The Effects Of Collective Meditation On Society
More and more people are encouraged to practice meditation. By doing so, they experience great changes in their physical and emotional health. However, somewhat less well known, but equally important, are the effects of collective meditation on society.
And it is that, despite the skepticism that this issue may originate, it has been shown that the union of numerous meditators has a positive impact on social dynamics.
Next, we will explore some of the research that has been carried out in this regard. In them, the power of meditation to generate changes on a global level is revealed.
The effects of collective meditation
Crime rate reduction
Between 1972 and 1978, the effect of a collective transcendental meditation program in various cities in the United States was investigated. The results showed that this practice had a significant influence on the decrease in the crime rate.
Furthermore, it was observed that the variation in the number of meditators per week was associated with the violent crime rates. Similar results were found in other studies carried out in Manila and the Philippines.
On the other hand, between 1978 and 1991 the same hypothesis was tested in Merseyside. It was, at that time, the third metropolitan area with the highest crime rate in England.
The study proved that when the group reached a sufficient number of meditators, there was a 13.4% drop in crime. In 1992, when the study ended, Merseyside had the lowest crime rate in the country, 40% lower than the national average and its own expected progression.
Decrease in violent deaths
In 1985, in Canada, two studies tested the effects of collective transcendental meditation carried out by a large group of participants. As a result, a reduction in the number of suicides, homicides and deaths from traffic accidents was observed .
In addition, other additional positive effects were found. For example, there was an increase in the quality of life of the population due to the reduction in cigarette consumption and the decrease in labor strikes.
Impact on war, terrorism and international conflicts
Between 1983 and 1985, three periods of 8-11 days were held in which various practitioners came together to perform collective meditation. The hypothesis suggested that this would have some effect on terrorism and international conflicts.
And indeed, the results confirmed the theory. They showed a 72% drop in terrorism and a 32% drop in international conflicts during meditation periods.
On the other hand, in 1983 a collective transcendental meditation was proposed in Jerusalem with the intention of improving the quality of life and positively affecting the war in Lebanon.
The positive influence of this practice was proven in reducing deaths from war, crime and car accidents. In addition, there was an improvement in the stock market and the mood nationwide.
Collective meditation: a valuable tool
These shocking findings can be understood in the light of what we know as “collective consciousness. ” Each person’s individual level of consciousness is recognizable both by their brain wave emission and by the levels of certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin.
Those with a higher level of consciousness reflect this in calmer thoughts and more kind and altruistic acts. On the contrary, people with a low level of consciousness experience more anger and irritability and are more likely to engage in criminal behavior.
However, each individual is influenced by the collective level of consciousness, so that we all make a contribution in one direction or another. In this regard, an offender is more or less likely to commit a crime depending on whether he is immersed in a stressful or peaceful environment.
At some level, we are all connected; we influence and are influenced by others. Therefore, by meditating we not only obtain personal improvements, but we also contribute to creating a more beneficial collective environment. In light of these findings, it seems to work that unity is strength.
