I have long been interested in meditation and the different techniques though I have never found the time to investigate. With that background, I was looking for a book that would take me through a scientific evaluation of the methodologies, medical benefits (if any), and the research that backs any medical claims made as a precursor to either precipitating learning or dropping that desire from my life to do list. From that standpoint this book did little to aid, but it must be said that was not the intent of the book in the first place. Dr. Rosenthal is a long time practitioner of Transcendental meditation and is also now a teacher.

The book is most interesting when discussing brain patterns and how they differ between mediation practices, though this is done on a very light basis. It does bring in some interesting studies, though sample size and data are lacking. Again it is important to know this book was not written as a scientific evaluation, but a larger narrative so the missing portion should be expected.

Nice read if an interest exists on potential benefits. Not great if you are looking for a medical primer or methodological overview.