Practitioners of transcendental meditation have tripled in the past three years:
It's a process perfectly matched to our self-interested times—"no pain, but a lot of gain," according to [Norman E. Rosenthal, Georgetown University professor]. … Practically speaking, sit in a chair, close your eyes, and silently repeat the mantra for 20 minutes. Once you get the hang of it, [David] Lynch says, you cut the elevator cables of your normal-thinking mind to descend to a place that feels different.
You may experience a connection with the universe or a mental light show, what Rosenthal calls "four-star graphic effects." At the very least, you should be blissfully relaxed, which is the foundation of the health benefits that have been measured in the medical research amassed, much of it funded by the government. The deep tranquillity TM promotes quiets the body's "fight or flight" stress response, lowering blood pressure and anxiety and combating depression.
The Dish 