A section on hot issues in local news, offering scientifically validated solutions utilizing meditation, natural healing and the beneficial results from effective stress management, drawn form the time tested field of Vedic Science.

A Way to End School Violence

THE PROBLEM

Headline From: AdelaideNow, The Advertiser, February 09, 2010

Vandals smash 36 windows at Swallowcliffe Primary School, Davoren Park

Three youths have been arrested for a vandalism spree in the northern suburbs.
 

THE SOLUTION:

“I truly feel that Transcendental Meditation is a vehicle to reduce or eliminate the violence in our community. It helps to remove all the baggage that young people bring to school with them that makes them ready to jump and fight at the first moment anyone touches them.” Dr George Rutherford, former Principal of the Fletcher Johnson School in Washington, D.C., introduced the Transcendental Meditation program in his school in a high crime area. Hundreds of students took part in the program.

The Transcendental Meditation® (TM) technique is being used by hundreds of schools worldwide to:

• Reduce anxiety and stress in students and teachers
• Improve student behaviour
• Help kids cope without ADHD medication
• Make learning easier
• Develop students’ full brain potential
• Improve academic achievement

This unique form of meditation is being practised in schools by students and teachers for 10-15 minutes twice a day while sitting comfortably in a chair with the eyes closed. It is a simple, effortless mental technique. It is not a religion or philosophy and does not require a change in lifestyle or belief system.

Stress

The causes of violence both inside and outside the school, are complex. All of the contributing factors however, are linked to stress. These factors include:

Physiological factors such as arousal levels and imbalance in neurotransmitter and hormonal levels

Psychological factors, including high anxiety, psychological stress, low ego strength and self-regard

Behavioural factors, including drug and alcohol abuse

Sociological factors, such as high unemployment, high violence and crime, and family dysfunction.

Research has shown that the practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Programs addresses all of the above factors contributing to violent and criminal behaviour and leads to significantly reduced levels of violence and crime in individuals and society.

How does the Transcendental Meditation technique work?

The Transcendental Meditation technique reduces stress levels and creates the experience of ‘restful alertness’ - this produces high levels of coherence or orderliness in the functioning of the brain. Students experience increased mental clarity, more inner happiness, self-esteem and self-worth. They show reduced impulsivity and anxiety. Their ability to stay ‘on task’ improves as does learning ability and academic performance.

This experience of restful alertness during the practice of TM results in the release of stress and integration of mind and body. This leads to profound psychological changes, which are counter to the risk factors associated with violence. The following table summarizes the psychological risk factors for violence and crime and presents the protective effects of practice of the TM technique.

The Transcendental Meditation program related to the psychology of violence and criminal behavior

Known Risk Factors	Protective Benefits of the Transcendental Meditation Program
High anxiety and psychological stress	Reduced anxiety
Low intelligence	Increased intelligence
Low academic achievement	Improved academic achievement
Anti-social personality; poor peer relations skills	Increased capacity for warm interpersonal relationships Increased sensitivity to feelings of others Reduced hostility
High impulsivity	Reduced impulsivity
Low ego strength and self-regard	Increased self concept and ego strength
Earlier than usual risk taking behaviors, including drugs and alcohol	Reduced use of alcohol and non-prescription drugs
Dishonesty	Increased level of moral judgment

Endorsements

“Schools in which students and teachers meditate have been shown to be remarkably calm and positive and to be relatively free of the physical aggression and more subtle forms of aggression such as teasing and bullying that are currently very serious problems even in our most elite schools.”
Dr William R Stixrud, Ph.D., clinical neuropsychologist

Why the Transcendental Meditation technique?

There have been over 600 scientific research studies done on the Transcendental Meditation technique in over 200 research institutions over the past 40 years. It is the most widely practised, extensively researched and most broadly prescribed by doctors of any meditation or self development technique available today.

‘The vast majority of research on meditation has been on Transcendental Meditation - and the findings clearly indicate that TM works better than other researched mental techniques to promote health.’ James Krag, M.D.

How is the technique implemented in schools?

Staff and students are taught the technique by fully qualified teachers of the Transcendental Meditation program. Teachers and students meditate for 10 to 15 minutes in the morning and afternoon of each school day.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Over 61,000 at risk students in schools throughout Latin America and other countries are now practising the TM technique daily as part of their school day funded through the David Lynch Foundation. The effect has been to calm school violence, improve school grades as well as to reduce stress and violence in the surrounding communities.

• Schools in the US, UK and Australia in which this technique is an integral part of the school curriculum consistently win top awards in academic, sporting and creative and artistic competitions.

CONTACT:
Stress-Free Schools
Ph: 08 8271 7777
Heather Lorenzon  Mob: 0416 108 476
Email: info@AdelaideMeditation.com.au

CHECK THESE SITES:
www.davidlynchfoundation.org
www.tmeducation.org
www.maharishischool.vic.edu.au