Re: Experiences change over time

I think there are two issues here with Roy's posting -- the experience during meditation, and the experience in daily living. David has addressed the former, and I'd like to add some of my own comments in response to Roy.

From my own involvement with TM since 1975 I've found that Roy's experience is not unique to NSR. Many TM meditators too, including TM teachers where I live, have indicated that they have had a similar experience. The TM organization has a series of advanced techniques for meditators who have been using the technique regularly for quite a while. These techniques are described as adding a second locomotive to the train.

However, having said that, I wonder whether part of the 'concern' in regard to daily living is not so much that the process isn't as effective as it used to be, but rather that we are now functioning at a higher level of phsycho-physiological efficiency than before, and that the contrast between 'before' and 'after' meditation is now no longer so noticeable. This can, of course, lead one to feel that the process is no longer 'working', whereas it is continuing to culture the system to become more 'normal' every day. I think the most important aspect related to this experience is not to stop meditating but to keep going with the twice-daily NSR routine.

Regarding the process itself, I agree with David about stress release. Meditation is really for its effects in daily activity, irrespective of how it is experienced during the sessions itself.


Gavin, Cape Town
Long-term meditator (but not a teacher of TM or NSR)