University of Virginia Library

SPONTANEITY

"The clarity of mind gained
through TM is even greater
than that gained by sleeping,"
asserted Mrs. Wardwell. "And
when a person's mind is
clearer, he is less subject to
negative moods such as anger
and depression."

As Mr. Wardwell put it, "In
order to act, we have to think;
so naturally, if we increase our
creative intelligence, our
actions will reflect it."

In order to improve one's
thinking, however, he must go
beyond thinking; he must
come into contact with the
very source of thought–"the
way a diver goes to the bottom
of a pond and brings some of
the coolness back up with him
to the surface."

The results: more energy,
more happiness, a more
creative mind. . .though not as
defined objectives or goals.

"You don't concentrate
during TM," Mrs. Wardwell
emphasized. "If a person were
to concentrate, it would keep
him on the surface level rather
than on the level of true
transcendental meditation,
simply because he would have
to keep reminding himself to
concentrate."

As Mr. Wardwell described
the experience, "You sit down,
close your eyes, and
spontaneously enter the
technique of meditation. I

think that's one of the hardest
things for people to accept,
that it is so spontaneous."

How then, does one learn to
meditate transcendentally? In
seven simply spontaneous
steps, the first having been this
past Wednesday evening's
get-together. Prospective
ruminators, however, may still
catch the next lecture, still two
weeks away, after which those
still orbitally obligated may
make arrangements for
personal instruction, to begin
in another two weeks. Finally,
after four consecutive days of
individual hour-and-a-half
sessions, the applicant will
hopefully have merited his
sheepskin, water-buffalo hide,
whatever.