Transcendental Meditation

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Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, developer of the Transcendental Meditation technique.<ref name="Bromley-Cowan 2015"/>

Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a form of silent meditation developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The TM technique involves the silent repetition of a mantra or sound, and is practiced for 15–20 minutes twice per day. It is taught by certified teachers through a standard course of instruction, with a cost which varies by country and individual circumstance. According to the TM organization, it is a non-religious method that promotes relaxed awareness, stress relief, self-development, and higher states of consciousness. The technique has been variously described as both religious<ref name="transcendental deception">Template:Cite book</ref> and non-religious.Template:Refn

Maharishi began teaching the technique in India in the mid-1950s.<ref name="Bromley-Cowan 2015">Template:Cite book</ref> Building on the teachings of his master, the Hindu Advaita monk Brahmananda Saraswati (known honorifically as Guru Dev), the Maharishi taught thousands of people during a series of world tours from 1958 to 1965, expressing his teachings in spiritual and religious terms.<ref name="Bromley-Cowan 2015"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> TM became more popular in the 1960s and 1970s as the Maharishi shifted to a more secular presentation, and his meditation technique was practiced by celebrities, most prominently members of the Beatles and the Beach Boys. At this time, he began training TM teachers. The worldwide TM organization had grown to include educational programs, health products, and related services. Following the Maharishi's death in 2008, leadership of the TM organization passed to neuroscientist Tony Nader.

Research on TM began in the 1970s. A 2012 meta-analysis of the psychological impact of meditation found that Transcendental Meditation had a comparable effect on general wellbeing as other meditation techniques.<ref name="Sed12a"/> A 2017 overview of systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicates TM practice may lower blood pressure, an effect comparable with other health interventions. Because of a potential for bias and conflicting findings, more research is needed.<ref name="J. Hum. Hypertens.">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Complement. Ther. Med.">Template:Cite journal</ref>

HistoryEdit

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The Transcendental Meditation program and the Transcendental Meditation movement originated with their founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and continued beyond his death in 2008.<ref name="Bromley-Cowan 2015"/> In 1955,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> "the Maharishi began publicly teaching a traditional meditation technique"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> learned from his master Brahmananda Saraswati that he called Transcendental Deep Meditation<ref name="Williamson 2010">Template:Cite book</ref> and later renamed Transcendental Meditation.<ref name="Russell">Template:Cite book</ref> The Maharishi initiated thousands of people, then developed a TM teacher training program as a way to accelerate the rate of bringing the technique to more people.<ref name=Russell/><ref name=Needleman>Template:Cite book</ref> He also inaugurated a series of tours that started in India in 1955 and went international in 1958 which promoted Transcendental Meditation.<ref name= "History-of-transcendental-meditation">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Philosophers">Template:Cite book</ref> These factors, coupled with endorsements by celebrities who practiced TM and claims that scientific research had validated the technique, helped to popularize TM in the 1960s and 1970s. By the late 2000s, TM had been taught to millions of individuals and the Maharishi was overseeing a large multinational movement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite organizational changes and the addition of advanced meditative techniques in the 1970s,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> the Transcendental Meditation technique has remained relatively unchanged.

Among the first organizations to promote TM were the Spiritual Regeneration Movement and the International Meditation Society. In modern times, the movement has grown to encompass schools and universities that teach the practice,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and includes many associated programs based on the Maharishi's interpretation of the Vedic traditions. In the U.S., non-profit organizations included the Students International Meditation Society,<ref name="Chryssides">Template:Cite book</ref> AFSCI,<ref name="Craze">Template:Cite magazine</ref> World Plan Executive Council, Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation, Global Country of World Peace, Transcendental Meditation for Women, and Maharishi Foundation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The successor to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and leader of the Global Country of World Peace, is Tony Nader.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

TechniqueEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The meditation practice involves the use of a silently-used mantra for 15–20 minutes twice per day while sitting with the eyes closed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Epi06">Template:Cite journal</ref> It is reported to be one of the most widely practiced,<ref name="google138">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Total Heart Health">Template:Cite book</ref> and among the most widely researched, meditation techniques,<ref name="Murphy">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="The Relaxation Response">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Sinatra">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Bushell">Template:Cite journal</ref> with hundreds of published research studies.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Rosenthal 2011 14">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Freeman2009">Template:Cite book</ref> The technique is made available worldwide by certified TM teachers in a seven-step course,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and fees vary from country to country.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Beginning in 1965, the Transcendental Meditation technique has been incorporated into selected schools, universities, corporations, and prison programs in the US, Latin America, Europe, and India. In 1977, a US district court ruled that a curriculum in TM and the Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI) being taught in some New Jersey schools was religious in nature and in violation of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.<ref name="Praeger"/><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The technique has since been included in a number of educational and social programs around the world.<ref name="Humes page 69">Template:Cite book</ref>

The Transcendental Meditation technique has been described as both religious and non-religious, as an aspect of a new religious movement, as rooted in Hinduism,<ref name="Bainbridge">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Aghiorgoussis 21, 34">Template:Cite journal</ref> and as a non-religious practice for self-development.<ref name="Chryssides 2001 301–303">Template:Cite book"Although one can identify the Maharishi's philosophical tradition, its teachings are in no way binding on TM practitioners. There is no public worship, no code of ethics, no scriptures to be studied, and no rites of passage that are observed, such as dietary laws, giving to the poor, or pilgrimages. In particular, there is no real TM community: practitioners do not characteristically meet together for public worship, but simply recite the mantra, as they have been taught it, not as religious obligation, but simply as a technique to benefit themselves, their surroundings and the wider world."</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Rosenthal 2011 4">Template:Cite book</ref>

The public presentation of the TM technique over its 50-year history has been praised for its high visibility in the mass media and effective global propagation, and criticized for using celebrity and scientific endorsements as a marketing tool. Also, advanced courses supplement the TM technique and include an advanced meditation program called the TM-Sidhi program,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> the unveiling of which created media controversy and a time of crisis for the movement’s image.<ref name="Thursby">Template:Citation</ref> In 2014, a meta-analysis of research found insufficient evidence that meditation such as TM "had an effect on any of the psychological stress and well-being outcomes".<ref name=Rohrlich>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

MovementEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The Transcendental Meditation movement consists of the programs and organizations connected with the Transcendental Meditation technique and founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Transcendental Meditation was first taught in the 1950s in India and has continued since the Maharishi's death in 2008. The organization was estimated to have 900,000 participants worldwide in 1977,<ref name="Stark 1986 page 287">Template:Cite book "Time magazine in 1975 estimated that the U.S. total had risen to 600,000 augmented by half that number elsewhere" =[900,000 worldwide] "Annual Growth in TM Initiations in the U.S. [chart] Cumulative total at the End of Each Year: 1977, 919,300"</ref> a million by the 1980s,<ref name="Petersen, William J. 1982 p 123">Template:Cite book claims "more than a million" in the USA and Europe.</ref><ref name="Occhiogrosso, Peter 1996 p 66">Occhiogrosso, Peter. The Joy of Sects: A Spirited Guide to the World's Religious Traditions. New York: Doubleday (1996); p 66, citing "close to a million" in the USA.</ref><ref name="Bainbridge, William Sims 1997 page 189">Bainbridge, William Sims (1997) Routledge, The Sociology of Religious Movements, page 189 "the million people [Americans] who had been initiated"</ref> and 5 million in more recent years.Template:When<ref>Analysis: Practice of requiring probationers to take lessons in transcendental meditation sparks religious controversy, NPR All Things Considered, 1 February 2002 | ROBERT SIEGEL "TM's five million adherents claim that it eliminates chronic health problems and reduces stress."</ref><ref>Martin Hodgson, The Guardian (5 February 2008) "He [Maharishi] transformed his interpretations of ancient scripture into a multimillion-dollar global empire with more than 5m followers worldwide"</ref><ref>Stephanie van den Berg, Sydney Morning Herald, Beatles guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi dies, (7 February 2008) "the TM movement, which has some five million followers worldwide"</ref><ref>Meditation a magic bullet for high blood pressure – study, Sunday Tribune (South Africa), (27 January 2008) "More than five million people have learned the technique worldwide, including 60,000 in South Africa."</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - Transcendental Meditation founder's grand plan for peace, The Columbian (Vancouver, WA), 19 February 2006 | ARTHUR MAX Associated Press writer "transcendental meditation, a movement that claims 6 million practitioners since it was introduced."</ref><ref>Template:Cite news the movement claims to have five million followers,</ref><ref name="Maharishi Mahesh Yogi 1955">Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Spiritual Leader Dies, New York Times, By LILY KOPPEL, Published: 6 February 2008 "Since the technique's inception in 1955, the organization says, it has been used to train more than 40,000 teachers, taught more than five million people"</ref>Template:Excessive citations inline

