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The religion rewrite has been sitting here on talk pages for quite awhile,without changes, so I guess the time has come to move it. I will add the first setion of the rewrite to the old section in a few days.Any changes can be made now before the move or after in the article.( olive 16:20, 28 April 2007 (UTC))
I have deleted for now the following lines from the Cult section.
A fourth, by Kevin Garvey, a member of the American Family Foundation, makes accusations of spousal and child abuse, but doesn't present evidence. [1]
a.The writer of the article cited does not present evidence. b.When I went to look for the material it is unclear as to which of the journal issues contains this particular reference. c.Added to this there is no evidence anywhere else that this is a true statement. There is no way at this point to verify this statement, and there is difficulty in verifying the source.Although one could argue that the source is the concern not the statement, I would like to suggest there is a point where some verifiable truth should be considered.( olive 22:11, 11 May 2007 (UTC))
PS TimidGuy .... yes thank you. Shorter title much better I think.( olive 18:29, 18 May 2007 (UTC))
After attempting in a couple of different places to find a spot for the Kellett reference in this section, I realized the real problem was that this is not published - as far as I can see -and although Kellett was a TM teacher he is not an expert on the areas he is talking about such as religion and cult to name a couple. This is a personal experience and no matter how legitimate the author might feel this is, this still is as far as I can tell not strong enough as a reference as an encyclopedic entry ( olive 02:11, 25 May 2007 (UTC))
Can we remove the tags on this article(neutrality and factual accuracy tags) ..... It seems to be in pretty good shape. ( olive 17:25, 7 June 2007 (UTC))
I deleted the information recently added about other forms of meditation, since this article is about Transcendental Meditation. The purpose of this section has been not to describe other alternative forms of meditation, of which there are many, but to mention teachers of Transcendental Meditation who are unhappy with charging $2,500 for people to learn and who have now begun offering their own form of meditation. It's this that makes it relevant to the article. TimidGuy 11:49, 18 June 2007 (UTC)
Putting here a section that I deleted so it can be discussed.
Doubts about quality of research from Randi In his book Flim-Flam!, James Randi expressed his doubts about the pro-TM research in existence at the time, saying that "a small, pleasant, bearded man from India... has turned unproven... notions... into a pseudoscientific mess". He thought it highly unlikely that there was anything radically unusual about the effects of TM. He quoted Dr Peter Fenwick who said "Both the changes in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output... can all be explained by accepted physiological explanations". Randi suggested that some researchers had seen positive results because of their enthusiasm for the technique. Commenting on the need for objectivity in science, he said "You don't put the accused person's family on the jury". He also reported some cases where attempted replication of pro-TM results had failed. An investigation by Royal College of Surgeons experimenters was unable to confirm a drop of 16 percent in oxygen consumption during meditation. They found only 7 percent, making meditation comparable with sleep in this regard. Scientists at Cardiff University in Wales performed tests on meditators and found no indication that meditation boosted short-term memory although there had been a claim to the contrary.
These early criticisms of very early research have been superseded by later research, including many randomized controlled trials. Please read the guideline regarding this point. There have been decades of research since then, including many studies supported by $24 million in grants from that National Institutes of Health. In fact, please read the research section in the TM article. If you find studies that are unable to replicate these later studies, or studies that show results that are at odds with the results reported here, please include that within the research section. TimidGuy 22:13, 14 July 2007 (UTC)
Here's what the guideline on Reliable Sources said for a long time: "Where a subject has evolved or changed over time a long standing source may not be accurate with respect to the current situation. To interpret utility one must appreciate how the subject has changed and has that change impacted on any of the salient points of the the source information. Historical or out of date sources may be used to demonstrate evolution of the subject but should be treated with caution where used to illustrate the subject." But in the current iteration, it doesn't. When I asked why, one of those who edits the gudelines suggested I put it back in.
But it's just common sense. For example, the suggeston by Randi that researchers see positive results because of the subjects' enthusiasm for the technique. As you probably know, randomized controlled trials are able to control for this sort of thing. It's one of the most rigorous research designs. And there have been many such randomized controlled trials since Randi wrote his criticism.
It would be better not to cite Randi but rather to find the original studies he's referencing. Then we can compare those results with more recent results. If it seems like it's a significant finding, then we can add it to the research section. Note, for example, that the research section currently includes both positive and negative results. That's the nature of the scientific process.
We may have an issue of undue weight if we were to add the sort of prominent section you proposed. There have been hundreds studies, done at over 200 different universities and research institutions, with many being published in top peer-reviewed medical journals. It may be be misleading to highlight a few studies from the 1970s without considering the proper context of the larger body of research. TimidGuy 17:57, 23 July 2007 (UTC)
Yes, there have been many replications. A number of the-NIH funded studies were led by principal investigators who don't practice Transcendental Meditation. Significant research on the neurological effects was done by Archie Wilson of UC Irvine, who doesn't practice Transcendental Meditation. Etc. Etc. The research has been conducted at over 200 universities and research institutions. It is broadly based.
The research is widely accepted in the scientific community. It's not possible to get grants from the National Institutes of Health unless the research is of the highest quality and rigor. You must know that these grants are highly competitive and exceedingly difficult to get. Just the fact that the research program has been funded by NIH over a 20-year period is remarkable. The research has been published in top medical journals, including those put out by the American Medical Association and the American Heart Association.
The researchers are highly respected. Note for example, that Robert Schneider, M.D., one of the leading researchers, was invited to Capitol Hill to address the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. He and other Transcendental Meditation researchers have given presentations at meetings of the Centers for Disease Control. He was honored by being elected a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He and other researchers on Transcendental Meditation have been invited by the National institutes of Health to review grant applications. Researchers on Transcendental Meditation serve as peer reviewers for major academic journals because of their track record of publication in major journals.
It's hard to know what more could be done to establish the scientific basis and the credibility of the research on Transcendental Meditation.
And frankly, I have a problem with Randi, who is basically a magician with a high school education whose knowledge of science is limited. (I can give a compelling example of that.) He tends to use straw-man arguments.
Note too that science has its own epistemology. Research is a dialog. Researchers spend years to establish cause and effect. Valid criticism should be on that level of peer-review, not some popular book or magazine or web site. The Wikipedia guideline for Reliable Sources suggests as much: Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/examples#In_science.2C_avoid_citing_the_popular_press.
Gotta run to lunch. I hope this helps to answer your concerns about the credibility of the research. TimidGuy 17:59, 24 July 2007 (UTC)
Thanks, Josha. Eiler, in the guideline I cited, "popular press" means any publication that's not a scientific journal. It is generally known that NIH grants are competitive, and any scientist would respect the fact that this research has received $25 million in funding over a 20-year period, resulting in publication in major medical journals. NIH is the major funding body for medical research in universities in the U.S. I mentioned Archie Wilson as one example of researchers on Transcendental Meditation who don't practice the technique. Another who comes to mind is Brian Olshansky, who did a replication of the hypertension research. These are just a couple that immediately come to mind. (A search on AF Wilson in a medical index shows 214 publications.) Regarding the honor of F.A.C.C., see this page. [1] Hope that helps. TimidGuy 15:08, 25 July 2007 (UTC)
Comparing TM-articles with articles on other let’s say health practices we can see: "History" is almost always put to the end of an article (before controversies). I think this is a good idea. When I ask a encyclopedia soemthing about Reflexology I would like to read first what it is, second which theory stands behind it, third what research has found out. In a later turn I may be interested in history and controversy. I suggested also to change the german article in this way. -- Josha52 19:41, 23 July 2007 (UTC)
I am looking for copyright free pictures to be used in Wikipedia: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (what about the picture on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi? It could not be found in WikiCommon!) and one of Keith Wallace (I have asked him already). Any idea? Josha52 15:47, 25 July 2007 (UTC)
Well, then the only way would be: getting an international permission from the owner. I’ll try. May be you’ll try too. One point of view: Better a picture then none. The other: better no picture then any problems in future. Solution in between: a private picture. Since MMY is a person of public interest there would be no need to ask him. Otherwise it would be an act of courtesy to do so. In Germany a picture which became public domain definitely never could be taken out again from public domain. -- Josha52 19:57, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
Seems not to be sufficient. Reader may ask why it is expansive in comparison to other techniques. Proposal (please correct bad english):
Now:
"... at the time of instruction, a process which requires a fee after introductory presentations ($2,500 as of 2006),[5] and generally takes five to seven days."
More precise:
"... at the time of instruction. The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught in a worldwide standardisized 7-step-procedure. It includes two introductory lectures and a personal interview (free) and four consecutive 2-hour-instructions followed by an follow-up ten days after. Every course graduate is eligible for lifetime follow-up at any Transcendental Meditation center for checkings of correctedness of meditation practice. Course fee inclusive follow up requires $2,500 as of 2006.[5]"
Reasoning:
First section seems to go too much in detail already. As far as I understand the procedure how an article should get structured this section should be a short description of the Lemma.
Therefore parts of this section could go into the section "Procedures and theory".
The section "Procedures and theory" again could be splitted into "Procedure" and "Theory".
"Theory of consciousness" as a part of its own does not seem to be necessary.
Structure would look like this:
(Introduction)
Reasoning: Reader would find more easily those sections of special interest for him. -- Josha52 08:52, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
Again in the interest of clarity and brevity, I propose condensing the second paragraph in the "cult" section putting it at the end of what is now the third paragraph in that section.
The condensation would read:
Transcendental Meditation, along with other groups such as Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists and the Church of Scientology were named as cult/sects in France in 1995, in The Parliamentary Commission on Cults in France generated by the National Assembly of France. (with link to document) Roseapple 02:36, 5 August 2007 (UTC)
Researcher David Orme-Johnson, who has authored over 100 studies related to the Transcendental Meditation technique (most of them peer-reviewed), argues that the Transcendental Meditation organization is not a cult. He notes that research shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique produces effects in practitioners that are the opposite to those found in people who allegedly become involved in cults. He observes that cults are generally characterized as closed systems, directly opposite to the Transcendental Meditation organization, which submits to the rigors of scientific testing, continues to encourage research by independent universities and research organizations, publishes consistently in peer-reviewed journals, and participates actively in scientific conferences worldwide. Roseapple 14:56, 5 August 2007 (UTC)
Originally the statement, "The Transcendental Meditation technique is one aspect of "Maharishi's Technologies of Consciousness, which are the experiential side of Maharishi Vedic Science." was used in the opening paragraph of this article to indicate an organizational point, that is, that TM was one arm of a two armed approach to the development of consciousness as outlined by Maharishi.One arm the technique itself was experiential, the other arm referred to the practical aspects of the Vedic Science such as education, archcitecture and so forth. For me this fits more appropriately in the first paragraph were the reader immediately becomes aware of the overall organizational form of Vedic Science That said if anyone feels strongly about this well, it could be reverted.( olive 23:57, 12 August 2007 (UTC))
I wonder if this topic placed where it is now is misplaced. Procedure seems to deal with the actual steps of teaching whereas dhyana is more about theory Would it be better placed under Theory of Consciousness? If no one minds I'd like to try it there.( olive 16:36, 14 August 2007 (UTC))
ps.I guess I would remove this part if the section is too long: This state is said to be an experience of "am-ness", or "Being", the unbounded pure consciousness that is at the source of thoughts and feelings. I guess I am ok with the length given that material on this state of consciousness really "sets up" an understanding of the other states.( olive 16:49, 15 August 2007 (UTC))
I removed the mention of breath suspension because later research found that the respiratory "suspension" was not actually a complete cessation of breathing, but rather a continual slight inspiration of many small breaths. I left the study on the ectrophysiologic characteristics of respiratory suspension periods because that one was describing other parameters during these periods, regardless of whether it was thought to be suspension or a continual slight inspiration of many small breaths. TimidGuy 15:45, 18 August 2007 (UTC)
I noticed after changes in the TM intro that there was a repetition of "the"and that the "taught six million" sentence seems out of place .... I made a quick change but am not attached should want to revert in favour of a better, or the older version.( olive 14:22, 21 August 2007 (UTC))
I think we need to discuss the recent changes to the lead. In my opinion, they are incorrect and aren't sourced. According to the trademark registry, "Transcendental Meditation" is a trademark held by Maharishi Vedic Development Education Corporatation, which has the exclusive right to determine the meaning of the phrase. The only use it has consented to is as the name of a specific meditative technique taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In addition, all of the scientific literature -- hundreds of published studies -- uses the term exclusively in this sense. This is also true of its usage in popular media such as newspapers and magazines. It's never used to name the organization and always used to refer to the meditation technique. This has been discussed and resolved on these Talk pages in the past. TimidGuy 11:22, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
Thanks so much, Rtc, for coming here to discuss. I appreciate it. I just can't agree that reliable secondary sources use "Transcendental Meditation" to refer to an organization. If you do a search in Google News on that term, I doubt you'd find a single instance. I've read hundreds and hundreds of media reports on Transcendental Meditation (maybe even thousands), and I don't recall a single instance in which "Transcendental Meditation" was used to refer to anything other than a meditative technique. The sources you offer have been discussed in the past, and they don't seem to meet Wikipedia policies and guidelines. We went through a dispute procedure regarding the Skeptic's Dictionary, and the consensus was that it didn't meet the Wikipedia requirement of a reliable secondary source. We've also often noted that that particular article on the Religious Movements web site was written by two college sophomores in a sociology class and has many errors of fact. If such usage can be found in reliable secondary sources, it seems to me that it's clearly a minority usage. In my mind, the overwhelming evidence of usage based on acceptable sources such as scientific studies and reliable secondary sources in the popular media is as a meditative technique. As it should be, given the trademark. TimidGuy 15:09, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
By the way. The current administrative structure for Maharishi's programs is the Global Country of World Peace. Though it's not clear in my mind the relationship between this entity and the many organizations founded in Maharishi's name. It seems that the Global Country is primarily responsible for the teaching of Transcendental Meditation. Most of the other organizations, such as Maharishi University of Management and Maharishi Ayurveda Products International, don't seem to fall under the oversight of the Global Country. But I don't really know. TimidGuy 15:18, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
Wikipedia policies accept that evidence can have a weight, and they disallow WP:Undue weight. These sources don't talk about Transcendental Meditation as a movement. They refer to the informal usage, which mostly dates from the 1960s and 1970s, of Transcendental Meditation movement. This means "movement to teach the Transcendental Meditation technique." If you want to write about the organizational structure, the obvious place would be the Global Country article, since it's the primary administrative organization. TimidGuy 16:41, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
By the way, I could get an opinion from the legal counsel for the trademark holder. In my experience, he's very concerned about how the word is used. TimidGuy 16:58, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
You make an important point, in bringing up the idea of the TM movement and “common usage”. In a sense, what I discovered as I worked on this article was that essentially there was no “Movement”. That is, that common usage was just what the words say and mean. In casual conversation someone might say, “movement”, but in fact this organization is extremely complex and large and, that the term “movement” even in the beginning became a term of convenience. Even when searching for sources, if we found the term movement we generally discovered that something more specific was meant. As we put together this article and edited all of us including opponents of TM realized we had to tease out as it were what the organization really included and somehow delineate boundaries and organization structures to clarify our material. We then had to fit it into a certain size as advised by Wikipedia standards. Even as I write, editors are still trying to cut the article down while maintaining NPOV. In a nutshell, and highly simplified, what we have here is a teacher and a technique. Most of the research was done on the technique itself, although, there certainly is research on these other aspects. So as we put together the article we looked for a way of organizing the teacher, the technique, the technologies and so on, and in the process discovered that the teacher has pretty much in some ways taken care of this himself. We find in the literature a two armed approach to the technologies one, the technique and possibly advanced aspects of that technique the TM Sidhi program –experiential, that is done for the intrinsic merit they have on the individual’s so- called consciousness. The other arm of the technologies for consciousness were and are called Vedic Science, and are the practical application of the technique and other technologies such as an approaches to education and agriculture to name two. These days the umbrella name for all of this is the Global Country of World Peace, but that could change tomorrow dependent it seems on a new addition to the practical side of things. Included in that name –“Global Country” is a system of “government” complete with hierarchy, which runs alongside any relative government and is said to be a government of consciousness. I personally am not interested in judging any of this, nor should any of us be, since that would inject some POV, but have found it interesting to decipher the puzzle of how all of this could be organized in an encyclopedic format.
