Doing More by Doing Rest

We’re often taught that to solve problems, we need to do more, work harder, and cover more ground. But doing less–not more–can be the better alternative. Transcendental Meditation® also known as TM, is a movement that has proven to solve many issues–health, social, academic–and it requires doing nothing more than sitting in a chair and relaxing. In a culture of constant movement, however, we need to recondition ourselves to do less when it is the more sensible option.

Stress from work, ADHD, and over-stimulation among youth are some of the conditions that can be treated with TM in as little as 20 minutes a day. With more than five million people now practicing TM, it is one of the most popular of all meditation techniques, proving its simplicity and practical integration into our lives.

TM is different from other techniques in that it does not require concentration or contemplation, which does not allow the mind to rest. TM “allows the mind to simply, naturally and effortlessly transcend thinking and to experience a deep state of restfully alert consciousness,” according to the national association for TM. Getting accustomed to this state makes it easier to access calm in moments of stress when we need to think clearer and control our emotions.

Gary Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D. Neurologist, of New York University Medical School says, “This brain wave coherence has been correlated with improvements in memory, problem-solving and decision-making abilities. This change in brain functioning also affects the rest of the physiology, reducing high blood pressure, strengthening the heart, and overall improving health.”

The TM technique is not dogma or religion that requires a major change in lifestyle either; it is a mere practice that you can do in the comfort of your own home or office without disrupting your daily routine.

With so many benefits to us, it makes sense to give TM a try to see how it can help you enjoy life more, improve your health, and increase your overall level of concentration. Plus, with so little effort required, it should be a healthy way to test the axiom “less is more” and prove for yourself why sometimes the path of least resistance is the best path to take.