Programs include the Transcendental Meditation technique, an advanced meditation practice called the TM-Sidhi program ("Yogic Flying"), an alternative health care program called Maharishi Ayurveda,<ref name="Sharma 1998 loc=Preface">Template:Harvnb</ref> and a system of building and architecture called Maharishi Sthapatya Ved.<ref name="Argus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Spivack">Template:Cite news</ref> The TM movement's past and present media endeavors include a publishing company (MUM Press), a television station (KSCI), a radio station (KHOE), and a satellite television channel (Maharishi Channel). During its 50-year history, its products and services have been offered through a variety of organizations, which are primarily nonprofit and educational. These include the Spiritual Regeneration Movement, the International Meditation Society, World Plan Executive Council, Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation, Transcendental Meditation for Women, the Global Country of World Peace, and the David Lynch Foundation.

The TM movement also operates a worldwide network of Transcendental Meditation teaching centers, schools, universities, health centers, herbal supplements, solar panel, and home financing companies, plus several TM-centered communities. The global organization is reported to have an estimated net worth of USD 3.5 billion.<ref name="Times0882">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite encyclopedia</ref> The TM movement has been characterized in a variety of ways and has been called a spiritual movement, a new religious movement,<ref name="books.google.com">For new religious movement see:
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For neo-Hindu, see:
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Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="TM and cult mania">Template:Cite book</ref> a millenarian movement, a world affirming movement,<ref name="Dawson">Dawson, Lorne L. (2003) Blackwell Publishing, Cults and New Religious Movements, Chapter 3: Three Types of New Religious Movement by Roy Wallis (1984), page 44-48</ref> a new social movement,<ref name=Blatter>Christian Blatter, Donald McCown, Diane Reibel, Marc S. Micozzi, (2010) Springer Science+Business Media, Teaching Mindfulness, Page 47</ref> a guru-centered movement,<ref name="Olson, Carl 2007 page 345">Olson, Carl (2007) Rutgers University Press, The Many Colors of Hinduism, page 345</ref> a personal growth movement,<ref name="Shakespeare">Template:Cite news</ref> a religion, and a cult.<ref name="TM and cult mania" /><ref name="Market85">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Sagan, Carl 1997 16">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Szimhart">Template:Cite journal</ref> Additional sources contend that TM and its movement are not a cult.<ref name=Harrison>Harrison, Shirley (1990). Cults: The Battle for God. Kent: Christopher Helm. pp. 93–103 "none of the other 'cultic qualities' defined by cult watchers can be fairly attributed to TM."</ref><ref name="heraldscotland.com">Rowson, Jonathan (23 April 2007) Meditation: for old hippies or a better way of life? Sunday Herald (Scotland) " the TM movement is not a cult", accessed 2 Feb 2013</ref><ref name="Hannaford, Alex 2010">Hannaford, Alex (27 December 2010). "Mantra with a mission; Feature Om or ominous? The maverick film director David Lynch wants to bring Transcendental Meditation to our classrooms, and believes in 'yogic flying'. Can he get it off the ground?". The Sunday Times (London).</ref><ref name="Lyster, Samantha 2000">Lyster, Samantha (21 October 2000) Samantha Lyster finds herself in holistic heaven with new-found happiness and tranquillity after learning the art of transcendental meditation, The Birmingham Post (England), "TM is not a religion, a cult or a philosophy"</ref> Participants in TM programs are not required to adopt a belief system; it is practiced by atheists, agnostics and people from a variety of religious affiliations.<ref name="Liebler 2009">Liebler, Nancy and Moss, Nancy (2009) Healing Depression the Mind-Body Way: Creating Happiness with Meditation ["the TM technique does not require adherence to any belief system—there is no dogma or philosophy attached to it, and it does not demand any lifestyle changes other than the practice of it."] [1] accessed 25 May 2013</ref><ref name="theguardian.com">"Its proponents say it is not a religion or a philosophy."The Guardian 28 March 2009 [2]</ref><ref name="concordmonitor.com">"It's used in prisons, large corporations and schools, and it is not considered a religion." [3] Template:Webarchive Concord Monitor</ref> The organization has been the subject of controversies that includes being labelled a cult by several parliamentary inquiries or anti-cult movements in the world.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="TM and cult mania" /><ref name="Market85"/><ref name="Sagan, Carl 1997 16"/>

