Tamarkoz is a meditative practice based on a 1400 year old Sufi tradition of the M.T.O. Shahmaghsoudi®, School of Islamic Sufism®. It is the ancient Sufi art of self-knowledge through concentration and meditation.The different components of Tamarkoz build upon one another to allow the individual to reach a state of clarity and stability. It quiets the mind, oxygenates and calms the body, brings a person to a state of focus and concentration, and evokes feelings of peace and harmony. This practice enables you to center yourself, and ignore the “noise” in various circumstances so you can function at your highest potential.
KEY TECHNIQUES OF TAMARKOZ:
Yes, for example, the following research studies were carried out at UC Berkeley, and Kaiser Permanente:
RESEARCH STUDY WITH PARTICIPANTS @ UC BERKELEY
The quasi-experimental 18-week design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up, compared a Tamarkoz® group to a stress management resources group, and to a waitlist control group. Results from generalized linear mixed model showed significant increase in positive emotions and daily spiritual experiences, and reduction in perceived stress and heart rate in the experimental group compared to the two control groups. Notably, over 50% of the diverse participants in the Tamarkoz® group were atheists, and agnostics, but had significant increases in daily spiritual experiences, decrease perceived stress, increase positive emotions and decrease heart rate compared to two control groups; thus, the technique is not limited to those who self-designate as religious or who declare a religious affiliation. Tamarkoz® seems to show some advantages over usual stress management resources offered by a campus health center, as it provides a mechanism by which spirituality and positive emotions are increased even among individuals with no religious ideology (Bahadorani, 2017).
PILOT STUDIES
Also, a pilot study on the effects of Tamarkoz® was conducted on heart patients at Kaiser Permanente Hospital (Crumpler, 2005), which demonstrated statistically significant decline in depression amongst participants. Additionally, reports from the cardiology department suggested reduced utilization of medical services from participants in the study.
Another pilot study focused on the effects of Tamarkoz® practice on emotional state and DNA repair efficiency, which has tremendous implications for the development of breast cancer (Crumpler, 2002). High levels of emotional distress have been found to decrease the efficiency of DNA repair systems. Reduced DNA repair efficiency is implicated in the development of cancer. Results from the study indicated that those with greater amounts of daily Tamarkoz practice showed lower levels of emotional distress and highly functional DNA repair efficiency.
Bahadorani, N. (2017). Implications of Tamarkoz® on increasing spirituality, positive emotions, and reducing stress for university students. Loma Linda University, School of Public Health.
Crumpler, C. (2005). Tamarkoz (Sufi meditation) for heart patients: a pilot study. Sufism: Science of the Soul, 7(1): 9-10.
Crumpler, C. (2002). Sufi practices, emotional state, and DNA repair: Implications for breast cancer. Sufism, Science of the Soul, 4(1): 25-37.
Scientific research shows that Tamarkoz significantly decreases perceived stress and heart rate, while significantly increases positive emotions (joy, love, compassion, pride, amusement, awe, contentment), and daily spiritual experiences, irrespective of religious affiliation or lack thereof (Bahadorani, 2017). Other studies have shown that those with greater amounts of daily Tamarkoz practice had lower levels of emotional distress, highly functional DNA repair efficiency (Crumpler, 2002) and a statistically significant decline in depression (Crumpler, 2005).
In addition, the techniques used in Tamarkoz have been shown to relieve both psychological and physiological tensions (Vlemincx, Van Diest, & Van den Bergh, 2016), improve cognitive processes (Soni, S., Joshi, L.N., & Datta, A., 2015), enhance sleep, reduce pain, and increase creativity (Hoffart, 1999).
Aside from the physical and psychological benefits, Tamarkoz is a practical tool used in the journey of self-knowledge.
References:
Bahadorani, N. (2017). Implications of Tamarkoz® on increasing spirituality, positive emotions, and reducing stress for university students. Loma Linda University, School of Public Health.
Crumpler, C. (2005). Tamarkoz (Sufi meditation) for heart patients: a pilot study. Sufism: Science of the Soul, 7(1): 9-10.
Crumpler, C. (2002). Sufi practices, emotional state, and DNA repair: Implications for breast cancer. Sufism, Science of the Soul, 4(1): 25-37.
Hoffart, M. B. (1999). The benefits of visualization. The American Journal of Nursing, 98(12): 44-47.
Soni, S., Joshi., L. N., & Datta, A. (2015). Effect of controlled deep breathing on psychomotor and higher mental functions in normal individuals. Indian Journal of Physiology & Pharmocology, 59(1): 41-47.
