Much is written here to contradict the claims made about TM and TMSP, and granted the marketing done by the TMO is often over the top.
However, whenever there is a new or reinvented technology introduced into the world, all of the proponents of the many representations of the technology will insist that their version is the best, the easiest, the most efficient. Although an imperfect analogy to meditation because of the need for external fuel, look at cars, with initial models running on steam, electricity, diesel and gasoline. A few years into this technology emerging, all looked like they had an equal shot. Then as time passed gasoline cars emerged as the clear winner in terms of power efficiency- literally the greatest bang for the buck. 50 or so years after it was brought out, much is written here and elsewhere about how TM cannot possibly live up to its promise about quickly bringing enlightenment to us all, with all of its resulting personal, social, economic, and political benefits. But 50 years is a very brief time-- not really enough to see the wide ranging benefits of a technology. The telephone for example was invented during the late 19th century and had only progressed to wired, rotary phones after 50 years, using electromechanical switches. Computers with Charles Babbage's computing engine arguably being the first, were even further behind after 50 years, compared to their uses and benefits today. So, many decry TM and TMSP, saying it cannot possibly fulfill its promise, and that it cannot possibly be the most effective meditation technology in the history of the world. That there are many other meditation technologies and each must be compared and contrasted and measured to this relative newcomer. But what if it is the most efficient, the easiest to practice, provides the greatest benefits after the shortest amount of time? What if after more years pass, after all the measurements have been made, and a global concensus reached, TM emerges beyond all the hype to be the supreme technology in its field? What if?
