Did you know that more than two decades ago the Maharishi effect was discovered? This phenomenon revealed that if just 1% of the population in a city begins to meditate it immediately reduces levels of violence and can alter the course of certain events.
Discover the Maharishi Effect: how meditation can reduce violence and alter the course of events
In the 1980s, this research was widely disseminated. According to this theory all beings are connected through the same energy field or Astral Light. If we can calm our minds and generate a wave of peace, we can positively affect others, even those who do not practice meditation. This theory holds that the social reality we experience results from the collective belief systems we have.
Imagine for a moment if everyone in the world or in a country could visualize a better world: a world filled with peace, without economic problems, pollution or other social ills. It would be amazing to see the results we could achieve if each of us begins by visualizing a peaceful, prosperous and healthy family. We can do the experiment individually and then extend it to our country or even the whole world.
However, it is important to keep in mind that this theory can have both positive and negative effects.
It is essential that our intentions and thoughts are always positive and focused on achieving overall well-being. Each of us has the power to create our own reality and if we focus on positive thoughts, we can influence our environment and the reality we experience.
TM-Sidhi: Meditation technique that can improve the quality of life of an entire people
In 1960, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi a Hindu expert in transcendental meditation predicted that if 1% of the population practiced Transcendental Meditation, there would be significant improvements in the quality of life of the entire population.
Years later, Maharishi developed an even more advanced Transcendental Meditation technique which he called TM-Sidhi. This technique has been studied and shown to be effective in reducing stress levels, improving mental and physical health, and increasing overall well-being. The practice of TM-Sidhi has also been associated with positive effects on society such as reduced crime and improved interpersonal relationships.
After the creation of his new Transcendental Meditation technique, TM-Sidhi, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi recognized its increased power and changed its wording. He now claimed that the square root of 1% of a population practicing TM-Sidhi would be enough to produce significant improvements in the quality of life of the entire population.
This suggests that the power of this technique to influence society and improve the lives of people is even greater than previously predicted. It is impressive to think of the positive impact the practice of TM-Sidhi could have on the world if more people adopted it.
The Maharishi Effect: How Meditation Can Reduce Crime in the U.S.
If we take into account the population of the United States which is about 400 million people, 1% of this figure would be 4 million people. Based on the Maharishi Effect formula, the square root of 4 million is about 2000.
This means that it would take 2000 people practicing TM-Sidhi to have a positive effect on the entire population of the United States. Conversely, if 200 people practice TM-Sidhi, as many as 4 million people could benefit (200 x 200 x 100).
In 1973, Maharishi founded Maharishi University of Management (M.U.M.) in the state of Iowa, USA. Research conducted by M.U.M. showed that in 1974, the Maharishi effect occurred in that area, achieving a 16% reduction in crime rates.
In 1987, M.U.M. published the first statistical analysis of this phenomenon, after conducting TM-Sidhi in three cities: Washington DC (USA), Manila (Philippines) and Delhi (India). As a result, an average reduction of 11% in violent crime was achieved.
In 1993, an even larger experiment was conducted in Washington DC. For two months, a group of about 4,000 participants did Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi, while a review committee of 27 experts oversaw the process.
Weekly data showed that as more people joined the meditation, the rate of homicides, rapes and assaults decreased. In the last week of the experiment, when there were the largest number of participants, the most significant reduction in crime was achieved, an impressive 23.3%!
The Maharishi Effect and Unique Quality of Life Experimental Research
Looking at the results of M.U.M. it is clear that actual crimes were compared to the expected crime projection, based on data from 1988 to 1992. This interesting experiment took place in 1993 but its results were only announced at a press conference in 1994. Publication of the results in the journal Social Indicators Research did not take place until 1999.
Despite the apparent implausibility of the results, there were doubts about possible data manipulation.
In any case, the Maharishi Effect has been the subject of rigorous scrutiny more intense than that which has been applied to any other large-scale sociological effect. In fact, this research is unique in the history of the social sciences as it is the only truly experimental research on quality of life at the national and international level.
Post related with Meditation
- Applying Zen to Problem Solving
Explore the ancient tradition of Zen philosophy a transformative path that has its roots in India and blossomed in China and Japan. At the core of this spiritual and philosophical practice lies the art of meditation – a powerful tool for unlocking profound insights and transcendent awareness of the world around us.
