View source for Transcendental Meditation movement

{{short description|Programs and organizations connected to Transcendental Meditation}}
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[[File:Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1st Sept 1967 in Amsterdam by Merk Ben from Nationaal Archief).jpg|thumb|Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the Transcendental Meditation movement, 1967]]
The '''Transcendental Meditation movement''' (TM) are programs and organizations that promote the [[Transcendental Meditation]] technique founded by [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]] in India in the 1950s.  The organization was estimated to have 900,000 participants in 1977,<ref name="Stark 1985 page 287">Stark, Rodney and Bainbridge, William Sims (1985) University of California Press, The Future Of Religion, page 287 "Time magazine in 1975 estimated that the U.S. total had risen to 600,000 augmented by half that number elsewhere" =[900,000 world wide]  "Annual Growth in TM Initiations in the U.S.  [chart]  Cumulative total at the End of Each Year: 1977, 919,300"</ref> a million by the 1980s,<ref name=Petersen>{{cite book|last=Petersen|first=William |title=Those Curious New Cults in the 80s|url=https://archive.org/details/thosecuriousnewc0000pete|url-access=registration|year=1982 |publisher=Keats Publishing |location=New Canaan, Connecticut|page=[https://archive.org/details/thosecuriousnewc0000pete/page/123 123]|isbn=978-0-87983-317-6 }} claims "more than a million" in the United States and Europe.</ref><ref name="Occhiogrosso, Peter 1996 p 66">Occhiogrosso, Peter. ''The Joy of Sects: A Spirited Guide to the World's Religious Traditions.'' New York: Doubleday (1996); p 66, citing "close to a million" in the United States.</ref><ref name="Bainbridge, William Sims 1997 page 189">Bainbridge, William Sims (1997) Routledge, ''The Sociology of Religious Movements'', page 189 "the million people [Americans] who had been initiated"</ref> and 5 million in more recent years.<ref name="ReferenceB">Analysis: Practice of requiring probationers to take lessons in transcendental meditation sparks religious controversy, NPR All Things Considered, 1 February 2002 | ROBERT SIEGEL "TM's five million adherents claim that it eliminates chronic health problems and reduces stress."</ref><ref name="Martin Hodgson 2008">Martin Hodgson, The Guardian  (5 February 2008) "He [Maharishi]  transformed his interpretations of ancient scripture into a multimillion-dollar global empire with more than 5m followers worldwide"</ref><ref>Stephanie van den Berg, ''Sydney Morning Herald'', Beatles guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi dies, (7 February 2008)  "the TM movement, which has some five million followers worldwide"</ref><ref>Meditation a magic bullet for high blood pressure – study, ''Sunday Tribune'' (South Africa), (27 January 2008)  "More than five million people have learned the technique worldwide, including 60,000 in South Africa."</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – Transcendental Meditation founder's grand plan for peace, ''The Columbian'' (Vancouver, WA), 19 February 2006 | ARTHUR MAX Associated Press writer "transcendental meditation, a movement that claims 6 million practitioners since it was introduced."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bank makes an issue of mystic's mint|last=Bickerton|first=Ian|work=Financial Times|location=London (UK)|date=8 February 2003|page=9}} the movement claims to have five million followers,</ref><ref name="Maharishi Mahesh Yogi 1955">Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Spiritual Leader Dies, ''New York Times'', By LILY KOPPEL, Published: 6 February 2008 "Since the technique's inception in 1955, the organization says, it has been used to train more than 40,000 teachers, taught more than five million people."</ref>

Programs include the [[Transcendental Meditation technique]], an advanced meditation practice called the [[TM-Sidhi program]] ("Yogic Flying"), an alternative health care program called [[Maharishi Ayurveda]],<ref>{{harvnb|Sharma|Clark|1998|loc=Preface}}</ref> and a system of building and architecture called Maharishi Sthapatya Ved.<ref name=Argus>{{cite news|last=Welvaert|first=Brandy|title=Vedic homes seek better living through architecture |url=http://download.tmnews.org/2005_08_05_RockIsArgus_ltr.pdf|access-date=24 January 2013|newspaper=Rock Island Argus|date=5 August 2005}}</ref><ref name=Spivack>{{cite news|newspaper=Washington Post|title=Bricks Mortar and Serenity|first=Miranda|last=Spivack|date=12 September 2008|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/11/AR2008121103497.html |access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref>  The TM movement's past and present media endeavors include a publishing company (MUM Press), a television station ([[KSCI]]), a radio station ([[KHOE]]), and a satellite television channel (Maharishi Channel). Its products and services have been offered  primarily through nonprofit and educational outlets, such as the [[Global Country of World Peace]], and the [[David Lynch Foundation]].

The TM movement also operates a worldwide network of Transcendental Meditation teaching centers, schools, universities, health centers, and herbal supplement, solar panel, and home financing companies, plus several TM-centered communities. The global organization is reported to have an estimated net worth of [[USD]] 3.5 billion.<ref name=Times0882>{{cite news|date=7 February 2008|title=Maharishi Mahesh Yogi|work=The Times|location=London (UK)|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3320882.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524223404/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3320882.ece|archive-date=24 May 2010|access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Maharishi Mahesh Yogi |encyclopedia=Britannica Concise Encyclopedia |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/maharishi-mahesh-yogi |access-date=13 February 2013}}</ref>

