TM can help prisoners —teacher

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 4

TM can help prisoners —teacher

Transcendental meditation can benefit prisoners, businessmen and women, and the mentally handicapped, said Mr Michael Thomson, an international Transcendental Meditation teacher.

Mr Thomson, a New Zealander, now based at a TM centre in Holland, is touring New Zealand lecturing on the subject for two months. He said TM was now being used in 100 prisons in 18 countries as well as mental institutions .and schools. But he emphasised that TM did not require a specific religion, diet, or way of life. “It is for everyone,” he said. Its appeal had drawn three million members world wide and more than 21,000 people in New Zealand.

People began by meditating for 20 minutes each day in the morning and evening.

“It can be done anywhere, in a quiet room in your own home or on public transport — large numbers meditate on the commuter trains into Wellington,” he said. “Noise is no barrier in practising TM.”

TM did not involve concentration but a simple mental exercise which was “surprisingly effortless.”

The technique is learnt during six classes and can even be taught to young children. Mr Thomson said he

had taught meditation in Asia and at schools in Taiwan and the Philippines.

“Students found they could concentrate better during the day, and said they felt less tense in class, while in the Philippines authorities reported school vandalism and graffiti stopped.” Mr Thomson said TM was of great value to the community making one feel happier, and revitalising the spirit. “Suffering is not a natural state.”

Mr Thomson first came across TM while studying at Victoria University of

Wellington where a friend recommended a course to him. . x •; ’

“At first I was sceptical — its claims sounded very grand, but my own experience showed they were true.”

He went on to study TM overseas and began teaching it to others in Asia and Europe, having taught classes in Auckland and Wellington.

But he said TM went far beyond everyday use in the home. He had taught the method to schizophrenics, and research in United States psychiatric hospitals had shown TM helped the mentally handicapped.

“I would also be in full favour of TM in New Zealand’s prisons.” New Zealand's schools could also benefit, but there would have to be wider acceptance in the community first. TM’s biggest success in New Zealand had come in the medical field where many doctors accepted TM and used it. “TM can reduce blood pressure, help people tosleep, and reduce drinking intakes as well - as control cigarette smoking.”

TM could also help asthma, headaches, and allergies.