Fatigue, stress, poor diet, and substance abuse are known to negatively affect our brain’s performance. In particular, the prefrontal cortex—the brain’s "CEO," responsible for judgment, planning, and foresight—can be bypassed, allowing more primitive parts of the brain to take over. As a result, we can become more reactive, emotional, and less capable of considering the long-term consequences of our actions.
Transcendental Meditation helps restore order to the brain. During practice, the front and back areas of the brain synchronise, strengthening the connections between them and reactivating the prefrontal cortex. This process brings the "CEO" of the brain back online, making us more proactive, insightful, and able to see the bigger picture.
In fact, regular practice of TM leads to increased brain coherence. The brain becomes more lively, vibrant, and "tuned up," improving our responsiveness and mental clarity. Studies have shown that the brain coherence achieved through TM is similar to that seen in top-level managers and high-performance athletes.
This coherence is associated with a range of positive changes, including enhanced creativity, intelligence, concentration, problem-solving skills, and moral reasoning. As coherence increases, it enables more and more of the brain’s latent potential to be realised. In this way the total brain is developed leading to a state of Enlightenment.
“We need a healthy, integrated brain that can evaluate where we are, decide where we want to be, and then decide on the steps to get there.”