From: Erik Hoogcarspel <jehms@KABELFOON.NL>
Date: Fri, 12 May 2000 21:24:59 +0200
Subject: Re: Impact of mantra recital, etc.

1. As far as I know all the investigations which gave results in favour of TM where suspect.
2. According to the TM-theory I learned in the days I took courses, the different mantras don't cause differences in the level of concentration attained, they are given in order not to disturb the meditators personality and way of life
3. I discussed TM extensively with a very experienced vipassanateacher and he pointed out the disadvantages, being an increase in credulity and a decrease in creativity and criticism due to the overdose of zamatha, which was in perfect accordance with my experience with TM-practitioners (workoholics are not at risk, because they cannot acheive this level)
4. I've known persons who got into serious mental problems (extramural treatment for over a year) because the experience of a moment of deep samadhi disturbed their psychological stability
5. all the TM-teachers I've met only played 'his masters voice' and had very little social skills or psychological insight.
6. I've seen systems of personal bijas in some translated texts of kasmiri zaivaism (I'm sorry I cannot recall which), which could very well explain the secret of the personal TM-mantra.
7. there are groups which use the 'mantra om namo zivaya' the TM way
8. there are have been experiments in the fifties with meditation on a blue vase; the participants also experienced feelings of wellbeing and developed affection for the object.
9. the real number of TM-practicioners is considerably less then the TM-movement claims, because most people stop after a while without telling anyone
10. the argument of mr Sands is a typical example of an argument ad verecundiam and so plain sophistry
    

Sorry to disturb the dream