Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation Book Review and Giveaway 10/3

September 13, 2011 by kristi maloney 101 Comments

Page after page, Dr. Rosenthal’s book Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation convinced me that TM can literally transform people’s lives. If you’ve ever been the least bit curious about TM, you have to read this book. Enter to win your copy right here – One Moms Own Words reader will a copy of Transcendence.

The Review

What is Transcendental Meditation?

Transcendental meditation is a technique which is practiced with eyes closed sitting comfortably for 15-20 minutes twice a day. This technique allows the active, thinking mind to ” transcend” or to quiet down until the least excited state of mind, the source of thought, or inner wakefulness, is reached. This state of mind is also referred to as pure awareness, or transcendental consciousness.

The only disappointing aspect about this book was learning that the TM technique can not be learned by book or DVD. (I was ready to start practicing TM immediately!) The truth is, TM is taught in three phases by a licensed TM teacher. The ongoing contact with the teacher and the student teacher relationship is very important for a student’s successful practice of TM.

Dr. Rosenthal has been teaching TM since 1972 and has personally taught more than 1,000 people. He discusses the rewards of TM in his own life -

“I have a acquired in TM a valuable tool for stilling my mind and quieting the fight-or-flight responses so often triggered by the stress of modern of life.”

“The greatest rewards of meditation arise from effects that carry over beyond the actual meditative state into your waking life – a state known as cosmic consciousness.”

“I have examined the data – the literature, my patients, and myself – and am persuaded that something special is going on here.”

The book contains several studies that reveal dedicated TM practice has changed peoples lives. Here are some examples:

100 African American teenagers with high blood pressure meditated 2x a day for 4 months. The TM group showed a significant drop in blood pressure. This group also had lower rates of absenteeism, suspensions, and school rule violations.

TM has proven to help reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease.

TM was also able to improve 2 elements of metabolic syndrome and may slow down the fight or flight response.

A 12 -year-old child with ADHD, who was extremely hyperactive, and unable to sit still was taught TM and meditated twice a day. After a few weeks, he was actually able to sit still and read a book. His mother was overjoyed and his doctor astonished.

TM has been shown to help with depression, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress and to help people overcome addictions and stay on the path to recovery. One man was able to stop smoking, biting his nails, and cut down on drinking. He attributes much of his success in life to his practice of TM. The stories of the people in this book are amazing and leave me envious – I want that too!

For one adult the cost of a TM course is rather expensive at $1,500. I can’t justify spending that money right now. On the other hand, perhaps someday health insurance companies will cover the cost of TM – the documented mental and physical health benefits can’t be disputed. After reading Transcendence, I am ready to sign up for a class (just not financially) which is a testament to how profound and informative I found the book.

About Transcendence

Dr. Norman Rosenthal’s life changing book “Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation” broke into the New York Time’s Best Seller’s and is garnering superlative reviews from a wide audience. Cardiac surgeon and media personality Mehmet Oz (Dr. Oz) calls Transcendence “a profoundly important book… incredibly valuable.” Each chapter tells a different anecdote about how transcendental meditation (TM) has helped people from all walks of life: members of the military struggling with PTDS, children in inner-city schools, those struggling with disease or addiction, and many others.

Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Tarcher (June 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1585428736
ISBN-13: 978-1585428731

About Dr. Norman Rosenthal

Dr. Rosenthal has maintained a private practice in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area for over thirty years, where he treats a wide variety of psychiatric problems using many forms of therapy. Dr. Rosenthal was awarded the prestigious Anna Monika Foundation Research prize for his contribution to research in treating depression. He has been listed as one of the Best Doctors in America and as one of this country’s top psychiatrists.

He is the author or co-author of over 200 professional articles and five popular books, including Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation, Winter Blues, The Emotional Revolution, St. John’s Wort and How to Beat Jet Lag.

Dr. Rosenthal currently serves as medical director and CEO of Capital Clinical Research Associates in Rockville, Maryland, where he directs clinical trials in both pharmaceuticals and complementary and alternative medicine.

Dr. Rosenthal and his work have been widely covered in the popular media and he has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, National Public Radio and many other forums.

The above information may be found on Dr. Rosenthal’s website. To learn more visit Dr. Normal Rosenthal, MD.

Buy It

Transcendence is available on Amazon for $14.74.

This giveaway is now closed. Please check the right sidebar for a list of my current giveaways. To check and see who won, click on the winner’s post. If you subscribe via email you will never miss a giveaway! Thank you for visiting Moms Own Words!!

Win It

~~One Moms Own Words reader will win a copy of Transcendence: Healing Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation.~~

How to Enter

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Giveaway ends on Oct 3rd, 11:59 PM EST. Open to US. Winners will be chosen by random.org and contacted by email. Please respond in 48 hours or a new winner will be chosen. To be fair to everyone, comments not meeting requirements will be deleted.

Many thanks to Dr. Rosenthal for the copies of Transcendence.