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This week we talk to Norman Rosenthal about transcendental meditation
Dr. Norman Rosenthal is a world-renowned psychiatrist, public speaker and best-selling author who is known for his innovative research and inspirational writings. He is currently clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine. He is most known for his discovery of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
He is currently clinical professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University School of Medicine. His new book is Supermind: How to Boost Performance and Live a Richer and Happier Life Through Transcendental Meditation.
In This Interview,Norman Rosenthal and I Discuss…
- The One You Feed parable
- Transcendental Meditation vs Mindfulness meditation
- His latest book, Supermind: How to boost performance and live a richer and happier life through Transcendental Meditation
- That whatever we practice, we succeed at
- Seasonal Affective Disorder: What it is and how he discovered it
- That you cannot become a master sailor in calm seas
- The wonderful state of consciousness called Transcendence
- Whether a wandering mind is an unhappy mind
- The default mode network
- Supermind: what it is and how to know if it applies to you
- Why to practice Transcendental Meditation
Norman Rosenthal Links
A grandfather is talking with his grandson and he says there are two wolves inside of us which are always at war with each other.
One of them is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery and love. The other is a bad wolf, which represents things like greed, hatred and fear.
The grandson stops and thinks about it for a second then he looks up at his grandfather and says, “Grandfather, which one wins?”
The grandfather quietly replies, the one you feed
The Tale of Two Wolves is often attributed to the Cherokee indians but there seems to be no real proof of this. It has also been attributed to evangelical preacher Billy Graham and Irish Playwright George Bernard Shaw. It appears no one knows for sure but this does not diminish the power of the parable.
This parable goes by many names including:
The Tale of Two Wolves
The Parable of the Two Wolves
Two Wolves
Which Wolf Do You Feed
Which Wolf are You Feeding
Which Wolf Will You Feed
It also often features different animals, mainly two dogs.
Dana says
I didn’t know anything about TM before listening to this episode and was intrigued by it. After doing some research, however, I found the course to be no less than $1,200, with more payments needed to advance in the practice. There is a lot of secrecy and withholding of information prior to payment.
This makes me question their claims, and wonder if TM differs substantially from other mantra/mindfulness practices that are done twice a day for 20 minutes – others having information freely available.
I would be very interested to hear how your TM practice unfolds, Eric.
Thanks for creating such an inspiring and thought-provoking podcast!
Howard says
Hey Dana,
I had the same experience when looking into TM. I came across a blog called TM sceptic (http://tmfree.blogspot.ca) with contributions from former TM practitioners and instructors which offers quite a different perspective. I two would like to hear how Eric’s practice goes. It would be great to hear from another authority in the subject would could offer a broader perspective of the benefits or pitfalls of TM.
Thanks, guys keep up the great work
Eric Zimmer says
Hi Howard and Dana,
There is a lot to question about the TM movement. There is a lot there that I don’t think I agree with. The deeper question is how to separate the practice from the group. That is what I am attempting to do. Look for more to come on TM vs. mindfulness.