The TM movement has been called a spiritual movement, a [[new religious movement]],<ref>For ''new religious movement'' see:
<br />{{cite book|last=Beckford|first=James A.|title=Cult Controversies: The Societal Response to New Religious Movements|url=https://archive.org/details/cultcontroversie0000beck|url-access=registration|year=1985|publisher=Tavistock Publications|isbn=978-0-422-79630-9|page=[https://archive.org/details/cultcontroversie0000beck/page/23 23]|access-date =12 February 2013}}
<br />{{cite book|last=Parsons|first=Gerald|title=The Growth of Religious Diversity: Traditions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tlKkZoNPi0oC&pg=PA288|year=1994|publisher=The Open University/Methuen|isbn=978-0-415-08326-3|page=288|access-date =12 February 2013}}
<br />For ''neo-Hindu'', see:
<br />{{cite book|last=Alper|first=Harvey P.|title=Understanding Mantras|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V8Upy4ApG_oC&pg=PA442|date=December 1991|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ.|isbn=978-81-208-0746-4|page=442|access-date =12 February 2013}}
<br />{{cite book|last1=Raj|first1=Selva, J.|last2= Harman|first2=William, P.|title=Dealing With Deities: The Ritual Vow in South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ov2oltTLinkC&pg=PA129|year=2007|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-6708-4|page=129|access-date =12 February 2013}}</ref><ref name=Persinger>{{Cite book | last1 = Persinger | first1 = Michael A. | last2 = Carrey | first2 = Normand J. | last3 = Suess | first3 = Lynn A. | title = TM and Cult Mania | year = 1980 | publisher = Christopher Pub. House | location = North Quincy, Massachusetts | isbn = 978-0-8158-0392-8}}</ref> a millenarian movement, a world affirming movement,<ref name="Dawson">Dawson, Lorne L. (2003) Blackwell Publishing, Cults and New Religious Movements, Chapter 3: Three Types of New Religious Movement by Roy Wallis (1984), page 44-48</ref> a new social movement,<ref name=Blatter>Christian Blatter, Donald McCown, Diane Reibel, Marc S. Micozzi, (2010) Springer Science+Business Media, Teaching Mindfulness, Page 47</ref> a guru-centered movement,<ref>Olson, Carl (2007) Rutgers University Press, The Many Colors of Hinduism, page 345</ref> a [[personal growth]] movement,<ref>{{cite news|last=Shakespeare|first=Tom|title=A Point of View|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27554640|publisher=BBC|access-date=31 May 2014|work=BBC News|date=2014-05-24}}</ref> and a cult.<ref name=Persinger/><ref name="Paglia 57–111 76">{{cite journal|title=Cults and Cosmic Consciousness: Religious Visions in the American 1960s|first=Camille|last=Paglia|author-link=Camille Paglia|journal=[[Arion (journal)|Arion]]|series=Third|volume=10|issue=3|date=Winter 2003|publisher=Boston University|jstor=20163901|pages=57–111 [76]}}</ref><ref name="Haaretz">{{cite web |url=https://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1150400.html |title=Women's tragedy – Haaretz – Israel News |work=Haaretz }}</ref><ref name="Depalma">{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/29/news/university-s-degree-comes-with-a-heavy-dose-of-meditation-and-skepticism.html?pagewanted=all |title=University's Degree Comes With a Heavy Dose of Meditation (and Skepticism) | work=The New York Times | first=Anthony | last=DePalma | date=29 April 1992 | access-date=28 March 2010}}</ref> TM is practiced by people from a diverse group of religious affiliations.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ac0g-v6gpjkC&q=Transcendental%20Meditation "the TM technique does not require adherence to any belief system—there is no dogma or philosophy attached to it, and it does not demand any lifestyle changes other than the practice of it."]</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/education/2009/mar/29/schools-pupils-meditation-courses "Its proponents say it is not a religion or a philosophy."The Guardian 28 March 2009]</ref><ref>[http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090331/NEWS01/903310312/0/FRONTPAGE "It's used in prisons, large corporations and schools, and it is not considered a religion."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303195556/http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20090331%2FNEWS01%2F903310312%2F0%2FFRONTPAGE |date=3 March 2016 }} Concord Monitor</ref><ref name="Chryssides Cesnur">{{cite web|last=Chryssides|first=George|title=Defining the New Spirituality|url=http://www.cesnur.org/conferences/riga2000/chryssides.htm|publisher=Cesnur|access-date =12 February 2013 |quote=One possible suggestion is that religion demands exclusive allegiance: this would ipso facto exclude Scientology, TM and the Soka Gakkai simply on the grounds that they claim compatibility with whatever other religion the practitioner has been following. For example, TM is simply – as they state – a technique. Although it enables one to cope with life, it offers no goal beyond human existence (such as moksha), nor does it offer rites or passage or an ethic. Unlike certain other Hindu-derived movements, TM does not prescribe a dharma to its followers – that is to say a set of spiritual obligations deriving from one's essential nature.}}</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Transcendental Meditation}}

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi began teaching Transcendental Meditation in India in the late 1950s.<ref name=Olson>{{cite book|last=Olson|first=Helena, Roland|title=His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: A Living Saint for the New Millennium: Stories of His First Visit to the USA|date=March 2007|publisher=Samhita Productions|isbn=978-1-929297-21-4|page=297}}</ref> The Maharishi began a series of world  tours in 1958 to promote his meditation technique.<ref name="Oates">{{cite book|last=Oates|first=Robert|title=Celebrating the Dawn: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the TM technique|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uEwQAQAAIAAJ&q=1958|year=2006 |publisher=Putnam|isbn=978-0-399-11815-9|page=40}}</ref> The resulting publicity generated by the Maharishi, the celebrities who learned the technique and the scientific research into its effect, helped popularize the technique in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 1970s, the Maharishi introduced advanced meditative techniques and his movement grew to encompass TM programs for schools, universities and prisons. In the 1980s additional programs aimed at improved health and well-being were developed based on the Maharishi's interpretation of the Vedic traditions. By the late 2000s, TM had been taught to millions of individuals, and the Maharishi oversaw a large multinational movement which has continued since his death in 2008. The Maharishi's obituary in the ''[[New York Times]]'' credited the TM movement as being "a founding influence on what has grown into a multibillion-dollar self-help industry".<ref name=Koppel2008 />

==Practitioners and participants==
The TM movement has been described as a "global movement" that utilizes its own international policies and transports its "core members" from country to country.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}} It does not seek to interfere with its member's involvement in their various religions.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}