We used the same article title that has always been there and defined it as the technique to make very clear what was being written about. The rest of the article is absolutely about the technique as you noted. After many, long discussion we realized that not only was this the way the whole thing began but also this was the easiest way to write about it. The Vedic Science aspect the other side of the organization is linked and has been in the stages of development for a while. The advanced aspect of the TM technique, the TM Sidhis program has also been linked. There are hundreds of studies on the technique and some on the other technologies. On this page we have unwound the TM technique studies from the huge ball of studies that includes all of the studies. This keeps the article shorter than it could be and as the other pages for example, Vedic Science, develop, these other studies have a home there. We have also not included individuals in the organization. Yes, there is a kind of hierarchy as there is in any organization. I sure wouldn’t want to be the president of anything but someone has to do that job. Happy it’s not me…but for the most part and for our purposes these people can be included in the material about what part of the organization they administer. For example Bevan Morris is President of MUM, the university, and I think PM of the Global Country. A page on Dr Morris would probably note this. There are many levels of administration in many countries and we haven’t touched on that in this article. A school has a head master but that would I think be included in the school area. They all belong in my mind in articles about the aspect being administered or to the person him or herself. If we hadn’t made these judgments and analyzed the organization in this way at some point, the article would now be as long as the knitted material in ‘’Like Water for Chocolate’’ as it trailed miles along a dirt road and would be just about as unwieldy.
There is no POV in this article. Were that the case the criticism section would have been removed by someone along the line, as would any other negative material. The article about TM and those linked to it, you see, are instead might I say the results and somewhat heroic effort on the part of all of the editors who have worked on it, those for and against TM, to explain and define a large and complex organization. What we say in common usage is fine I always think, but what we can squeeze into an encyclopedia has to be as clear and as concise as we can make it, and is quite another matter. In the end we have TM the technique, and links and possible links to what came after the technique.I do think one could add something about common usage ... where is the question. So there’s another way of looking at the whole thing. Best wishes.( olive 18:55, 23 August 2007 (UTC))
Trying to sort out the issues. Would really like to resolve the question of Rtc's addition saying that the term "Transcendental Meditation" also refers to the organization that teaches the Transcendental Meditation technique. If that were so, then tell me whether you think this is a correct sentence:
Transcendental Meditation has taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to 6 million people worldwide.
That sounds like a malformed sentence to me. Yet in 1970s informal usage, the following would make sense to me:
The Transcendental Meditation movement has taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to 6 million people worldwide.
So I don't see, from a linguistic perspective, how "Transcendental Meditation" can refer to the organization that teaches the Transcendental Meditation technique. TimidGuy 19:09, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
You misunderstand me. I did not offer excuses for anything in this article but explained as clearly as I could how the article came to have its present format and the reasoning behind this. I also do not offer any arguments either way. The structure of the article was formated on some rather specific guidelines developed as I mentioned from numerous discussions, and with the input of several editors. You may want to check these out if you have an interest in this article. We were asked in several instances to carry on editing that would shorten the article as well. The strongest request came from our mediation. This did not come from the editors working on the article. My sense is that the editors who have worked on the article have tried to comply with this without losing material added to the article by numerous editors over a relatively long period of time in "Wikipedia time".: ) Although the Spiritual Regeneration Movement was indeed the name of the early organization, my understanding is that the leader of the organization no longer uses this term but had renamed his organization many times since. I am not questioning that either. The present article has used a method of organization used by its leader, and which includes the diverse wings or arms of the organization.This is how the large and complex organization is explained here - is organized here. Thats all. If you want to make a comment about the common usage of a particular phrase, I don't see why that can't be discussed. Of note I think is the idea that the term "movement" when referring to an organization as a synonym for organization is not incorrect. Using the term TM movement as a naming, and somehow organizational method doesn't really make sense given the extensive background and understanding that underpins this article. My sense is that great effort has been made to understand and organize this material, and although I can't speak for the editors who have worked on the article, I feel that all further insights are welcome.( olive 02:54, 24 August 2007 (UTC))
Hello again rtc, I guess I am unclear as to what exactly you want in the article. All of the aspects of the organization have been accounted for already either in the article or through links. Perhaps you could be more specific about what you feel is missing.( olive 03:02, 24 August 2007 (UTC))
I realized why I don't feel comfortable with this. It's an artificial construct that can be used to mean whatever anyone wants it to mean. There's no incorporated entity by that name. To me, this creates a situation that is fertile ground for Original Research.
There are many different organizations founded in Maharishi's name in many different countries around the world. If a reliable source has lumped them together under one rubric, then fine. But if an editor cherry picks information gathered from web sites and spins it together to state something about an entity that's an artificial construct, to my mind that's a problem. (Of course, I'm not suggesting anyone here intends to do this. And again, I'm not sure this article would be the venue.) TimidGuy 12:02, 24 August 2007 (UTC)
I'm afraid I am confused by some of your points here, rtc. I have never understood Wikipedia to be a platform for introducing arguments.I have understood it to be a vehicle for gathering and organizing information through a group editing process. I clearly feel that you have a very specific point of view here, and I am, give Wikipedia policy/guidelines not comfortable with that. I believe this article was written to show not both sides of an argument but to show a representational amount of information on any particular topic.I believe the article does show opposing views on different topics, but the very slight adjustment that happens to indicate the back and forth discourse between two positions does I think border on OR. I agree with the Wikipedia guideline you present that emphasizes verifiability. More specific references about your concerns are always helpful.( olive 15:27, 25 August 2007 (UTC))
I really can't spend all day here. Am working under deadline. But maybe start a new thread to try to focus this. It seems like the key issue is fairly simple: how to present the scientific research. I don't see anything in the policies and guidelines that require it to be contextualized the way Rtc suggests. WP:V makes it clear that research is a reliable source: "Academic and peer-reviewed publications are highly valued and usually the most reliable sources in areas where they are available, such as history, medicine and science." The research section doesn't violate WP:SYNTH because it's not combining points to draw a conclusion. It's simply stating what the studies themselves conclude. There's a lot of debate on the Talk pages whether research is a primary or secondary source, but the consensus right now seems to be that it lies outside this framework. And anyway, even if it were considered a primary source, which it's generally not, it still meets the guideline of how that's presented. If the research is somehow skewed, then fine to present studies that contradict it, as long as they aren't given undue weight relative to the other research. TimidGuy 16:38, 25 August 2007 (UTC)
... .. . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . .. ..
it's not combining points
to draw a conclusion!
Hello, Rtc. I appreciate your sincerity and your the great care you're taking to clearly explain your position. Which, if i understand it correctly, is that the article draws and implied conclusion by presenting the scientific research, and that this is a violation of WP:SYNTH. I guess there are a number of points I feel a reasonable person could disagree with. One is that this material is drawing an implied conclusion. The studies themselves draw the conclusion. The science section is not in any way assembling points and drawing an original conclusion. (The editing we're doing is not in response to your claim, and an attempt to resolve it; rather, in drawing our attention to this section, you helped us to give closer attention to these sections and realize the wording could sound more neutral. Thank you for that.)
In addition, I think that you're stretching policy. It's a matter of opinion whether a particular conclusion is implied. And a matter of opinion which particular conclusion might be implied. That would never be a solid ground for making a case for wp:synth.
I don't think you've made a strong case that there's a problem in the article. TimidGuy 11:39, 26 August 2007 (UTC)
I don't know . . . to me it doesn't make much sense to guess what readers are thinking. Who knows what conclusion they will draw? I think that the research section presents a relatively accurate picture. Much of the research shows positive results, some of it doesn't. Metastudies generally say that Transcendental Meditation is more effective than relaxation, some say it's about the same. The metastudies don't cover many areas of the research where there is a substantial body of studies. The article pretty much ignores the brain research, which is perhaps the most fascinating.
How can one draw any sort of meaningful conclusion about such a large and diverse body of research? This article has presented some representative studies. It indicates that there's a large body of research. It indicates that this research has been published in top journals. It omits facts about how widely this research is respected in the scientific community and how respected the researchers are. You can see past discussions in which I recite a litany of the important role they play as peer reviewers in the field, the role they've played when invited by the federal government and its agencies to give presentations and consultations.
I don't know what conclusion I'd draw regarding this research. I guess I'd conclude that it's formidable. I guess i'd conclude that the results are mixed -- as with all research. I guess I'd conclude that it pioneered a number of areas. The marketing guys typically cite studies showing the effects of Transcendental Meditation. Why not? Ideological opponents typically make lists of the studies that didn't show results. Why not? And goobers like Robert Todd Carroll generally dismiss the research without ever having looked at a single study. TimidGuy 11:48, 27 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi, Rtc. I'm sorry if you feel that I own the article. But the fact is, ideological opponents are often trying to insert material in the article that doesn't meet Wikipedia policies and guidelines. I've done my best to try to make the article conform. It hasn't always been easy and has caused a lot of sleepless nights. (Which are really bad for my tennis game.) Luckily, in every case we finally ended up getting a consensus. In one particularly difficult instance, we had to resort to a dispute procedure. Note this guideline: WP:CANVAS. TimidGuy 11:09, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Since this article is specifically for the "Transcendental Meditation technique", it may be appropriate to change the article's name to reflect that focus. What does everyone think about doing that? Dreadstar † 07:55, 28 August 2007 (UTC)
So instead of getting rid of the reduction of topic to the technique, which is not neutral, you're supposing that is should get a pseudo-justification by renaming it? -- rtc 05:11, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Hello Crowley's Aunt .... the German study was discussed several months ago and was found to be a poor reference and not usable since the study itself was not properly conducted. I'll see if I can find the archived material on that for you. I also noted that the links you provided on "studies" don't work and that the reference section seems to be completely skewed. This article has also been criticized for its length so I will compress the "studies" information you added. Although there is no way of checking the links now as should be done, since they are not working, I will though leave the material in place pending a link check .( olive 02:06, 29 August 2007 (UTC))
Thanks Olive. I think the links are incorrect and the ref section "screwed" because when my table was removed the person doing so did not remove it completely - this might have this effect. if that is so I can "repair" it - without adding the table back in - if that is ok with everyone?
I provide this link to the article http://www.behind-the-tm-facade.org/transcendental_meditation-harmful-abstracts.htm. This is not where I accessed it as it seems that the access I have to it is via the ATHENS network. I am sure you are aware this is university affiliated only but if you have access to ATHENs then simply search by the article title and publication.
I have to disagree though about not listing the adverse effects of TM on 62% of those studied. Other positive studies clearly list the benefits including relatively - for a non "expert" supposed physiological effects such as those on Cortisol and thus indeed psychoimmunphyisiology. Thoughts? Crowleys Aunt 02:33, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Olive. My apologies, the article I have used - on closer reading - refers to a wide range of meditation techniques not just TM. On that basis it might be wise to remove it. Perhaps its due to my dislike of religions using scientific evidence to support metaphysical concepts and for that I apologise. Clouded judgment and all that. Perhaps I need to mediate ;-) 02:52, 29 August 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt
Here's a couple of newsgroup comments by Roger D Nelson of PEAR, who read the study and gave an informal review of it in the sci.skeptics newsgroup just over 11 years ago, wearing the hat of someone who had performed a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on meditation for the NIH. Note that he was talking to John Knapp, whose website was the source for the Skeptic Dictionary entry and that John still hasn't changed his website to reflect their conversation 11 years ago:
"I not only have read the study, and commented on it subsequently in posts that you apparently have not taken the opportunity to read, I am competent to do so, both by professional training and by experience. The latter includes having reviewed, comprehensively, the scientific literature on meditation, including Trancendental Meditation, for the Office of Alternative Medicine, NIH. The German "study" is not scientific by any reasonable standard, particularly including that of peer review. Had it been available at the time of my review, I would have listed it as a report of negative results. While the study would have merited little attention, I probably would have noted that its sampling procedures and analytic approaches permit no generalization, and I would have indicated that selective reporting occurs, apparently for the specific purpose of providing descriptive anecdotes to therapists. The general conclusions drawn by the study authors are not supportable. "
and as well, another comment:
"No, John, I am a greybeard, with a 1972 doctorate in in experimental psychology concentrating on perception, neurophysiology, and cognitive capacities. Of course that includes an excellent classical education in experimental design and statistics. It was, however, my 15 years of experience at Princeton, developing sound research and analytical strategies for the study of anomalies linking consciousness and physical systems that prompted an invitation to participate in the OAM effort to determine what research had been done in its purview, and to attempt a first resolution of the implications thereof, in order to design a useful program of prospective research in alternative medicine. "I have already posted the relevant information from the resulting review of meditation that bears on an assessment of the merits of the German study. That study is not what you claim and imply it to be, namely a reliable ("prestigious" is a term you have used) source for the generalizations that you specifically make to the effect that trancendental meditation is harmful. At best it is what it was designed to be, namely a recounting of problems suffered by parents, spouses, and a small number -- 27 as I recall -- of meditators. I have no investment in TM, but I do have a strong interest in proper reporting and wise use of science and its authority. To attempt to generalize from a study conducted as this one was, by asking each troubled person to please put us in touch with other similarly troubled people, with implications that meditation, or even TM , is dangerous or harmful, is ludicrous on the face of it."
