An Antidote to Violence

Many readers will be familiar with the 'Maharishi Effect' whereby it seems that a small focussed group of meditators can have an intentional beneficial effect on the course of world events. Few will know that this claim is so extensively documented in peer-reviewed articles, as recounted in this book. Fascinatingly, the main endorsements are from surprised retired military personnel, who have changed their minds after reviewing the evidence. A series of 28 chapters document the research and many specific case histories that reinforce the argument and demonstrate the potent effect of inner intent on outer events in terms of influencing the collective consciousness in positive ways by plugging into the level of transcendental cosmic consciousness that we all share: 'the mind in that state is no longer limited; it expands within an unlimited field of unity and peace.' (p. 73) A separate chapter is devoted to developing a unified field explanation consistent with the insights of many distinguish 20^th-century physicists as well as mystical traditions.

A key concept is that of brainwave coherence that occurs during meditation practice. The authors examine the question of chance or causal connections and devote a chapter to eliminating alternative explanations before bringing in further corroborative evidence. There is a fascinating section on peer-review reactions and a cogent analysis of why there is resistance to such research arising from preconceived ideas - including fear of what colleagues might say if they gave a favourable review. One reviewer put his finger on the button: 'This paper poses an epistemological conundrum for me. What we have is a logically and methodologically coherent effort to test a set of hypotheses that, to be blunt, I regard as absurd… I do not accept metaphysical premises of the study.' (p. 177) Then there is the further challenge of seriously proposing the Maharishi Effect as a viable policy option. However, one can intuitively appreciate that the expansion of awareness is a good basis for tolerance and love, a crucial factor in Maharishi's view. For him, this process is in accordance with natural law and it begins on the inside – 'unified field-based defence' - which less familiar territory in our modern extraverted and fear-based culture. We will be arranging a webinar with the authors and researchers early next year. In the meantime, this would be an interesting in addition to the reading list of international relations courses at university.