In 2008, ''The New York Times'', reported that TM's "public interest" had continued to grow in the 1970s" however, some practitioners were discouraged "by the organization's promotion of ....Yogic Flying."<ref name=Koppel2008>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/world/asia/06maharishi-1.html |title=Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Spiritual Leader, Dies – New York Times |work= The New York Times|access-date= May 26, 2010| first=Lily | last=Koppel | date=February 6, 2008}}</ref> The organization was estimated to have  900,000 participants worldwide in 1977 according to new religious movement scholars Stark, Bainbridge and Sims.<ref name="Stark 1985 page 287"/> That year the  TM movement said there were 394 TM centers in the U.S., that about half of the 8,000 trained TM teachers were still active, and that one million Americans had been taught the technique.<ref>{{cite news|title=TM Ruled Religious, Banned in Schools|first=JOHN|last=DART|work=Los Angeles Times|date=29 October 1977|page=29}}</ref> The movement was reported to have a million participants by the 1980s,<ref name=Petersen/><ref name="Occhiogrosso, Peter 1996 p 66"/><ref name="Bainbridge, William Sims 1997 page 189"/> and modern day estimates range between four and ten million practitioners worldwide.<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="Martin Hodgson 2008"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Maharishi Mahesh Yogi 1955"/><ref>Stephanie van den Berg, ''Sydney Morning Herald'', Beatles guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi dies, (7 February 2008) "the TM movement, which has some five million followers worldwide"</ref><ref>Meditation a magic bullet for high blood pressure – study, Sunday Tribune (South Africa), (27 January 2008) "More than five million people have learned the technique worldwide, including 60,000 in South Africa."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bank makes an issue of mystic's mint|last=Bickerton|first=Ian|work=Financial Times|location=London (UK)|date=8 February 2003|page=9}}</ref><ref>[[Financial Times]] (2003), 5 million, {{cite news|title=Bank makes an issue of mystic's mint|last=Bickerton|first=Ian|work=Financial Times|location=London (UK)|date=8 February 2003|page=9}}; [[Asian News International]] (2009), 4 million {{cite news|title=David Lynch to shoot film about TM guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in India|work=The Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi|date=18 November 2009|agency=Asian News International}}</ref> As of 1998, the country with the largest percentage of TM practitioners was Israel, where 50,000 people had learned the technique since its introduction in the 1960s, according members of the TM movement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Peace of Mind|first=Esther|last=Hecht|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=23 January 1998|page=12}}</ref> In 2008, the ''Belfast Telegraph'' reported that an estimated 200,000 Britons practiced TM.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mystic who inspired the Beatles: the town that lost its guru|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/mystic-who-inspired-the-beatles-the-town-that-lost-its-guru-13383285.html|work=Belfast Telegraph |date=7 February 2008|first=Emily |last=Dugan}}</ref>

The TM movement has a flexible structure that allows varying degrees of commitment.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}  Many are satisfied with their "independent practice of TM" and don't seek any further involvement with the organization.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}  For many TM practitioners their meditation is "one of many [[New Age]] products that they consume." Other practitioners are "dedicated" but are also critical of the organization. Still others, are "highly devoted" and participate in "mass meditations" at Maharishi University of Management, perform administrative activities or engage in a monastic lifestyle.  Likewise the organization has a "loose organisational hierarchy".{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}} Transcendental Meditators who participate in group meditations at [[Maharishi University of Management]] are referred to as "Citizens of the Age of Enlightenment".<ref name=Williamsonp96/><ref>{{cite book|last=Gilpin|first=Geoff|title=The Maharishi Effect: A Personal Journey Through the Movement that Transformed American Spirituality|publisher=J.P. Tarcher/Penguin|year=2006|isbn=978-1-58542-507-5|page=[https://archive.org/details/maharishieffectp00geof/page/78 78]|quote=...[S]he handed me a laminated ID card. The photo showed me wide-eyed and smiling beneath my new title: CITIZEN OF THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT. ... "You can go to the dome for special events, but only sidhas meditate there. You'll be meditating with other citizens.|url=https://archive.org/details/maharishieffectp00geof/page/78}}</ref> Regional leaders{{sfn|Gablinger|2010|pp=100–102}} and  "leading Transcendental Meditators" trained as TM teachers and graduates of the TM-Sidhi program<ref>{{Cite book| publisher = Transaction Publishers| isbn = 978-0-7658-0478-5| last = Dawson| first = Lorne L.| title = Cults in context: readings in the study of new religious movements| date = 30 August 1998|page=55|quote=Leading Transcendental Meditators, called 'Governors of the Age of Enlightenment', are dispatched in large numbers to areas in civil crisis.}}</ref> are called "Governors of the Age of Enlightenment".<ref name=Williamsonp96>{{Cite book|last=Williamson|first=Lola |title=Transcendent in America:Hindu-Inspired Meditation Movements as New Religion |url=https://archive.org/details/transcendentamer00will|url-access=limited|publisher=NYU Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8147-9450-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/transcendentamer00will/page/n110 96]}}</ref> There are also "national leaders" and "top officials" of the [[Global Country of World Peace|"World Peace Government"]] that are called [[Raja]]s.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}

===Notable practitioners===
Notable practitioners include politicians  [[John Hagelin]] and [[Joaquim Chissano]]; musicians [[Donovan]], [[The Beatles]], [[Sky Ferreira]], and [[Mike Love]]; celebrities [[David Lynch]],  [[Clint Eastwood]], [[Mia Farrow]], [[Howard Stern]], [[Doug Henning]]; and artist [[Ned Bittinger]].<ref>{{Citation |last=The Santa Fe New Mexican |title=The Santa Fe New Mexican Eldorado |date=2004-01-14 |url=http://archive.org/details/apache-canyon |access-date=2023-07-24}}</ref> Practitioners who became spiritual teachers or self-help authors include [[Sri Sri Ravi Shankar]], [[Deepak Chopra]], [[John Gray (U.S. author)|John Gray]] and [[Barbara De Angelis]].

TM-initiated celebrities include [[Gwyneth Paltrow]], [[Ellen DeGeneres]], [[Russell Simmons]], [[Katy Perry]], [[Susan Sarandon]], [[Candy Crowley]], [[Soledad O'Brien]], [[George Stephanopoulos]], and [[Paul McCartney]]'s grandchildren.<ref name="Hoffman">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/24/magazine/david-lynch-transcendental-meditation.html|title=David Lynch Is Back … as a Guru of Transcendental Meditation|last=Hoffman|first=Claire|date=2013-02-22|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-05-05|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As of 2013, Jerry Seinfeld had been practicing TM for over 40 years.<ref>{{Citation|last=Transcendental Meditation|title=Jerry Seinfeld & George Stephanopoulos talk Transcendental Meditation on Good Morning America|date=2013-10-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwhvDnIQ3vs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/JwhvDnIQ3vs |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|access-date=2017-05-05}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz dedicated an entire show to TM.<ref name="Hoffman"/>

