Select schools throughout the Caribbean island of Dominica have begun to employ the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique as a stress-management tool to help students reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Since January, Dr. Lucia John, director of the Dominica TM Center, has been teaching the TM technique to children in several towns, with positive feedback from students, parents, and teachers regarding the benefits for ADHD.
“The results kids are reporting from TM practice include calmer, more collected minds; greater ability to focus; better memory; greater ability to do homework without distractions; and better relationships at home, at school, and with friends,” said Dr. John. “Teachers have also started noticing these positive changes. Parents are experiencing greater calm, more normal blood pressure, and greater happiness with their children.”
The TM technique is a meditation technique practiced 20 minutes twice each day while sitting comfortably with the eyes closed. Extensive published research shows TM reduces stress and anxiety, improves learning ability, and promotes wellness for mind and body.
“A wide range of studies have documented the effect of practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique on the health, behavior, and well-being of children,” said Dr. John. “They return to respecting their parents, teachers and peers, and grow up to excel in whatever field of study they undertake. They enjoy greater ability to focus, inner happiness, better memory, and tolerance and improve their grades.”
The TM technique is available in the USA through Maharishi Foundation USA, a federally recognized non-profit educational organization. Through partnerships with other non-profit organizations and foundations like the David Lynch Foundation, full TM scholarships have been given to more than 250,000 at-risk children, veterans suffering from PTSD, homeless people, and others.
For more information, visit www.tm.org.
This is such a great opportunity for these children, and it’s because TM really works. I have personally witnessed the positive effects described in this article, not only in children but also adults. This is the real hope and change.