I think when MMY states in the Science of Being that TM is compatible with any Religion he doesn't mean in the way they are currently being practiced, but in the way they were initially practiced. To suggest that TM is compatible with Religion in the way it is currently practiced today strikes me as an insult to ones intelligence. If the 'essence' of Religion (contact with Being as stated by MMY) is not in harmony with the 'body' of Religion (scripture) there will always be a conflict. MMY's suggestion that one can continue to practice their own Religion while practicing TM, would inevitably result in ones re-examining their Religion and unavoidably weeding out those aspects of their scripture which are inharmonious with the idea and practice of transcending (per their experience), leading one eventually to either reform their Religion or leave it all together. To conclude, in order for Religion, as it is being taught today to be in harmony with TM (or vis-a-versa) it would have to be reformed to be in harmony with the concept of a universal Being which through meditation can be experienced, here and now! I could go on, but I think you get the point (or should). P.S. With perhaps the exception of Hinduism.
----- Original Message ----- From: David Orme-Johnson To: 'David Orme-Johnson' Sent: Saturday, March 14, 2009 10:41 AM Dear Colleagues, I just posted on www.TruthAboutTM.com two new letters from practicing Muslims (Nada Haider from Lebanon and Atmane Kouider, Ph.D. from Algeria see below). They describe how the TM program does not conflict with their religious practice. Like religious leaders of various faiths and religious people everywhere, they find that the practice actually profoundly deepens their comprehension and experience of their religion. All the best, David Letters from Religious Leaders and Persons of Faith on the Transcendental Meditation Program A universal theme in these letters from religious leaders and persons is that the Transcendental Meditation program deepens their own spiritual life and enhances their comprehension and love of their own tradition. They note that it does not require any belief or change in life style to practice. They point out that the technique has been scientifically validated to reduce stress and improve mental clarity, health, and interpersonal relations, which are beneficial to any cultural tradition and which serve to increase appreciation and tolerance of other people's traditions and worldviews. These letters are used with permission of the writers. Contents: Andean Path Shaman Mallku Aribalo, November 4, 2008 Catholicism Father Leonard Dubi, December 1, 2008 Father Thomas R. Miller, June 17, 2008 Father Cletus Stein, October 2, 2008 Sister Carol Wirtz, August 25, 2008 Islam Nada Haider, March 2, 2009 Mohammad Haghverdi, December 24, 2008 Atmane Kouider, Ph.D., February 15, 2009 Judaism Senior Rabbi Allan Green, June 27, 2008 Rabbi Michael Shevack, November 12, 2008 United Methodist Church Reverend Jonathan Chadwick, November 4, 2008 Unity Church Reverend Don Lansky, June 30, 2008 Islam Nada Haider, March 2, 2009 To people of faith, It is known that religion plays an important role in the lives of many people as Islam plays a role in mine. Sometimes, I feel that people take religion as a refuge from the hard realities of life; and, at other times, some accept it out of fear because they are not sure about the whole picture of life. Personally, I passed through both of these phases. It has been hard for me to deal with the religious pressure of having to accept things that I did not understand and it was also difficult for me to deal with being afraid to ask questions that could be perceived as being heretical. Personally, I could not surrender to a thing that I did not understand; yet, I felt emotionally drawn to my religion. It was Transcendental Meditation (TM) that helped me to reconcile these conflicting concerns battling within my mind and heart. Regarding Transcendental Meditation, I wanted to learn it the minute I heard about it, as if intuitively I knew that it would help me to make peace between the need of my intellect to understand and my feeling that wanted to embrace my religion without any "ands," "ifs" or "buts." In the introductory lecture about TM, it is defined as a simple, natural technique for releasing stress from the body and expanding the conscious mind. My experience has shown this to be true. Through practicing this effortless technique for just 20 minutes twice a day, I have found that self-sufficiency grows and so do creativity, mental alertness, health, compassion, inner peace, and energy. I was and am still amazed from the great peace and insight that I experience when I transcend. This experience showed me that life is not rigid—it has many dimensions and levels to it; and, how much of life we can understand and appreciate depends upon how much of the full capacity of our mind and heart we are using in daily life. The experience of transcending makes one aware of the many mental layers we have, from the most active to the silent, infinite layer deep within