The Calm Advantage: How Transcendental Meditation® Helps Realtors Thrive in a High-Stress Profession

By David McLaren, MD — Certified Teacher of Transcendental Meditation® and Retired Neurologist, Columbia, Missouri

Balancing Stress, Uncertainty, and Success

In real estate, the pace rarely slows. Between listings, showings, client negotiations, and ever-changing market conditions, it’s easy to feel constantly “on.” Each day requires focus, patience, and emotional steadiness—yet those qualities can be hard to sustain when stress builds up.

Through my years of teaching Transcendental Meditation® (TM®), I’ve seen how this simple, effortless practice helps high-performing professionals reconnect with a sense of calm clarity that enhances both their work and their lives.

An Effortless Technique for Deep Renewal

The TM technique is practiced for twenty minutes, twice a day, while sitting comfortably with eyes closed. Unlike methods that involve concentration or control, TM allows the mind to settle inward naturally to a quiet, wakeful state of rest.

During this process, the body releases accumulated stress and fatigue. The result is a deep sense of renewal—clearer thinking, greater energy, and a more balanced emotional state. Over time, these benefits extend into daily activity, bringing steadiness even in the most demanding situations.

Why It Matters for Realtors

Realtors juggle more than transactions; they manage relationships, emotions, and constant communication. In such a dynamic profession, maintaining inner stability is essential.

Research shows that individuals who practice TM report:
    •    Improved clarity and decision-making in complex situations
    •    Greater emotional resilience and calm under pressure
    •    Better sleep and sustained daily energy
    •    Enhanced empathy and communication with clients
    •    Reduced burnout and overall stress

When your mind is centered, you respond rather than react. That steadiness helps you navigate negotiations smoothly, connect more authentically with clients, and move through each day with confidence.

The Science Behind the Calm

As a neurologist, I’ve seen how chronic stress disrupts both brain function and physical health. TM has been extensively researched for decades, with studies showing reductions in cortisol (the stress hormone), improvements in cardiovascular health, and increased coherence in brain functioning.

These measurable physiological changes translate into sharper focus, adaptability, and creativity—qualities that directly support success in real estate and beyond.

Work Smarter. Live Better.

Real success isn’t only about the number of closings—it’s about the quality of your experience along the way. TM helps you bring balance and clarity to every part of life, making professional achievement more sustainable and personally rewarding.

If you’re ready to work with greater calm and energy each day, I invite you to learn more about the TM technique and how it can support your professional and personal growth.

When the mind is calm, clarity & performance follow.

David McLaren, MD
Certified Teacher of Transcendental Meditation®
Retired Neurologist
Columbia, Missouri
http://DavidMcLarenTM.com
David@DavidMcLarenTM.com
573-268-2466

Renew Your Energy and Earn CE Credit with Transcendental Meditation®

By Dr. David McLaren, MD — Certified Transcendental Meditation Teacher and Retired Neurologist, Columbia, Missouri

As massage therapists, your work centers on restoring balance — easing physical tension, soothing the nervous system, and helping others reconnect with their bodies. Yet in the process of caring for others, it’s easy to overlook your own need for renewal.

The Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) technique offers massage therapists a deeply restorative, evidence-based method to replenish energy, reduce stress, and enhance clarity — all while earning 13 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credit.

A Technique that Works Effortlessly

TM is a natural, simple, and effortless technique that is practiced only two times a day for 20 minutes while sitting comfortably with eyes closed. During TM, the mind naturally settles inward to a state of deep rest — more profound than ordinary relaxation — while the body releases accumulated stress and fatigue.

Each meditator receives their own personalized mantra, which is a specific sound used silently during practice, which allows the mind to transcend active thought effortlessly. This customized approach restores balance to both mind and body, supporting overall well-being and inner calm.

Massage therapists who practice TM often report:

• Greater resilience and energy throughout the day

• More empathy and calm presence with clients

• Reduced muscle tension and physical exhaustion

• Improved sleep and emotional balance

The Science of Rest and Renewal

Research has shown that TM promotes relaxation, coherence, and nervous system balance. These same qualities support your hands-on healing work, helping you stay centered and fully present during each session. By restoring your own well-being, you naturally enhance the care you give to others.

Earn CE Credit While Deepening Self-Care

The TM technique is now approved for 13 hours of Continuing Education (CE) credit through Yoga Alliance, and massage therapists can also fulfill professional CE requirements while learning this life-changing practice.

In Missouri, licensed massage therapists must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years (renewal due January 31 of odd-numbered years). Many therapists in Missouri meet this requirement through NCBTMB-approved courses, which are widely accepted within the massage community. Missouri does not always mandate prior board approval for individual CE courses, so therapists are encouraged to verify acceptability with the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage and retain proof of course completion.

