effective technique--I have practiced for years. Seems to have more substance than that of learning from a book. They, Maharishi and co., seem to promote it as a 1-way ticket to enlightenment and peace within, but the truth seems to be that it is a very useful technique, but no replacement for the personal spiritual journey, through education and experience, necessary in the journey toward true enlightenment. Tm does not give spiritual consciousness, but does seem to put one in a better purer place if one is interested in that pursuit. I believe, from my own experience, that it provides worthwhile health and spirtual benefits, in and of itself and as an adjunct to spirtitual work, but I am not comfortable with their telling people that it gives wisdom and peace in and of itself. But if one were to study the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Jesus, and other enlightened beings, and make the commitment to search for spiritual truth, then, and only then, is Tm extremely valuable. This is based on my personal experience.