating these. The purpose of TM is to develop full self-actualization. In this state the deep peace of transcendental consciousness is present along with the normal waking state. This is, according to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the result of regular experience of transcendental consciousness leading to increasing coherence and integration of brain function. Psychologically, full self-actualization, that is, higher states of consciousness or enlightenment, is difficult to imagine without having had the experience. Even the best time one can ever have in ordinary states of consciousness is incomparably less fulfilling. There is a permanent state of bliss that cannot be overshadowed by any experience along with an unshakeable inner serenity and peace. Yet, the person is capable of dynamic and powerful outward activity. Along with this is a strong, all-encompassing love. This has recently been confirmed in a study by Dr Fred Travis et al (52). He found that 17 people who had developed this state of consciousness functioned differently from 34 controls without this state. The former had an ability to keep the brain in a minimum level of excitement unless required, while the brains of the others were in a permanent state of

14 excitation. Also, the brains in higher states of consciousness showed a significantly higher level of coherence in activity. This is the first time that science has confirmed the age-old descriptions of enlightenment as a state of unshakeable inner peace. Brain functioning is highly coherent and fully integrated. This gives rise to the great clarity of mind, high level of ingenious creativity and deep intuition, described since thousands of years in enlightened persons. UNIQUE The technique and effects of TM differ distinctly from other meditation techniques. Therefore, there is no scientific basis for assuming that the results presented above are valid for meditation techniques in general. Actually, TM is not a meditation in the commonly used sense of the word. Differently from meditation, in TM there is no intentional ideational content or control of mind or body, because any such activity effectively prevents the appearance of the highly coherent least excited state of consciousness. For details about the difference between TM and other techniques, see David Orme-Johnson (53) OVERALL CONCLUSION The presented anomalies indicate, from different angles, that TM provides a unique means for human development that can be described as a neurophysiological learning process, a rewiring of the brain, resulting in an increasingly coherent and integrated way of functioning. This permanently improves conditions formerly believed to be impossible or very difficult to cure and brings about the development of higher states of human evolution, called selfactualization. This distinctly distinguishes the effects of TM from the effects of other mental techniques and meditations, most of which have a temporary relaxing or calming effect or modify some restricted aspect of behavior or brain function. The existence of the presented anomalies requires a reformulation of present paradigms in the fields of brain physiology, psychology, psychotherapy and medicine, so as to accommodate the existence of a formerly unknown natural state of consciousness, Transcendental Consciousness, and to accept its regular experience as a new and formerly unknown powerful means for curing mental disturbances as well as developing the integration and coherence of the human nervous system to an extent not formerly known to be possible. To the top References:

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