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Rating: 
Summary: Straddling the fence? Read this...
Review: After the persistent urging of a friend (for over 2 years), I tried reading this book. I made it through about 3 chapters before realizing that to really UNDERSTAND I must EXPERIENCE; so I just paid the money (the fee was $1000 but is less now) and learned the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique.You will not find any instruction on the "how to" of Transcendental Meditation in any book. The TM technique is an oral tradition and requires one-on-one instruction. The important thing I want to relay to readers is that most anyone can INTELLECTUALIZE the concepts within this book; but with the EXPERIENCE from a routine TM practice--you will really UNDERSTAND the concepts and incorporate them (and the benefits) into your life without effort. Before learning the TM technique, this book was interesting to read and talked of "pie in the sky" stuff about WHAT and WHO we humans are; but after learning TM, I generally seemed to have an innate understanding / realization of the message being portrayed. With or without TM, I recommend this book; however, I am glad I had a persistent friend because I originally thought the whole thing to be crazy and crazy expensive! If you are "straddling the fence" or searching for a better life, read this book to get concise information that you need to make your own decisions about TM. If you want testimonials, read other books. This book is all meat. TM gives you teeth.
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Summary: Knowledge and experience is realization of the Supreme
Review: Already when I first bought this book it was clear to me that I will not be able to actually learn the technique from it because for this a direct teacher is necessary (if true knowledge would be in the books, the teacher profession would have died out long time ago). But the knowledge contained in Maharishi's book was so practical and appealing that it automatically led me to want to experience my own Being. And, so far, the vision of possibilities that Maharishi gives has been validated by my practice as well as by scientific research.
With best wishes,
Alexandr Ruzicka
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Summary: Enlightening: Maharishi brings the Ligh from God!
Review: Beautiful words..., beautiful Master...! Maharishi brings indeed pure Light, Peace, Wisdom, and Love. When you read his words, and then, when you make contact with His Transcendental Meditation, your life changes in all positive ways, and you experince how to feel and live in the Light of God, forever.
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Summary: Where can you learn it for $300?
Review: I went to an intro in NYC and they were asking for $2500! I'd do it for $300 and appreciate it. $2500 for an instruction that takes 1 hr to teach? Offer it for free and I'll give you a substantial donation. The sad thing is that they're the only ones doing studies on meditation and it's effects on world peace, health, crime, social ills. I'd love to hear from one person who's tried other forms of meditation and can tell me that TM is totally different, unique, better.
And yo, where's the community? Where's the sangha? Do you have to go to Iowa for that?
Rating:
Summary: The Book that Changed My Outlook on Life
Review: I would reccomend this book to anyone looking for answers to life, the universe, and everything in it. I read this book after I learned the Transcendental Meditation(TM) technique, and it brought a fullness, and an intellectual understanding that satisfied my need to live life in harmony with the laws of nature. Although it's expensive to learn, the benefits I have gained through praticing TM are enormously rewarding. TM gives the basis from which to act, and The Science of Being and Art of Living gives the guidelines to live life in the most fulfilling way possible.
Rating:
Summary: Misleading Title, Praises to Maharishi
Review: Its takes a while to get past the front of the book which offers praises of Maharishi, his history and plans to transform the world. Once you get past that (which appears again in the rear of the book) you realize this book does not teach you TM (so why is it in the title?). There are some helpful things in this book especially if you are new to the spiritual path. But if you are looking for a serious book on meditation in general look elsewhere. This is more on the 'so how are you doing now after learning TM' side.
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Summary: Misleading Title, Praises to Maharishi
Review: The other is Maharishi's commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita.
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Summary: Repackaged Hinduism for the Western Marketplace.
Review: The Science of Being and Art of Living was one of the most profound books I have ever read. It probes deeply into the nature of existance, life and spirituality in a very structured and logical manner. This book also shows how meditation, specifically Transcendental Meditation, provides real fulfilment to the Art of Living. I enjoyed this book very much as it provided me with profound knowledge of how spirituality can be integrated with modern material life.
Rating:
Summary: The best book you'll ever read
Review: You have to wonder why the secret to life's happiness costs somewhere between $1000 and $300, don't you? Where does all the money go, anyway? Building a society on the foundation of peace, harmony, and unity shouldn't start with the participants shelling out a small fortune to begin. I meditate and I've found that there are great similarities between zen, samatha (jhana), and transcendental meditation. Meditation is meditation...the underlying principle is always the same, but if you go to a Zen or Vipassana meditation center the cost is FREE and you are asked only for a donation. I've been an avid reader of Buddhist philosophy and meditation for years and upon coming upon this book and the TM philosophy and method I was VERY impressed! But any institution that exchanges salvation and enlightenment for money should be questioned. Buy the book, but you won't get any methods or practical advise without spending $300 or $1000.
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