Roger D. Nelson, Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) C-131 E-Quad, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
Thanks Olive. having doing some-work in the "philosophy" of science, the criticisms of the studies methodology seem valid although it would have been nice to have actually read the study. I shall go of for a nose. I hate bad research. Crowleys Aunt 02:57, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Hello rtc I apologize for not replying sooner. Rather than ignore your last post to me, I should mention that I responded to the best of my ability to what I understood your concerns to be. On rereading your post I wondered if much of the confusion comes from a different interpretation of words - of defining certain words. I would like to try and explain what I mean by that.
Hi, I'm moving the new section here so we can discuss it first. There are serious problems with it.
=== Interpretation ===
The TM organization summarizes the research as
- A remarkable body of research on the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs confirms the benefits of this powerful technology of consciousness. [2]
Individuals independent from the organizations come to different interpretations. The sociologist Barry Markovsky assumes that the research is sponsored in great part by the TM organization itself. [3] He also notes that "much of the TM research is very non-controversial, and the much smaller volume of potentially controversial stuff that has been published is tucked away in 3rd-rate journals (or worse)".
Peter Canter noted that there are general methodological issues with clinical research about the effect of Transcendental Meditation [4]
The source for Markovsky doesn't meet Wikipedia policies and guidelines. In general, critic sites are disallowed. See for example wp:v. And he's utterly wrong. As the article notes, much of the research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health.
The research by Canter is already mentioned in the article. His generalization of his metastudy on cognitive function to all TM research is crazy. There are many highly rigorous randomized controlled trials that have just the sort of controls that he says are absent. These include studies this article talks about, such as the ones published by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association.
Why deliberately put misinformation in the article? TimidGuy 11:31, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi TG/Olive, hope you are both well.. Before dismissing the paper entirely would it be possible to have a look at it? The references seem to not be working. I am assuming from your comments guys that this was linked to the summery from transnet? However, lets be honest Markovsky is not a member of that site but a well known academic Sociologist. I think the original paper may have been published in "Social action? I think given the controversy surrounding this article it might be Wise to view the original article in its entirety. This would be the best way to not adding - fuel to the fire, if you know what I mean. thoughts? Sorry I am unable to look my self but I am at home at the moment - rather then campus - and ATHENs is being a real pain in the rear for me at the moment. :-/
Crowleys Aunt 21:19, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
Edit. I believe this is the Article and Publication details. Evaluating Heterodox Theories Evan Fales, Barry Markovsky Social Forces, Vol. 76, No. 2 (Dec., 1997), pp. 511-525 doi:10.2307/2580722 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Crowleys Aunt ( talk • contribs) 21:28, August 30, 2007 (UTC)
I now have access to athens it seems. Perhaps if you can both do this from your university it might be possible to discuss this? I have the miss-fortune to have to go to London tomorrow but will print and take a copy with me and we can discuss perhaps here? Perhaps the person who orginally added it to the article might like to comment? Crowleys Aunt 21:35, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
I think there was a lot of discussion on this too in the past, and I'll check the archives. I was just starting then on Wikipedia, and a lot of this, well, I just missed it.I'm not sure if I can get the paper quickly but I'll give it a shot. TimidGuy is much more of an expert in the sciences so he may have some other insights.( olive 02:48, 31 August 2007 (UTC))
It is wrong that "critic sites are disallowed", and it is wrong that positions that are false according to your judgement may not be put into tht article. The information that "The sociologist Barry Markovsky assumes that the research is sponsored in great part by the TM organization itself" is true. Barry Markovsky actually says that. You are censoring the article! WP:NPOV means that also false positions and interpretations must be described if they are relevant. So stop owning the article! You have a conflict of interest. If you were interested in NPOV, you would search for better criticism instead of censoring it completely. PS: WP:V has to be read with a grain of salt anytime it is misused to justify something that conflicts with WP:NPOV. -- rtc 06:30, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
To ask me to get consensus here is simply a bad joke. Everyone who is active here except me practices TM. Don't you see the very absurdity of this situation? Should I get the radical skeptics? I think it may be necessary to do so—not to push my imagination of the article, but simply to destroy the editor collective and consensus here. Consensus is bad. The goal of Wikipedia is not consensus, but a good article. Consensus is not even a means to an end. Permanent disagreement is. Consensus is a sign of crisis. PS: WP:CON is mostly nuts. -- rtc 09:05, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
RTC? I think I understand your frustration but I think that Olive and TG are working within the confines of academic citation - in other-words they believe that if they support their arguments with peer reviewed papers any "counter argument" needs to come from a similar source. In the case of Markovsky, he is an academic and will thus have made his argument originally within those confines - either in journal, book or conference paper. All you need to do to support his inclusion - when WP:CON is being used - is to find the original source for his quote/argument. I can't spend much time on this but if you do not have the access to do this simply email Markovsky at his faculty. i am sure either he or his secretory would be more then happy to supply the Crowleys Aunt 09:24, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi TG - I have also read the pre-published reputable to Fales and Markivsky also - not as impressed as you although I have seen worse :-). The problem is this - and its the problem with citing
WP:CON am afraid - because it will be coming from a TM organization member and university - and it is a "contentious point" - you would not be able to refer to it in any critique of the Fales and Markivsky argument. Indeed, under
WP:CON you would need to remove a lot of research from this article. As you know, I am not a "troll" - but I think you know that anyway :-). But care does need to be taken when citing
WP:CON to often. Perhaps it would be better if instead you used the fine sort of argument you have done above :-)
You know, as an academic, you would would "mark down" a student essay - at any level - because they have attempted to cite from WIKI to suport an argument. The is for a number of reason as I am sure you are aware. I have this strange hope that one day it will be possible to use WIKI in a dissertation for example without penalty - but I doubt.
RTC - I really do understand where you are coming from because all of the remaining editors are associated with TM - greatly lessening the neutrality of this article. However, in fairness to both TAG and Olive they have made position statements regarding this and do not hide the fact. however, as a mediation technique - and I wish not to discuss whether it is a religion as this is irrelevant - and with the scope that it has and it's built in easy "Bliss" (TAG/Olive I genially to not mean that as an insult :-) ) they will, most possibly unconsciously put a positive "spin" on TM. I think this maybe case although I also believe this is despite their desperate attempts otherwise. However, you will not win any argument by "throwing insults around" Especially to TG who has - at least with me proven both polite and capable of putting together a good argument. I think if you are reasonable in return and used the same methodology you would be far more successful in your endeavors. By the way RTC, I do not practice TM, I do meditate but use a system a lot older then TMs - or indeed the system/s from which TM is derived :-)
So yes, it does need neutrality, however throwing insults around is not only rude to people who seem nice and are certainly polite but is not the way to "win" your argument. The only way to do so using the same methodology.
Thats it, I have wasted far to much time on this, first though: TG I have read Fales and Markivsky, it far from a bad article although I can genuinely understand why A TM practitioner would be upset by it. However, I honestly think it does not belong in this article as it presently stands - but in the Sidhu one. However, for me this causes a problem: I would have considered the registered trademark TM to represent the whole organization not just the mediation method. If this is not the case I think you might need something at the top of the page pointing people to references of other parts of the organization cited in WIKI - this I think would help clarify things for people. Just my personal thoughts. Crowleys Aunt 18:28, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
TG. My friend don't be so much on the offensive :-) When I say argument, I meant that you put your point across well, as to why the item in question should not be put in - rather then using wp:con. I think it was a compliment as to how this debate should be run. Don't shoot those - despite their own views - who are trying to support your reasoning :-)As to the wp:con, I am suggesting that it used a lot - not necessarily by your self - to remove criticisms of TM. My point is that WP:con can also be cited to remove a lot of supporting evidence for TM if that research has come from some part of the TM Corporation - TM after all is not a religion but a company by it's on admission. Would it not be better for TM if instead of citing wp:con arguments were used as to why the information was incorrect? This would greatly stop the accusations of bias. Use logic and acadmic argument. Which is, I think I said you do. :-) Crowleys Aunt 21:02, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
One last point abstract to David Orme-Johnson's critic of David Orme-Johnson has already been circulated - if you know where to look, I qoute:
Evaluating Heterodox Theories (EHT) is a thinly disguised attempt to censor research on the Maharishi Effect – the objectively measurable peace-creating effect associated with large groups of meditation experts. The EHT paper does not recount the data in the original research study which EHT is attempting to criticize, data showing that as daily attendance fluctuated at a peace-creating assembly in Jerusalem over a 60-day period, crime, traffic accidents and fires in Israel, and warfare in neighboring Lebanon, also fluctuated with strong inverse correlation. Nor does EHT recount any of the data in 50 other studies on the same phenomenon, most of them covered in 23 published scientific papers on the topic. Instead, EHT attempts to dismiss the whole concept as a ‘heterodox theory” not worthy of the usual rigor associated with a scientific critique. In the social sciences, however, such an approach has little validity since there is no well-developed “orthodox” theoretical structure against which other theories can be judged as “heterodox”. In its theory section, EHT asserts that if a theory is discredited, then the data which supports the theory is discredited, which in fact is the opposite of the practice in science, in which theories are created, tested, and modified according to the data. EHT invokes Bayes’ Theorem as a seemingly objective means of evaluating a theory, but since only subjective opinions are entered into the equation by EHT, only subjective opinions come out of it. EHT claims that the primitive term of the theory-- “pure consciousness”-- is vague, when in fact the means by which anyone can directly experience this state of quiet inner wakefulness is operationally defined by the Transcendental Meditation technique, and a large body of research over the last thirty-five years has provided objective physiological definition of the state. EHT claims that the research on the Maharishi Effect theory did not test one of its most obvious quantitative predictions, which is that the effect will increase as a square of the number of people practicing the TM and TM-Sidhi programs together. In fact, the study in question did empirically evaluate this issue both in the original paper and in published debate on the theory. EHT asserts that “prior knowledge” makes the Maharishi Effect theory improbable, but in fact: 1) the basic theoretical tenets of the Maharishi Effect comprise the “Perennial Philosophy,” the most ancient and ubiquitous knowledge of the human race; and 2) the central proposition that EHT finds heterodox--that individuals directly interact at a distance by other means than the classical sensory modalities--is currently the focus of several active research programs. EHT criticizes the work of physicist John Hagelin showing parallels between the structure of natural law described by modern science with the structure of natural law described in the most comprehensive and ancient knowledge of consciousness, the Vedic Tradition. In fact, Hagelin is an award winning Harvard PhD in theoretical physics whose technical articles are on the leading edge of modern science and are among the most frequently quoted in physics. This background, together with the fact that for over thirty years Hagelin has personally explored consciousness using the subject technologies of the Vedic Tradition, and has engaged in hundreds of hours discussions of consciousness with Maharishi, the world’s foremost authority of consciousness, as well as with other leading scholars, makes him uniquely qualified to formulate an integration of consciousness with modern science. Hagelin’s work is in the tradition of other great physicists, such as Schroedinger, Planck, and Einstein, who saw the deep implications of their discoveries for a unified understanding of the physics and consciousness and he greatly extends their efforts in this regard in scope, rigor, empirical testing, and practical applications to improve society.
The empirical aspect of EHT intends to offer several alternate explanations for the data presented in a paper on the Maharishi Effect published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution in 1988. Whereas the predictions of the study were lodged in advance with outside scientists in Israel and the United States, and is based on daily fluctuations in crime, accidents, and warfare amenable to mathematical analysis, the “explanations” suggested by EHT are all post hoc, and consist of a handful of unrelated events. EHT points out a holiday that the study did not account for, for example, but quantitative analysis shows that this holiday did not account for any of the variance in the data. Furthermore, EHT’s listed events do not meet the minimum requirement of an “explanation”. What needs to be explained in this study is the strong relationship between daily fluctuations in crime, accidents, warfare and other variables, on the one hand, and daily fluctuations in the size of the coherence-creating group located in Jerusalem, on the other. EHT points out several events that happened during the study, such as Prime Minister Begin resigning, but does not even attempt to show how this event could explain either aspect of the data, not to mention the strong relationship between them. In a footnote, EHT says that the authors of the Israel study would not send them the original data, when in fact they were sent all the data in graphic form, which was also published as an appendix when the original paper was reprinted in a research anthology in 1990. Moreover, the EHT authors were told that they would also be sent the data in spreadsheet form as soon as they publicly retracted false statements that they had made about the research in television interviews and in the popular press. Finally, EHT maintains that if it discounts one study that it has discounted them all. Replication is the very essence of the scientific method, and EHT has not effectively discounted even this one study on the Maharishi Effect, much less any of the other 50 studies directly on the phenomenon, or any of the 600 studies testing ancillary tenets crucial to the theory. Often replicated evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that large groups of peace-creating experts, meditating together, are associated with a measurable influence of peace and orderliness in the surrounding society. Nothing in EHT undermines that evidence-based conclusion." (End Quote)
However, staying strictly to wp:con, it could not be cited as a response to the article in question because Dr. David Orme-Johnson,works for TM. This is especially so as the word of it's introduction seems value laden and, it might be argued, lacks the sort of neutrality one would expect from an academic paper. Crowleys Aunt 21:18, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
However, this seems somewhat silly and reflects the dangers of not using argument - as you do - and quoting wp:con :-) Crowleys Aunt 21:18, 31 August 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt 21:22, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi Olive, I am afraid that if it fulfills WIKI criteria then it can be inserted - whether that is right or wrong in academic terms is not the issue. Personally, I don't care. I became involved in this having watched Hagelin being introduced in a meeting - slightly related to TM and the presenter using his background in physics as if it somehow validated his TM influenced thoughts on consciousness - which it obviously does not. This then reminded me of that horrendous bastardization of science "What The Bleep" - which personally I think Hagelin did himself a great disservice being involved in. Part of my background is - at a post graduate level - "science". I aware that that the "general public" tend to be divided into 5 categories, those that will believe anything a scientist tell them, those that will analyze what scientists tell them, those that try to analyze what scientist tell them but don't have the ability to, those that don't care and those that think the earth was created in 7 days :-P. It is the first and second category's that worry me. every single TM studies results can be be analyzed, and develop different conclusions - as is the case with most research to be honest. Equally, in some cases while the research's results are perfectly valid the outcome of the changes found may not have the results indicated. Take for example the notion that TM mediation - and most mediation for that matter, "reduces circulating levels of corticosteroids. The assumption drawn by the general public might well be that this is a good thing, that it will reduce psychosocial stress and in-turn negate the "harmful" effects of high levels of corticosteroids on the immune system or "repair mechanisms" in preventing "activation" of the so called "oncogenes" (forgive me if I don't go into the direct physiological mechanism but I am sure you know what I mean)Yet the field of Psychoimmunolgy from which this arises is hardly conclusive in its findings. And indeed, it is not only the general public that fall into this trap - Orme-Johnson's abstract above shows a great lack of understanding of areas not only of the article that he is criticing, but indeed "academic" "logic".
