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New student organization in the USA Students across America are enjoying the blossoming of their full potential through the programmes of the newly launched Students Transcendental Meditation Association (STMA). Gina Orange and Melvin Ward, co-directors of the initiative, represent short-and long-term practitioners of the technique. While Gina grew up in a family of meditators and has practised Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation Technique from a young age, it was only after four years in the military that Melvin discovered Maharishi University of Management and began the programme. Though they have these very different perspectives, Gina and Melvin both know the tremendous benefits which the Transcendental Meditation Programme brings to all areas of life—development of full mental potential, health, social behaviour, and world peace—and want to share these positive effects with students throughout the nation. To that end they have become certified teachers of Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation Technique and are leading the Students Transcendental Meditation Association. Studentmeditation.org The website of the association, describes STMA as ‘a growing network of conscious, like-minded fellow thought leaders, change agents and trendsetters on college campuses nationwide. The STMA not only provides TM and Yoga Asana instruction on college campuses through campus STMA Clubs, but also provides extensive personal follow-up, evening knowledge meetings, retreats, social events, educational seminars, visits from renowned guest speakers, artists and musicians who practice the TM program, and more. ‘The clubs will be a resource on campus for information about the David Lynch Foundation internship opportunities that offer practical training in progressive, integrative career paths in the US and abroad. STMA members will receive leadership training, networking skills, and other practical tools students need to transform the world.’ With the benefit of the STMA programmes, ‘STMA members will graduate from college life prepared to step into their role as a thought leader in this changing world, with the confidence that despite the economy or the confusing aspects of transitioning into life after college, they can take on anything and not only succeed, but fully enjoy every moment thanks to the inner strength they have gained by developing their consciousness’ through the Transcendental Meditation Programme. A vision of the Transcendental Meditation Programme’s benefits Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the programme, explains its value saying, ‘Meditation is the most effective form of relaxation. It not only relaxes the body and mind but also feeds them with vital energy, peace and happiness.’ The website confirms Maharishi’s words with students’ descriptions of their personal benefits from the practice. Their comments range from a dance major saying, ‘Since I started practicing [TM] regularly my creative expression through dance has simply exploded, I have been able to tap into a resource that I did not know existed within me,’ to an Executive MBA student expressing, 'I feel blessed and grateful for the opportunity to have learned Transcendental Meditation so that I can continue developing my potential in a completely holistic way.' An undergraduate gratefully shares her benefits saying, ‘Transcendental Meditation has helped me grow freer and freer from stress and anxiety. I am so much more open, more appreciative, and more giving. My relationships with others have grown richer because my relationship with myself is so much deeper and better. My confidence has increased and my focus has improved. The future seems so much brighter to me now.’ Studentmeditation.org also includes great videos with more benefits related, articles, SMTA events and a ‘Campus Connect’ page to both put students in touch with college chapters and tell them how to start the club on their own campuses. Contact Gina and Melvin Co-director Gina sees an expanded mind, ‘open to higher experiences [as] the most valuable thing in life’ and offers STMA to, in her words, ‘provide the tools and the training to transform your life experience from merely surviving to thriving. We are here for this purpose. It is so easy and so enjoyable.’ Contact Gina and Melvin at studentmeditation@gmail.com or call them at 312-568-7020. © Copyright 2010 Global Good News®
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