Page 57 - Demo

55Self-realization (understood as self-actualization) refers to realizing one%u2019s full inner potential, expressed in every area of life. A well-controlled statistical meta-analysis of 18 studies on 722 subjects indicated that the effect of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program on increasing self-realization is signifi cantly greater than that of mindfulness or other forms of meditation. (Reference 1) This study replicates the fi ndings of an earlier exhaustive meta-analysis (42 studies), which also found that TM has a large effect, approximately three times that of other forms of meditation and relaxation. This study also found that TM produced greater effects than other meditation and relaxation techniques, with substantial increases in self-actualization in just three months. (Reference 2)TM has been shown to increase self-actualization in populations ranging from administrators in the USA (Reference 3) to disadvantaged women in Uganda (Reference 4). The study in Uganda found that after 3 months, the women practicing the TM technique showed decreased perceived stress and increased self-effi cacy compared to a control group who waited until after the study to learn TM.Brain research has found that the psychological changes produced by TM practice are associated with increased connectivity of relevant brain areas. (Reference 5) These studies suggest that the increase in self-actualization through TM practice is based on a re-wiring of the brain to function in a more stress-free, integrated, holistic fashion %u2014 a new brain for a new life.BE MORE YOURSELFIncreased Self-Realization0.900.800.700.600.500.400.300.200.100.00Efiect Size (d) (standard deviations)TM Mindfulness Other MeditationsComparison of TM, Mindfulness, and Other MeditationsGreater Increase in Self-Realization through TM0.850.430.30Self-RealizationLarge EfiectMeta-analysis: 18 studies772 subjectstm-030Reference 1: Psychological Bulletin, 2012; 138(6), 1139%u20131171. Reference 2: Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 1991; 6(5), 189%u2013247. Reference 3: The Permanente Journal, 2018; E-pub: 10/29/2018. Reference 4: Health Care Women International, 2018; 39(1), 1%u201324. Reference 5: Brain and Cognition, 2020; 139, 1%u201311.