You have made a position statement so I shall also make one, intuitively - if you like on a "spiritual" level - I enjoy, and at lest in some parts agree with, Hagelins views on consciousness. Indeed, I was very pleased when he first started to discuss his theory in public and was not surprised when he was castigated by the scientific community (my heroes include Feyerabend, Kuhn and Lakatos) However, I do not believe - as much as I wish that i could - he has "proven" it in a scientific sense and I am not convinced he or anyone else can. Yet, the way that he his "rolled out" at conferebnces for the general public, his Doctorate in Physics metaphirical waved like a flag, they may well believe that this is the case.
Anyway, my point is that for that reason, I think the TM article needs even closer scrutiny. But I'm tired now and you to are waring me down by "taking it in shifts" :-P
To be honest, I right now I don't care if a large population of people are doing a form of mediation that Buddhists - for a long time, - and Hindu teachers believe has great spiritual and psychological dangers. Nether do I care that people pay $2500 for a mantra while they could just as easily use "OMM" or a number of various others. Neither am I presently concerned if people believe they can "fly" or influence reality at a distance by - oddly - lack of thought or that TM Cite vedic science yet it is a "bad piece of karma" to charge for teaching, or indeed, that you need to be a Brahmin to teach in the first place ( I am glad that TM is not a religion for if it was Maharishi Mahesh's rebirths for a long time to come would be very interesting.
Indeed, as Cary Grant once said, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" :-P Crowleys Aunt 00:02, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Crowleys Aunt 00:12, 1 September 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt 00:09, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Sorry Olive, I was being facetious - no offense taken I hope :-) Crowleys Aunt 02:14, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Olive/TG Sorry, one further point if when you say above the "Markovsky", article you a re referring to Evan Fales, Barry Markovsky (I'm getting a tad confused with these to be honest so perhaps my fault but I have found no other article by markovsky on his own regarding TM. If this is to do with some comment he made in Transnet - well to be honest I don't read that and think it can't be cited anyway as we have already agreed under wiki rules), then I believe - as you have said TG - it has no place in this article. I do believe it makes some valid points about scientific methodology and the operationalization of terms but this is only in reference to the "science" used to explain the mechanisms involved in the proposed outcomes of the Sidhu program, not the type of research cited here regarding, in the main, TM and it's changes in circulating corticosteroids.
Equally While it is true that there is certainly a lot of research conducted by TM "practitioners"(?) anyone can see that there is equally a lot of independent research. Equally, correlations between lowered plasma corticosteroids and mediation have been long recognized and researched (although as I have already said the "health" benefits of theis are still not confirmed). So, I would suspect - without looking at it of course, markovsky would be wrong in this point - if he his referring to TM mediation and individual physiological responses. Does that make sense? Crowleys Aunt 02:47, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
I have started a new thread just for ease. The last one was becoming unwieldy. These are only my personal views.
Hi the subheading discussing that TM is a cult. The counter argument is made from a member of the TM company but this is not cited - can this be added somewhere. Also, the citations given for his argument lead to his personal website. I believe that the decision had been made - quoting WIKI guidelines - that this type of citation was unacceptable. Shall not remove personally, but I think it will need to be removed unless citions can be found from other sources.This should be easy as the the article says that the person involved has written hundreds of article on this. However, I would suspect it would be best if this counter argument came from another external source to the TM movement. Otherwise I would suspect that it would need to be reworked to something along the lines of: "TM Company members state however that TM is not a cult. They state that a cult for example.... etc, etc." I am sure it must be easy to find papers from outside of TM group of companies however, that put forward the argument that the group is not a "Cult". Thoughts? Crowleys Aunt 01:53, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Self-published material may, in some circumstances, be acceptable when produced by an established expert on the topic of the article whose work in the relevant field has previously been published by reliable third-party publications. ( olive 02:27, 1 September 2007 (UTC))
Olive Self-published and questionable sources in articles about themselves Policy shortcut: WP:SELFPUB
Olive, for that to be relevant David Orme Johnson would need to be an expert in the Field of "Cults". Has he published extensively in this area? Also, qouting from WIKI
Material from self-published and questionable sources may be used as sources in articles about themselves, so long as:
* it is not contentious; * it is not unduly self-serving;
The Issue is obviously contentious - I think the fact alone that in France TM is officially classified as a cult - and the article can only find one counter argument - from a website of a member of that same organization.
Obviously it is self serving.
Realistically, TM cannot cite someone from within its own organization to support its argument� and not mention that that person is a member of that organization,
Equally, Jimbo Wales, Wikipedia's co-founder, has said of this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:V#Questionable_sources
It surely must be possible to find other sources to support that TM is not a cult? Crowleys Aunt 03:05, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Hi all - personally I'm not bothered whether TM is a Cult or not - to be honest "cult" is not a term I'm especially keen on anyway, as I personally think a lot of "mainstream" religions have cultish (is that even a word?) tendencies (although that is purely a personally thought of course). Its equally not my area of interest to be honest and I often thought that "cults might be a good thing (keeping nice middle class teenagers busy for a few years and away from any "real" "harm" as it were (might help them stop boring everyone talking about their dissertations as well). However, we are not simply talking about 1 source using this classification but three that have been cited - one of which is - at its core an, "advanced" "western" country. So, I think that we cannot deny that the "accusation" at least exists. It is difficult to justify ::"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary sources." I think this means sources of extraordinary quality and objectivity. A sensationalist author flogging a book arguably would not qualify." as we are also talking about a a country and a separate organization - and indeed, a lot of critique sites on the web from former TM teachers who make similar claims - none of whom seem to be "making a living" or soliciting for funds by doing so.
However, if no one outside of TM has made a counter claim - and is a specialist in "cults" or at least the psychology or sociology of "cults" then it is certainly necessary for the TM company to respond to this accusation. I have no difficulty with this, My issue is that it presently appears that this person is not linked to the TM company - which is obviously untrue. Equally, this person is not an expert in "cults" and is certainly thus not in a position to counter these claims - unless of course has published in this field and I am unaware of it? It seems difficult to to see how the citation can be kept in except along the lines - TM corp has responded to this accusation stating that:....". Equally, the reference to Orme Johnson's website would need to be removed as a citation on the basis that "critical" sites are not quoted as considered unreliable - even from those who are "experts" IE the former TM teachers. I think this is dangerous territory, for to allow Orme Johnson's site - which is clearly a pro TM site, by a TM practitioner, a "former" TM employed academic" and someone still actively promoting TM -will easily allow the the Citation of critical former TM teachers who are equally "experts" in the filed.
On this basis, I simply cannot see how this can be kept in. I do understand that there is much criticism of TM in the article and for this to exist you must be applauded and I honestly don't want to add to this, but in the interest of consistency - and WIKI guildlines I don't think it can be kept in. I do however, like Olives suggestion as a point to move off from - as I believe that the points made my Orme Johnson are reasonable counter arguments but not to sure how. Thoughts? Crowleys Aunt 19:47, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Hi TG, sorry you misunderstand me I don't think that saying that Johnson, is a "former" employee of the TM university is "enough". he is obviously not an expert in cults. Equally, despite the fact that he is a "published" researcher does not necessarily mean that his website can be included. _ If, for example, I was a published researcher in the "The Radiological Pathways involved in Pulmonary Embolisms Diagnosis" - for example - it does not mean that I can then "put up" a website saying I believe that that people "at risk" from PE following hip hemiarthroplasty should be given only - and always - heparin rather then low-molecular-weight heparin and expect that to be cited as a "reliable" reference. Equally, returning to radiological diagnosis for a moment if I was to research and publish a paper that concluded multi-slice spiral CT was a preferable diagnostic pathway for suspected PE rather then the more traditional V/Q Scan or Angiography - this would not mean that any website I put up stating that a Shimadzu 7000 TX Spiral CT was the best machine for the job, be reliable if I had close connections to Shamadzu.
If Johnson has published a paper in either a Psychology or Sociology journal on "Cults" then his inclusion might be relevant as a cited reference but in its present case this cannot be relevant. Apologies for the confusion TG - my fault entirely.
I think it might be more reasonable to say that Orme Johnson - former TM university lecture, TM researcher and TM advocate has responded to this criticisms by saying... But again even here I think you have difficulties because to support this you might have to cite his website which is unashamedly "pro" TM, not peer reviewed and thus not a "reliable" source. Although personally I would not be against this - providing his association with the TM organization and his position on TM is mentioned - I think that it "opens the floodgates" to those arguing that former "critical" TM teachers websites can be cited. i would not be one of those to be honest - simply because this is likely to be my last contribution to this subject - life and all of that. But I do think you run this risk Crowleys Aunt 21:22, 1 September 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt 21:28, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Indeed, thank you all for much for throwing-light on a "discussion" myself and some colleagues were having. You have greatly clarified things. Again, thank you for your time and my apologies for my somewhat "roundabout" manner of investigation. Crowleys Aunt 21:46, 2 September 2007 (UTC)
The final section of this article contains material on TM Independent and Natural Stress Relief. This makes either the material in the article or the link recently added redundant.We are trying to keep the article as trim as possible .... and its really long... so either of these could be deleted but the article doesn't need both.Editors might want to discuss here instead of engage in an edit war. ( olive 14:06, 4 September 2007 (UTC))
My understanding of Maharishi's terms for states of consciousness is that although glorified Cosmic Consciousness describes God consciousness , the term Maharishi uses to name the state as opposed to describing it is God Consciousness( olive 01:46, 6 September 2007 (UTC))
PS If he has changed this in the last while I am not familiar with the change and the point should or could be checked.( olive 02:01, 6 September 2007 (UTC))
OK....I think the term Glorified CC is accurate.( olive 02:29, 6 September 2007 (UTC))... Just talking to myself!
We really need to examine the recent editing by an anonymous editor. I hate to revert all of it. I've posted a note on this person's talk page asking him/her to hold off doing any more editing until we can bring this into conformity with NPOV. It's not serious, but it definitely needs cleaning up. TimidGuy 11:40, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
This section of the TM article is highly contentious so as editors its important to stringently abide by the Wiki policies and guidelines to help maintain a neutral tone and presentation of ideas. Best Wishes ( olive 14:27, 6 September 2007 (UTC))
(in spiritual terms, one might call this source of creation "God," in scientific terms, one can call it the "Home of All the Laws of Nature" or "The Unified Field of Natural Law.")
I've restored the original version of this section and am putting the altered version here:
Issue of cost
The TM Movement states that over 40,000 teachers of Transcendental Meditation have been trained and qualified to teach the technique around the world, and certified teachers are usually available to teach in every major city. The non-profit educational TM organization offers the seven-step TM Course with a lifetime followup to insure maximum progress.
In response to what they feel is a high course fee to learn TM, a small number of former TM teachers illegally offer instruction on their own. A few other former TM teachers critical of the organization have published what they claim to be TM mantras. Among organizations offering legal competing techniques, TM Independent says it is their goal to make TM available in England at an affordable price. Natural Stress Relief states that the technique they offer is comparable to, but is not, Transcendental Meditation. [5]
There are as yet no published studies that show that any practice other than the TM technique, as learned by a qualified and actively certified TM teacher, will produce the same, scientifically documented benefits found to result from practice of the TM technique.
The TM organization strongly recommends that the TM technique only be learned from an authorized teacher. [6] The fee in the U.S. is currently $2,500. [7] .
There's a problem with unsourced material and also it leans toward POV editing. A first step would be to find sources for claims such as 40,000 teachers. The part "available to teach in every major city" seems promotional and a violation of WP:NPOV. Same with "insure maximum progress." TimidGuy 15:10, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
Hi David. Yes, we are all concerned about making the article neutral. You might check the archives should you decide you want to see what editors are responsible for what.
Editors should remove any contentious material about living persons that is unsourced, relies upon sources that do not meet standards specified in Wikipedia:Verifiability, or is a conjectural interpretation of a source (see Wikipedia:No original research). If the material is derogatory and unsourced or poorly sourced, the three-revert rule does not apply to its removal. Content may be re-inserted when it conforms to this policy.
These principles apply to biographical material about living persons found anywhere in Wikipedia, including user and talk pages.
( olive 21:04, 9 September 2007 (UTC))
I am actually inclined to leave these links alone - Natural Stress Relief and TM Independent since they are not just commercial links but also have information about the technique. Wikipedia suggests that there are some instances when an occasional exception can be made for leaving this kind of link in place. I would vote to leave these links in place at this point.( olive 19:40, 10 September 2007 (UTC))
I added Hararit and Yachad (kibbutz) to the article as TM communities in Israel and TimidGuy removed it, saying: "there are too many such communities to list in the article".
I want to be sure that i was understood correctly: these are villages, which are completely TM, not a community in a city.
I am not an expert on TM - i just write articles about Israel. Can anyone give me examples of other similar communities? I created an article about Hararit and i want to categorize it properly. -- Amir E. Aharoni 12:13, 17 September 2007 (UTC)
Can anyone please take a look at the Vedic meditation article?
It looks like it's related to TM, but it reads like an advert for a particular TM group, or maybe a splinter TM group.
There aren't any links to it from other articles. -- Amir E. Aharoni 17:21, 17 September 2007 (UTC)
Agreed!.That first paragraph has been a thorn in my side for awhile. As I read it over again today, I thought .... Why not dump it? .... doesn't serve any purpose really.... just hums and haws around the topic .... why not just jump right into the topic in the next paragraph. Thoughts?( olive 19:40, 20 September 2007 (UTC))
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The religion rewrite has been sitting here on talk pages for quite awhile,without changes, so I guess the time has come to move it. I will add the first setion of the rewrite to the old section in a few days.Any changes can be made now before the move or after in the article.( olive 16:20, 28 April 2007 (UTC))
I have deleted for now the following lines from the Cult section.
