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I began the Transcendental Meditation technique when I was 15 years
old, after seeing a poster in a local library. Two months later, enjoying
its benefits, I dragged as many friends as I could into the TM center
to learn.
Our experiences ranged from better grades to improved sports to
increased enjoyment in learning. But the benefits didn’t stop there—two
of my friends were able to overcome very difficult family situations
because of their meditation. I found my social relationships were
smoother, and I began to "hang out" with smarter, less
troubled, more positive groups of teenagers.
As a result of the academic benefits of my practice, I was accepted
at the "Ivy League" college of my choice. I became president
of the TM club at college, and went on to teach writing and literature
at Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa.
My experience when I meditate is a sense of calm expanding within
me, and paradoxically, I also feel energized. These two qualities
carry over into my life after meditation, too. The feeling of calm
and clarity gives me a greater sense of perspective, and the energy
allows me to accomplish what I want in life.
Through the years, my experience both inside and outside of meditation
has gone beyond calm and energizing to joyful, giving me a sense
of true happiness I had not thought possible.
If people ask what part of my life benefits most from meditation,
I tell them all of it. The practice supports me on every
level—from my family life, to relationships with friends, to the
very active world of business.
When I met my wife, she was a bit skeptical about the TM technique,
and wondered how it fit in with her religion. During the three and
a half years we dated, I didn’t try to convince her to learn; I
simply described my own experience and continued my regular practice.
As time passed, she noticed my ability, particularly after meditation,
to give more to our relationship and be flexible in difficult times.
From her observations she concluded that the "fruits"
of TM were good. She began herself, and has enjoyed many benefits
since starting.
For the last ten years I’ve owned and managed my own business.
We have annual sales of about $3 million and hope to grow to $100
million or more in the next few years. We offer the Transcendental
Meditation program as a benefit to our employees, and we allow
time for them to meditate on the job.
There is a strong connection between the health, clarity and well
being of an employee and their job performance. Since the TM technique
helps improve all these qualities, my company’s performance benefits
as well. When employees meditate as a group, there’s a collective
effect that improves the overall "atmosphere" of the company.
Business is both exciting and challenging. Business people need
all the competitive advantages they can get. The Transcendental
Meditation technique gives any company a tremendous competitive
advantage, and all of Maharishi’s other programs add to that success.
They not only help the bottom line, but also strengthen and harmonize
the company as a whole.
I feel so fortunate to be able to offer such an amazing set of
programs to my employees. I know that whether they stay at my company
or decide to start their own, I’ve given them a gift that will support
them for the rest of their life.
John Mulliken is CEO of The Trade Alliance,
Inc. in Boston
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