Page 2, Students' Cognitive Abilities Improved by Transcendental Meditation Technique

"The TM technique had the unique effect of simultaneously improving all measures, indicating that it integrates many different brain functions," said Dr. So.

The greatest improvement in the TM groups was seen on a creativity measure called Test for Creative Thinking-Drawing Production. According to its developers, the test measures "whole brain creativity," which requires a balanced use of intellect and feelings.

Improvements in the TM groups were also found in practical intelligence (Constructive Thinking Inventory), indicating increased nonintellectual abilities, such as optimism and the ability to work with others. Whereas IQ tests predict only academic success, the practical intelligence test predicts success in work, love, and social relationships. However, IQ also increased, as measured by the ability to reason in novel situations, called "fluid intelligence" (Culture Fair Intelligence Test). Increased IQ was also indicated by a purely cognitive measure called Inspection Time. "The Inspection Time result indicates improvement in basic aspects of intelligence, such as alertness and ability to focus, which are essential for learning," explained Dr. So.

Improvements were also found in "field independence," indicating growth in perceptual ability as well as inner-directedness, flexibility in seeing others' perspectives, and resistance to peer pressure (Group Embedded Figures Test).

Participants in the TM groups were also significantly less anxious as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, whereas the contemplation meditation group tended to show an increase on this measurement. Dr. So explained that an anxious mind is typically one that isn't capable of thinking clearly, so researchers on cognition consider it an important variable to study.

"These effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on cognitive processes expand on earlier studies which show how it affects brain physiology," said coauthor Dr. David Orme-Johnson, former chair of the psychology department at Maharishi University of Management, who was Dr. So's thesis advisor. "Research has found that the TM practice increases blood flow and EEG coherence in the frontal brain areas. This part of the brain integrates intentions, goals and emotions, as well as perceptual, motor and intellectual resources into focused thought and action. So, to see all these abilities increasing in a holistic way now in these studies in Taiwan is a very significant finding."

According to Dr. So, research has found that the Transcendental Meditation technique produces a "wakeful hypometabolic state"-where the body is resting deeply but the mind remains alert. "Scientists report that this is a unique state of mind and body, a fourth major state of consciousness, that's different from sleeping, dreaming or being awake. It's a fascinating new area of psychology," said Dr. So.

Reference: Intelligence (September/October 2001), Vol. 29/5, pp. 419-440.

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