Scientist visits Skelmersdale to explain the benefits of meditation

Apr 30 2009 by Michael Byrne, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A LEADING American academic delivered a presentation on Transcendental Meditation in Skelmersdale last week.

Speaking at the Woodley Park Conference Centre in Ashurst on Friday, Dr Fred Travis explained how children can benefit from regularly practising meditation as part of their school day.

More than 50 teachers from around the North West attended the 90 minute presentation.

Dr Derek Cassells, Headteacher at Skelmersdale’s Maharishi School said: “We were very lucky to have Dr Travis visit us and we hope his presentation delivered a ‘wow’ factor to all the teachers who were there.”

Dr Travis, a neural scientist from the Maharishi University of Management in Iowa, USA, explained how periods of meditation can improve the functions of the brain.

Dr Travis said: “Just by meditating for 15 minutes at the start and end of the day, a child can help train their brain to perform better.

“Using TM is like going to the gym to build up your biceps, except it trains your brain.”

To demonstrate his theories, Dr Travis enlisted the help of an ex pupil of the Maharishi School.

The volunteer, 26-year-old William Marriott, had seven wires attached to his head to record his brain waves which were then relayed to the audience on a big screen.

William, from Skelmersdale, said: “When I heard I was going to be part of the presentation I was quite nervous but I relaxed once I met Dr Travis.

“I have been practising TM since I was four and it was fascinating to see the effect meditation had on the functions of my brain.”

Dr Travis visited the Maharishi School after the presentation on Friday.

He will travel to Cambridge University and the London Institute of Education to perform his lectures this week in a brief tour of the country.

The Maharishi School, on Cobbs Brow Lane, is one of the only schools in the country which incorporates periods of TM into their school day.

“We believe periods of meditation can complement a child’s education,” added Dr Cassells.

“We are currently helping several North West schools to introduce it into their children’s timetable and we will offer advice to any others who wish to do the same.”

Last month, former Beatles Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr performed in New York to promote TM among school children in America.

The concert was organised as part of a charity set up by film director David Lynch.