| A recent report of frequent bullying in American | | | | or on their own. |
| schools has brought national attention to the | | | | According to Dr. William Stixroud, "when the |
| stressors commonly faced by | | | | nervous system becomes settled and quiet during |
| teens—stressors that many parents and | | | | meditation, the stress response starts operating |
| teachers are unaware of. Society is struggling to | | | | normally. As a result, children are simply less |
| understand how 'atypical' adolescent peer | | | | impulsive." The process of quieting the mind and |
| pressure has escalated into vicious student | | | | body through the Transcendental Meditation |
| behavior at school. As educators seek ways to | | | | technique increases coherence between the two |
| increase compassion and empathy among | | | | hemispheres and the front and the back part of |
| students, many are finding that meditation offers | | | | the brain. [3] "More integrated brain functioning |
| promising, measurable results for tackling the | | | | improves the ability in children to control their |
| underlying stressors that give rise to bullying. | | | | impulses," says Dr. Stixroud. "They get in trouble |
| The Problem of Bullying | | | | less; they act without thinking less; they can inhibit |
| The (US) National Center for Educational Statistics | | | | the tendency to get distracted better." |
| estimates that one third of students ages 12-18 | | | | Effective meditation can also help strengthen |
| are bullied at school and online. In all | | | | children that are typically victims of bullying by |
| socio-economic levels, schools are experiencing | | | | building self-esteem and resilience to stress. |
| heightened security concerns and acts of violence. | | | | Research studies have demonstrated that the TM |
| High divorce rates among parents, violent | | | | technique not only reduces stress, it increases |
| entertainment, and drug abuse by youth—even | | | | inner happiness, and results in improved flexibility, |
| the use of prescription anti-depressants—are | | | | social ability, and confidence. [4] When adolescents |
| suspected of contributing to the problem. | | | | practice mediation they tend to find approval |
| However, these factors are now being recognized | | | | from within rather than needing it from the |
| as symptoms of an underlying cause: the | | | | outside, which leads to greater independence, less |
| epidemic of stress in our society. | | | | influence from peer pressure, and less abusive |
| A promising solution: stress-free schools | | | | behavior. |
| Hundreds of public and private schools throughout | | | | References: |
| the US and around the world have benefited from | | | | 1. David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness |
| a program of Quite Time, [1] where students | | | | Based Education |
| have the option to sit quietly for a few minutes | | | | 2. ‘At-risk adolescents reduce stress, anxiety, |
| or to practice meditation to relieve stress. | | | | and hyperactivity through Transcendental |
| ‘It's like a washing machine,' says Jody, a | | | | Meditation.' Robert Colbert, PhD, Assistant |
| meditating student at a Detroit high school | | | | Professor of Educational Psychology, University of |
| previously plagued by violence. 'Disturbing thoughts | | | | Connecticut (US). Presented at the Annual |
| wash away.' | | | | meeting of the Society for Behavioral Medicine, |
| A recent study, conducted by the University of | | | | March 2008 |
| Connecticut, found that 106 at-risk adolescents in | | | | 3. ‘Increased EEG Coherence during |
| three high schools reduced levels of stress, | | | | Transcendental Meditation': International Journal of |
| anxiety, hyperactivity, and emotional problems | | | | Neuroscience 14: 147–151, 1981. 4. |
| when practicing the Transcendental Meditation | | | | 'Transcendental Meditation reduces stress and |
| technique over a period of four months at school, | | | | increases happiness among middle school |
| as compared with controls. [2] The TM technique | | | | students.' Rita Benn, PhD, Director of Education, |
| is an effortless, non-religious meditation that is | | | | Complementary and Alternative Medicine |
| easy for students to learn and practice at school | | | | Research Center, University of Michigan. |