A fourth, by Kevin Garvey, a member of the American Family Foundation, makes accusations of spousal and child abuse, but doesn't present evidence. [1]
a.The writer of the article cited does not present evidence. b.When I went to look for the material it is unclear as to which of the journal issues contains this particular reference. c.Added to this there is no evidence anywhere else that this is a true statement. There is no way at this point to verify this statement, and there is difficulty in verifying the source.Although one could argue that the source is the concern not the statement, I would like to suggest there is a point where some verifiable truth should be considered.( olive 22:11, 11 May 2007 (UTC))
PS TimidGuy .... yes thank you. Shorter title much better I think.( olive 18:29, 18 May 2007 (UTC))
After attempting in a couple of different places to find a spot for the Kellett reference in this section, I realized the real problem was that this is not published - as far as I can see -and although Kellett was a TM teacher he is not an expert on the areas he is talking about such as religion and cult to name a couple. This is a personal experience and no matter how legitimate the author might feel this is, this still is as far as I can tell not strong enough as a reference as an encyclopedic entry ( olive 02:11, 25 May 2007 (UTC))
Can we remove the tags on this article(neutrality and factual accuracy tags) ..... It seems to be in pretty good shape. ( olive 17:25, 7 June 2007 (UTC))
I deleted the information recently added about other forms of meditation, since this article is about Transcendental Meditation. The purpose of this section has been not to describe other alternative forms of meditation, of which there are many, but to mention teachers of Transcendental Meditation who are unhappy with charging $2,500 for people to learn and who have now begun offering their own form of meditation. It's this that makes it relevant to the article. TimidGuy 11:49, 18 June 2007 (UTC)
Putting here a section that I deleted so it can be discussed.
Doubts about quality of research from Randi In his book Flim-Flam!, James Randi expressed his doubts about the pro-TM research in existence at the time, saying that "a small, pleasant, bearded man from India... has turned unproven... notions... into a pseudoscientific mess". He thought it highly unlikely that there was anything radically unusual about the effects of TM. He quoted Dr Peter Fenwick who said "Both the changes in oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output... can all be explained by accepted physiological explanations". Randi suggested that some researchers had seen positive results because of their enthusiasm for the technique. Commenting on the need for objectivity in science, he said "You don't put the accused person's family on the jury". He also reported some cases where attempted replication of pro-TM results had failed. An investigation by Royal College of Surgeons experimenters was unable to confirm a drop of 16 percent in oxygen consumption during meditation. They found only 7 percent, making meditation comparable with sleep in this regard. Scientists at Cardiff University in Wales performed tests on meditators and found no indication that meditation boosted short-term memory although there had been a claim to the contrary.
These early criticisms of very early research have been superseded by later research, including many randomized controlled trials. Please read the guideline regarding this point. There have been decades of research since then, including many studies supported by $24 million in grants from that National Institutes of Health. In fact, please read the research section in the TM article. If you find studies that are unable to replicate these later studies, or studies that show results that are at odds with the results reported here, please include that within the research section. TimidGuy 22:13, 14 July 2007 (UTC)
Here's what the guideline on Reliable Sources said for a long time: "Where a subject has evolved or changed over time a long standing source may not be accurate with respect to the current situation. To interpret utility one must appreciate how the subject has changed and has that change impacted on any of the salient points of the the source information. Historical or out of date sources may be used to demonstrate evolution of the subject but should be treated with caution where used to illustrate the subject." But in the current iteration, it doesn't. When I asked why, one of those who edits the gudelines suggested I put it back in.
But it's just common sense. For example, the suggeston by Randi that researchers see positive results because of the subjects' enthusiasm for the technique. As you probably know, randomized controlled trials are able to control for this sort of thing. It's one of the most rigorous research designs. And there have been many such randomized controlled trials since Randi wrote his criticism.
It would be better not to cite Randi but rather to find the original studies he's referencing. Then we can compare those results with more recent results. If it seems like it's a significant finding, then we can add it to the research section. Note, for example, that the research section currently includes both positive and negative results. That's the nature of the scientific process.
We may have an issue of undue weight if we were to add the sort of prominent section you proposed. There have been hundreds studies, done at over 200 different universities and research institutions, with many being published in top peer-reviewed medical journals. It may be be misleading to highlight a few studies from the 1970s without considering the proper context of the larger body of research. TimidGuy 17:57, 23 July 2007 (UTC)
Yes, there have been many replications. A number of the-NIH funded studies were led by principal investigators who don't practice Transcendental Meditation. Significant research on the neurological effects was done by Archie Wilson of UC Irvine, who doesn't practice Transcendental Meditation. Etc. Etc. The research has been conducted at over 200 universities and research institutions. It is broadly based.
The research is widely accepted in the scientific community. It's not possible to get grants from the National Institutes of Health unless the research is of the highest quality and rigor. You must know that these grants are highly competitive and exceedingly difficult to get. Just the fact that the research program has been funded by NIH over a 20-year period is remarkable. The research has been published in top medical journals, including those put out by the American Medical Association and the American Heart Association.
The researchers are highly respected. Note for example, that Robert Schneider, M.D., one of the leading researchers, was invited to Capitol Hill to address the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine. He and other Transcendental Meditation researchers have given presentations at meetings of the Centers for Disease Control. He was honored by being elected a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology. He and other researchers on Transcendental Meditation have been invited by the National institutes of Health to review grant applications. Researchers on Transcendental Meditation serve as peer reviewers for major academic journals because of their track record of publication in major journals.
It's hard to know what more could be done to establish the scientific basis and the credibility of the research on Transcendental Meditation.
And frankly, I have a problem with Randi, who is basically a magician with a high school education whose knowledge of science is limited. (I can give a compelling example of that.) He tends to use straw-man arguments.
Note too that science has its own epistemology. Research is a dialog. Researchers spend years to establish cause and effect. Valid criticism should be on that level of peer-review, not some popular book or magazine or web site. The Wikipedia guideline for Reliable Sources suggests as much: Wikipedia:Reliable_sources/examples#In_science.2C_avoid_citing_the_popular_press.
Gotta run to lunch. I hope this helps to answer your concerns about the credibility of the research. TimidGuy 17:59, 24 July 2007 (UTC)
Thanks, Josha. Eiler, in the guideline I cited, "popular press" means any publication that's not a scientific journal. It is generally known that NIH grants are competitive, and any scientist would respect the fact that this research has received $25 million in funding over a 20-year period, resulting in publication in major medical journals. NIH is the major funding body for medical research in universities in the U.S. I mentioned Archie Wilson as one example of researchers on Transcendental Meditation who don't practice the technique. Another who comes to mind is Brian Olshansky, who did a replication of the hypertension research. These are just a couple that immediately come to mind. (A search on AF Wilson in a medical index shows 214 publications.) Regarding the honor of F.A.C.C., see this page. [1] Hope that helps. TimidGuy 15:08, 25 July 2007 (UTC)
Comparing TM-articles with articles on other let’s say health practices we can see: "History" is almost always put to the end of an article (before controversies). I think this is a good idea. When I ask a encyclopedia soemthing about Reflexology I would like to read first what it is, second which theory stands behind it, third what research has found out. In a later turn I may be interested in history and controversy. I suggested also to change the german article in this way. -- Josha52 19:41, 23 July 2007 (UTC)
I am looking for copyright free pictures to be used in Wikipedia: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (what about the picture on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi? It could not be found in WikiCommon!) and one of Keith Wallace (I have asked him already). Any idea? Josha52 15:47, 25 July 2007 (UTC)
Well, then the only way would be: getting an international permission from the owner. I’ll try. May be you’ll try too. One point of view: Better a picture then none. The other: better no picture then any problems in future. Solution in between: a private picture. Since MMY is a person of public interest there would be no need to ask him. Otherwise it would be an act of courtesy to do so. In Germany a picture which became public domain definitely never could be taken out again from public domain. -- Josha52 19:57, 27 July 2007 (UTC)
Seems not to be sufficient. Reader may ask why it is expansive in comparison to other techniques. Proposal (please correct bad english):
Now:
"... at the time of instruction, a process which requires a fee after introductory presentations ($2,500 as of 2006),[5] and generally takes five to seven days."
More precise:
"... at the time of instruction. The Transcendental Meditation technique is taught in a worldwide standardisized 7-step-procedure. It includes two introductory lectures and a personal interview (free) and four consecutive 2-hour-instructions followed by an follow-up ten days after. Every course graduate is eligible for lifetime follow-up at any Transcendental Meditation center for checkings of correctedness of meditation practice. Course fee inclusive follow up requires $2,500 as of 2006.[5]"
Reasoning:
First section seems to go too much in detail already. As far as I understand the procedure how an article should get structured this section should be a short description of the Lemma.
Therefore parts of this section could go into the section "Procedures and theory".
The section "Procedures and theory" again could be splitted into "Procedure" and "Theory".
"Theory of consciousness" as a part of its own does not seem to be necessary.
Structure would look like this:
(Introduction)
Reasoning: Reader would find more easily those sections of special interest for him. -- Josha52 08:52, 31 July 2007 (UTC)
Again in the interest of clarity and brevity, I propose condensing the second paragraph in the "cult" section putting it at the end of what is now the third paragraph in that section.
The condensation would read:
Transcendental Meditation, along with other groups such as Baptists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists and the Church of Scientology were named as cult/sects in France in 1995, in The Parliamentary Commission on Cults in France generated by the National Assembly of France. (with link to document) Roseapple 02:36, 5 August 2007 (UTC)
Researcher David Orme-Johnson, who has authored over 100 studies related to the Transcendental Meditation technique (most of them peer-reviewed), argues that the Transcendental Meditation organization is not a cult. He notes that research shows that the Transcendental Meditation technique produces effects in practitioners that are the opposite to those found in people who allegedly become involved in cults. He observes that cults are generally characterized as closed systems, directly opposite to the Transcendental Meditation organization, which submits to the rigors of scientific testing, continues to encourage research by independent universities and research organizations, publishes consistently in peer-reviewed journals, and participates actively in scientific conferences worldwide. Roseapple 14:56, 5 August 2007 (UTC)
Originally the statement, "The Transcendental Meditation technique is one aspect of "Maharishi's Technologies of Consciousness, which are the experiential side of Maharishi Vedic Science." was used in the opening paragraph of this article to indicate an organizational point, that is, that TM was one arm of a two armed approach to the development of consciousness as outlined by Maharishi.One arm the technique itself was experiential, the other arm referred to the practical aspects of the Vedic Science such as education, archcitecture and so forth. For me this fits more appropriately in the first paragraph were the reader immediately becomes aware of the overall organizational form of Vedic Science That said if anyone feels strongly about this well, it could be reverted.( olive 23:57, 12 August 2007 (UTC))
I wonder if this topic placed where it is now is misplaced. Procedure seems to deal with the actual steps of teaching whereas dhyana is more about theory Would it be better placed under Theory of Consciousness? If no one minds I'd like to try it there.( olive 16:36, 14 August 2007 (UTC))
ps.I guess I would remove this part if the section is too long: This state is said to be an experience of "am-ness", or "Being", the unbounded pure consciousness that is at the source of thoughts and feelings. I guess I am ok with the length given that material on this state of consciousness really "sets up" an understanding of the other states.( olive 16:49, 15 August 2007 (UTC))
I removed the mention of breath suspension because later research found that the respiratory "suspension" was not actually a complete cessation of breathing, but rather a continual slight inspiration of many small breaths. I left the study on the ectrophysiologic characteristics of respiratory suspension periods because that one was describing other parameters during these periods, regardless of whether it was thought to be suspension or a continual slight inspiration of many small breaths. TimidGuy 15:45, 18 August 2007 (UTC)
I noticed after changes in the TM intro that there was a repetition of "the"and that the "taught six million" sentence seems out of place .... I made a quick change but am not attached should want to revert in favour of a better, or the older version.( olive 14:22, 21 August 2007 (UTC))
I think we need to discuss the recent changes to the lead. In my opinion, they are incorrect and aren't sourced. According to the trademark registry, "Transcendental Meditation" is a trademark held by Maharishi Vedic Development Education Corporatation, which has the exclusive right to determine the meaning of the phrase. The only use it has consented to is as the name of a specific meditative technique taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In addition, all of the scientific literature -- hundreds of published studies -- uses the term exclusively in this sense. This is also true of its usage in popular media such as newspapers and magazines. It's never used to name the organization and always used to refer to the meditation technique. This has been discussed and resolved on these Talk pages in the past. TimidGuy 11:22, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
Thanks so much, Rtc, for coming here to discuss. I appreciate it. I just can't agree that reliable secondary sources use "Transcendental Meditation" to refer to an organization. If you do a search in Google News on that term, I doubt you'd find a single instance. I've read hundreds and hundreds of media reports on Transcendental Meditation (maybe even thousands), and I don't recall a single instance in which "Transcendental Meditation" was used to refer to anything other than a meditative technique. The sources you offer have been discussed in the past, and they don't seem to meet Wikipedia policies and guidelines. We went through a dispute procedure regarding the Skeptic's Dictionary, and the consensus was that it didn't meet the Wikipedia requirement of a reliable secondary source. We've also often noted that that particular article on the Religious Movements web site was written by two college sophomores in a sociology class and has many errors of fact. If such usage can be found in reliable secondary sources, it seems to me that it's clearly a minority usage. In my mind, the overwhelming evidence of usage based on acceptable sources such as scientific studies and reliable secondary sources in the popular media is as a meditative technique. As it should be, given the trademark. TimidGuy 15:09, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
By the way. The current administrative structure for Maharishi's programs is the Global Country of World Peace. Though it's not clear in my mind the relationship between this entity and the many organizations founded in Maharishi's name. It seems that the Global Country is primarily responsible for the teaching of Transcendental Meditation. Most of the other organizations, such as Maharishi University of Management and Maharishi Ayurveda Products International, don't seem to fall under the oversight of the Global Country. But I don't really know. TimidGuy 15:18, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
Wikipedia policies accept that evidence can have a weight, and they disallow WP:Undue weight. These sources don't talk about Transcendental Meditation as a movement. They refer to the informal usage, which mostly dates from the 1960s and 1970s, of Transcendental Meditation movement. This means "movement to teach the Transcendental Meditation technique." If you want to write about the organizational structure, the obvious place would be the Global Country article, since it's the primary administrative organization. TimidGuy 16:41, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
By the way, I could get an opinion from the legal counsel for the trademark holder. In my experience, he's very concerned about how the word is used. TimidGuy 16:58, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
You make an important point, in bringing up the idea of the TM movement and “common usage”. In a sense, what I discovered as I worked on this article was that essentially there was no “Movement”. That is, that common usage was just what the words say and mean. In casual conversation someone might say, “movement”, but in fact this organization is extremely complex and large and, that the term “movement” even in the beginning became a term of convenience. Even when searching for sources, if we found the term movement we generally discovered that something more specific was meant. As we put together this article and edited all of us including opponents of TM realized we had to tease out as it were what the organization really included and somehow delineate boundaries and organization structures to clarify our material. We then had to fit it into a certain size as advised by Wikipedia standards. Even as I write, editors are still trying to cut the article down while maintaining NPOV. In a nutshell, and highly simplified, what we have here is a teacher and a technique. Most of the research was done on the technique itself, although, there certainly is research on these other aspects. So as we put together the article we looked for a way of organizing the teacher, the technique, the technologies and so on, and in the process discovered that the teacher has pretty much in some ways taken care of this himself. We find in the literature a two armed approach to the technologies one, the technique and possibly advanced aspects of that technique the TM Sidhi program –experiential, that is done for the intrinsic merit they have on the individual’s so- called consciousness. The other arm of the technologies for consciousness were and are called Vedic Science, and are the practical application of the technique and other technologies such as an approaches to education and agriculture to name two. These days the umbrella name for all of this is the Global Country of World Peace, but that could change tomorrow dependent it seems on a new addition to the practical side of things. Included in that name –“Global Country” is a system of “government” complete with hierarchy, which runs alongside any relative government and is said to be a government of consciousness. I personally am not interested in judging any of this, nor should any of us be, since that would inject some POV, but have found it interesting to decipher the puzzle of how all of this could be organized in an encyclopedic format.