Some notable figures in pop-culture practicing TM include the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Kendall Jenner, Hugh Jackman, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lopez, Mick Jagger, Eva Mendez, Moby, David Lynch, Jennifer Aniston, Nicole Kidman, Eric André, Jerry Seinfeld, Howard Stern, Julia Fox, Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Russell Brand, Nick Cave and Oprah Winfrey.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}
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Health effectsEdit

The first studies of the health effects of Transcendental Meditation appeared in the early 1970s.<ref>Lyn Freeman, Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach, Mosby Elsevier, 2009, p. 163</ref>

There is no good evidence that TM reduces anxiety, or has any beneficial effect on forms of psychological stress or well-being.<ref name="pmid16437509">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="goyal-2014-ahrq">Template:Cite book</ref>

A 2012 review found that Transcendental Meditation performed no better overall than other meditation techniques.<ref name="Sed12a">Template:Cite journal</ref> The authors' analysis of a subset of these studies, those that studied specific categories of outcome, found that TM might perform better in reducing negative emotions, trait anxiety, and neuroticism and improving markers of learning, memory, and self-actualization, but performs more poorly in reducing negative personality traits, reducing stress, improving attention and mindfulness and cognition, in comparison with other meditation approaches.<ref name="Sed12b">Template:Cite journal</ref>

A statement from the American Heart Association said that TM could be considered as a treatment for hypertension, although other interventions such as exercise and device-guided breathing were more effective and better supported by clinical evidence.<ref name="AHA">Template:Cite journal</ref>

TM may reduce blood pressure according to a review that compared TM to control groups. A trend over time indicates practicing TM may lower blood pressure. Such effects are comparable to other lifestyle interventions. Conflicting findings across reviews and a potential risk of bias indicated the necessity of further evidence, conducted by researchers without bias. <ref name="J. Hum. Hypertens."/><ref name="Complement. Ther. Med."/>

As of 2004, the US government had given more than $20 million to Maharishi International University to study the effect of meditation on health.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Views and claimsEdit

Views on consciousness (1963)Edit

In his 1963 book, The Science of Being and Art of Living, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi says that, over time, through the practice of the TM technique, the conscious mind gains familiarity with deeper levels of the mind, bringing the subconscious mind within the capacity of the conscious mind, resulting in expanded awareness in daily activity. He also teaches that the Transcendental Meditation practitioner transcends all mental activity and experiences the 'source of thought', which is said to be pure silence, 'pure awareness' or 'transcendental Being', 'the ultimate reality of life'.<ref name="Science of Being">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp<ref name=Phelan>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> TM is sometimes self described as a technology of consciousness.<ref name=Hunt>Template:Cite book</ref> According to author Michael Phelan, "The fundamental premise of the psychology of fulfillment is that within every person exists a seemingly inexhaustible center of energy, intelligence, and satisfaction... To the extent that our behavior depends on the degree of energy and intelligence available to us, this center of pure creative intelligence may be described as that resource which gives direction to all that we experience, think and do."<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

