Meditation brings peace to war vets

Article by: KRISTIN TILLOTSON , Star Tribune
Updated: May 16, 2012 - 8:07 AM

Transcendental meditation has its detractors, but many veterans say it helps them with post-war stress.

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Maynard_242May. 15, 1210:47 PM

With all due respect to the author, you have done a poor job of characterizing the skeptical criticism. Most reasonable people acknowledge the health benefits of relaxation. If TM helps people relax, that is great!!! Perhaps for other people they find relaxation in fishing, knitting, gardening, running, fixing motorcycles, etc... The issue is that TM proponents claim health benefits beyond those provided by relaxation, but don't provide any quality evidence to support it. That is the skeptical criticism. When it comes to how best to allocate precious VA funding, I fear that we are doing our veterans a disservice by directing funds to pet projects like this rather than providing funding for mental health services that have already been shown to be more effective than repeating a mantra.

tlccabinMay. 22, 1211:07 AM

These vets have enormous courage to learn something like TM and then to so honestly and eloquently express their experiences. In my near decade of regular TM practice, I believe it is so much more than an all purpose relaxation tool and the type of rest/relaxation it offers goes far beyond what any other activity provides. Also hats off to the US military for recognizing the value of TM on offer relief to PTSD and other stress related issues. Alternative measures are needed and in my experience TM can and does provide real relief. If my word and experience isn't good enough there are hundreds of scientifically verified studies on everything from PTSD to high blood pressure to diabetes showing TM's benefits. Thanks for sharing this worthwhile story.