We used the same article title that has always been there and defined it as the technique to make very clear what was being written about. The rest of the article is absolutely about the technique as you noted. After many, long discussion we realized that not only was this the way the whole thing began but also this was the easiest way to write about it. The Vedic Science aspect the other side of the organization is linked and has been in the stages of development for a while. The advanced aspect of the TM technique, the TM Sidhis program has also been linked. There are hundreds of studies on the technique and some on the other technologies. On this page we have unwound the TM technique studies from the huge ball of studies that includes all of the studies. This keeps the article shorter than it could be and as the other pages for example, Vedic Science, develop, these other studies have a home there. We have also not included individuals in the organization. Yes, there is a kind of hierarchy as there is in any organization. I sure wouldn’t want to be the president of anything but someone has to do that job. Happy it’s not me…but for the most part and for our purposes these people can be included in the material about what part of the organization they administer. For example Bevan Morris is President of MUM, the university, and I think PM of the Global Country. A page on Dr Morris would probably note this. There are many levels of administration in many countries and we haven’t touched on that in this article. A school has a head master but that would I think be included in the school area. They all belong in my mind in articles about the aspect being administered or to the person him or herself. If we hadn’t made these judgments and analyzed the organization in this way at some point, the article would now be as long as the knitted material in ‘’Like Water for Chocolate’’ as it trailed miles along a dirt road and would be just about as unwieldy.
There is no POV in this article. Were that the case the criticism section would have been removed by someone along the line, as would any other negative material. The article about TM and those linked to it, you see, are instead might I say the results and somewhat heroic effort on the part of all of the editors who have worked on it, those for and against TM, to explain and define a large and complex organization. What we say in common usage is fine I always think, but what we can squeeze into an encyclopedia has to be as clear and as concise as we can make it, and is quite another matter. In the end we have TM the technique, and links and possible links to what came after the technique.I do think one could add something about common usage ... where is the question. So there’s another way of looking at the whole thing. Best wishes.( olive 18:55, 23 August 2007 (UTC))
Trying to sort out the issues. Would really like to resolve the question of Rtc's addition saying that the term "Transcendental Meditation" also refers to the organization that teaches the Transcendental Meditation technique. If that were so, then tell me whether you think this is a correct sentence:
Transcendental Meditation has taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to 6 million people worldwide.
That sounds like a malformed sentence to me. Yet in 1970s informal usage, the following would make sense to me:
The Transcendental Meditation movement has taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to 6 million people worldwide.
So I don't see, from a linguistic perspective, how "Transcendental Meditation" can refer to the organization that teaches the Transcendental Meditation technique. TimidGuy 19:09, 23 August 2007 (UTC)
You misunderstand me. I did not offer excuses for anything in this article but explained as clearly as I could how the article came to have its present format and the reasoning behind this. I also do not offer any arguments either way. The structure of the article was formated on some rather specific guidelines developed as I mentioned from numerous discussions, and with the input of several editors. You may want to check these out if you have an interest in this article. We were asked in several instances to carry on editing that would shorten the article as well. The strongest request came from our mediation. This did not come from the editors working on the article. My sense is that the editors who have worked on the article have tried to comply with this without losing material added to the article by numerous editors over a relatively long period of time in "Wikipedia time".: ) Although the Spiritual Regeneration Movement was indeed the name of the early organization, my understanding is that the leader of the organization no longer uses this term but had renamed his organization many times since. I am not questioning that either. The present article has used a method of organization used by its leader, and which includes the diverse wings or arms of the organization.This is how the large and complex organization is explained here - is organized here. Thats all. If you want to make a comment about the common usage of a particular phrase, I don't see why that can't be discussed. Of note I think is the idea that the term "movement" when referring to an organization as a synonym for organization is not incorrect. Using the term TM movement as a naming, and somehow organizational method doesn't really make sense given the extensive background and understanding that underpins this article. My sense is that great effort has been made to understand and organize this material, and although I can't speak for the editors who have worked on the article, I feel that all further insights are welcome.( olive 02:54, 24 August 2007 (UTC))
Hello again rtc, I guess I am unclear as to what exactly you want in the article. All of the aspects of the organization have been accounted for already either in the article or through links. Perhaps you could be more specific about what you feel is missing.( olive 03:02, 24 August 2007 (UTC))
I realized why I don't feel comfortable with this. It's an artificial construct that can be used to mean whatever anyone wants it to mean. There's no incorporated entity by that name. To me, this creates a situation that is fertile ground for Original Research.
There are many different organizations founded in Maharishi's name in many different countries around the world. If a reliable source has lumped them together under one rubric, then fine. But if an editor cherry picks information gathered from web sites and spins it together to state something about an entity that's an artificial construct, to my mind that's a problem. (Of course, I'm not suggesting anyone here intends to do this. And again, I'm not sure this article would be the venue.) TimidGuy 12:02, 24 August 2007 (UTC)
I'm afraid I am confused by some of your points here, rtc. I have never understood Wikipedia to be a platform for introducing arguments.I have understood it to be a vehicle for gathering and organizing information through a group editing process. I clearly feel that you have a very specific point of view here, and I am, give Wikipedia policy/guidelines not comfortable with that. I believe this article was written to show not both sides of an argument but to show a representational amount of information on any particular topic.I believe the article does show opposing views on different topics, but the very slight adjustment that happens to indicate the back and forth discourse between two positions does I think border on OR. I agree with the Wikipedia guideline you present that emphasizes verifiability. More specific references about your concerns are always helpful.( olive 15:27, 25 August 2007 (UTC))
I really can't spend all day here. Am working under deadline. But maybe start a new thread to try to focus this. It seems like the key issue is fairly simple: how to present the scientific research. I don't see anything in the policies and guidelines that require it to be contextualized the way Rtc suggests. WP:V makes it clear that research is a reliable source: "Academic and peer-reviewed publications are highly valued and usually the most reliable sources in areas where they are available, such as history, medicine and science." The research section doesn't violate WP:SYNTH because it's not combining points to draw a conclusion. It's simply stating what the studies themselves conclude. There's a lot of debate on the Talk pages whether research is a primary or secondary source, but the consensus right now seems to be that it lies outside this framework. And anyway, even if it were considered a primary source, which it's generally not, it still meets the guideline of how that's presented. If the research is somehow skewed, then fine to present studies that contradict it, as long as they aren't given undue weight relative to the other research. TimidGuy 16:38, 25 August 2007 (UTC)
... .. . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . .. ..
it's not combining points
to draw a conclusion!
Hello, Rtc. I appreciate your sincerity and your the great care you're taking to clearly explain your position. Which, if i understand it correctly, is that the article draws and implied conclusion by presenting the scientific research, and that this is a violation of WP:SYNTH. I guess there are a number of points I feel a reasonable person could disagree with. One is that this material is drawing an implied conclusion. The studies themselves draw the conclusion. The science section is not in any way assembling points and drawing an original conclusion. (The editing we're doing is not in response to your claim, and an attempt to resolve it; rather, in drawing our attention to this section, you helped us to give closer attention to these sections and realize the wording could sound more neutral. Thank you for that.)
In addition, I think that you're stretching policy. It's a matter of opinion whether a particular conclusion is implied. And a matter of opinion which particular conclusion might be implied. That would never be a solid ground for making a case for wp:synth.
I don't think you've made a strong case that there's a problem in the article. TimidGuy 11:39, 26 August 2007 (UTC)
I don't know . . . to me it doesn't make much sense to guess what readers are thinking. Who knows what conclusion they will draw? I think that the research section presents a relatively accurate picture. Much of the research shows positive results, some of it doesn't. Metastudies generally say that Transcendental Meditation is more effective than relaxation, some say it's about the same. The metastudies don't cover many areas of the research where there is a substantial body of studies. The article pretty much ignores the brain research, which is perhaps the most fascinating.
How can one draw any sort of meaningful conclusion about such a large and diverse body of research? This article has presented some representative studies. It indicates that there's a large body of research. It indicates that this research has been published in top journals. It omits facts about how widely this research is respected in the scientific community and how respected the researchers are. You can see past discussions in which I recite a litany of the important role they play as peer reviewers in the field, the role they've played when invited by the federal government and its agencies to give presentations and consultations.
I don't know what conclusion I'd draw regarding this research. I guess I'd conclude that it's formidable. I guess i'd conclude that the results are mixed -- as with all research. I guess I'd conclude that it pioneered a number of areas. The marketing guys typically cite studies showing the effects of Transcendental Meditation. Why not? Ideological opponents typically make lists of the studies that didn't show results. Why not? And goobers like Robert Todd Carroll generally dismiss the research without ever having looked at a single study. TimidGuy 11:48, 27 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi, Rtc. I'm sorry if you feel that I own the article. But the fact is, ideological opponents are often trying to insert material in the article that doesn't meet Wikipedia policies and guidelines. I've done my best to try to make the article conform. It hasn't always been easy and has caused a lot of sleepless nights. (Which are really bad for my tennis game.) Luckily, in every case we finally ended up getting a consensus. In one particularly difficult instance, we had to resort to a dispute procedure. Note this guideline: WP:CANVAS. TimidGuy 11:09, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Since this article is specifically for the "Transcendental Meditation technique", it may be appropriate to change the article's name to reflect that focus. What does everyone think about doing that? Dreadstar † 07:55, 28 August 2007 (UTC)
So instead of getting rid of the reduction of topic to the technique, which is not neutral, you're supposing that is should get a pseudo-justification by renaming it? -- rtc 05:11, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Hello Crowley's Aunt .... the German study was discussed several months ago and was found to be a poor reference and not usable since the study itself was not properly conducted. I'll see if I can find the archived material on that for you. I also noted that the links you provided on "studies" don't work and that the reference section seems to be completely skewed. This article has also been criticized for its length so I will compress the "studies" information you added. Although there is no way of checking the links now as should be done, since they are not working, I will though leave the material in place pending a link check .( olive 02:06, 29 August 2007 (UTC))
Thanks Olive. I think the links are incorrect and the ref section "screwed" because when my table was removed the person doing so did not remove it completely - this might have this effect. if that is so I can "repair" it - without adding the table back in - if that is ok with everyone?
I provide this link to the article http://www.behind-the-tm-facade.org/transcendental_meditation-harmful-abstracts.htm. This is not where I accessed it as it seems that the access I have to it is via the ATHENS network. I am sure you are aware this is university affiliated only but if you have access to ATHENs then simply search by the article title and publication.
I have to disagree though about not listing the adverse effects of TM on 62% of those studied. Other positive studies clearly list the benefits including relatively - for a non "expert" supposed physiological effects such as those on Cortisol and thus indeed psychoimmunphyisiology. Thoughts? Crowleys Aunt 02:33, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Olive. My apologies, the article I have used - on closer reading - refers to a wide range of meditation techniques not just TM. On that basis it might be wise to remove it. Perhaps its due to my dislike of religions using scientific evidence to support metaphysical concepts and for that I apologise. Clouded judgment and all that. Perhaps I need to mediate ;-) 02:52, 29 August 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt
Here's a couple of newsgroup comments by Roger D Nelson of PEAR, who read the study and gave an informal review of it in the sci.skeptics newsgroup just over 11 years ago, wearing the hat of someone who had performed a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on meditation for the NIH. Note that he was talking to John Knapp, whose website was the source for the Skeptic Dictionary entry and that John still hasn't changed his website to reflect their conversation 11 years ago:
"I not only have read the study, and commented on it subsequently in posts that you apparently have not taken the opportunity to read, I am competent to do so, both by professional training and by experience. The latter includes having reviewed, comprehensively, the scientific literature on meditation, including Trancendental Meditation, for the Office of Alternative Medicine, NIH. The German "study" is not scientific by any reasonable standard, particularly including that of peer review. Had it been available at the time of my review, I would have listed it as a report of negative results. While the study would have merited little attention, I probably would have noted that its sampling procedures and analytic approaches permit no generalization, and I would have indicated that selective reporting occurs, apparently for the specific purpose of providing descriptive anecdotes to therapists. The general conclusions drawn by the study authors are not supportable. "
and as well, another comment:
"No, John, I am a greybeard, with a 1972 doctorate in in experimental psychology concentrating on perception, neurophysiology, and cognitive capacities. Of course that includes an excellent classical education in experimental design and statistics. It was, however, my 15 years of experience at Princeton, developing sound research and analytical strategies for the study of anomalies linking consciousness and physical systems that prompted an invitation to participate in the OAM effort to determine what research had been done in its purview, and to attempt a first resolution of the implications thereof, in order to design a useful program of prospective research in alternative medicine. "I have already posted the relevant information from the resulting review of meditation that bears on an assessment of the merits of the German study. That study is not what you claim and imply it to be, namely a reliable ("prestigious" is a term you have used) source for the generalizations that you specifically make to the effect that trancendental meditation is harmful. At best it is what it was designed to be, namely a recounting of problems suffered by parents, spouses, and a small number -- 27 as I recall -- of meditators. I have no investment in TM, but I do have a strong interest in proper reporting and wise use of science and its authority. To attempt to generalize from a study conducted as this one was, by asking each troubled person to please put us in touch with other similarly troubled people, with implications that meditation, or even TM , is dangerous or harmful, is ludicrous on the face of it."
