To each their own; but mantra based meditations are probably more effective at attaining hemisphere coherence which is what brings gains in creativity at those random moments throughout the day. http://youtu.be/RAETeTPhekk?t=1m40s
So the foundation that was eventually created after Maharishi moved on is actually based in Iowa. But they have TM Centers in most places. You can find your local contact through the website and make an appointment.
It's not a big deal, you go, you pay once, you get a mantra and then you're on your own depending on whether you feel it's beneficial or not.
As an East Coast skeptic I was surprised by how legit the results were.
I used the word probably to convey that I personally have not done the research. But the TM people have done an extensive amount of scientific studies (some funded by governmental and military sources).
The reason why I wanted to share it was because of my own experience with TM results despite being a life-long an East Coast skeptic.
The mantra repetition is a very simple thing but it does actually have the ability to alter brain wave activity and I believe it has something to do with the cyclical nature of the repeated thought.
You can check out http://www.tm.org/ and other TM related sources for more on the scientific research that they have completed.
Also there are plenty of other reports from successful, creative people who have made TM a part of their daily lives, some for decades e.g. David Lynch, Jerry Seinfeld, Howard Stern, etc.
In addition, in my personal experience there has been a "lucid dreaming" or "inner hallucination" component to my meditations which are sometimes quite visceral in nature....all from just repeating a simple phrase.
That along with its other benefits that I have experienced personally prompted my belief that a mantra based practice is worth trying.
