Why did you write this book?
Because there exists a simple way to reduce violence in both the individual and society. There have been in excess of 400 peer reviewed studies which provide evidence that regular practise of Transcendental Meditation morning and evening neutralises stress not only in the individual nervous system but if there is a sufficiently large proportion of the population practising Transcendental Meditation it will neutralise stress and tension in the collective consciousness. This phenomenon is known as the Maharishi Effect as it was first predicted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the Transcendental Meditation organisation, in the early 1960s.
Have any Governments tried this approach?
Yes. The first Head of State to try this was President Joachim Chissano of Mozambique. He introduced both Transcendental Meditation and the more advanced TM-Sidhi programme to his armed forces. Lt General Tobias Dai was put in charge of this programme: “Our conclusion,” says General Tobia Dai “Our conclusion,” says General Dai, “is that the implementation of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs…into the Armed Forces of Mozambique was worth the effort and that the results were in line with what was predicted.” Currently, several governments in Latin America are investigating and experimenting with using this method to reduce stress in the collective consciousness.
Why isn’t this approach more widespread?
Understanding how Transcendental Meditation can reduce violence requires a new paradigm in our understanding of consciousness and paradigms are hard to budge but it is starting to happen. Essentially we are saying that consciousness rather than matter is primary. It is adding a new layer of understanding to our existing scientific knowledge rather than replacing what we already know.
Is there really sufficient evidence to justify governments adopting this approach?
So far there have been 50 demonstrations and 20 studies published in peer reviewed academic journals. Our motivation for writing the book is that there is sufficient research scattered in different academic journals to justify governments undertaking their own research, to confirm for themselves that the Maharishi Effect can reduce crime and violence and increase peace and cooperation both between and within nations. It would be very cost effective and would save governments an enormous amount of expenditure.
