Scientific Research on Consciousness-Based Education
Featuring the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Programs

The central component of Consciousness-Based education is the Transcendental Meditation^® technique.
In the Consciousness-Based education program, students and teachers practice the Transcendental Meditation technique 15 to 20 minutes twice daily, sitting comfortably with eyes closed. This simple, natural, effortless technique settles the mind and body to a unique state of restful alertness, allowing the mind to naturally experience the level of its own full potential, Transcendental Consciousness. Every aspect of life benefits from this fundamental experience.

Extensive scientific research
The scientific research on the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi^® programs is the largest and strongest body of research in the world on any program to develop human potential. Over 600 scientific research studies have documented the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation and advanced TM-Sidhi program for development of mental potential, health, social behavior, and the social environment. This research, conducted at more than 200 universities and research institutes in 30 countries, confirms the universal and profound effectiveness of this program in raising the quality of life.

Fundamental scientific principles
How can one technique result in such comprehensive benefits? Quantum physicists have identified the field of Transcendental Consciousness, experienced during the Transcendental Meditation technique, as the unified field of natural law, which, through its self-interacting dynamics, gives rise to all forces and phenomena governing the orderly evolution of the universe. Viewed from this perspective, the Transcendental Meditation technique is a means for the mind to twice daily identify itself with this fundamental field of nature’s intelligence—which is one’s own total intelligence—and thereby infuse the unlimited creative potential of this field into practical life.

From the physiological perspective, neuroscientist Tony Nader, M.D., Ph.D., under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, made the profound discovery that the dynamical structures of natural law within the unified field precisely correspond to the fundamental structures and functions of human physiology. Therefore, by enlivening one’s inner intelligence, the Transcendental Meditation technique stimulates more complete and integrated functioning of all the laws of nature governing the body, producing a healthier, more integrated and balanced individual.

Description of Selected Studies
The following sample studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation^® program and its applicability to a wide variety of educational settings.
Note: The numbers in parenthesis provide research references to studies in the “Findings and References” link of this web site.

• Development of intelligence—Increased IQ among university students. University students practicing the Transcendental Meditation program increased significantly in intelligence compared to control subjects from another nearby university (7). This finding corroborates other studies showing increased IQ and faster choice reaction through practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique.

• Increased intelligence and reduced anxiety among high school students. A longitudinal study of students practicing the Transcendental Meditation program in four Canadian high schools showed significant improvement in intelligence, creativity, tolerance, self-esteem, and five other personality factors, in comparison to randomly assigned controls (2).

• Increased practical intelligence, IQ, creativity, and field independence and reduced anxiety among high school students. A longitudinal study of students practicing the Transcendental Meditation program in three Taiwan high schools showed significant improvement in both practical intelligence and IQ, creativity, and field independence, in comparison to randomly assigned controls who practiced contemplative meditation or napping (105).

• Improved academic achievement, cognitive abilities, creativity, and self-esteem. Research has shown that the practice of the Transcendental Meditation program by elementary and secondary students significantly improved academic achievement on national standardized tests (17, 18); improved cognitive abilities (12); and improved field independence, indicating broader comprehension with the ability to focus sharply (13).

Post-secondary students showed increased intellectual ability, creativity, field independence, academic achievement, and self-esteem (3, 4, 7, 15, 19–21); improved self development to uniquely high levels (50); and increased self-actualization (38–40) through the Transcendental Meditation program.

• Improved student behavior at school. African American adolescents at risk for hypertension who learned the Transcendental Meditation program showed not only lower blood pressure, but also reduced number of school-related negative behavioral incidents and suspensions, reduced absenteeism, reduced tardiness, and reduced expressions of anger. (103)

• Reduced substance abuse. Studies with students and adults show reduced in substance abuse and antisocial behavior through the Transcendental Meditation program. A recent issue of the journal Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly (80) is devoted entirely to the effects of this program in reducing substance abuse. Findings show reduced use of all classes of illegal drugs, and reduced use of alcohol, cigarettes, and prescribed drugs.