==Programs==

===Transcendental Meditation===
{{main|Transcendental Meditation technique}}
[[File:Grote Palais 1862 - 64 Otto Goetze für Graf Adolf Grote Sophienstraße 2 Hannover Prinzenstraße Ecke Schiffgraben.jpg|thumb|Transcendental Meditation center in Hanover, Germany]]
The Transcendental Meditation technique is a specific form of [[mantra]] [[meditation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.oed.com/ |title=Transcendental Meditation |work=Oxford English Dictionary}}</ref> developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is often referred to as Transcendental Meditation or simply, TM. The meditation practice involves the use of a [[mantra]], and is practiced for 15–20 minutes twice per day, while sitting with closed eyes.<ref name="The Seven-Step Course">{{cite web|url=http://www.tm.org/learn-meditation |title=Learn the Transcendental Meditation Technique – Seven Step Program |publisher=Tm.org |access-date=2009-11-15}}</ref><ref name=Epi06>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Lansky EP, St Louis EK |title=Transcendental meditation: a double-edged sword in epilepsy? |journal=Epilepsy Behav |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=394–400 |date=November 2006 |pmid=16931164 |doi=10.1016/j.yebeh.2006.04.019 |s2cid=31764098 }}</ref> It is reported to be one of the most widely practiced,<ref name="google138">{{Cite book| last1 = Cotton | first1 = Dorothy H. G. | title = Stress management: an integrated approach to therap | year = 1990 | publisher = Brunner/Mazel | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-87630-557-7 | page = [https://archive.org/details/stressmanagement00cott/page/138 138]|url=https://archive.org/details/stressmanagement00cott| url-access = registration }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.TM.org |title=The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Program – Official website. How and where to learn |publisher=TM |access-date=2009-11-15}}"transcendental meditation (TM) is the most widely practiced and investigated"</ref> and among the most widely researched, meditation techniques,<ref name=Bushell>{{cite news| author=William Bushell |title=Longevity Potential Life Span and Health Span Enhancement through Practice of the Basic Yoga Meditation Regimen |journal=Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences |volume=1172 | year=2009 |page=46 |isbn=978-1-57331-677-4 | quote=Transcendental Meditation (TM), a concentrative technique . . . has been the most extensively studied meditation technique. | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TMJRynOxsisC&q=Transendental+Meditation&pg=PA20}}</ref> with hundreds of studies published.<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Ospina MB, Bond K, Karkhaneh M |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |issue=155 |page=62|date=June 2007 |pmid=17764203|display-authors=etal |pmc=4780968}}</ref><ref name="Rosenthal 2011 14">{{cite book |first=Norman |last=Rosenthal |title=Transcendence: Healing and Transformation through Transcendental Meditation |publisher=Tarcher/Penguin |year=2011 |page=14 |location=New York |isbn=978-1-58542-873-1  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ssJ6jU0YeNEC&q=Transcendence:+Healing+and+Transformation+through+Transcendental+Meditation+&pg=PT12 | quote = By my latest count, there have been 340 per-reviewed articles published on TM, many of which have appeared in highly respected journals.}}</ref>{{sfn|Freeman|2009|p=176}} The technique is made available worldwide by certified TM teachers in a seven step course<ref name="The Seven-Step Course" /><ref>[http://tm.org.au/pages/transcendental-meditation-course TM Program] Official web site (Australia), retrieved 2 November 2012</ref> and fees vary from country to country.<ref>[http://www.tm.org/tuition TM Course Tuition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523183618/http://www.tm.org/tuition |date=23 May 2012 }} TM official web site, retrieved 30 May 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.t-m.org.uk/learning.shtml TM fees and course details] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010161859/http://www.t-m.org.uk/learning.shtml |date=10 October 2012 }} Official web site in the UK, retrieved 2 November 2012</ref> Beginning in 1965, the Transcendental Meditation technique has been incorporated into selected schools, universities, corporations and prison programs in the United States, Latin America, Europe, and India. In 1977, the TM technique and the Science of Creative Intelligence were deemed religious activities as taught in two New Jersey public schools. Subsequently the TM technique has received some governmental support.{{sfn|Forsthoefel|Humes|2005|p=69|ps=: "This lawsuit was the most significant setback for TM in the United States"...."Since then TM has made a comeback of sorts with some governmental sponsorship"}}

The Transcendental Meditation technique has been described as both religious and non religious. The technique has been described in various ways including as an aspect of a New Religious Movement, as rooted in Hinduism,<ref name=Bainbridge>{{Cite book|last1 = Bainbridge | first1 = William Sims | title = The sociology of religious movements | year = 1997 | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-415-91202-0 | page = 188|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eCKbw8QuhEkC&q=tm }}</ref><ref name="web.archive.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/tm.html |publisher=Religious Movements Homepage Project |title=Transcendental Meditation |date=12 January 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831081613/http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/tm.html |archive-date=31 August 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=The challenge of metaphysical experiences outside Orthodoxy and the Orthodox response|first=Maximos|last=Aghiorgoussis|journal=Greek Orthodox Theological Review|location=Brookline|date=Spring 1999|volume=44|issue=1–4|pages=21, 34}}</ref> and as a non-religious practice for self development.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vyX1sL8-0gMC&pg=PA292|last=Chryssides|first= George D.|title=Exploring New Religions|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|year=2001|isbn=978-0-8264-5959-6|pages=301–303}}"Although one can identify the Maharishi's philosophical tradition, its teachings are in no way binding on TM practitioners. There is no public worship, no code of ethics, no scriptures to be studied, and no rites of passage that are observed, such as dietary laws, giving to the poor, or pilgrimages. In particular, there is no real TM community: practitioners do not characteristically meet together for public worship, but simply recite the mantra, as they have been taught it, not as religious obligation, but simply as a technique to benefit themselves, their surroundings and the wider world."</ref><ref>{{Cite book| last = Partridge | first = Christopher| year = 2004| title = New Religions: A guide to New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities | publisher = Oxford University Press | quote = It is understood in terms of the reduction of stress and the charging of one's mental and physical batteries.| location = New York| page = 184
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation|author-link=Norman E. Rosenthal|first=Norman E.|last=Rosenthal|publisher=Tarcher Penguin|year=2011|isbn=978-1-58542-873-1|page=[https://archive.org/details/transcendencehea00mdno/page/n18 4]|title-link=Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation}}</ref> The public presentation of the TM technique over its 50-year history has been praised for its high visibility in the mass media and effective global propagation, and criticized for using celebrity and scientific endorsements as a marketing tool.  Advanced courses supplement the TM technique and include an advanced meditation called the TM-Sidhi program. In 1970, the Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI) became the theoretical basis for the Transcendental Meditation technique, although skeptics questioned its scientific nature.<ref>[http://www.mum.edu/library/mvs_collection.html Science of Creative Intelligence Reserve Collection] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507020220/http://www.mum.edu/library/mvs_collection.html |date=7 May 2011 }} MUM web site, retrieved 30 May 2012</ref> According to proponents, when 1 percent of a population (such as a city or country) practices the TM technique daily, their practice influences the quality of life for that population. This has been termed the [[Maharishi Effect]].

