The fact is, there is an entire spectrum of types of meditation from the simplest disciplines to the most complex. Most emphasis a slow, gradual process which can require a lifetime. Others emphasis "instant" enlightenment. Any of them worth their salt in my opinion will conceed that what matters is what suits the individual rather than which school of though may or may not be superior to another.

I learned a technique of repeating a mantra in my mind while shutting out as much external stimuli as possible. I believe this is one aspect of TM. It has been shown to relieve symptoms of insufficient sleep, and stress.

It really should come as no suprise that our mind can have a significant effect on our physical health. We interpret all sorts of data with our minds on the conscious and subconcious levels. As a result of these interpretations, our body produces various chemicals, in response to fear, lust, hatred, pain etc. That we developed subtle means of manipulating these reactions over many millenia should be expected. In fact, I'm kind of suprised at how bad we are at it. It seems to me that we should be able to conciously produce almost every effect that our body might produce involuntarily.

Maybe such skills were selected against, by social or physical evolution. If you learn to manipulate the desire to procreate, maybe you won't have it. If you can just make yourself feel good, no matter the circumstance, you will not make sure you take the necessary steps for survival. You could be, in essence, a heroin addict with a permanent stash in the brain. Very hard to quit.

Njorl