CE requirements and approval processes vary by state. Massage therapists outside of Missouri should confirm details with their respective state licensing boards.

In my years as a physician and TM teacher, I’ve come to see that true healing begins with inner balance. Through Transcendental Meditation, you can renew your own energy and presence — bringing greater peace to your work and your life.

I welcome you to connect with me to learn more about the TM technique and how it can support your healthcare journey. You can reach me directly at David@DavidMcLarenTM.com or 573-268-2466.

Dr. David McLaren

Certified Teacher of Transcendental Meditation®

Columbia, Missouri

David@DavidMcLarenTM.com

Continuing Education That Renews You: How Transcendental Meditation Benefits Nurses — Including Traveling Nurses

By Dr. David McLaren, MD — Certified Transcendental Meditation Teacher and Retired Neurologist, Columbia, Missouri

Renewing the Mind Behind the License

In nursing, continuing education (CE) hours are essential to maintaining licensure and staying current in best practices. Yet for many nurses, CE becomes another requirement to check off — one more item in a long list of professional responsibilities.

But what if continuing education could restore you while you restore others?

Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) is now recognized for continuing education contact hours for nurses through the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), an ANCC-accredited approver. That means the time you dedicate to learning TM doesn’t just fulfill a professional requirement — it cultivates deeper calm, focus, and resilience that enhance your work and your well-being.

ANCC-Approved Contact Hours

The AHNA’s approval of the TM for Nurses course allows nurses to earn ANCC-approved continuing education contact hours while learning a simple, evidence-based meditation technique.

More than 700 research studies have documented TM’s benefits, including reductions in stress, anxiety, and blood pressure, and improvements in focus, rest, and overall health.

CE Provider: American Holistic Nurses Association (ANCC-accredited)

Program: TM for Nurses

Learn more: TM for Nurses CE Information

(Note: CE requirements vary by state. Missouri RNs and LPNs are not currently required to complete CE hours for renewal, but these ANCC-approved credits may apply for professional development or licensure renewal in other states.)

Why TM Fits the Nursing Profession

Nursing requires the ability to stay calm under pressure, think clearly amid constant demands, and bring compassion to every interaction. TM supports those exact qualities.

By producing a unique state of restful alertness, it helps nurses recover more efficiently from the physical and emotional strain of their work. Many report improved sleep, better focus during shifts, and greater emotional resilience.

As a retired neurologist, I’ve seen how constant stress affects the brain and nervous system — and how restorative rest can transform them. TM provides deep rest in a natural, effortless way.

Why It’s Especially Valuable for Traveling Nurses

For traveling nurses, the challenges multiply: new environments, variable schedules, and frequent transitions between hospitals.

TM fits seamlessly into this lifestyle. Once learned, it can be practiced anywhere — in a quiet break room, a hotel, or a temporary home — without apps, special equipment, or ongoing fees.

Because TM for Nurses carries ANCC accreditation through AHNA, it’s recognized nationally, not just by a single state board. That makes it an ideal CE option for nurses who maintain multiple state licenses or frequently change assignments.

My Journey from Neurology to TM Instruction

After decades of practicing neurology, I witnessed firsthand how stress and overstimulation affect both patients and healthcare professionals. My transition from medicine to teaching Transcendental Meditation was driven by a desire to help people — especially professionals — restore balance from within.

Today, I teach TM in Columbia, Missouri, welcoming nurses from across Mid-Missouri and beyond to learn in a calm, supportive environment. My medical background enables me to bridge scientific understanding with personal experience, helping each student connect the dots between physiology, awareness, and resilience.

A Continuing Education That Truly Continues

Continuing education is meant to advance your knowledge — but it can also advance your peace of mind.

With TM, nurses gain a technique that not only fulfills CE requirements but continues to deliver benefits long after the course ends: clearer focus, deeper rest, and renewed energy for the work they love.

If you’re interested in learning Transcendental Meditation or would like more information about ANCC-approved CE opportunities, I invite you to reach out.

I teach in Columbia, Missouri, and welcome nurses from across Mid-Missouri and beyond.

https://www.davidmclarentm.com/contact-david

Resources for Missouri Nurses

If you’re a nurse in Missouri interested in learning more about CE opportunities or verifying CE approvals, these official resources can help:

Missouri State Board of Nursing

🔗 https://pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp

The official site for the Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Board of Nursing.

Use this site to review renewal guidelines and CE requirements for RNs, LPNs, and APRNs. (Currently, Missouri RNs and LPNs are not required to complete CE for renewal.)

American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA)

🔗 https://www.ahna.org

The AHNA is an ANCC-accredited approver for continuing education courses for nurses.

This organization recognizes the TM for Nurses course as an ANCC-approved CE program.

TM for Nurses – Official Program

🔗 https://tm-nurses.org/

The official site for the Transcendental Meditation® continuing education program for nurses, offering ANCC-approved contact hours through AHNA.