====TM technique in education====
{{main|Transcendental Meditation in education}}
[[File:1590-MT-au-Peru-2011-Consciousness-Based-Education.JPG|thumb|Students in Peru classroom practicing the TM technique]]

Transcendental Meditation in education (also known as Consciousness Based Education) is the application of the Transcendental Meditation technique in an educational setting or institution. These educational programs and institutions have been founded in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Africa and Japan. The Transcendental Meditation technique became popular with students in the 1960s and by the early 1970s centers for the Students International Meditation Society were established at a thousand campuses<ref name="Olson-Encyclopedia"/> in the United States, with similar growth occurring in Germany, Canada and Britain.<ref name="Bainbridge, William Sims page 188">Bainbridge, William Sims (1997 Routledge, ''The Sociology of Religious Movements'', page 188</ref> The [[Maharishi University of Management|Maharishi International University]] was established in 1973 in the United States and began offering accredited, degree programs. In 1977 courses in Transcendental Meditation and the Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI) were legally prohibited from New Jersey (US) public high schools on religious grounds by virtue of the [[Establishment Clause]]  of the [[First Amendment]].<ref name="conlaw">{{cite web |author=Doug Linder |url=http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/estabinto.htm |title=Introduction to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment |publisher=Law.umkc.edu |access-date=2009-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122032503/http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/estabinto.htm |archive-date=22 November 2009 }}</ref><ref name="malnak">{{cite web |url=http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/592/592.F2d.197.78-1882.78-1568.html |title=Malnak v. Yogi, 592 F.2d 197, 203 (3rd Cir., 1979) |publisher=Bulk.resource.org |access-date=2010-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908152901/http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/592/592.F2d.197.78-1882.78-1568.html |archive-date=8 September 2009 }}</ref> This "dismantled" the TM program's use of government funding in U.S. public schools{{sfn|Forsthoefel|Humes|2005|pp=63–66}} but did not render "a negative evaluation of the program itself".{{sfn|Cowan|Bromley|2007|p=70}} Since 1979, schools that incorporate the Transcendental Meditation technique using private, non-governmental funding have been reported in the United States, South America, Southeast Asia, Northern Ireland, South Africa and Israel.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=David Lynch Foundation |url=http://www.dlfprojects.org/stress-free-urban-schools.html |title=Stress-free urban schools |archive-date=26 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826063221/http://www.dlfprojects.org/stress-free-urban-schools.html }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dlfprojects.org/at-risk-children.html |publisher=David Lynch Foundation |title=At-risk children in developing countries |archive-date=26 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100826065207/http://www.dlfprojects.org/at-risk-children.html }}</ref><ref>Ehud Zion Waldoks, "School crisis? Send the kids to the corner – to count to 10 cross their legs and hum..." '' The Jerusalem Post'' 22 November 2007</ref>

[[File:Maharishi Centre for Educational Excellence, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India..jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|right|Maharishi Centre for Educational Excellence]]
A number of educational institutions have been founded by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Transcendental Meditation movement and its supporters. These institutions include several schools offering public and private secondary education in the United States ([[Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment]]),<ref>Buckley, Stephen (19 March 1993) Meditating Students, This School Offers Readin', 'Ritin' and Mantras, ''The Washington Post''</ref>  England ([[Maharishi School, Lancashire|Maharishi School]]),<ref name="BARRETT">{{cite news|title=Private schools enrol in Gove's state revolution|first=DAVID |last=BARRETT|work=The Sunday Telegraph|date=23 January 2011|page=2}}</ref><ref name="The Telegraph, Education News">{{cite news|title=Where Free Schools are located in Britain|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8752724/Where-free-schools-are-located-in-Britain.html|work=The Telegraph, Education News|date=12 September 2011}}</ref> Australia,<ref>{{cite news|title=Should our schools teach children to 'dive within'?|first=Lucy |last=Atkins |work=The Guardian |location=UK|date=14 April 2009|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/apr/14/transcendental-meditation-in-schools}}</ref><ref>[http://www.maharishischool.vic.edu.au/ Official web site], ''Maharishi School'', Retrieved July 2011</ref><ref>Smith, Birdie (28 January 2008) [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/01/27/1201368944848.html  School Year to Start on a Meditative Note] ''The Age'', Retrieved July 2011</ref> South Africa (Maharishi Invincibility School of Management),<ref name="maharishischoolsa1">MSIM official web site {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090201063246/http://maharishischoolsa.org/ MISM Web Site]}}</ref> and India ([[Maharishi Vidya Mandir Schools]]). Likewise, Maharishi colleges and universities have been established including [[Maharishi European Research University]] (Netherlands), [[Maharishi Institute of Management]] (India), [[Maharishi Institute of Management]] (India), [[Maharishi University of Management and Technology]] (India),  Maharishi Institute (South Africa)<ref>[http://www.educatingafrica.com/maharishi.html Educating Africa], Retrieved 10/10/10</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://maharishiinstitute.org/the-institute |title=Official Web Site |access-date=10 October 2010 |archive-date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130085356/http://maharishiinstitute.org/the-institute }}</ref> and [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic University]] (India). In the United States, critics have called Transcendental Meditation a revised form of Eastern, religious philosophy and opposed its use in public schools<ref name=Williamson>Williamson (2010) p. 89</ref> while a member of the [[Pacific Justice Institute]] says practicing Transcendental Meditation in public schools with private funding is constitutional.<ref name="Conant2008-05-29">{{cite journal | last = Conant | first = Eve | url = http://www.newsweek.com/id/139206 | title = Much dispute about nothing | website = Newsweek.com | date = 2008-05-29 | access-date = 2010-12-05 }}</ref>

