NGO advocates Transcendental Meditation in schools, prisons

Accra, Nov. 4, GNA - Global Union of Scientist for Peace Ghana, a non-governmental organisation on Thursday called on the government to introduce the practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) in the schools and prisons.

Dr Ashley Deans, Professor of Education and Physics, Maharishi School of Management in the US made the request at a workshop organised in Accra to promote the practice of TM said meditation helps to reduce stress, improve health and develop the total brain functioning in order to help people in their quest for greater self-knowledge.

He said the practice of TM would help provide skills in self- evaluation and self-development in order to help prisoners in their quest for greater self-knowledge.

Dr Deans said the practice would support prisoners in their search for higher values and meaning in life, regardless of their religious or personal beliefs.

"It's a technique to learn more about yourself and get more in touch with whoever you are," he added.

He explained that TM technique could reduce "prisoner recidivism", while concurrently developing psychological functioning, adding that crime is linked to stress-induced malfunctioning in the nervous system.

Dr Deans said the introduction of TM, as part of school curricular activities, would develop full brain potential of students thus increasing their Intelligent Quotient, improve academic performance and reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

He said the basic unit of creative and peaceful community could be attributed to the practice of TM.

"This helps in reducing tension during political seasons because it develops healthy, peaceful and creative individuals," he added.

Practitioners of TM say it is a simple, natural, effortless procedure practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed.

"It is not a religion, philosophy or lifestyle. It's the most widely practiced, most researched and most effective method of self-development."

The technique allows the mind to settle inward beyond thought to experience the source of contemplation and pure awareness, also known as transcendental consciousness, or the unified field.