Includes course details, accreditation information, and registration options.

In Closing

Continuing education is about more than meeting a standard — it’s about supporting your well-being and professional longevity.

Through Transcendental Meditation, nurses gain a tool that travels with them, nurtures inner balance, and renews the calm needed to care for others with clarity and compassion.

With appreciation for all you do in caring for others,

Dr. David McLaren, MD

Certified Transcendental Meditation Teacher

Columbia, Missouri

David@DavidMcLarenTM.com

A New Milestone: TM Included in AHA/ACC National Guidelines on Blood Pressure

By David McLaren, MD – Certified Teacher of Transcendental Meditation®

Understanding the Importance of This Update

Nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure — and among those age 60 and older, that number rises above 70%. High blood pressure remains the number one risk factor for the number one cause of death in the United States: heart disease.

This makes the recent update to the American Heart Association (AHA) and American College of Cardiology (ACC) national guidelines for blood pressure prevention and treatment especially significant.

TM Included in National Guidelines

For the first time, the Transcendental Meditation® (TM®) technique has been included among the lifestyle approaches recommended for all adults in these joint AHA/ACC national guidelines.

TM is the only meditation technique specifically cited in the report, with supporting evidence rated as moderate to high quality. Other meditation and mindfulness practices were not included due to weaker supporting data.

A Complementary Approach to Heart Health

It’s important to note that TM is included as part of a set of lifestyle approaches—not as a stand-alone replacement for medication or other treatments. Together with regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and medical guidance, TM can play a meaningful role in aiding cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

As a retired neurologist and certified TM teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how this simple, natural technique can reduce stress and support the mind-body connection that underlies many aspects of health.

The Science Behind Calm: TM's Growing Recognition

Adding TM into these national guidelines is a signficant milestone for the medical community and also for the TM community. It publicly acknowledges decades of peer-reviewed research demonstrating TM’s benefits for improving heart health, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing overall resilience.

If you are interested in learning more about the Transcendental Meditation technique and its research foundation, you can contact me directly for information on upcoming courses and instruction, and visit tm.org to explore additional resources.

With best wishes for your health and well-being,

David McLaren, MD

Retired Neurologist

Certified Teacher of Transcendental Meditation®

Columbia, Mo

Returning to the Source - TM & You

Maharishi Image: Vernon Barnes PhD Dr Jean Fortunet, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Returning to the Source:

TM and the Wisdom of the Veda

In a world that is moving faster than ever, many of us seek a return to something deeper and more timeless. Transcendental Meditation® (TM) offers that return—not just to calm, but to the very source of thought itself. What makes TM unique is not only its effortless technique but the ancient wisdom it draws upon: the Veda.

What is the Veda?

The word Veda means "knowledge." It is not knowledge in the academic sense. The Veda refers to the eternal, unchanging field of pure intelligence that underlies the universe — a field that can be directly experienced during deep meditation.

These ancient texts — preserved for thousands of years in India's oral tradition — are not mere philosophy or religion. They are vibrations of natural law, expressions of consciousness itself, and blueprints for living in alignment with the rhythms of nature.

TM: A Technique Rooted in Vedic Wisdom

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi brought Transcendental Meditation to the world. It is not a modern invention. In fact, it is a revival of a Vedic technique of accessing the silent, unbounded field of pure awareness that lies at the foundation of every human mind.

Through TM, the mind naturally and effortlessly settles inward — beyond thought, beyond effort—until it experiences pure consciousness, the same unified field the Veda describes. In this state, the nervous system rests deeply, and the body gains access to clarity and profound healing.

A Meeting Point of Science and Ancient Knowledge

Today, more than 700 published scientific studies verify the benefits of TM: reduced stress, improved brain coherence, better sleep, and greater overall well-being. What's remarkable is how these findings echo the descriptions found in the Vedic literature: that inner silence, when contacted daily, enhances every aspect of life.

Where ancient Vedic seers described consciousness as the foundation of health and creativity, modern neuroscience now confirms it.

A Practice for the Present, Rooted in the Eternal

TM is for everyone—not just scholars or mystics. It is a simple, natural technique that connects us to something universal. Whether you're a teacher, a physician, a parent, a student, or someone who craves more peace and fulfillment in life, the experience of transcending nourishes your entire system.

In a sense, every time you meditate, you're living the Veda—not reading it or studying it, but experiencing its essence directly within your own awareness.

Ready to Learn More?

If you're interested in beginning your own TM practice or deepening your understanding of its Vedic roots, I invite you to reach out. There is a profound intelligence within you—and it's waiting to be remembered.

With care and respect,

Dr. David McLaren

Certified Teacher of Transcendental Meditation®

Retired Neurologist