Transcendental Meditation (TM)

March 19th, 2008

More than 500 scientific studies about transcendental meditation were carried out in the last 25 years at more than 200 independent universities and research institutions. The results show that the program of transcendental meditation has beneficial effects in all areas of life, private and professional. The research has been published for example in ‘Science’, ‘The American Journal of Physiology’, ‘Scientific American’ and many more. They all show that the quality of life of those practicing TM is far better than in those who don’t practice it.

Transcendental meditation was taught for the first time in the West about fifty years ago by the physician and philosopher Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It soon became very popular around the world because of its many positive effects. This particular meditation technique is independent of local values, religions, faiths and political convictions.

It is basically a relaxation technique for the mind which can be learned easily. It consists of practice sessions, twice daily for about 10 to 20 minutes, where the person meditating sits comfortably and with closed eyes. Mediation is usually associated with the lotus position, which is extremely painful for the beginner. Here, a comfortable chair, a cushion, anything that provides a physical position where bones don’t hurt is good enough.

People who practice transcendental meditation report deep relaxation, greater spiritual clarity, more creativity and far better stress management in difficult life situations. And they report better health.

Transcendental meditation is probably the meditation technique that has been best investigated and documented scientifically. Many scientific publications have dealt with the subject and have proven its inherent value not only for those who practice it but for business as well. Let’s look at General Motors, for example.

The biggest car manufacturing company in the U.S. offers all its employees courses in transcendental meditation paid for by the company. Triggering this program was the realisation that stress on the job costs American companies 200 billion dollars annually. It has been identified as the main factor for the deteriorating health of employees and the decrease in productivity.

In the last 25 years many studies carried out in companies like GM showed that transcendental meditation programs bring with them a lot of advantages for companies and their employees. A study with 125 General Motors employees showed that their practicing of TM brought about a significant improvement in their health, productivity and morale.

In another area, the US government pays Vietnam veterans the enrollment fees for courses in transcendental meditation, as long as their physicians prescribe it. This policy of providing this kind of meditation training for the veterans was initiated when studies showed that people suffering from post-traumatic stress syndrome experienced a considerable reduction in their symptoms when practicing TM.

In California, US, the bar association recognizes courses that lawyers take in TM as having curriculum value. Here as well the background for this change of attitude is the recognition that attorneys work better and more effectively when they have the possibility to liberate themselves from the stress courtrooms and trials bring with them. The regular attendance of legal training courses is obligatory in California and is being monitored through a point system. For the attendance of a basic course in TM attorneys get assigned x number of points that count toward their curriculum.

The holder of the world record in remembering numbers in the Guinness book of records considers transcendental meditation as a very effective relaxation technique. Mr. Tomoyori achieved his record in 1990, at the age of 58, by remembering the number Pi - which is 3.14, ad infinitum. He remembered 40,000 values after the point. He says: ” I learned TM because I wanted to learn how to relax better and to maintain my power of concentration. Because it takes 17 hours to say this number by heart I need a certain relaxation while at the same time I must be able to concentrate. TM is great because it’s so simple and it provides effective relaxation. It helps in strengthening my powers of concentration while at the same time helping me to sleep deeply.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Meditation

Michael Russell - EzineArticles Expert Author

Rewards and Credit Cards

March 19th, 2008

Rewards Credit Cards such as Hilton Hhonors Visa Signature Cards
enable cardholders to earn 10,000 bonuses rewards on the first
purchase made on the credit card. The points equal a free stay
at a hotel. The card enables cardholders to earn additional 2
points per each “dollar spent on net purchases.”

Cardholders can earn 3 points on each dollar spent at the
“Hilton Family Hotels” The card has no ‘pre-set’ limits for
spending, and the points are redeemable at more than 2000 Hilton
Family Hotels. The card providers offer “double dip” points,
which converts to flights miles, and so on. The cardholder can
earn vacations, rentals, cruises, flights, merchandise and so
forth for using the card. In addition, the providers offer
“Complimentary Hilton Hhonors Silver VIP status of the duration
of one year of membership. There are Visa Signature Benefits,
and additional cards are accessible at no additional charges.
Furthermore, there are no annual fees, and the introductory is
2.99% APR up to six months, with the Standard Purchases being
16.99% APR, and balance transfers 2.99% APR up to six months.

