SCIENCE OF MEDITATION The human brain is divided into two halves or hemispheres. There is a theory that each is responsible for different functions. Left Hemisphere: sequential logical analytical rational verbal Right Hemisphere: simultaneous metaphysical synthetic musical visual imagery intuitional The left brain has been most revered in Western culture. Only recently have investigators linked the increase in potential and feelings of wholeness reported by meditators with the activation of certain functions of the brain. It appears that the increased empathy, relaxation, creativity, and wholeness associated with meditation may be partially accounted for by the increased use of right brain functions. Ultimately, a balance is needed in all spheres of life, including different functions of the brain. What direction the mind is inclined towards, will have an impact on the type of balance as well. Other physiological phenomena that show up predominately in meditation research include relaxation and mental alertness. Experiments showing significantly reduced anxiety in meditators, increases in the sense of self control, decreases in neuroticism and increased self-actualization suggest that meditation may be an important aid to good psychological health. Research on using meditation and relaxation techniques to help control stress - the big killer in the United States and other 'developed' post industrial societies today - suggests that meditation can be an effective way to reduce the physiological and psychological damage related to stress. A preliminary report on a five year study of Ananda Marga meditators showed that average blood pressures are lower than for a comparable group of non-meditators. Two major studies, one at Dartmouth University and the other at Stanford University, showed experienced Ananda Marga meditators to be producing a high level of theta brainwaves which seem to be associated with higher levels of consciousness. Similar studies with Transcendental Meditation meditators and Buddhists meditators have been carried out with like results. RECENT RESEARCH REPORT One different kind of study is set out in a recent book by U.S. Army Colonel Brian Rees entitled "Terrorism, Retaliation and Victory: Awaken the Soul of America to Defeat Terrorism Without Casualties". It discusses a study published in the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation showing a 72% reduction in international terrorism using Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Invincible Defense Technology. The remarkable findings show that large groups of peace-creating meditation experts can decrease international conflicts, including deaths and injuries due to terrorism. The study reports that group practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) and TM-Sidhi program by 7,000 people decreases terrorism and international conflicts worldwide. On three different occasions during 1983-1995, groups of approximately 7,000 meditators were formed for periods lasting from 8 to 11 days, twice in the United States and once in Holland. The effects were studied using terrorism data collected completely independently by the Rand Corporation, the renowned but conservative California think tank. Five days after the assemblies started, terrorist activities in the world calmed down, the study reports. The study also found that warfare due to national and international conflicts decreased by approximately 30%. Assessment of the effects on warfare came from reports appearing in the New York Times and London Times The theory is that the square root of 1% of the world population meditating together would be needed to create a worldwide effect. That number was approximately 7,000 at the time of the study said study author Dr. David Orme-Johnson of Maharishi University of Management. "We found that the effect could not be explained by any trends or cycles in the data, or by the time of year or other factors. Nothing else was happening that could have explained the sudden drop in armed conflicts throughout the world at that time", said the study's co-author Dr. Michael Dillbeck, also of Maharishi University of Management. GROUP MEDITATION PRODUCES COHERENCE The method of analysis in the study is debateable. But it is true that meditation takes the mind to its innermost state of silence, which is a unified state. One experiences a sense of order and wholeness within and as part of the universe. When enough people in society experience this level of awareness, then the coherence of this 'unified field' is spread throughout the world. It softens ancient ethnic, political, and economic stresses that are at the basis of war. A variety of studies have shown that the influence of meditation on groups is profound. For the individual it also replaces lower tendencies (eg responsible for crime, hostility and fighting) with higher tendencies (ie responsible for mutual respect and cooperation). According to Professor Ved Nanda, Director of International Legal Studies at the University of Denver College of Law, "These studies provide a great hope for humanity, a breath of fresh air. We have repeatedly seen that international law, treaties, and even the United Nations cannot prevent war, or even contain it within certain rules such as the Geneva Convention. Can we afford to overlook this research? It breaks my heart that so many people are being killed every day, including many fine young Americans, when we haven't even tried this first." Another proponent of trying meditation as a social tool is Dr. David Edwards, Professor of Government at the University of Texas at Austin. "Although I myself have not been directly involved in this research, from my perspective of almost 40 years of study of foreign policy, arms control, and theories of social change, I can say that this is extremely significant research." So far, governments have not added this approach to their arsenal of defence strategies. But individually you can through your practice of meditation and the meditation lifestyle.