===TM-Sidhi program===
{{Main|TM-Sidhi program}}
The TM-Sidhi program is a form of [[meditation]] introduced by [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]] in 1975. It is based on, and described as a natural extension of the [[Transcendental Meditation technique]] (TM).<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Shear|editor-first=Jonathan|title=Experience of Meditation: Experts Introduce the Major Traditions|publisher=Paragon House|location=St Paul, Minnesota|year=2006|isbn=978-1-55778-857-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-02-05-maharishi-obit_N.htm|title=Beatles guru dies in Netherlands|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=5 February 2008}}</ref> The goal of the TM-Sidhi program is to enhance mind-body coordination<ref name="MPTCWP">"The TM-Sidhi techniques enhance the effect of Transcendental Meditation in improving coordination between the mind and body."</ref> and to support the "holistic development of consciousness"<ref>Goldberg, Phillip (2011) Harmony Books, ''American Veda'', page 170</ref> by training the mind to think from what the Maharishi called a fourth state of consciousness.<ref>Russell, Peter, ''The TM Technique: A Skeptics Guide to the TM program''. Rutlidge, Boston.1977. p.91–93</ref>  "Yogic Flying", a mental-physical exercise of hopping while cross-legged,<ref>{{cite book|title=Psi Development Systems|last=Mishlove|first=Jeffrey|publisher=Ballantine|year=1988|chapter=Chapter 3|isbn=978-0-345-35204-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Meditate, Then Levitate / Devotees of TM are flying high|first=CHIP|last=JOHNSON|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=9 October 1997|page=A.19}}</ref> is a central aspect of the TM-Sidhi program. The TM website says that "research has shown a dramatic and immediate reduction in societal stress, crime, violence, and conflict—and an increase in coherence, positivity, and peace in society as a whole" when the TM-Sidhi program is practiced in groups.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tm.org/benefits-society-and-peace |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100905160125/http://www.tm.org/benefits-society-and-peace |archive-date=5 September 2010 |title=Society and Peace |publisher=TM.org }}</ref> This is termed the [[Maharishi Effect]]. While empirical studies have been published in peer-reviewed academic journals<ref>{{cite book|last=Regal|first=Brian|title=Pseudoscience: a critical encyclopedia|url=https://archive.org/details/pseudosciencecri0000rega|url-access=registration|year=2009|publisher=Greenwood Press|location=Santa Barbara, California|isbn=978-0-313-35507-3}}</ref> they have been met with both skepticism and criticism. Skeptics have called TM's associated theories of the Science of Creative Intelligence and the Maharishi Effect, "[[pseudoscience]]".<ref name="randi.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/Transcendental%20Meditation.html |title=James Randi Educational Foundation — An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural }}</ref><ref name="Sagan, 1997 p16">{{Cite book|author=Sagan, Carl |title=The Demon-haunted World: Science as a Candle In the Dark |publisher=Ballantine Books |location=New York |year=1997 |page=16 |isbn=978-0-345-40946-1 }}</ref><ref name=Pseudo>
* {{cite book|last=Boa|first=Kenneth|title=Cults, World Religions and the Occult|year=1990|publisher=David C Cook|isbn=978-0-89693-823-6|page=204|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3oE3y0OwEyMC&q=maharishi+pseudoscience&pg=PA204}} 
*{{cite book|last1=Carlson|first1= Ron |last2=Decker|first2= Ed |title=Fast Facts on False Teachings|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GAAoz3xRpSYC|date=1 July 2003|publisher= Harvest House Publishers|isbn=978-0-7369-3144-1|page=254}} 
*{{cite book|last=Hexham|first=Irving|title=Pocket Dictionary of New Religious Movements|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=79uJxu1TMFYC&q=maharishi+pseudoscience&pg=PA74|year=2002|publisher=InterVarsity Pres|isbn=978-0-8308-1466-4|page=74}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |last1=Marvizon |first1=Juan Carlos |editor=Shermer, Michael |encyclopedia=The Skeptic: Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience |title=Meditation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gr4snwg7iaEC&q=maharishi+pseudoscience&pg=PA141 |year=2000 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn= 978-1-57607-653-8 |page=141 }}   
*{{cite encyclopedia|last=Nanda|first=Meera|editor=Noretta Koertge|title=The Decolonization of Science Argument|encyclopedia=Scientific Values and Civic Virtues|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-19-803846-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fX0o-k1brLgC&q=maharishi+pseudoscience&pg=PA232}}
*{{cite book|last=Kinman|first=John M.|title=Of One Mind:The Collectivization of Science|year=1995|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-56396-065-9 |page=130|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=34Xwp-d5dMAC&q=%22Transcendental+meditation%22+pseudoscience&pg=PA130}} 
* {{cite book|last=Hook|first=Ernest B|title=Prematurity in Scientific Discovery; On Resistance and Neglect|year=2002|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-23106-1|page=215|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SgCSC2P1IToC&q=%22Transcendental+meditation%22+pseudoscience&pg=PT235}}
* {{cite book|last=Becker|first=Carl B|title=Paranormal Experience and Survival of Death|year=1993|publisher=SUNY Press|isbn=978-0-7914-1475-0|page=1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2qkpAUqV3oQC&q=%22Transcendental+meditation%22+pseudoscience&pg=PA1}}
* {{cite book|last=Bainbridge|first=William, Sims|title=Across the Secular Abyss: From Faith to Wisdom|year=2007|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-0-7391-1678-4|page=10|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=esUZuH_nXg0C&q=%22Transcendental+meditation%22+pseudoscience&pg=PA10}}
*{{cite book|last=Stenger|first=Victor|title=Quantum Gods: Creation, Chaos and the Search for Cosmic Consciousness Prometheus Books|year=2009|publisher=Prometheus Books|isbn=978-1-59102-713-3 }}</ref> It is difficult to determine definitive effects of meditation practices in healthcare as the quality of research has design limitations and a lack of [[methodological rigor]].<ref name=Cochrane06>{{Cite journal|last1 =Krisanaprakornkit | first1 = T. | last2 = Krisanaprakornkit | first2 = W. |last3 = Piyavhatkul | first3 = N. | last4 = Laopaiboon | first4 = M. |title=Meditation therapy for anxiety disorders|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=1 |article-number=CD004998 |year=2006 |pmid=16437509|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004998.pub2 |quote=The small number of studies included in this review do not permit any conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of meditation therapy for anxiety disorders. Transcendental meditation is comparable with other kinds of relaxation therapies in reducing anxiety|editor1-last =Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first =Thawatchai}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Ospina MB |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |issue=155 |pages=1–263 |date=June 2007 |pmid=17764203 |quote=Scientific research on meditation practices does not appear to have a common theoretical perspective and is characterized by poor methodological quality. Firm conclusions on the effects of meditation practices in healthcare cannot be drawn based on the available evidence.|author2= Bond K |author3= Karkhaneh M  |display-authors=etal |pmc=4780968}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|author=Krisanaprakornkit T, Ngamjarus C, Witoonchart C, Piyavhatkul N|title=Meditation therapies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) |journal=Cochrane Database Syst Rev |volume=6 |issue=6|article-number=CD006507 |year=2010 |pmid=20556767 |pmc=6823216 |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD006507.pub2 |quote =As a result of the limited number of included studies, the small sample sizes and the high risk of bias|editor1-last=Krisanaprakornkit|editor1-first=Thawatchai}}</ref>