Considering the rewards, this particular card sounds appealing.
However, after the introductory has ended, the cardholder will
pay 16.99% per purchase. The balance transferring APR is 2.99%
APR for the first six months, however, if any balance carries
over the introductory the cardholder will pay 16.99% APR. Cash
advances, as many other card offerings are relatively high, with
rates up to 21.99%. Defaults are also unreasonable, measuring
30.99% APR. Variable Rates on the cards on balance transfers are
“U.S. Prime Rate” plus another 9.99% APR. The grace period is 20
days, making it essential for the cardholder to pay the debt to
avoid defaults. There are also finance charges, APR on cash
advances, and late fees.

The Citi Driver’s Edge MasterCard is for students, and offers $0
Liability on fraud charges, redeemable rebates on services,
repairs, and maintenance of vehicles owned by the cardholder.
Redeemable rebates on gift cards, travel, merchandise, and other
“Thank you Network.” Other redeemable rebates include, leasing
or purchasing new vehicles, miles driven, and 1% rebates on
additional purchases. Students can earn 3% rebate on purchases
made at pharmacies, gas stations, or supermarkets. For the first
six months the student will not be charged APR. There are 0%
annual rates and 0% balance transfers on the card up to six
months. After the introductory trial, the APR is the standard
rates of 16.99%. The Citi Dividend Platinum Select MasterCard
offers $0 Liability on fraudulent charges, FREE Photo card
option, unlimited cash rewards under the Cit Dividend Merchant
Network, and cash back on entitled to cash advances and balance
transfers. Cardholders’ can also enjoy 1% cash rewards on other
various purchases, and 5% back on purchases made at pharmacies,
supermarkets, and gas stations. There are no annual fees, 0
balance transfer for the first year of membership, and a
standard purchasing plan of 12.49% APR. The card includes
additional fees like any other card, but it offers 30.99% APR on
defaults, which is a percentage below other types of cards.

The Citi mtvU Platinum Select Visa Card for students offers 0%
APR up to six months on cash advances. This is a great deal,
since nearly all cards charge high APR on cash advances. The
students can earn as much as 2000 “Thank You Points twice a
year” for their grade point average, providing it is good.

Students can enjoy redeemable gift cards, travel, merchandise
and other “thank you network rewards while using the cards.
There is a 10% discount for purchases or visits to “mtvshop,
mtv.com and the MTV Store located in New York. Students can also
earn as much as 75000 “thank you points” per year.

Each cardholder receives 1 point per dollar spent on any other
purchase, as well as 5 points per dollar spent at bookstores,
movies, video rentals, restaurants, and record stores. They will
receive 25 points each month for paying their card off on time,
and not going over the cards limit. Finally, the student can
enjoy as much as 2000 points for good grade point averages.

Used Car Prices - The Blue Book

March 19th, 2008

The Blue Book of Used Cars

If you are planning to sell your used car to a vehicle dealer,
you should be aware of the basic process in determining the
worth of your car. This would ensure you would not be scammed
and taken for granted by car dealer experts.

* What is the Blue Book value?

The Blue Book value is a basic term used in the car-buying
business. It means the worth or cost of a vehicle. This vital
book determines the price of what dealers are willing to pay for
a used car.

* Where could you find the Blue Book value?

There are several resources responsible for determining the
value of your car. The two most popular is the Kelley Blue Book
and the N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides.

The Kelley Blue Book, which invented the term Blue Book, is a
principal source for determining the loan value on used cars. It
has been providing information for 75 years.

The N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides, which was established in 1933, is
another helpful Blue Book that provides car buyers to review the
car’s worth.

* How does the Blue Book determine the value of a used car?

The Blue Book calculates the value of your car based on the
make, the model and year. The book also considers factors such
as conditions of the used-cars, mileage and other options. The
majority of the popular Blue Books are free for public use in
their respective web sites. They provide user-friendly
worksheets to help determine the appropriate value of a used
car. Being aware of the Blue Book value of your car would help
you search for a fair deal.

* How do you determine the amount you wish to spend on buying a
use car?

If you’re planning to buy a used car, you should determine how
much money you are willing to spend. Consider the additional
expenses such as the tags when applying for a car loan, extra
tax, and purchasing of the car title.

* How does the Blue Book determine the final values?

Many organizations and individuals make use of the Blue Book.
Car auctions, private owners, rentals and fleets, franchised and
independent dealers all use the Blue Book to determine the final
value.

Used car values are determined by a respectable editorial
process. Each process starts with an analysis of the collected
data which include the current economic conditions, the
historical trends, seasonality, location and industry
developments. The final value reflects the most current
representation of the changing car marketplace.

Be a wise used-car shopper and avoid bad deals and investments.
Check with the Blue Book to find helpful guidelines in your
used-car purchase