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One Person Can
Make a Difference: Scientific Proof
In 1972, 24 cities in the USA with populations over 10 000 people
experienced meaningful changes in their communities when as few as one
percent (100 people) participated in the studies. Those involved used
specific meditation techniques (Transcendental Meditation methods) to
create inner experiences of peace that were mirrored in the world
around them. This came to be known as the 'Maharishi Effect' after the
teacher of these techniques. In many different studies throughout the
years, it was observed that there was a reduction in crime and violence
for that population when just one percent of that population practiced
the methods.
The most striking - and most in depth - study was carried out in 1988:
The International Peace Project in the Middle East. The results were
published in the Journal of Conflict Resolution (reference 1). During
the Israeli-Lebanese war of the early 1980s, practitioners were trained
in the precise techniques of Transcendental Meditation to create peace
in their bodies, rather than simply thinking about it in their minds or
praying for it to occur.
On specific days of the month, at specific times each day, these people
were positioned within the war-torn areas of the middle East. During
the window of time that they were at peace, terrorist incidents, crimes
against people, hospital casualty visits, and traffic accidents all
declined in number. When the participants stopped their practice, the
statistics reversed. These studies confirmed the above earlier findings
that when a small percentage of the population achieved peace within
themselves, that same peace was reflected in the world around them. The
results took into account the days of the week, holidays, and even
lunar cycles. They were so consistent that the researchers were able to
identify the minimum number of people needed to experience inner peace
before it is mirrored in the surrounding world - the square root of one
percent of the population. This number represents only the minimum
number required for the effect to begin. The more people who
participate, the more pronounced the outcome. These findings can be
applied to any group of people whether it be a small gathering, a huge
city or the entire planet.
Each time I read this I always feel a surge of intense pleasure, hope
and 'upliftment' (I know, I am strange!) because it means that in a
city of a million people (e.g. Amsterdam) the number of people required
is 100. On this On the Border subscription list that you have elected
to receive there are 350 subscribers :=) And that is just this list
that I am involved with; there are many other groups, societies, email
lists. In a world of 6.7 billion people this means the minimum number
required to make a difference is 8200. That's not that many....and the
more people that are involved the faster an effect is created. I have
to also raise a smile at the thought that if I am having lunch or
coffee with a friend, that means with a 'population' of 2, only 0.14 of
a person is needed. So even on a not-terrific-feeling day there is hope!
References
1. D. W. Orme-Johnson, C. N. Alexander, J. L. Davies, H. M. Chandler,
W. E. Larimore. Journal of Conflict Resolution, volume 32, number 4,
pages 776-812 (1988)
2. G. Braden. The Divine Matrix: Bridging Time, Space, Miracles and
Belief’. Hay House Inc. (2007).
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