Transcendence

By: Norman E. Rosenthal

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., a 20-year researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health and the celebrated psychiatrist who pioneered the study and treatment of Season Affective Disorder (SAD), brings us the most important work on Transcendental Meditation since the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Science of Being and Art of Living - and one of our generation's most significant books on achieving greater physical and mental health and wellness.

Transcendence demystifies the practice and benefits of Transcendental Meditation for a general audience who may have heard about the method but do not necessarily know what it is, how it is learned, or what they stand to gain, physically and emotionally, from achieving transcendence. Dr. Rosenthal clearly and practically explains the basic ideas behind transcendental meditation: It is a nonreligious practice that involves sitting comfortably for 20 minutes twice a day while using a silent mantra, or nonverbal sound, to attain a profound state of aware relaxation.

Alongside exclusive celebrity interviews - in which such figures as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Martin Scorsese, Russell Brand, Laura Dern, Moby, and David Lynch openly discuss their meditation - Dr. Rosenthal draws upon experience from the lives of his patients and a wealth of clinical research amassed on Transcendental Meditation over the past generation (including 340 peer-reviewed published articles). He provides the fullest and most accessible book ever on the broad range of benefits of this remarkably simple practice - from relief of anxiety, stress, and depression to new hope for those experiencing addiction, attention-deficit disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

©2011 Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D. (P)2011 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Come for the star power; stay for the benefits." ( Library Journal)

Inspirational yet "Informercional"

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would add more specific meditation instruction.

If you’ve listened to books by Norman E. Rosenthal before, how does this one compare?

n/a

What three words best describe Gildart Jackson’s performance?

His tone of voice and style is very inspirational and motivational.

Was Transcendence worth the listening time?

Yes and no.

Any additional comments?

There was plenty of wonderful telling of how important transcendental meditation is. I believe it, I would have liked less selling of meditation centers and more information about the meditation process itself.

47 people found this helpful

REALLY ENJOYED THIS BOOK!!

Would you listen to Transcendence again? Why?

Yes and I have. I am just starting the practice and this book filled in a lot of blanks

What did you like best about this story?

Even though I did go through it completely the first time, the chapters are separated enough that I can just zip to the topic I am interested in and listen again.

What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good voice

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Cant say

6 people found this helpful

Great info

Great info on how TM works, but unfortunately doesn't explain how to do it. To do it you have to go to expensive one on one classes.

26 people found this helpful

More scientific information than actual meditation

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

For me, this book gave me more information about the statistical evidence of the benefits meditation than the personal experience of the benefits the writer has gotten since he began meditation.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I don't know

5 people found this helpful

Not a book

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I thought this book would introduce and possibly even help you come to understand meditation or reasons to meditate. Instead, it almost seemed to be written by Donald Trump (all it did was tell me how great meditation was and how all the stars were doing it).

What could Norman E. Rosenthal have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Anything. Story, history, eloquent writing.

12 people found this helpful

A Great Scientific Discovery and a Great Read

Would you listen to Transcendence again? Why?

Rosenthal takes the mystery out of mysticism with practical explanations supported by extensive research, and at the same time makes science interesting and readable. It is a common supposition that meditation has something to do with religion and is in competition with prayer or other beliefs. But Rosenthal's explanations make it obvious that Transcendental Meditation is not only religion neutral--requiring no belief or spiritual bent--but is in fact mental hygiene, as necessary as brushing one's teeth. The word TRANSCENDENCE means "to go beyond." Anyone who is interested in getting beyond their present state (no matter how good it might be), improving his or her mental and physical health, sense of well-being, expanding creativity and personal development and learning about expanding consciousness to higher states will find this book useful. I have meditated for many years and can vouch for TM's effectiveness but it is often difficult to explain to others why TM is so powerful, so I admire Rosenthal's writing all the more because he explains it so well.He succeeds in explaining the benefits from a scientific and medical perspective that is not only informative but inspiring, even humorous at times. His writing style is down to earth and easy to read, with great anecdotal stories and supportive scientific facts. I'm already sold on TM's benefits, but I'd read this again just for the pleasure of it.

7 people found this helpful

Very detail account on the TM technique

This book is the prelude to Super Mind. It explains in real terms as well as scientific terms the TM technique, it's benefits and how to properly use it. I'm keeping this book in my mobile to listen over and over to improve my tm experience.

2 people found this helpful

Educational Sales Pitch

This book was very informational, and has helped me decide to get trained in transcendental meditation. However the book outline itself is very sales pitch like.

2 people found this helpful

Looking forward to learn TM

I am very encouraged by the wealth of research presented in this volume. The evidence of the many benefits offered by TM are well documented and inspired me to learn TM and spread the word about its power. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

1 person found this helpful

Very good primer for TM

Where does Transcendence rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Because of its nature, this book doesn't aptly compare to other audiobooks I've listen too.

Any additional comments?

The book provided a scientific look at TM with real case studies. This was exactly what I was looking for to continue my research into TM. After listening to the book, I have decided, with my family, to take the next step.

1 person found this helpful