The Maharishi Effect

The Maharishi Effect

The Maharishi Effect (also called Super Radiance) is the scientifically studied paranormal hypothesis that a significant number of individuals practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique (TM) and the TM-Sidhi program have an effect on their environment. This hypothetical influence was described by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 1960s and was later termed the Maharishi Effect. Published studies on the potential existence of such an effect and have met with both acceptance and criticism.

A study on the Maharishi Effect written by John Hagelin, David W. Orme-Johnson, Maxwell Rainforth, et al. and published in 1999 in the journal Social Indicators Research, concluded that there was a correlation between the gathering of a group of 4,000 participants in the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs, including Yogic Flying, in the District of Columbia, and a reduction in violent crime in that city. The experiment took place from June 7 to July 30, 1993 and utilized a twenty member independent Project Review Board consisting of sociologists and criminologists from leading universities, representatives from the police department and government of the District of Columbia, and civic leaders.

This Review Board approved in advance the research protocol for the project and monitored its progress. Overall, there was an 18% reduction in violent crime during the study period.