•Professor of Maharishi Vedic Science
 •Chair of the Department of Maharishi Vedic Science
 •Director, Center for Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition
 •Dean of the Graduate School

Research interests
 

 •Psychophysiological correlates of higher states of consciousness
 •Psychophysiological correlates of reading Vedic literature
 •Investigation of models of higher states of consciousness
 •Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on child development
 •Effects of Transcendental Meditation practice on promoting healthy aging

Academic Background

 •Senior Researcher, Institute for the Study of Higher States of Consciousness, 1993-Present
 •Post Doctoral Fellow, University of California, Davis, in Basic Sleep Research
 •Ph.D. in Psychology, Maharishi University of Management. Dissertation: Testing the Field Model

  of Maharishi’s Vedic Psychology
 •M.S. in Psychology, Maharishi University of Management
 •B.S. in Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University. Senior Thesis: The Transcendental 

  Meditation technique and Creativity: A longitudinal study of Cornell University undergraduates

Awards and Honors

 

 •Editorial Board of the Journal of Meditation and Meditation Research
 •Who’s Who in American Schools and Colleges, 1985
 •Honorable Mention, NSF Graduate Fellowships, 1985

Publications

 

  Travis, F. (in press). Core and Matrix Thalamic Nuclei: Parallel Circuits Involved in Content of 

  Experience and General Wakefulness. NeuroQuantology.
 
  Harung HS, Travis F.(in press).  Higher mind-brain development in successful leaders: testing 
  a unified theory of performance. Cognitive Processing.

 

   Heaton, D. P., Travis, F. &  Subramaniam, R. (in press). A Consciousness-Based approach to

  management education for integrity. In C. Wankel and A. Stachowicz-Stanusch (Eds.), Handbook

  of Research on Teaching Ethics in Business and Management Education, Hershey PA, IGI Global.
 
  Grosswald, S.J. and Travis, F. (2011) ADHD and Stress: The Role of Meditation to Reduce Stress,

  and Improve Brain Function and Behavior Regulation. In  Current Directions in ADHD and Its 

  Treatment, pg 195-210

  Travis, F. (2011) Comparison of Coherence, Amplitude, and eLORETA Patterns during 
  Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Practice, International Journal of Psychophysiology,
  81, 198–202
 
  Haaga D, Grosswald S, Gaylord-King C, Rainforth M, Tanner M, Travis F, Nidich S, Schneider R. 

  (2011). Effects of the Transcendental Meditation Program on Substance Use Among University

  Students.  Cardiology Research and Practice, 53, 71-80.

 

  Travis, F. (2011). States of Consciousness Beyond Waking,  Dreaming and Sleeping: Perspectives
  from Research on Meditation Experiences. In D. Certkovik, I Cosvic. States of Consciousness:

  Experimental Insights into Meditation, Waking, Sleep and Dreams.  Frontier collection.
 
  Travis F, Grosswald S and Stixrud W. July (2011) ADHD, Brain Functioning, and Transcendental

  Meditation Practice. Mind & Brain, The Journal of Psychiatry., 2(1). 73-81.
 
  Travis, F, Harung, H and Lagrosen, Y (2011). Moral Development, Peak Experiences and Brain

  Patterns in Professional and Amateur Classical Musicians: Support for a Unified Theory of

  Performance, Consciousness and Cognition, 20, 1256–1264.
 
  Harung H.S., Travis F., Pensgaard A.M., Boes R, Cook-Greuter S, Daley K, (2011). High Levels

  of Brain Integration in World-class Norwegian Athletes: Towards a Brain Measure of Performance

  Capacity in Sports. Scandinavian Journal of Exercise and Sport, 1, 32-41.
 
  Travis, F. and S. Brown, (2011). My Brain Made Me Do It: Brain Maturation and Levels of Self-

  Development, in The Postconventional Personality: Perspectives on Higher Development, A.H. 

  Pfaffenberger, P.W. Marko, and T. Greening, Editors, SUNY Press: New York, pg. 23-38.
 
  Travis, F and Shear, J (2010). Reply to Josipovic: Duality and non-duality in meditation research,

  Consciousness and Cognition, 19: 1120-1121.
 

  Travis, F and Shear, J (2010) Focused Attention, Open Monitoring and Automatic

  Self-Transcending: Categories to Organize Meditations from Vedic, Buddhist and Chinese

  Traditions, Consciousness and Cognition. 19:1110-1119.
 
  Travis, F., Haaga, D.H., Hagelin, J., Tanner, M., Arenander, A., Nidich, S., Gaylord-King, C.,

  Grosswald, S., Rainforth, M., & Schneider, R. (2010). A Self-Referral Default Brain State: Patterns

  of Coherence, Power, and eLORETA Sources during Eyes-Closed Rest and the Transcendental

  Meditation Practice. Cognitive Processes, 11(1), 21-30.
 
  Nidich SI, Rainforth MV, Haaga DA, Travis, F. et al, (2009). A randomized controlled trial on

  effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on blood pressure, psychological distress,

  and coping in young adults. Am J Hypertens 22,1326-31.
 
  Harung, H.F., Travis, F., Blank, W.,  Heaton, D. (2009) Higher development, brain integration, and

  excellence in leadership, Management Decision, 47(6), 872 - 894.
 
  Tanner, M. A., Travis, F., Gaylord-King, C., Haaga, D. A. F., Grosswald, S., & Schneider, R. H.

  (2009).  The effects of the Transcendental Meditation program on mindfulness. 

  Journal of Clinical Psychology. 65(6), 574-589.
 
  Travis, F. (2009). Brain functioning as the ground for spiritual experiences and ethical behavior.

  FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 78(5), 26-32.
 
  Travis, F., Haaga, D.H., Hagelin, J., Tanner, M., Nidich, S., Gaylord-King, C., Grosswald, S.,

  Rainforth, M., & Schneider, R. (2009). Effects of Transcendental Meditation Practice on Brain

 

  Functioning and Stress Reactivity in College Students. International Journal of Psychophysiology,
  71, 170-176.
 
  Travis, F.T. (2005) The Significance of Transcendental Consciousness for Addressing the "Hard"

  Problem of Consciousness, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 16, 123-135.
 
  Alexander, CN, Kurth, K., Travis, F, Alexander, V.K. (2005) Effect of Practice of The Children’s

  Transcendental Meditation Technique on Cognitive Stage Development: Acquisition And

  Consolidation of Conservation, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 16, 21-46.
 

  Dixon, C., Dillbeck, M.C., Travis, F., Msemaje, H., Clayborne, B.M., Dillbeck, S.L., and Alexander,

  C.H. (2005). Accelerating Cognitive and Self Development: Longitudinal Studies with Preschool

  and Elementary School Children. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality, 16, 65-91.
 
  Travis, F.T., Bonshek, A., Butler, V., Rainforth, M., Alexander, C.N., Khare, R., Lipman, J., (2005)

  Can a Building's Orientation Affect the Quality of Life of the People Within? Testing Principles of  

  Maharishi Sthapatya Veda, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality.
 
  Travis, F.T., Arenander, A. (2004) Psychological and physiological characteristics of a proposed

  object-referral/self-referral continuum of self-awareness. Consciousness and Cognition, 13/2,

  401-420.
 
  Heaton, D., Schmidt-Wilk, J., Travis, F.T. (2004). Constructs, methods, and measures for

  researching spirituality in organizations. Organizational Change Management, 17, 62-82.
 
  Arenander, A, Travis, F.T. (2004). Brain patterns of Self-awareness. In B. Beitman and J. Nair,

  Eds.  Self-Awareness Deficits. New York: W.W.Norton.
 
  Travis, F.T., Arenander, A. (2004). EEG Asymmetry and Mindfulness Meditation. Psychosomatic

  Medicine, 66, 147-152.
 
  Travis, F.T., Tecce, J., Arenander, A., Wallace, R.K. (2002). Patterns of EEG Coherence, Power,

  and Contingent Negative Variation Characterize the Integration of Transcendental and Waking

  States Biological Psychology, 61, 293-319.
 
  Travis, F.T., Tecce, J., Durchholz, C. (2001). Cortical Plasticity, CNV, and Transcendent

  Experiences: Replication with subjects reporting permanent transcendental experiences.

  Psychophysiology, 38, suppl1: S95.
 
  Travis, F.T., Olsen, T., Egenes, T., & Gupta, H.K. (2001). Physiological patterns during practice

  of the Transcendental Meditation Technique compared with patterns while reading Sanskrit and a

  modern language. International Journal of Neuroscience, 109, 71-80.
 
  Travis, F.T. (2001). Autonomic and EEG patterns distinguish transcending from other experiences

  during Transcendental Meditation practice. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 42, 1-9.
 
  Travis, F.T., Tecce, J.J., Guttman, J., (2001). Cortical Plasticity, Contingent Negative Variation,

  and Transcendent Experiences during Practice of the Transcendental Meditation Technique.  
  Biological Psychology, 55, 41-55.
 
  Travis, F.T. (2001) Transcendental Meditation Technique, Encyclopedia of Psychology and

  Neuroscience.
 
  Travis, F.T. & Pearson, C. (2000). Distinct Phenomenological and Physiological Correlates of

  ‘Consciousness Itself.’ International Journal of Neuroscience, 100, 77-89.
 
  Travis, F.T. & Durchholz, C. (2000). Can an electronic device improve mood and well-being, and

  decrease anxiety? International Journal of Neuroscience,103, 91-99.
 
  Travis, F.T. & Wallace R.K. (1999). EEG and Autonomic Patterns during Eyes-Closed Rest and

  Transcendental Meditation Practice: The Basis for a Neural Model of TM practice. Consciousness

  and Cognition, 8, 302-318.
 
  Travis, F.T. (in press). Autonomic and EEG Patterns Distinguish Transcending from other

  Experiences during Transcendental Meditation Practice. International Journal of
  Psychophysiology.
 
  Travis, F.T. , Olson, T., Egenes, T., Gupta, H.K. (in press) A Comparison of Physiological

  Patterns during Practice of the Transcendental Meditation Technique with Physiological Patterns

  during Reading the Bhagavad Gita in Sanskrit and in a Modern Language. International Journal of

  Neuroscience.
 

  Travis, F.T. , Munly, K., Olson, T., Sorflaten, J. (in press) The Significance of Transcendental

  Consciousness for Addressing the "Hard" Problem of Consciousness, Journal of Social Behavior
  and Personality.
 
  Travis, F.T. (in press) The Significance of Transcendental Consciousness for Addressing the

  "Hard" Problem of Consciousness, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality.
 
  Alexander, C.N., Kurth, K., Travis, F., Alexander, V.K. (in press). Effect of Practice of

  The Children’s Transcendental Meditation Technique on Cognitive Stage Development: Acquisition

  and Consolidation of Conservation, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality.
 
  Travis, F.T., Bonshek, A., Butler, V., Rainforth, M., Alexander, C.N., Khare, R., Lipman, J.

  (in press). Can a Building’s Orientation Affect the Quality of Life of the People Within? Testing

  Principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda, Journal of Social Behavior and Personality.
 

  Travis, F.T. (2001) Transcendental Meditation Technique, Encyclopedia of Psychology and

  Neuroscience.
 

  Travis, F.T. , Tecce, J.J. & Guttman, J. (2000). Cortical Plasticity, Contingent Negative Variation,

  and Transcendent Experiences during Practice of the Transcendental Meditation Technique.

  Biological Psychology, 55,41-55.
 
  Travis, F.T. & Pearson, C. (2000). Pure Consciousness: Distinct Phenomenological and

  Physiological Correlates of "Consciousness Itself". International Journal of Neuroscience,

  100,77-88.
 
  Travis, F.T. & Wallace, R.K. (1999). EEG and Autonomic Patterns during Eyes-Closed Rest and

  Transcendental Meditation Practice: The Basis for a Neural Model of TM practice. Consciousness
  and Cognition, 8, 302-318.
 
  Travis, F.T. & Tecce, J.J. (1998). Effects of distracting stimuli on CNV amplitude and reaction

   time. International Journal of Psychophysiology, 31, 45-50.
 
  Travis, F.T. (1998). Cortical and Cognitive Development in 4th, 8th, and 12th Grade Students:

  The Contribution of Speed of Processing and Executive Functioning to Cognitive Development.  
  Biological Psychology, 48, 37-56.
 
  Travis, F.T., (1998). CNV rebound and distraction effects before and after a TM session.

  Psychophysiology, 34: S89.
 
  Mason, L, Alexander, C., Travis, F, Marsh, Orme-Johnson, D.W., Gackenback, J., Mason, D.C.,

  Rainforth, M., & Walton, K.G. (1997). Electrophysiological correlates of higher states of

  consciousness during sleep in long-term practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation program.

  Sleep, 20: 102–110.
 
  Travis, F.T. & Wallace R.K. (1997) Autonomic Patterns during Respiratory Suspensions: Possible

  markers of Transcendental Consciousness. Psychophysiology, 34: 39–46.
 
  Travis, F.T., (1996). Comparison of CNV amplitude and P300 latency and amplitude in subjects

  practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique for less than 1 year or more than 8 years.

  Psychophysiology, 33: S83.
 
  Travis, F.T., (1996). Invincible Athletics program: Aerobic exercise and performance without

  strain. International Journal of Neuroscience, 85: 301–308.
 
  Travis, F.T. (1995). Within comparison of EEG and autonomic patterns during eyes-closed rest

  and transcendental meditation practice. Psychophysiology, 32: S77.
 
  Travis, F.T., (1994). A second linked-reference issue: Possible biasing of power and coherence

  spectra. International Journal of Neuroscience, 75(1–2): 111–117
 
  Travis, F.T., (1994). The junction point model: A field model of waking, sleeping, and dreaming

  relating dream witnessing, the waking/sleeping transition, and Transcendental Meditation in terms

  of a common psychophysiologic state. Dreaming, 4(2): 91–104.
 
  Travis, F.T.& Miskov, S. (1994). P300 latency and amplitude after eyes-closed rest and after

  transcendental meditation practice. Psychophysiology, 31: S98.
 
  Travis, F.T. (1993). Respiratory, Autonomic, and EEG Correlates of transcendental consciousness

  experiences during Transcendental Meditation practice. Society for Neuroscience Abstracts, 18

  (1), 574:15.
 
  Travis F.T., (1991). Eyes open and TM EEG patterns after one and after eight years of TM

  practice.   Psychophysiology, 28(3a): S58.
 
  Travis F.T., Maloney T., Means M., March J.D., & Feinberg I. (1991). Acute Deprivation of the

  Terminal Four Hours of Sleep Does not Increase Delta (0–3Hz) Electroencephalograms: A

  replication. Sleep, 14(4): 320–324.
 
  Travis F.T. (1990). EEG patterns during TM practice and hypnagogic sleep. Society for
  Neuroscience Abstracts, 15(1): 244.
 
  Travis, F.T. (1990). Reference Aliasing: Effect of the `non-active’ reference. Psychophysiology,

   27 (4a): S70.
 

  Travis F.T. (1990) An empirical test of Maharishi’s Junction point model of states of

  consciousness. Modern Science and Vedic Science, 4(1):42–55.
 
  Travis F.T., and Orme-Johnson D.W. (1990). EEG coherence and power during Yogic Flying.

  International Journal of Neuroscience, 54:1–12.
 
  Feinberg I, March J., Flach K., Maloney T., Chern W-J., Travis F.T. (1989). Late maturational

  decline in 0–3 Hz EEG amplitude during sleep: A reflection of synaptic elimination? Society for  
  Neuroscience  Abstracts, 15(1): 244.
 
  Gaylord C., Orme-Johnson D.W., and Travis F.T. (1989). The effects of the Transcendental

  Meditation technique and progressive muscle relaxation on EEG coherence, stress reactivity,

  and mental health in  black adults. International Journal of Neuroscience, 46: 77–86.
 
  Travis F.T., and Orme-Johnson D.W. (1989). Field Model of consciousness: EEG coherence

  changes as indicators of field effects. International Journal of Neuroscience, 49: 203–211.
 
  Travis F.T. (1988). Testing the field paradigm of Maharishi’s Vedic Psychology: EEG Coherence

   and Power as Indices of States of Consciousness and Field Effects. Dissertation Abstracts  
  Intertational, 49 (8B): 3493.
 
  Travis F.T., and Dillbeck M.C. (Spring, 1988) Maharishi’s Vedic Psychology: A unified field based

  paradigm for psychology. The Iowan Psychologist.
 
  Travis F.T. (1988). Testing a field model of social interactions. The Journal of the Iowa Academy
  of Science, 95(1): A56.
 
  Travis F.T. (1985). Conscious and unconscious perception in bilingual students. The Journal of
  the Iowa Academy of Science, 94(1): A75.
 
  Travis F.T. (1979). The Transcendental Meditation technique and creativity: A longitudinal study

  of Cornell University undergraduates. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 13(3): 169–181.
 
  Alexander C.N., Kurth S.C., Travis F.T., Warner T., and Alexander V.K. (1988). Cognitive stage

  development in children practicing the TM program. In R. A. Chalmers, G. Clements, H.

  Schenkluhn, and M. Weinless (Eds.). Scientific research on the TM and TM-Sidhi program:
  Collected papers, vol. 3, Vlodrop, the Netherlands: MIU Press.
 

Presentations

  Travis F.T. Phenomenological and Physiological markers of transcendental consciousness: A
  proposed fourth state of consciousness. Paper presented at the Science and consciousness

  Conference , April 1996.
 

  Travis F.T. Lucid Dreaming and the junction point model. Paper presented at Conference on

  Lucid Dreaming, July 1991.
 

  Travis F.T. The junction point model of states of consciousness. Paper presented at Conference

  on higher states of consciousness: Theoretical and experimental perspectives, July 1990.
 

  Kleinschnitz K.W., Travis F.T., Druhl K.J. (1990) Modulation of brain wave coherence from a
  distance: Search for an electromagnetic mechanism. Paper presented at 12th annual meeting

  of the Bioelectromagnetics Society, San Antonio, TX.

 

  Travis F.T., Feinberg I., Maloney T., and March, J.D. (1990) Sleeping/waking relationships.

  Paper presented at the Spring meeting of the Association of Professional Sleep Societies,

  Minneapolis, MN.
 

  Feinberg I., Travis F. T., Maloney T., March J.D. (1989) Peak-trough analysis of cyclic delta
  patterns more faithfully reflects maturational change than visual scoring or computer
  tabulation of NREMPs. Paper presented at the Spring meeting of the Association of Professional

  Sleep Societies, Washington, D.C.
 

  Travis F.T. (1988). Delineating the EEG pattern characteristic of the TM technique. Paper

  presented at the Spring meeting of the Midwest Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.