According to the Maharishi, there are seven levels of consciousness: (i) deep sleep; (ii) dreaming; (iii) waking; (iv) transcendental consciousness; (v) cosmic consciousness; (vi) God consciousness; and, (vii) unity consciousness.<ref>Williams, Patrick Gresham (2000) The Spiritual Recovery Manual: Vedic Knowledge and Yogic Techniques to Accelerate Recovery, page 202</ref> The Maharishi says that transcendental consciousness can be experienced through Transcendental Meditation, and that those who meditate regularly over time could become aware of cosmic consciousness.<ref>Tillery, Gary, The Cynical Idealist; A Spiritual Biography of John Lennon Template:Webarchive Quest Books, 2009 Template:ISBN, Template:ISBN pp 66-67</ref> An indication of cosmic consciousness is "ever present wakefulness" present even during sleep.<ref name="Walsh R, Shapiro SL 2006 227–39">Template:Cite journal</ref> Research on long-term TM practitioners experiencing what they describe as cosmic consciousness, has identified unique EEG profiles, muscle tone measurements, and REM indicators that suggest physiological parameters for this self described state of consciousness.<ref name="Walsh R, Shapiro SL 2006 227–39"/><ref name=Shapiro>Template:Cite journal</ref> However, the Cambridge Handbook of Consciousness notes that it is premature to say that the EEG coherence found in TM is an indication of a higher state of consciousness.<ref name=Lutz>Template:Cite book</ref>

Science of Creative Intelligence (1971)Edit

In 1961, the Maharishi created the "International Meditation Society for the Science of Creative Intelligence".<ref name=Kennedy>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1971 the Maharishi inaugurated "Maharishi's Year of Science of Creative Intelligence" and described SCI as the connection of "modern science with ancient Vedic science".<ref name=Hume2005>Template:Cite book</ref> Author Philip Goldberg describes it as Vedanta philosophy that has been translated into scientific language.<ref name="Philip Goldberg2">Goldberg, Philip (2011) Harmony Books, American Veda, page 165</ref> A series of international symposiums on the Science of Creative Intelligence were held between 1970 and 1973 and were attended by scientists and "leading thinkers", including Buckminster Fuller, Melvin Calvin, a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, Hans Selye, Marshal McLuhan and Jonas Salk.<ref name="Philip Goldberg2"/> These symposiums were held at universities such as Humboldt State University and University of Massachusetts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Jefferson, William (1976). ' 'The Story of The Maharishi' ', pp118-123. Pocket Books, New York, NY.</ref><ref>Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Fuller, Buckminster (1971) Maharishi Channel Maharishi and Buckminster Fuller Press Conference YouTube, retrieved September 24, 2012</ref><ref name="Una Kroll"/> The following year, the Maharishi developed a World Plan to spread his teaching of SCI around the world.<ref name="Una Kroll"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The theoretical part of SCI is taught in a 33-lesson video course.<ref name="maharishi.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In the early 1970s, the SCI course was offered at more than 25 American universities including Stanford University, Yale University, the University of Colorado, the University of Wisconsin, and Oregon State University.<ref name="Una Kroll">Kroll, Una (1974) John Knox Press, The Healing Potential of Transcendental Meditation, chapter 1: The Guru, pp 17-25</ref><ref name="TM ABC guide">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Until 2009, Maharishi University of Management (MUM) required its undergraduate students to take SCI classes,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=JME>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and both MUM and Maharishi European Research University (MERU) in Switzerland have awarded degrees in the field.<ref name=DePalma>Template:Cite news</ref> The Independent reports that children at Maharishi School learn SCI principles such as "the nature of life is to grow" and "order is present everywhere".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> SCI is reported to be part of the curriculum of TM related lower schools in Iowa, Wheaton, Maryland<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Skelmersdale, UK.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1975 SCI was used as the call letters for a TM owned television station in San Bernardino, California.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Science of Creative Intelligence is not science.<ref name="sci">Template:Cite news</ref> Theologian Robert M. Price, writing in the Creation/Evolution Journal (the journal of the National Center for Science Education), compares the Science of Creative Intelligence to Creationism.<ref name="Price">Template:Cite journal</ref> Price says instruction in the Transcendental Meditation technique is "never offered without indoctrination into the metaphysics of 'creative intelligenceTemplate:'".<ref name="Price"/> Skeptic James Randi says SCI has "no scientific characteristics."<ref name="randi.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Astrophysicist and sceptic Carl Sagan writes that the "Hindu doctrine" of TM is a pseudoscience.<ref name="Sagan, 1997 p16">Template:Cite book</ref> Irving Hexham, a professor of religious studies, describes the TM teachings as "pseudoscientific language that masks its religious nature by mythologizing science".<ref name=Kennedy/> Sociologists Rodney Stark and William Sims Bainbridge describe the SCI videotapes as largely based on the Bhagavad Gita, and say that they are "laced with parables and metaphysical postulates, rather than anything that can be recognized as conventional science".<ref name=Stark>Template:Cite book</ref> In 1979, the court case Malnak v Yogi determined that although SCI/TM is not a theistic religion, it deals with issues of ultimate concern, truth, and other ideas analogous to those in well-recognized religions.<ref name=Merriman>Template:Cite book</ref> Maharishi biographer Paul Mason suggests that the scientific terminology used in SCI was developed by the Maharishi as part of a restructuring of his philosophies in terms that would gain greater acceptance and increase the number of people starting the TM technique. He says that this change toward a more academic language was welcomed by many of the Maharishi's American students.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Maharishi effect (1974)Edit