===Maharishi Ayurveda===
{{Main|Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health}}
[[Maharishi Ayurveda]],<ref>{{cite book|title=The Physiology of Consciousness|first=Robert Keith |last=Wallace|isbn=978-0-923569-02-0|pages=64–66|publisher=Maharishi International University Press|year=1986}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Sharma | first1 = Hari M. | last2 = Clark | first2 = Christopher | title = Contemporary Ayurveda: medicine and research in Maharishi Ayur-Ved | url = https://archive.org/details/contemporaryayur0000shar | url-access = registration | year = 1998 | publisher = Churchill Livingstone | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-443-05594-2 }}
</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Reddy | first1 = Kumuda | last2 = Egenes | first2 = Linda | title = Conquering Chronic Disease Through Maharishi Vedic Medicine | publisher = Lantern Books | isbn = 978-1-930051-55-3 | date = February 2002 }}</ref> also known as Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health<ref>{{harvnb|Wallace|1986|pp=64–66}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Sharma|Clark|1998}}</ref> and Maharishi [[Vedic]] Medicine<ref>{{harvnb|Reddy|Egenes|2002}}</ref> is considered an [[alternative medicine]] designed as a complementary system to modern [[western medicine]].<ref>{{harvnb|Sharma|Clark|1998|loc=Preface by Marc Marcozzi}}</ref> The approach was founded internationally in the mid 1980s by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The Maharishi's revised system of Ayurveda was endorsed by the "All India Ayurvedic Congress" in 1997.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} The Transcendental Meditation technique is part of the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health (MVAH).<ref name="govinfo.library.unt.edu">{{cite speech|first=John |last=Briganti|title=Testimony to the White House Commission On Complementary And Alternative Medicine Policy|date= 31 October 2000|url=http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/whccamp/meetings/transcript_10_30_00_s7_8_9_10.html}}</ref>
According to the movement's Global Good News website, there are 23 Maharishi Vedic Health Centres in 16 countries, including Austria, France, Denmark, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vedic Health Care|url=http://maharishi-programmes.globalgoodnews.com/vedic-health/index.html|access-date=14 November 2009}}</ref> The Maharishi Ayurvedic Centre in Skelmersdale, UK also offers panchakarma detoxification.<ref>{{cite news|title=Diamonds? No, a detox is a girl's best friend|first=Adriaane|last=Pielou|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London (UK)|date=6 September 2008|page=20}}</ref>

===Maharishi Sthapatya Veda===
Maharishi Sthapatya Veda (MSV) is a set of architectural and planning principles assembled by [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]]  based on "ancient Sanskrit texts"<ref name=Argus/><ref name=Spivack/>   as well as [[Vastu Shastra]], the [[Hindu architecture|Hindu science of architecture]].<ref>{{Cite book| publisher = Oxford University Press| isbn = 978-0-19-860568-3| last = Goode| first = Patrick|author2=Stanford Anderson|author3= Colin St. John Wilson| title = The Oxford companion to architecture| date = 23 August 2009| page=911}}</ref> Maharishi Sthapatya Veda architecture is also called "Maharishi [[Vastu]]" architecture,  "Fortune-Creating" buildings and homes,<ref>[http://www.fortunecreatingbuildings.com/ Official Web site, Fortune Creating Homes]</ref> and "Maharishi Vedic architecture".<ref>[http://www.vedicarchitecture.org/ Maharishi Vedic Architecture]</ref>  According to its self-description, the system consists of "precise mathematical formulas, equations, and proportions" for architectural design and construction. MSV has strict rules governing the orientation and proportions of a building.<ref name=Toner>{{cite news|title=Houses that boost health and wealth|first=Niall |last=Toner|work=Sunday Times|location=London (UK)|date=22 July 2007|page=10}}</ref> The most important factor is the entrance, which must be either due east or due north.<ref name=Toner/> The MSV architect also considers the slope and shape of the lot, exposure to the rising sun, location of nearby bodies of water and the other buildings or activities in the nearby environment.<ref>[http://download.tmnews.org/2005_07_AAAMag_ltr.pdf Egenes, Linda "Spotlight: Maharishi Vedic City", ''AAA Magazine'' (July 2005)]</ref> MSV emphasizes the use of natural or "green" building materials.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name=Argus/> The TM movement's aspiration is to have global reconstruction to create east-facing entrances, at an estimated cost of $300 trillion.<ref>{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Aspan| first = Maria| title = Maharishi's Minions Come to Wall Street| work = The New York Times| access-date = 17 December 2009| date = 2 July 2007| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/business/worldbusiness/02maharishi.html?_r=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://press-conference.globalgoodnews.com/archive/january/06-01-18.html |title=Maharishi Press Conference Highlights |publisher=globalgoodnews.com |access-date=17 December 2009 }}</ref>

====Settlements====
[[File:Homes in MVC, Iowa.JPG|thumb|Homes in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa]]
About 3,000 TM practitioners are estimated to live near MUM and the Golden Domes in [[Fairfield, Iowa]], US,<ref name=Welsch/> an area dubbed "Silicorn Valley" by locals.<ref>{{cite news|issue=9 |date=September 1997|title=Welcome to Silicorn Valley|volume=5|first=Peter|last=Maass|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.09/callback_pr.html}}</ref> By 2001, Fairfield's mayor and some city council members were TM practitioners.<ref name=Welsch>{{cite news|title=IOWATOPIA; Out on the cosmic plains of Iowa, Maharishi Vedic City looks East, in more ways than one|first=Chris|last=Welsch|work=Star Tribune|location= Minneapolis, Minn.|date= 8 June 2003|page=1.G}}</ref> Just outside the city limits is [[Maharishi Vedic City]]. The city's 2010 population of 1,294 includes about 1,000 [[pandit]]s from India who live on a special campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=Three new ways to experience Maharishi Vedic City |publisher=vediccity.net |access-date=15 June 2010 |url=http://www.vediccity.net/visitors/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724122322/http://vediccity.net/visitors/ |archive-date=24 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>Roberts, Sam [https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/11/nyregion/ny-says-census-undercounted-brooklyn-and-queens.html?_r=1 NY Says Census Undercounted in Brooklyn] New York Times, 10 August 2011</ref> The city plan and buildings are based on Maharishi Sthapatya Veda, an ancient system of architecture and design revived by the Maharishi.<ref>{{cite web |author=Craig Ridgley, Safire Internet Solutions, safire.net |url=http://www.maharishivediccity.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803163047/http://www.maharishivediccity.com/ |archive-date=3 August 2002 |title=Maharishi Vedic City |publisher=Maharishi Vedic City |access-date=15 November 2009 }}</ref><ref name="americanwaymag.com">{{Cite journal |url=http://www.americanwaymag.com/maharishi-university-of-management-college-of-vedic-medicine-mahesh-yogi-fairfield |title=Home and Peace |journal=American Way |first=William |last=Kissel |date=15 July 2005 |access-date=15 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905155324/http://www.americanwaymag.com/maharishi-university-of-management-college-of-vedic-medicine-mahesh-yogi-fairfield |archive-date=5 September 2009 }}</ref>