us. Based on this experience, I could understand why people comprehend the same religion differently; even the religious leaders sometimes have different ways of interpreting texts. I now understand that everyone interprets the holy text based on their own level of consciousness. The great value of TM is that it deepens and expands one's level of consciousness, so that one can begin to more fully grasp and live the deeper meanings and values of one's own religion. This truth reminds me of the teaching from the holy Qur'an that offers great knowledge in the form of a question: "Are those who know and those who know not on the same level?" Obviously, the answer is no. If one wants to grow in insight and appreciation of the holy text, one must raise one's level of consciousness through the elimination of stress and through the development of the full capacity of both heart and mind. There are over 600 scientific studies that have already documented the many practical benefits that TM offers to all areas of human life. I think that it is important that the subjective experiences of individuals who practice TM have been objectively verified by the methods of modern science. In conclusion, I would say that the Transcendental Meditation technique is like the cleaning the mirror and what you see afterwards has nothing to do with the actual process of cleaning. TM is not a religion and it does not in any way require individuals to change their personal beliefs or practices; yet, by promoting a clear mind and a clean, stress-free nervous system, it helps one to live the highest values of religious life. Nada Hadier, Practicing Muslim, Beruit, Lebanon Islam Atmane Kouider, Ph.D., February 15, 2009 To whom it may concern, I learned Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation (TM) in 1973 and became a teacher of this wonderful program in 1977. I have been practicing TM regularly since then and had the chance of teaching it to thousands of Muslims in North Africa and Asia. I come from a Muslim family and four generations in our home have been practising the TM technique along with doing our Muslim rituals every day. I would like to say that not only does TM not conflict with our beliefs but, in fact, we found it to strengthen our faith. Among all the people of whom I taught the TM Technique, I have never heard of anyone who gave up his Islamic practice after learning TM; but, I have heard of many individuals, born Muslim, who adopted Islamic practice after learning the TM program. I have also heard of many, who were already steeped in their study and practice of Islam, state that it had given them greater depth and meaning to their religious study and practice, in addition to the many health and other benefits that every one derives from the TM program. Currently there are over 600 scientific studies, conducted over the last 38 years, which have documented the wide-ranging benefits of the TM technique. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM Program, writes in his book The Science of Being and the Art of Living about meditation: "Here in a simple practice is the fulfilment of every religion. It belongs to the spirit of every religion; it existed in the early days of every faith and has since been lost. The principle is still contained in the scriptures. It has only been lost in practice." The practice of Transcendental Meditation is simple, natural and effortless and is also very easy to learn. It brings the active mind to a state of restful awareness, a state of simplicity where the body gains deep relaxation and yet one's consciousness is very alert and pure. It brings increased inner strength, peace and contentment, which helps one to fulfil the requirements and goals of both religious and worldly life. TM also dissolves anxiety and stress and promotes greater energy, creativity and intelligence, which provides the basis of success in all aspects of life. In addition, many Muslims have found that TM raises love and respect for everything in God's creation. It develops in individuals all the highest qualities of the Muslim faith: positivity, compassion, tolerance, steadfastness, purity, surrender to the will of God, and usefulness to oneself and to all others. As a Muslim I make it my duty to recommend the TM Program to my brothers and sisters Muslims everywhere for the betterment of their life, for the reduction of stress in collective consciousness, and the achievement of peace and prosperity in their nations and the whole world. God states in His Holy Qur'an: "Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change that which is in their own self." Here, in TM, is a scientifically validated program for changing our inner condition to harmony and all good. Let us adopt it to improve that which is in our own self and deserve God's Mercy and Grace for ourselves and every living being. Sincerely, Atmane Kouider, Ph.D., Practicing Muslim, Alger, Algeria David W. Orme-Johnson,Ph.D. davi...@earthlink.net www.TruthAboutTM.com www.Orme-JohnsonPaintings.com/ 191 Dalton Dr. Seagrove Beach, FL 32459 850-231-2866 850-231-5012 Fax