Roger D. Nelson, Princeton Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) C-131 E-Quad, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544
Thanks Olive. having doing some-work in the "philosophy" of science, the criticisms of the studies methodology seem valid although it would have been nice to have actually read the study. I shall go of for a nose. I hate bad research. Crowleys Aunt 02:57, 29 August 2007 (UTC)
Hello rtc I apologize for not replying sooner. Rather than ignore your last post to me, I should mention that I responded to the best of my ability to what I understood your concerns to be. On rereading your post I wondered if much of the confusion comes from a different interpretation of words - of defining certain words. I would like to try and explain what I mean by that.
Hi, I'm moving the new section here so we can discuss it first. There are serious problems with it.
=== Interpretation ===
The TM organization summarizes the research as
- A remarkable body of research on the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs confirms the benefits of this powerful technology of consciousness. [2]
Individuals independent from the organizations come to different interpretations. The sociologist Barry Markovsky assumes that the research is sponsored in great part by the TM organization itself. [3] He also notes that "much of the TM research is very non-controversial, and the much smaller volume of potentially controversial stuff that has been published is tucked away in 3rd-rate journals (or worse)".
Peter Canter noted that there are general methodological issues with clinical research about the effect of Transcendental Meditation [4]
The source for Markovsky doesn't meet Wikipedia policies and guidelines. In general, critic sites are disallowed. See for example wp:v. And he's utterly wrong. As the article notes, much of the research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health.
The research by Canter is already mentioned in the article. His generalization of his metastudy on cognitive function to all TM research is crazy. There are many highly rigorous randomized controlled trials that have just the sort of controls that he says are absent. These include studies this article talks about, such as the ones published by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association.
Why deliberately put misinformation in the article? TimidGuy 11:31, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi TG/Olive, hope you are both well.. Before dismissing the paper entirely would it be possible to have a look at it? The references seem to not be working. I am assuming from your comments guys that this was linked to the summery from transnet? However, lets be honest Markovsky is not a member of that site but a well known academic Sociologist. I think the original paper may have been published in "Social action? I think given the controversy surrounding this article it might be Wise to view the original article in its entirety. This would be the best way to not adding - fuel to the fire, if you know what I mean. thoughts? Sorry I am unable to look my self but I am at home at the moment - rather then campus - and ATHENs is being a real pain in the rear for me at the moment. :-/
Crowleys Aunt 21:19, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
Edit. I believe this is the Article and Publication details. Evaluating Heterodox Theories Evan Fales, Barry Markovsky Social Forces, Vol. 76, No. 2 (Dec., 1997), pp. 511-525 doi:10.2307/2580722 —Preceding unsigned comment added by Crowleys Aunt ( talk • contribs) 21:28, August 30, 2007 (UTC)
I now have access to athens it seems. Perhaps if you can both do this from your university it might be possible to discuss this? I have the miss-fortune to have to go to London tomorrow but will print and take a copy with me and we can discuss perhaps here? Perhaps the person who orginally added it to the article might like to comment? Crowleys Aunt 21:35, 30 August 2007 (UTC)
I think there was a lot of discussion on this too in the past, and I'll check the archives. I was just starting then on Wikipedia, and a lot of this, well, I just missed it.I'm not sure if I can get the paper quickly but I'll give it a shot. TimidGuy is much more of an expert in the sciences so he may have some other insights.( olive 02:48, 31 August 2007 (UTC))
It is wrong that "critic sites are disallowed", and it is wrong that positions that are false according to your judgement may not be put into tht article. The information that "The sociologist Barry Markovsky assumes that the research is sponsored in great part by the TM organization itself" is true. Barry Markovsky actually says that. You are censoring the article! WP:NPOV means that also false positions and interpretations must be described if they are relevant. So stop owning the article! You have a conflict of interest. If you were interested in NPOV, you would search for better criticism instead of censoring it completely. PS: WP:V has to be read with a grain of salt anytime it is misused to justify something that conflicts with WP:NPOV. -- rtc 06:30, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
To ask me to get consensus here is simply a bad joke. Everyone who is active here except me practices TM. Don't you see the very absurdity of this situation? Should I get the radical skeptics? I think it may be necessary to do so—not to push my imagination of the article, but simply to destroy the editor collective and consensus here. Consensus is bad. The goal of Wikipedia is not consensus, but a good article. Consensus is not even a means to an end. Permanent disagreement is. Consensus is a sign of crisis. PS: WP:CON is mostly nuts. -- rtc 09:05, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
RTC? I think I understand your frustration but I think that Olive and TG are working within the confines of academic citation - in other-words they believe that if they support their arguments with peer reviewed papers any "counter argument" needs to come from a similar source. In the case of Markovsky, he is an academic and will thus have made his argument originally within those confines - either in journal, book or conference paper. All you need to do to support his inclusion - when WP:CON is being used - is to find the original source for his quote/argument. I can't spend much time on this but if you do not have the access to do this simply email Markovsky at his faculty. i am sure either he or his secretory would be more then happy to supply the Crowleys Aunt 09:24, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi TG - I have also read the pre-published reputable to Fales and Markivsky also - not as impressed as you although I have seen worse :-). The problem is this - and its the problem with citing
WP:CON am afraid - because it will be coming from a TM organization member and university - and it is a "contentious point" - you would not be able to refer to it in any critique of the Fales and Markivsky argument. Indeed, under
WP:CON you would need to remove a lot of research from this article. As you know, I am not a "troll" - but I think you know that anyway :-). But care does need to be taken when citing
WP:CON to often. Perhaps it would be better if instead you used the fine sort of argument you have done above :-)
You know, as an academic, you would would "mark down" a student essay - at any level - because they have attempted to cite from WIKI to suport an argument. The is for a number of reason as I am sure you are aware. I have this strange hope that one day it will be possible to use WIKI in a dissertation for example without penalty - but I doubt.
RTC - I really do understand where you are coming from because all of the remaining editors are associated with TM - greatly lessening the neutrality of this article. However, in fairness to both TAG and Olive they have made position statements regarding this and do not hide the fact. however, as a mediation technique - and I wish not to discuss whether it is a religion as this is irrelevant - and with the scope that it has and it's built in easy "Bliss" (TAG/Olive I genially to not mean that as an insult :-) ) they will, most possibly unconsciously put a positive "spin" on TM. I think this maybe case although I also believe this is despite their desperate attempts otherwise. However, you will not win any argument by "throwing insults around" Especially to TG who has - at least with me proven both polite and capable of putting together a good argument. I think if you are reasonable in return and used the same methodology you would be far more successful in your endeavors. By the way RTC, I do not practice TM, I do meditate but use a system a lot older then TMs - or indeed the system/s from which TM is derived :-)
So yes, it does need neutrality, however throwing insults around is not only rude to people who seem nice and are certainly polite but is not the way to "win" your argument. The only way to do so using the same methodology.
Thats it, I have wasted far to much time on this, first though: TG I have read Fales and Markivsky, it far from a bad article although I can genuinely understand why A TM practitioner would be upset by it. However, I honestly think it does not belong in this article as it presently stands - but in the Sidhu one. However, for me this causes a problem: I would have considered the registered trademark TM to represent the whole organization not just the mediation method. If this is not the case I think you might need something at the top of the page pointing people to references of other parts of the organization cited in WIKI - this I think would help clarify things for people. Just my personal thoughts. Crowleys Aunt 18:28, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
TG. My friend don't be so much on the offensive :-) When I say argument, I meant that you put your point across well, as to why the item in question should not be put in - rather then using wp:con. I think it was a compliment as to how this debate should be run. Don't shoot those - despite their own views - who are trying to support your reasoning :-)As to the wp:con, I am suggesting that it used a lot - not necessarily by your self - to remove criticisms of TM. My point is that WP:con can also be cited to remove a lot of supporting evidence for TM if that research has come from some part of the TM Corporation - TM after all is not a religion but a company by it's on admission. Would it not be better for TM if instead of citing wp:con arguments were used as to why the information was incorrect? This would greatly stop the accusations of bias. Use logic and acadmic argument. Which is, I think I said you do. :-) Crowleys Aunt 21:02, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
One last point abstract to David Orme-Johnson's critic of David Orme-Johnson has already been circulated - if you know where to look, I qoute:
Evaluating Heterodox Theories (EHT) is a thinly disguised attempt to censor research on the Maharishi Effect – the objectively measurable peace-creating effect associated with large groups of meditation experts. The EHT paper does not recount the data in the original research study which EHT is attempting to criticize, data showing that as daily attendance fluctuated at a peace-creating assembly in Jerusalem over a 60-day period, crime, traffic accidents and fires in Israel, and warfare in neighboring Lebanon, also fluctuated with strong inverse correlation. Nor does EHT recount any of the data in 50 other studies on the same phenomenon, most of them covered in 23 published scientific papers on the topic. Instead, EHT attempts to dismiss the whole concept as a ‘heterodox theory” not worthy of the usual rigor associated with a scientific critique. In the social sciences, however, such an approach has little validity since there is no well-developed “orthodox” theoretical structure against which other theories can be judged as “heterodox”. In its theory section, EHT asserts that if a theory is discredited, then the data which supports the theory is discredited, which in fact is the opposite of the practice in science, in which theories are created, tested, and modified according to the data. EHT invokes Bayes’ Theorem as a seemingly objective means of evaluating a theory, but since only subjective opinions are entered into the equation by EHT, only subjective opinions come out of it. EHT claims that the primitive term of the theory-- “pure consciousness”-- is vague, when in fact the means by which anyone can directly experience this state of quiet inner wakefulness is operationally defined by the Transcendental Meditation technique, and a large body of research over the last thirty-five years has provided objective physiological definition of the state. EHT claims that the research on the Maharishi Effect theory did not test one of its most obvious quantitative predictions, which is that the effect will increase as a square of the number of people practicing the TM and TM-Sidhi programs together. In fact, the study in question did empirically evaluate this issue both in the original paper and in published debate on the theory. EHT asserts that “prior knowledge” makes the Maharishi Effect theory improbable, but in fact: 1) the basic theoretical tenets of the Maharishi Effect comprise the “Perennial Philosophy,” the most ancient and ubiquitous knowledge of the human race; and 2) the central proposition that EHT finds heterodox--that individuals directly interact at a distance by other means than the classical sensory modalities--is currently the focus of several active research programs. EHT criticizes the work of physicist John Hagelin showing parallels between the structure of natural law described by modern science with the structure of natural law described in the most comprehensive and ancient knowledge of consciousness, the Vedic Tradition. In fact, Hagelin is an award winning Harvard PhD in theoretical physics whose technical articles are on the leading edge of modern science and are among the most frequently quoted in physics. This background, together with the fact that for over thirty years Hagelin has personally explored consciousness using the subject technologies of the Vedic Tradition, and has engaged in hundreds of hours discussions of consciousness with Maharishi, the world’s foremost authority of consciousness, as well as with other leading scholars, makes him uniquely qualified to formulate an integration of consciousness with modern science. Hagelin’s work is in the tradition of other great physicists, such as Schroedinger, Planck, and Einstein, who saw the deep implications of their discoveries for a unified understanding of the physics and consciousness and he greatly extends their efforts in this regard in scope, rigor, empirical testing, and practical applications to improve society.
The empirical aspect of EHT intends to offer several alternate explanations for the data presented in a paper on the Maharishi Effect published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution in 1988. Whereas the predictions of the study were lodged in advance with outside scientists in Israel and the United States, and is based on daily fluctuations in crime, accidents, and warfare amenable to mathematical analysis, the “explanations” suggested by EHT are all post hoc, and consist of a handful of unrelated events. EHT points out a holiday that the study did not account for, for example, but quantitative analysis shows that this holiday did not account for any of the variance in the data. Furthermore, EHT’s listed events do not meet the minimum requirement of an “explanation”. What needs to be explained in this study is the strong relationship between daily fluctuations in crime, accidents, warfare and other variables, on the one hand, and daily fluctuations in the size of the coherence-creating group located in Jerusalem, on the other. EHT points out several events that happened during the study, such as Prime Minister Begin resigning, but does not even attempt to show how this event could explain either aspect of the data, not to mention the strong relationship between them. In a footnote, EHT says that the authors of the Israel study would not send them the original data, when in fact they were sent all the data in graphic form, which was also published as an appendix when the original paper was reprinted in a research anthology in 1990. Moreover, the EHT authors were told that they would also be sent the data in spreadsheet form as soon as they publicly retracted false statements that they had made about the research in television interviews and in the popular press. Finally, EHT maintains that if it discounts one study that it has discounted them all. Replication is the very essence of the scientific method, and EHT has not effectively discounted even this one study on the Maharishi Effect, much less any of the other 50 studies directly on the phenomenon, or any of the 600 studies testing ancillary tenets crucial to the theory. Often replicated evidence strongly supports the hypothesis that large groups of peace-creating experts, meditating together, are associated with a measurable influence of peace and orderliness in the surrounding society. Nothing in EHT undermines that evidence-based conclusion." (End Quote)
However, staying strictly to wp:con, it could not be cited as a response to the article in question because Dr. David Orme-Johnson,works for TM. This is especially so as the word of it's introduction seems value laden and, it might be argued, lacks the sort of neutrality one would expect from an academic paper. Crowleys Aunt 21:18, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
However, this seems somewhat silly and reflects the dangers of not using argument - as you do - and quoting wp:con :-) Crowleys Aunt 21:18, 31 August 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt 21:22, 31 August 2007 (UTC)
Hi Olive, I am afraid that if it fulfills WIKI criteria then it can be inserted - whether that is right or wrong in academic terms is not the issue. Personally, I don't care. I became involved in this having watched Hagelin being introduced in a meeting - slightly related to TM and the presenter using his background in physics as if it somehow validated his TM influenced thoughts on consciousness - which it obviously does not. This then reminded me of that horrendous bastardization of science "What The Bleep" - which personally I think Hagelin did himself a great disservice being involved in. Part of my background is - at a post graduate level - "science". I aware that that the "general public" tend to be divided into 5 categories, those that will believe anything a scientist tell them, those that will analyze what scientists tell them, those that try to analyze what scientist tell them but don't have the ability to, those that don't care and those that think the earth was created in 7 days :-P. It is the first and second category's that worry me. every single TM studies results can be be analyzed, and develop different conclusions - as is the case with most research to be honest. Equally, in some cases while the research's results are perfectly valid the outcome of the changes found may not have the results indicated. Take for example the notion that TM mediation - and most mediation for that matter, "reduces circulating levels of corticosteroids. The assumption drawn by the general public might well be that this is a good thing, that it will reduce psychosocial stress and in-turn negate the "harmful" effects of high levels of corticosteroids on the immune system or "repair mechanisms" in preventing "activation" of the so called "oncogenes" (forgive me if I don't go into the direct physiological mechanism but I am sure you know what I mean)Yet the field of Psychoimmunolgy from which this arises is hardly conclusive in its findings. And indeed, it is not only the general public that fall into this trap - Orme-Johnson's abstract above shows a great lack of understanding of areas not only of the article that he is criticing, but indeed "academic" "logic".
