On Apr 19, 2012, at 10:25 AM, Wilfried Richter wrote:
wilfried richter Kolheimer Str. 14 27442 Gnarrenburg Tel.: 04763 1072 Fax: 04763 1074
Other relaxation techniques have led to the same EEG profile [as TM], and studies that employed counter-balanced control relaxation conditions consistently found a lack of alpha power increases or even decreases when comparing relaxation or hypnosis to TM meditation (Morse et al., 1977; Tebecis, 1975; Warrenburg, Pagano, Woods, & Hlastala, 1980). Similarly, the initial claim that TM produces a unique state of consciousness different from sleep has been refuted by several EEG meditation studies that reported sleep-like stages during this technique with increased alpha and then theta power (Pagano, Rose, Stivers, & Warrenburg, 1976; Younger, Adriance, & Berger, 1975). To summarize, alpha global increases and alpha coherence mostly over frontal electrodes are associated with TM practice when meditating compared to baseline (Morse, Martin, Furst, & Dubin, 1977). This global alpha increase is similar to that produced by other relaxation techniques. The passive absorption during the recitation of the mantra, as practiced in this technique, produces a brain pattern that suggests a decrease of processing of sensory or motor information and of mental activity in general. Because alpha rhythms are ubiquitous and functionally non-specific, the claim that alpha oscillations and alpha coherence are desirable or are linked to an original and higher state of consciousness seem quite premature. - The Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness
