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Yogic Flying for World Peace

By Craig Pearson

Maharishi predicted in 1957 that if just one percent of the world’s population practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique, there would be no more war. This “one percent effect” was first verified in 1974 when scientists found a drop in the crime rate after one percent of a city’s population learned the TM technique. In recognition of Maharishi’s promise, researchers named this phenomenon the Maharishi Effect.

In 1976, with the introduction of the TM-Sidhi program, including Yogic Flying, a more powerful effect was expected. Scientists discovered that just the square root of one percent of a population, practicing Yogic Flying together in one place, could create the same influence. This much-reduced requirement was called the Extended Maharishi Effect.

The Global Maharishi Effect was first created in 1983 by the group practice of 7000 Yogic Flyers—7000 being approximately the square root of the world’s population at the time. The Global Maharishi Effect was witnessed during three large World Peace Assemblies which were held over a period of two to three weeks in the United States, Holland, and India. During the periods of three assemblies approaching or exceeding 7000 experts in the TM-Sidhi program, there was a significant decrease in international conflict worldwide.

Over 40 independent research studies confirm that the Maharishi Effect improves the quality of life in society and the trends of life in the entire world.

During a World Peace Project in 1978, over 1400 experts in Yogic Flying traveled to calm the violence in the five most troubled spots on the globe. Research by the Conflict and Peace Data Bank of the University of Maryland found a significant reduction of hostile acts and an increase in cooperative events in these trouble spots during the three months of the project.

In 1983, a group of Yogic Flyers was established for two months near an ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Studies published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution verified a significant decrease in war intensity and war fatalities.

Research has also verified that the Maharishi Effect made a significant contribution toward improving the quality of international relations between the United States and the Soviet Union prior to the end of the Cold War.

For those who do not already know something about Yogic Flying, these results may strain belief. Most people have no framework for understanding how the body could rise by itself into the air, much less how a group of people sitting with their eyes closed could reduce the crime rate and stop wars.

Yet experts agree that we use only a fraction of our full potential—perhaps only five or ten percent. Some researchers place the figure much lower. Using so little, who would venture to place a limit on what might be possible if we should use significantly more? Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Man’s capacities have never been measured; nor are we to judge of what he can do by any precedents, so little has been tried.”

The modern writer Norman Cousins expressed the same idea: “The human brain is a mirror to infinity. There is no limit to its range, scope or creative growth. No one knows what great leaps of achievement may be within reach of the species once the full potentiality of the mind is developed.”

Inspired by their own experiences and supported by this compelling research, Yogic Flyers have made detailed proposals to governments around the world to create large, permanent groups of Yogic Flyers. Such coherence creating groups, research indicates, will bring an end to local and global violence.

Here is the key to lasting world peace.

Craig Pearson is Executive Vice President of Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. This article is excerpted from his forthcoming book, The Complete Book of Yogic Flying.



		Yogic Flying for World Peace By Craig Pearson Maharishi predicted in 1957 that if just one percent of the world’s population practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique, there would be no more war. This “one percent effect” was first verified in 1974 when scientists found a drop in the crime rate after one percent of a city’s population learned the TM technique. In recognition of Maharishi’s promise, researchers named this phenomenon the Maharishi Effect. In 1976, with the introduction of the TM-Sidhi program, including Yogic Flying, a more powerful effect was expected. Scientists discovered that just the square root of one percent of a population, practicing Yogic Flying together in one place, could create the same influence. This much-reduced requirement was called the Extended Maharishi Effect. The Global Maharishi Effect was first created in 1983 by the group practice of 7000 Yogic Flyers—7000 being approximately the square root of the world’s population at the time. The Global Maharishi Effect was witnessed during three large World Peace Assemblies which were held over a period of two to three weeks in the United States, Holland, and India. During the periods of three assemblies approaching or exceeding 7000 experts in the TM-Sidhi program, there was a significant decrease in international conflict worldwide. Over 40 independent research studies confirm that the Maharishi Effect improves the quality of life in society and the trends of life in the entire world. During a World Peace Project in 1978, over 1400 experts in Yogic Flying traveled to calm the violence in the five most troubled spots on the globe. Research by the Conflict and Peace Data Bank of the University of Maryland found a significant reduction of hostile acts and an increase in cooperative events in these trouble spots during the three months of the project. In 1983, a group of Yogic Flyers was established for two months near an ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Studies published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution verified a significant decrease in war intensity and war fatalities. Research has also verified that the Maharishi Effect made a significant contribution toward improving the quality of international relations between the United States and the Soviet Union prior to the end of the Cold War. For those who do not already know something about Yogic Flying, these results may strain belief. Most people have no framework for understanding how the body could rise by itself into the air, much less how a group of people sitting with their eyes closed could reduce the crime rate and stop wars. Yet experts agree that we use only a fraction of our full potential—perhaps only five or ten percent. Some researchers place the figure much lower. Using so little, who would venture to place a limit on what might be possible if we should use significantly more? Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Man’s capacities have never been measured; nor are we to judge of what he can do by any precedents, so little has been tried.” The modern writer Norman Cousins expressed the same idea: “The human brain is a mirror to infinity. There is no limit to its range, scope or creative growth. No one knows what great leaps of achievement may be within reach of the species once the full potentiality of the mind is developed.” Inspired by their own experiences and supported by this compelling research, Yogic Flyers have made detailed proposals to governments around the world to create large, permanent groups of Yogic Flyers. Such coherence creating groups, research indicates, will bring an end to local and global violence. Here is the key to lasting world peace. Craig Pearson is Executive Vice President of Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa. This article is excerpted from his forthcoming book, The Complete Book of Yogic Flying. CLOSE WINDOW


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Yogic Flying for World Peace

By Craig Pearson

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