TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION, ALTERED REALITY TESTING, AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGE
Alfred P. French, Albert C. Schmid, Elizabeth N. Ingalls
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease July 1, 1975 DOI: 10.1097/00005053-197507000-00007 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 39-year-old woman experienced altered reality testing and behavior several weeks after starting transcendental meditation. The episode's course is described, and evidence is presented that her meditation practice caused the behavioral changes. Appropriate treatment for such reactions is discussed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 39-year-old woman |
| Intervention | Transcendental meditation |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Transcendental meditation Transcendental number Psychotherapist Cognitive psychology Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 48 |
| Key finding | Transcendental meditation may cause altered reality testing and behavior in some individuals. |
Abstract
This paper presents the case of a 39-year-old woman who, several weeks following initiation into transcendental meditation (TM), experienced altered reality testing and behavior. We discuss the course of this episode, present evidence for a causal relationship between her practive of TM and altered behavior, and discuss the appropriate treatment of such phenomena.