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi claimed that the quality of life would noticeably improve if at least the square root of one per cent (1%) of the population practised the Transcendental Meditation technique. This is known as the "Maharishi effect" and according to the Maharishi, it was perceived in 1974 after an analysis of crime statistics in 16 cities.<ref name="Science of Being"/>Template:Rp<ref name="Karam">Karam, Ted (2005) Jumping on Water: Awaken Your Joy, Empower Your Life, page 137</ref><ref name=Wager>Template:Cite news</ref> With the introduction of the TM-Sidhi program including Yogic Flying, the Maharishi proposed that the square root of 1 per cent of the population (around 6325 people, the square root of 40 million (1% of the global population of about 4 billion people in 1974<ref name="worldpop1974">Template:Cite news</ref>)) practicing this advanced program together at the same time and in the same place would create benefits in society. This was referred to as the "Extended Maharishi Effect".<ref name="Karam"/><ref name="Maharishi University of Management">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Author Ted Karam claims that there have been numerous studies on the Maharishi effect including a gathering of over 4,000 people (just under two thirds of the square root of 1% of the population as of 1974) in Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1993.<ref name="Karam"/> The effect has been examined in 42 scientific studies.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The TM organisation has linked the fall of the Berlin Wall and a reduction in global terrorism, US inflation and crime rates to the Maharishi effect.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Maharishi effect has been endorsed by the former President of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

As the theories proposed by TM practitioners<ref name="Park">Template:Cite book</ref> are not scientific, the Maharishi effect still lacks a causal basis.<ref name="Fales">Template:Cite journal</ref> Moreover, the evidence has been said to result from cherry-picked data<ref name="Schrodt">Template:Cite journal</ref> and the credulity of believers.<ref name=Fales/><ref name="SFGate">Template:Cite news</ref> Critics, such as James Randi, have called this research pseudoscience.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Randi says that he investigated comments made by former Maharishi International University faculty member Robert Rabinoff in 1978. He spoke to the Fairfield Chief of Police who said local crime levels were the same and the regional Agriculture Department who reportedly deemed that farm yields for Jefferson County matched the state average.<ref name=Randi106>Template:Cite book</ref>

Maharishi Vedic Science (1981)Edit

The Maharishi proclaimed 1981 as the Year of Vedic Science.<ref name="Science of Being"/>Template:Rp It is based on the Maharishi's interpretation of ancient Vedic texts and includes subjective technologies like the Transcendental Meditation technique and the TM-Sidhi program plus programs like Maharishi Sthapatya Veda (MSV) and Maharishi Vedic Astrology (MVA) services which apply Vedic science to day-to-day living.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Vedic science studies the various aspects of life and their relationship to the Veda.