Transcendental Meditation practice gets another thumbs up in my book after reading new research on happiness. Freedom and personal autonomy are more important to people’s well-being than money, according to a meta-analysis of data from 63 countries published by the American Psychological Association.
Researchers in New Zealand asked – what is more important, more money or proving greater choice? They concluded providing more choice was good for psychological health independent of money. According to psychologists Ronald Fischer, PhD, and Diana Boer, PhD: “Money leads to autonomy but it does not add to well-being or happiness.”
What has all this got to do with Transcendental Meditation?
Transcendental Meditation has been shown in a number of studies to lead to greater happiness. Google TM and happiness and you will find countless sites and anecdotal reports of greater happiness flowing out of regular practice of Transcendental Meditation.
Why should this be so? Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has pointed out on countless occasions that there is within us all a reservoir of energy and happiness. And that it is easily accessible by using a simple, natural technique – which he gave the name Transcendental Meditation.
Its a common experience during the practice of TM to find a feeling of inner happiness coming up – and it translates into a feeling of contentment after meditation that lasts for several hours.
Someone once asked Maharishi whether someone who was starving would regard learning to meditate as a priority? His response was absolutely. He would then be that much more creative and would at least be a “happy hungry man.”
