Research and Transcendental Meditation practice Fred Travis Ph

Research and Transcendental Meditation practice Fred Travis, Ph. D Director, Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition Maharishi University of Management Fairfield, Iowa

Gamma Problem solving, concentration Beta Busy, active mind Alpha Reflective, restful Theta Drowsiness Delta Sleep, dreaming

Typical EEG Tracings A typical EEG tracing is a rapidly changing composite or combination of different frequencies—waves moving up and down at different rates—some slow, some fast. During ordinary waking consciousness, EEG patterns are complex, scattered and disorderly.

Increased EEG Coherence EEG coherence during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique: brainwaves rise up and down together— maintaining a stable phase relationship—indicating that the whole brain is highly correlated. This integrated state of brain function corresponds to the subjective experience of heightened wakefulness or restful alertness. Research shows that the TM technique cultures the brain to behave more coherently and efficiently overtime, as seen in a person’s improved response to stimuli—with better performance on spatial and memory tasks, creativity scores, and reaction time tests. Such findings are not reported from other meditation practices. References: International Journal of Psychophysiology, 116, 1519 -38 (2006); Biological Psychology, 61, 293 -319 (2002)

Eyes-Closed vs TM practice Raw EEG Tracing

Task: 5 sec – 0 sec Alpha Beta Gamma

TM: 30 sec – 35 sec Alpha Beta Gamma

Brain Integration Scale Alpha/ gamma ratio Broad Band Coherence Cortical Preparatory Response

During TM Practice Four Months Eight Years Travis, 1991

Eyes Open Four Months Eight Years Travis, 1991

American University College Students (random assignment to groups) Brain Integration during tasks (3 -mon TM) p <. 001 Travis et al, (2009) International Journal of Psychophysiology, 71, 170 -176.

Seven Different Measures of Intelligence So Kam Tim, Orme-Johnson DW. Intelligence 2001 29(5): 419 -440

Increased Physiological Relaxation Effect Size Meta-analysis of 32 studies Dillbeck, & Orme-Johnson, (1987) American Psychologist, 42, 89 -91.

Nidich et al, (in press) American Journal of Nidich et al, in prep

Increased Self-Actualization Meta-analysis of 42 studies Effect Size MTM – M ctl ——————— Pooled σ Alexander et al, (1991) Journal of Social Behavior and Perception, 6: 189 -247

Israel Study Orme-Johnson et al, Journal of Conflict Resolution, 32(4): 776 -812 1988

Meta-Analysis-Collective Consciousness Davies, J. L. , et al. Journal of Social Behavior & Personality, 2005 17(1): 285 -338