University of Virginia Library

Lectures To Introduce
Meditation Methods

Robert Cranson, Regional
Coordinator for S.I.M.S. (Student
International Meditation Society),
will present two lectures on
Transcendental Meditation at St.
Thomas Hall today. The lectures,
given at 3p.m. and 8p.m., will
concern introducing and explaining
the methods and uses of
transcendental meditation.

According to Jerry Jarvis, head
of S.I.M.S., the purpose of the
organization is simple: "To help
every individual expand his mind,
develop his creative intelligence,
and make use of his full potential in
studies, career, and recreation."
This is theoretically achieved
through transcendental meditation.
Mr. Jarvis feels that TM is "wholly
compatible with living in the
modern world. It is a mechanical
process; a technique of action."

For a donation of about 35
dollars, one receives personal
instruction in the technique of
meditation. The instruction,
beginning approximately two weeks
after the lectures, will be followed
by at least three periods of
"verification of experience." To
attain the desired experience the
individual uses what Mr. Jarvis calls
mantra, "the prescribed word
whose vibrations are perfectly in
tune with his own." The mediator
then sits and "lets his thoughts
roam any way that they please
him."

Robert Keith Wallace of UCLA
conducted research in TM last year,
which involved physiologic tests on
a number of students who had been
practicing TM for six months to
three years, daily for 15 to 20
minutes, morning and evening.
According to Dr. Wallace, the
physiological effects studied
produced in each person a "fourth
state of consciousness," a possible
means of "human hibernation."
The Stanford University school of
medicine scheduled further research
last August, when the Maraishi held
TM sessions at Humboldt State
College in Arcata, Calif.

By these investigations scientists
have admitted that there may be
something to this Yoga meditation,
which originated in India 6,000
years ago — an obvious change in
direction since the Maharishi was
denounced as a fake several years
ago.

The TM movement has gained
hundreds of thousands of followers
in the West, and is attempting to
gain momentum here in the East.
Although the average American
would naturally be skeptical of the
process of meditation, Mr. Jarvis
emphasizes that the technique
involves no "emotional or
intellectual commitment... It's
better to be skeptical than to have
blind faith in the whole thing.
Meditation is based on direct
experience. All we ask is that you
see for yourself."

Admission to the lectures is free.