Key Scientific References Supporting the Maharishi Effect
For more than 50 years, scientists across the globe have rigorously studied the profound effects of large groups practicing Transcendental Meditation® and the TM-Sidhi® program together.
The research consistently reveals something extraordinary: when groups achieve deep, synchronized coherence in consciousness, measurable reductions in crime, violence, and even international conflict follow.
Known as the Maharishi Effect, this phenomenon is not a theory—it’s a growing body of peer-reviewed, data-driven evidence pointing to powerful truth:
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Peace is not just an ideal.
It is a scientifically demonstrable outcome of collective consciousness in harmony.
International Conflict Reduced
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Summary: This landmark study evaluated the effects of a large group of advanced Transcendental Meditation (TM) and TM-Sidhi practitioners on international conflict. Conducted during the Lebanon war, it demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cooperation between conflicting parties and reduction in war-related fatalities when group size exceeded a scientifically predicted threshold during the intervention periods. The study carefully controlled for seasonal effects and other confounding variables, providing one of the most compelling validations of the Maharishi Effect—suggesting that collective consciousness can be measurably influenced by group meditation.
Title: The Impact of Group Meditation on International Conflict: A Field Test of the
Maharishi Effect
Authors: Michael C. Dillbeck, C. Flügelman, K. Cavanaugh, D. Orme-Johnson
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Published in: Journal of Conflict Resolution
Year: 1988
DOI: 10.1177/0022002788032001001
War Deaths Reduced
Summary:
This study employed time-series analysis to evaluate the effects of a coherence-creating group on war-related deaths and social indicators during the Israel–Lebanon conflict.
Over multiple TM intervention periods, results showed significant reductions in war intensity, casualties, and crime, alongside improvements in quality-of-life indicators such as stock market performance and economic optimism. By comparing days with high coherence-creating group attendance to control periods, the research affirms that societal stress indicators can be influenced by focused collective meditation practices.
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Title: Time Series Analysis of a Field Experiment in the Middle East: Effects of Group Practice of the Transcendental Meditation Program on War Deaths and Other Indicators
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Authors: David W. Orme-Johnson, Charles N. Alexander, John L. Davies, Howard M. Chandler, Valerie A. Larimore
Published in: Journal of Social Behavior and Personality
Year: 1988
DOI: 10.1023/A:1006978911496
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Read more: Maharishi University archive (PDF)
A Vision of a Peaceful World
Summary:
This comprehensive meta-analysis reviewed multiple field studies of the Maharishi Effect and quantified its impact on societal indicators including crime, war intensity, and social harmony. The statistical strength of this review lies in its rigorous methodology and the consistent replication of effects across diverse populations and geographic regions. The authors conclude that collective meditation holds substantial promise as a practical technology for peace creation, underpinned by replicable scientific data.
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Title: Creating World Peace Through the Collective Practice of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Program: A Review and Statistical Meta-Analysis
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Authors: David R. Orme-Johnson, Kenneth L. Cavanaugh
Published in: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
Year: 2006
DOI: 10.1300/J076v44n03_01
Read more: Taylor & Francis link
Violent Crime Reduced
Summary: This high-profile experimental study tested the Maharishi Effect in the context of a randomized control trial in Washington, D.C., during the summer of 1993. Over 4,000 meditators gathered to meditate collectively for several weeks. The result? Violent crime—including homicides, assaults, and rapes—dropped by as much as 23.3% during the peak of the meditation period, with statistical confidence exceeding 99% that the results weren’t due to chance. The study received substantial media attention and underwent rigorous peer review.
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Title: Effects of Group Practice of the TM-Sidhi Program on Violent Crime in Washington, D.C.: Decreases in Homicide and Other Crimes
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Authors: John S. Hagelin, Maxwell Rainforth, David Orme-Johnson, Charles N. Alexander
Published in: Social Indicators Research
Year: 1999
DOI: 10.1023/A:1006826610461
Consciousness is the Driver
Summary: This narrative and scientific overview explores the philosophical and empirical underpinnings of the Maharishi Effect. Written by leading researchers and proponents of the TM movement, it outlines how individual and collective coherence emerge through meditation, supported by decades of research. The paper introduces the concept of “field effects of consciousness”, illustrating how stress reduction and increased coherence in large groups can influence society as a whole—offering a paradigm-shifting approach to peacebuilding.
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Title: The Maharishi Effect: A Revolution Through Consciousness
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Authors: Charles N. Alexander, John S. Hagelin, David Orme-Johnson
Published in: Collected Papers, Vol. 5 (Maharishi University of Management Press)
Year: 1991
DOI: 10.1023/A:1006826610461
Where to Learn More - Working Sources for TM / Maharishi Effect Research
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MIU’s TM Research Pages
Transcendental Meditation Research — MIU — includes peer-reviewed studies, bibliographies, and collected papers. Research
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Collected Papers – TM Researches — a repository for major scientific studies on TM and the TM-Sidhi program. researchtm.net
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Research Articles via PubMed and PMC
Several medical, psychological, and neuroscience journals host articles on TM. For example: -
TruthAboutTM / Orme-Johnson’s Personal Site
This is still active to some degree, offering reference to his publications and vita. truthabouttm.org+1 -
TM / David Lynch Foundation Research Page
They maintain a summary of studies on the TM technique and its effects. davidlynchfoundation.org
TM Cambridge – Local Chapter Research Page
They list references to TM studies, such as improvements in intelligence and reduced medical utilization. Transcendental Meditation