Vlemincx, E., Van Diest, I., Van den Bergh, O. (2016). A sigh of relief or a sigh to relieve: The psychological and physiological relief effect of deep breaths. Physiology & Behavior, 165: 127-135.
One of the things that sets Tamarkoz apart from other practices is the focus on the heart. In many Yoga practices, emphasis is put on opening and balancing the energy flow in the spinal column. In the Chinese martial arts, such as tai chi or qi gong, there is more focus on the point located below the navel.
As the human mind is always running and filled with thoughts that evoke various emotions, the place of serenity is the heart. By focusing on your heart during these exercises, the mind quiets down, your breathing will deepen and you will experience a clear and calm present moment.
The Tamarkoz® method puts at your fingertips the heart-centered paradigm used for over 1400 years to harmonize all aspects of your being. Your breath, senses, thoughts, body, all engage and focus on a single stable point—the heart. This is important as it enables you to quiet the brain and not be affected by the worries of a chattering mind. In addition, since it brings you to a state of harmony you begin to know yourself and discover your hidden capabilities.
In Tamarkoz one concentrates on the heart and the solar plexus and from there expands to the brain.1 In this practice the brain is seen as a receiver similar to a radio. The process of attuning the brain is mental concentration. 2 To concentrate on a subject, one needs to gather, to collect, to converge, and to consolidate all relevant constituents of the subject as closely as possible. 3 In the context of the brain, concentration is defined as the dismissal of unrelated interferences and subsequent immersion in those relevant to the subject. 4 This can be applied to any task, for example, if you’re trying to study in a crowded and loud place, by concentrating you can dismiss all distractions and immerse yourself fully in studying to get the most out of it.
Further examples of this can be found throughout history in sciences and the arts. Creativity and theories seem to spring from nowhere when the recipient is focused. For example, when Einstein was focused on solving the puzzle related to the speed of light and “suddenly” understood it, he said “a storm broke loose in my mind” and “suddenly I understood where the key to the problem lay.” 5
With all its impressive capabilities, however, the brain’s receptivity is still limited and this limitation can only be overcome through heart concentration, which is the true meaning of meditation. 6 It is the heart that is the seat of knowledge, this is why meditation in the heart is so crucial and important in Tamarkoz. 7
Further, Tamarkoz works by utilizing our body’s built-in electromagnetic system. The electromagnetic energy centers are accessed and a connection is made to our inner sources of energy. The energy centers are activated, and their fields become balanced and unified. This process results in the unity of the body, mind, and spirit where the entire human system works together in harmony and health.8 Therefore, Tamarkoz creates a state of equilibrium, balance and harmony, which aligns, balances and activates the energy fields of the body.9
References
Similarly as noted above, the purpose of the postures is to focus one's attention on one’s own body and by so doing intensifying those electromagnetic waves related to the body. While continuing with the deep breathing one is asked to assume different postures.1 "The purpose of postures, however is to focus the student’s attention (i.e., energize the associated E&M waves of his/her memory) on the relevant body part by stimulating the relevant nerves.”2
References
*Please listen to your body and avoid poses that are too difficult for you.
To get the most out of the practice, it is highly recommended to utilize all the techniques; mind relaxation, Movazeneh, breathing exercises, deep relaxation, and imagery. Although you will experience benefit from each technique on its own, doing it all in one session will allow you to feel the unique experience of Tamarkoz.
Blood circulation is of the essence, therefore it is best to stretch or even take a 5 minute walk before doing the exercises.
It is best to wear comfortable clothing and make sure your skin is covered (by wearing a long-sleeved shirt and long pants). This will avoid distractions such as feeling cold. Also, energy flow is better reserved when your skin is covered.
Find a quiet place away from distractions. Ideally you want to avoid sensory input as much as possible, such as noise, or things moving around you.
The answer to this question varies from person to person. Some people reach the point of relaxation faster while some need more time. The best answer is to listen to your body and mind and see how much tension and stress you need to release. Try not to rush through the practices so you can experience the present moment.
There are no prerequisites, but make sure you are doing the exercises to the extent of your abilities and that you are not pushing yourself too far; a good stretch is okay. But listen to your body and if you feel pain, modify or stop.
Most of these techniques are simple, easy to do exercises, so there shouldn’t be any adverse effects. But as always, listen to your body and if you are feeling any pain, modify or stop the exercise.
Yes, Tamarkoz uses simple meditative movements to balance and harmonize your innate energy centers with your heart. But always listen to your body and move at your comfort level.
We are initially offering a Benefactor plan, which will assist in us releasing new exercises and developing our service. It's an annual subscription of $110 for the year (which comes out to about $9 per month).