SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — As if daily life didn’t already bring enough stress—balancing work, supporting families, maintaining health and home—we now face waves of political division, misinformation, extreme weather and global conflict. The pressure is palpable. What’s needed isn’t just more resilience, but a deeper, more lasting form of relief. We need to chill out. We need to meditate, America. We need to Meditate Sullivan County.

And that’s exactly what a group of women in Livingston Manor are helping local residents do. Through an initiative called Meditate Sullivan County, these certified teachers are offering free talks and courses in Transcendental Meditation (TM)—a simple, natural and surprisingly effective technique to quiet the mind and restore balance.

Transcendental Meditation (TM) offers a simple path to inner peace

“Transcendental Meditation is a simple, natural technique that’s practiced with ease and doesn’t require focusing or analyzing,” said Becky Shiflett, a TM practitioner and teacher at the Global Center for Peace and Enlightenment. “Scientific studies show that TM brings the mind into a deeply restful state, and because the mind and body are interconnected, this mental calm allows the body to experience a unique level of rest that naturally dissolves stress.”

The TM technique isn’t a religion or philosophy, and it doesn’t require changing your lifestyle. Practiced twice daily for 15 to 20 minutes, it helps the mind settle inward to a deeply restful state of pure awareness.

As explained on the TM Women’s website, “This healing—more than relaxation or sleep—allows deep stress to wash away, improving mental, physical and emotional health and well-being. The TM technique helps us regroup from the frenzied pace that often characterizes our lives.”

What local practitioners say

Connie Young, who learned TM in Livingston Manor two years ago, said, “It relaxes me, makes my day go nice. I look at things differently—maybe a little bit clearer. I don’t know why I waited so long to do it. But I’m happy with it. When I don’t do it, you can feel it—you know you didn’t do it. And I thank you for that.”

“For the first time in my life, I learned how to completely clear my mind and just be still,” said Dominque Jenkins, a longtime local restaurant owner and real estate agent. “In that stillness, I experienced a greater sense of awareness—something they call ‘transcending.’”

Wayne LeRoy, a Roscoe resident and caretaker at a private reserve in Livingston Manor, said, “I didn’t know much about TM when I first heard about it nine years ago, but I decided to give it a try—and I really liked it. It’s a great way to unwind, especially after a long day. Meditating helps me relax and clear my head. I’ve kept up the practice ever since, and I plan to keep going for years to come.”

How TM is learned

The TM course begins with a free introductory talk. After a brief personal interview, students receive personal instruction from a certified TM teacher, followed by three days of follow-up sessions to refine the technique and answer questions. Once learned, TM becomes a lifelong skill.

“The TM technique is taught in one short instructional session, followed by three days of short follow-up meetings,” said Shiflett.

Students are encouraged to meditate for 20 minutes twice a day. “Meditating in the morning prepares the mind and body for the day with increased focus, energy, and emotional balance,” said Shiflett. “Meditating in the evening releases stress and fatigue built up during the day. Together, meditating twice a day keeps stress from accumulating and taking root.”

A deep dive within

Louise Perkins, a retired TM teacher and resident of Livingston Manor, said, “With this technique, the mind easily goes beyond the surface level of thinking and expands to incorporate deeper levels where intuition, creativity, peace and quiet reside. After the 20 minutes of TM, some of that peace, inner contentment and ease naturally stay with you. You become the more flexible, adaptable and happy side of yourself.”

She continued, “We want to help everyone experience the inner person, who they essentially are. That peace, happiness and harmony naturally exist at the depths of their life. This experience of pure consciousness fulfills the famous saying of the Greek oracle of Delphi: ‘Know Thyself.’”

Scientific and societal benefits

TM has been practiced by millions across cultures, religions and belief systems. In over 800 scientific research studies—about 300 of which have been published in peer-reviewed journals—TM has been shown to reduce anxiety, depression and ADHD symptoms, and improve heart health and interpersonal relationships. A 2013 study published in Military Medicine found TM significantly reduced PTSD symptoms in Veterans. Another NIH-funded study in Circulation (2012) showed a 48 percent reduction in heart attack, stroke and death among heart disease patients practicing TM.

The American Nurses Association/California selected TM as one of five “best fit” mental health solutions for nurses, and the American Holistic Nurses Association has endorsed it. TM programs for nurses are now offered at hospitals across the country. Nurses who complete the four-day TM course—just 1.5 hours per day—are eligible for 23.25 continuing education credits.

Free introductory talk coming soon

Sarah Sica, a certified TM teacher, will soon offer a free introductory talk on Transcendental Meditation at Sullivan County libraries. This is a great opportunity to learn how TM works, ask questions and connect with a certified instructor.

For more information or to reserve a spot, contact ssica@tm-women.org or visit www.tm-women.org.