You have made a position statement so I shall also make one, intuitively - if you like on a "spiritual" level - I enjoy, and at lest in some parts agree with, Hagelins views on consciousness. Indeed, I was very pleased when he first started to discuss his theory in public and was not surprised when he was castigated by the scientific community (my heroes include Feyerabend, Kuhn and Lakatos) However, I do not believe - as much as I wish that i could - he has "proven" it in a scientific sense and I am not convinced he or anyone else can. Yet, the way that he his "rolled out" at conferebnces for the general public, his Doctorate in Physics metaphirical waved like a flag, they may well believe that this is the case.
Anyway, my point is that for that reason, I think the TM article needs even closer scrutiny. But I'm tired now and you to are waring me down by "taking it in shifts" :-P
To be honest, I right now I don't care if a large population of people are doing a form of mediation that Buddhists - for a long time, - and Hindu teachers believe has great spiritual and psychological dangers. Nether do I care that people pay $2500 for a mantra while they could just as easily use "OMM" or a number of various others. Neither am I presently concerned if people believe they can "fly" or influence reality at a distance by - oddly - lack of thought or that TM Cite vedic science yet it is a "bad piece of karma" to charge for teaching, or indeed, that you need to be a Brahmin to teach in the first place ( I am glad that TM is not a religion for if it was Maharishi Mahesh's rebirths for a long time to come would be very interesting.
Indeed, as Cary Grant once said, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" :-P Crowleys Aunt 00:02, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Crowleys Aunt 00:12, 1 September 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt 00:09, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Sorry Olive, I was being facetious - no offense taken I hope :-) Crowleys Aunt 02:14, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Olive/TG Sorry, one further point if when you say above the "Markovsky", article you a re referring to Evan Fales, Barry Markovsky (I'm getting a tad confused with these to be honest so perhaps my fault but I have found no other article by markovsky on his own regarding TM. If this is to do with some comment he made in Transnet - well to be honest I don't read that and think it can't be cited anyway as we have already agreed under wiki rules), then I believe - as you have said TG - it has no place in this article. I do believe it makes some valid points about scientific methodology and the operationalization of terms but this is only in reference to the "science" used to explain the mechanisms involved in the proposed outcomes of the Sidhu program, not the type of research cited here regarding, in the main, TM and it's changes in circulating corticosteroids.
Equally While it is true that there is certainly a lot of research conducted by TM "practitioners"(?) anyone can see that there is equally a lot of independent research. Equally, correlations between lowered plasma corticosteroids and mediation have been long recognized and researched (although as I have already said the "health" benefits of theis are still not confirmed). So, I would suspect - without looking at it of course, markovsky would be wrong in this point - if he his referring to TM mediation and individual physiological responses. Does that make sense? Crowleys Aunt 02:47, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
I have started a new thread just for ease. The last one was becoming unwieldy. These are only my personal views.
Hi the subheading discussing that TM is a cult. The counter argument is made from a member of the TM company but this is not cited - can this be added somewhere. Also, the citations given for his argument lead to his personal website. I believe that the decision had been made - quoting WIKI guidelines - that this type of citation was unacceptable. Shall not remove personally, but I think it will need to be removed unless citions can be found from other sources.This should be easy as the the article says that the person involved has written hundreds of article on this. However, I would suspect it would be best if this counter argument came from another external source to the TM movement. Otherwise I would suspect that it would need to be reworked to something along the lines of: "TM Company members state however that TM is not a cult. They state that a cult for example.... etc, etc." I am sure it must be easy to find papers from outside of TM group of companies however, that put forward the argument that the group is not a "Cult". Thoughts? Crowleys Aunt 01:53, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Self-published material may, in some circumstances, be acceptable when produced by an established expert on the topic of the article whose work in the relevant field has previously been published by reliable third-party publications. ( olive 02:27, 1 September 2007 (UTC))
Olive Self-published and questionable sources in articles about themselves Policy shortcut: WP:SELFPUB
Olive, for that to be relevant David Orme Johnson would need to be an expert in the Field of "Cults". Has he published extensively in this area? Also, qouting from WIKI
Material from self-published and questionable sources may be used as sources in articles about themselves, so long as:
* it is not contentious; * it is not unduly self-serving;
The Issue is obviously contentious - I think the fact alone that in France TM is officially classified as a cult - and the article can only find one counter argument - from a website of a member of that same organization.
Obviously it is self serving.
Realistically, TM cannot cite someone from within its own organization to support its argument� and not mention that that person is a member of that organization,
Equally, Jimbo Wales, Wikipedia's co-founder, has said of this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WP:V#Questionable_sources
It surely must be possible to find other sources to support that TM is not a cult? Crowleys Aunt 03:05, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Hi all - personally I'm not bothered whether TM is a Cult or not - to be honest "cult" is not a term I'm especially keen on anyway, as I personally think a lot of "mainstream" religions have cultish (is that even a word?) tendencies (although that is purely a personally thought of course). Its equally not my area of interest to be honest and I often thought that "cults might be a good thing (keeping nice middle class teenagers busy for a few years and away from any "real" "harm" as it were (might help them stop boring everyone talking about their dissertations as well). However, we are not simply talking about 1 source using this classification but three that have been cited - one of which is - at its core an, "advanced" "western" country. So, I think that we cannot deny that the "accusation" at least exists. It is difficult to justify ::"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary sources." I think this means sources of extraordinary quality and objectivity. A sensationalist author flogging a book arguably would not qualify." as we are also talking about a a country and a separate organization - and indeed, a lot of critique sites on the web from former TM teachers who make similar claims - none of whom seem to be "making a living" or soliciting for funds by doing so.
However, if no one outside of TM has made a counter claim - and is a specialist in "cults" or at least the psychology or sociology of "cults" then it is certainly necessary for the TM company to respond to this accusation. I have no difficulty with this, My issue is that it presently appears that this person is not linked to the TM company - which is obviously untrue. Equally, this person is not an expert in "cults" and is certainly thus not in a position to counter these claims - unless of course has published in this field and I am unaware of it? It seems difficult to to see how the citation can be kept in except along the lines - TM corp has responded to this accusation stating that:....". Equally, the reference to Orme Johnson's website would need to be removed as a citation on the basis that "critical" sites are not quoted as considered unreliable - even from those who are "experts" IE the former TM teachers. I think this is dangerous territory, for to allow Orme Johnson's site - which is clearly a pro TM site, by a TM practitioner, a "former" TM employed academic" and someone still actively promoting TM -will easily allow the the Citation of critical former TM teachers who are equally "experts" in the filed.
On this basis, I simply cannot see how this can be kept in. I do understand that there is much criticism of TM in the article and for this to exist you must be applauded and I honestly don't want to add to this, but in the interest of consistency - and WIKI guildlines I don't think it can be kept in. I do however, like Olives suggestion as a point to move off from - as I believe that the points made my Orme Johnson are reasonable counter arguments but not to sure how. Thoughts? Crowleys Aunt 19:47, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Hi TG, sorry you misunderstand me I don't think that saying that Johnson, is a "former" employee of the TM university is "enough". he is obviously not an expert in cults. Equally, despite the fact that he is a "published" researcher does not necessarily mean that his website can be included. _ If, for example, I was a published researcher in the "The Radiological Pathways involved in Pulmonary Embolisms Diagnosis" - for example - it does not mean that I can then "put up" a website saying I believe that that people "at risk" from PE following hip hemiarthroplasty should be given only - and always - heparin rather then low-molecular-weight heparin and expect that to be cited as a "reliable" reference. Equally, returning to radiological diagnosis for a moment if I was to research and publish a paper that concluded multi-slice spiral CT was a preferable diagnostic pathway for suspected PE rather then the more traditional V/Q Scan or Angiography - this would not mean that any website I put up stating that a Shimadzu 7000 TX Spiral CT was the best machine for the job, be reliable if I had close connections to Shamadzu.
If Johnson has published a paper in either a Psychology or Sociology journal on "Cults" then his inclusion might be relevant as a cited reference but in its present case this cannot be relevant. Apologies for the confusion TG - my fault entirely.
I think it might be more reasonable to say that Orme Johnson - former TM university lecture, TM researcher and TM advocate has responded to this criticisms by saying... But again even here I think you have difficulties because to support this you might have to cite his website which is unashamedly "pro" TM, not peer reviewed and thus not a "reliable" source. Although personally I would not be against this - providing his association with the TM organization and his position on TM is mentioned - I think that it "opens the floodgates" to those arguing that former "critical" TM teachers websites can be cited. i would not be one of those to be honest - simply because this is likely to be my last contribution to this subject - life and all of that. But I do think you run this risk Crowleys Aunt 21:22, 1 September 2007 (UTC) Crowleys Aunt 21:28, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
Indeed, thank you all for much for throwing-light on a "discussion" myself and some colleagues were having. You have greatly clarified things. Again, thank you for your time and my apologies for my somewhat "roundabout" manner of investigation. Crowleys Aunt 21:46, 2 September 2007 (UTC)
The final section of this article contains material on TM Independent and Natural Stress Relief. This makes either the material in the article or the link recently added redundant.We are trying to keep the article as trim as possible .... and its really long... so either of these could be deleted but the article doesn't need both.Editors might want to discuss here instead of engage in an edit war. ( olive 14:06, 4 September 2007 (UTC))
My understanding of Maharishi's terms for states of consciousness is that although glorified Cosmic Consciousness describes God consciousness , the term Maharishi uses to name the state as opposed to describing it is God Consciousness( olive 01:46, 6 September 2007 (UTC))
PS If he has changed this in the last while I am not familiar with the change and the point should or could be checked.( olive 02:01, 6 September 2007 (UTC))
OK....I think the term Glorified CC is accurate.( olive 02:29, 6 September 2007 (UTC))... Just talking to myself!
We really need to examine the recent editing by an anonymous editor. I hate to revert all of it. I've posted a note on this person's talk page asking him/her to hold off doing any more editing until we can bring this into conformity with NPOV. It's not serious, but it definitely needs cleaning up. TimidGuy 11:40, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
This section of the TM article is highly contentious so as editors its important to stringently abide by the Wiki policies and guidelines to help maintain a neutral tone and presentation of ideas. Best Wishes ( olive 14:27, 6 September 2007 (UTC))
(in spiritual terms, one might call this source of creation "God," in scientific terms, one can call it the "Home of All the Laws of Nature" or "The Unified Field of Natural Law.")
I've restored the original version of this section and am putting the altered version here:
Issue of cost
The TM Movement states that over 40,000 teachers of Transcendental Meditation have been trained and qualified to teach the technique around the world, and certified teachers are usually available to teach in every major city. The non-profit educational TM organization offers the seven-step TM Course with a lifetime followup to insure maximum progress.
In response to what they feel is a high course fee to learn TM, a small number of former TM teachers illegally offer instruction on their own. A few other former TM teachers critical of the organization have published what they claim to be TM mantras. Among organizations offering legal competing techniques, TM Independent says it is their goal to make TM available in England at an affordable price. Natural Stress Relief states that the technique they offer is comparable to, but is not, Transcendental Meditation. [5]
There are as yet no published studies that show that any practice other than the TM technique, as learned by a qualified and actively certified TM teacher, will produce the same, scientifically documented benefits found to result from practice of the TM technique.
The TM organization strongly recommends that the TM technique only be learned from an authorized teacher. [6] The fee in the U.S. is currently $2,500. [7] .
There's a problem with unsourced material and also it leans toward POV editing. A first step would be to find sources for claims such as 40,000 teachers. The part "available to teach in every major city" seems promotional and a violation of WP:NPOV. Same with "insure maximum progress." TimidGuy 15:10, 6 September 2007 (UTC)
Hi David. Yes, we are all concerned about making the article neutral. You might check the archives should you decide you want to see what editors are responsible for what.
Editors should remove any contentious material about living persons that is unsourced, relies upon sources that do not meet standards specified in Wikipedia:Verifiability, or is a conjectural interpretation of a source (see Wikipedia:No original research). If the material is derogatory and unsourced or poorly sourced, the three-revert rule does not apply to its removal. Content may be re-inserted when it conforms to this policy.
These principles apply to biographical material about living persons found anywhere in Wikipedia, including user and talk pages.
( olive 21:04, 9 September 2007 (UTC))
I am actually inclined to leave these links alone - Natural Stress Relief and TM Independent since they are not just commercial links but also have information about the technique. Wikipedia suggests that there are some instances when an occasional exception can be made for leaving this kind of link in place. I would vote to leave these links in place at this point.( olive 19:40, 10 September 2007 (UTC))
I added Hararit and Yachad (kibbutz) to the article as TM communities in Israel and TimidGuy removed it, saying: "there are too many such communities to list in the article".
I want to be sure that i was understood correctly: these are villages, which are completely TM, not a community in a city.
I am not an expert on TM - i just write articles about Israel. Can anyone give me examples of other similar communities? I created an article about Hararit and i want to categorize it properly. -- Amir E. Aharoni 12:13, 17 September 2007 (UTC)
Can anyone please take a look at the Vedic meditation article?
It looks like it's related to TM, but it reads like an advert for a particular TM group, or maybe a splinter TM group.
There aren't any links to it from other articles. -- Amir E. Aharoni 17:21, 17 September 2007 (UTC)
Agreed!.That first paragraph has been a thorn in my side for awhile. As I read it over again today, I thought .... Why not dump it? .... doesn't serve any purpose really.... just hums and haws around the topic .... why not just jump right into the topic in the next paragraph. Thoughts?( olive 19:40, 20 September 2007 (UTC))