Reducing Societal Violence Through Collective Consciousness
Authors Barry Spivack and Patricia Saunders, Ph.D., present a compelling case for a radical but scientifically-studied idea: that stress is not merely an individual burden, but a tangible force within collective consciousness. In their work, they detail how a rise in these collective tensions inevitably spills over into our social fabric, manifesting as increased social unrest, violent crime, and even a higher incidence of accidents and hospital emergencies. The authors anchor their thesis in a rigorous examination of over twenty peer-reviewed studies conducted across four decades. This body of research suggests a profound solution: it is possible to neutralize or reduce this accumulated societal stress through the practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program by a relatively small but sufficient number of individuals-an effect that is powerfully amplified when they practice together in a group.
This documented reduction in collective stress, in turn, leads to measurable positive outcomes, including decreases in violent crime and war fatalities, and increases in quality of life and international cooperation. Researchers named this phenomenon of rising coherence in the collective consciousness of a community or society the “Maharishi Effect.” The effect is named in honor of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the founder of the TM program, who first predicted this ripple effect of peace originating from individual consciousness in the 1960s.
Understanding the Maharishi Effect
The Maharishi Effect operates on the principle that consciousness is fundamental and interconnected, much like an ocean. Stressed individuals contribute to a "rough sea" of collective consciousness, while individuals experiencing inner peace and coherence create a "calming" effect. The TM technique, a simple, effortless mental practice, is designed to allow the mind to settle into a unique state of "restful alertness." This state is correlated with increased brainwave coherence, reduced stress physiology, and what researchers describe as a field effect of consciousness that extends beyond the individual.
The effect was first empirically validated in 1974. A study published in the journal Criminology found that when the number of people practicing TM in twelve U.S. cities reached just 1% of the population, the rising crime rates in those cities significantly reversed, showing an average decrease of 16% compared to control cities. This became known as the "1% Effect."
Subsequent research introduced an even more powerful component: the group practice of the advanced TM-Sidhi program, which includes "Yogic Flying." Studies indicated that the coherence generated by this group practice is so potent that only the square root of 1% of a population is needed to create measurable, positive changes in social trends. For a city of one million, this would mean only 100 individuals, and for the entire world population, approximately 8,000.
Documented Examples of the Effect in Action
The research literature provides several striking, real-world examples:
The Lebanon War Study (1983): During the peak of the Lebanon war, a group of experienced TM and TM-Sidhi practitioners assembled in Jerusalem. On days when the group size was large enough (exceeding the square root of 1% of the Israeli and Lebanese populations), war-related fatalities in Lebanon decreased by 76%, and war injuries fell by 71%. Conflict also reduced on all other measured indicators, including crime and traffic accidents in Jerusalem.
The Global International Project (1983-1985): On seven separate occasions, large assemblies of 7,000 TM-Sidhi experts gathered twice daily in Fairfield, Iowa, USA. During these assembly periods, which met the predicted threshold for a global effect, a global index of violence and conflict, compiled from news reports, showed a significant 32% decrease. Furthermore, international cooperation, as measured by another independent index, increased.
The Merseyside Study (1988): In the 1980s, while crime rates were soaring across the UK, the county of Merseyside (which includes Liverpool) became a notable exception. During periods when a consistent group of TM-Sidhi practitioners meditated in the area, crime in Merseyside fell by 16%, compared to a rising trend in other major metropolitan areas. It was the only urban area in the country to show a crime reduction that year.
David Orme-Johnson, Ph.D., a principal researcher on the TM program worldwide, commends the book's scholarly rigor: “This hypothesis has been tested and verified by over 50 studies on the levels of cities, states, nations, and the whole world. Spivack and Saunders carefully review the evidence and alternative explanations for the 20 strongest studies published in peer-reviewed journals. This research has been replicated on a multitude of variables, in many different cultures and countries, showing holistic effects.”
Echoing this praise, John Hagelin, Ph.D., a renowned quantum physicist and public policy expert, states: “Spivack and Saunders have masterfully synthesized one of the most important but overlooked bodies of evidence in the social sciences. Their book moves the Maharishi Effect from a theoretical curiosity to a demonstrably practical, non-political, and scientifically-validated solution to the most pressing problems of violence and social strife. It is essential reading for any leader, policymaker, or citizen seeking a foundation for lasting peace.”