A community called Sidhadorp was established in the Netherlands in 1979 and reached its completion in 1985.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010|p=81}} Around the same time Sidhaland, in  [[Skelmersdale]] UK was established with about 400 TM practitioners, a meditation dome, and a TM school.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}<ref>{{cite news|title=The Town That Lost Its Guru|first=Mark|last=Hughes|work=The Independent|location=London (UK)|date=7 February 2008|page=16}}</ref> There is also a housing project in Lelystad, the Netherlands.<ref>[http://www.sidhadorp.nl/sidhadorp/sidhavillage-lelystad Sidha Village] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706121242/http://www.sidhadorp.nl/sidhadorp/sidhavillage-lelystad |date=6 July 2012 }} website (English version)</ref> [[Hararit]] ({{langx|he|הֲרָרִית}}) is a [[Human settlement|settlement]] in [[Galilee]], Israel founded in 1980, as part of a "government-sponsored project" by a group of Jewish practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation program.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}} It is the home for about 60 families.<ref>{{cite news|title=Founder of TM movement, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, dies in The Netherlands. Israeli followers mourn passing of 'great teacher'|first=Mike|last=Corder|work=The Jerusalem Post. Jerusalem|date=7 February 2008|page=06}}</ref> There are several residential facilities in India, including a {{convert|500|acre|km2|adj=on}} compound in "Maharishi Nagar", near [[Noida]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Learning and earning the Maharishi way|first=Peter|last=Popham|work=The Independent|location=London (UK)|date=16 November 1997|page=21}}</ref>  There is a 70-unit development, Ideal Village Co-Op Inc, in [[Orleans, Ontario]], a suburb of Ottawa, where 75 percent of the residents have been TM meditators.<ref>{{cite news|title=TM; Guru's followers plan 'paradise' village here|first=Sherri |last=Barron|work=The Ottawa Citizen|date=8 February 1990|page=C.1}}</ref>

====Monastic communities====
Purusha and Mother Divine are the names of gender specific communities who lead a lifestyle of celibacy and meditation.<ref name=Treadwell>{{cite news |url=http://www.highcountrypress.com/weekly/2006/03-02-06/n_heavenly.htm |last=Treadwell |first=Sally |title=What's going on at Heavenly Mountain? |work=High Country Press |date=2 March 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100802055238/http://www.highcountrypress.com/weekly/2006/03-02-06/n_heavenly.htm |archive-date=2 August 2010 }}"still others choose a life of celibacy and meditation for at least a short time, belonging to either Mother Divine (women) or Purusha (men)."</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Gilpin | first1 = Geoff. | title = The Maharishi effect: a personal journey through the movement that transformed American spirituality | year = 2006 | publisher = J.P. Tarcher/Penguin | location = New York | isbn = 978-1-58542-507-5 | page = [https://archive.org/details/maharishieffectp00geof/page/74 74] | url = https://archive.org/details/maharishieffectp00geof/page/74 }} "Maharishi's elite unit of celibate monks"</ref> Some residents have been part of the community for 20 years or more.<ref name="NC Court"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2002/01/21/reinventing-the-toilet-a-yale-dropout-gets-creative/|last=Dana|first=Rebecca|title=Reinventing the toilet: A Yale dropout gets creative|work=Yale Daily News|date=21 January 2002}}</ref>

In 1990 the Purusha community consisted of 200 men who conducted "administrative and promotional details" for the Maharishi's worldwide organization.<ref>(3 December 1990) On the front line for peace Yogi assembling 7,000 meditators, ''Albany Times Union'' (Albany, New York)</ref> The Purusha group was originally located at the Spiritual Center of America in Boone, North Carolina, US.<ref name="Encyclopedia"/> As of 2002 there were 300 male residents whose daily routine consisted of meditation from 7 am to 11:30 am and another group meditation in the evening. The rest of the day was taken up by lunch, educational presentations, fundraising and work for "non-profit entities associated with the Spiritual Center". The residents also read Vedic literature, studied Sanskrit, received monthly instruction from the Maharishi via teleconference and engaged in discourse with faculty of [[Maharishi University of Management]].<ref name="NC Court"/> As of 2007, there was also a Purusha community of 59 men in [[Uttarkashi]], India.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070811/LIFESTYLES03/708110323/-1/RSS|last=Massing|first=Dana|title=TM quiets mind, rests body says Erie man|work=Erie Times-News|date=11 August 2007|page=1|access-date=27 May 2010|archive-date=6 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606224249/http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070811/LIFESTYLES03/708110323/-1/RSS}}</ref> In 2012 the USA Purusha group moved to a newly constructed campus called the West Virginia Retreat Center, located in Three Churches, West Virginia, US. The campus consists of 10 buildings and 90 males residents plus staff.<ref>Pisciotta, Marla, (Sept 12,  2012) Three buildings added to retreat, ''Hampshire Review'',</ref>

As of 2002 the 100 resident Mother Divine community for women was also located at the Spiritual Center in Boone, North Carolina<ref name="Encyclopedia">{{Cite book | last1 = Abramson | first1 = Rudy. | last2 = Haskell | first2 = Jean | title = Encyclopedia of Appalachi | year = 2006 | publisher = University of Tennessee Press | location = Knoxville | isbn = 978-1-57233-456-4 | url = http://utpress.org/Appalachia/EntryDisplay.php?EntryID=009 | access-date = 27 May 2010 | archive-date = 30 August 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090830084257/http://utpress.org/Appalachia/EntryDisplay.php?EntryID=009 }}</ref> as part of an organization called Maharishi Global Administration Through Natural Law. Their daily routine was similar to the Purúsha community and in addition they operated The Heavenly Mountain Ideal Girls' School, a fully accredited North Carolina non-public school for grades 9 through 12.<ref name="NC Court">{{cite web |url=http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/coa/opinions/2002/010644-1.htm |title=''Re Maharishi Spiritual Center of America'', NC Court of Appeals No. COA01-644, (August 20, 2002) |publisher=FindLaw |access-date=15 November 2009 |archive-date=20 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820082912/http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/coa/opinions/2002/010644-1.htm }}</ref>

===Publishing, TV and radio===

====MIU Press====
Maharishi International University (MIU) Press was founded in the 1970s and operated a full-scale printing operation to publish the organization's brochures and literature for the United States. The Press employed four printing presses and 55 employees <ref name="WashPo 1975"/> and was located at the Academy for the Science of Creative Intelligence in Livingston Manor, New York.<ref name="Story Of The Maharishi">Jefferson, William (1976) Pocket Books, ''The Story Of The Maharishi'', page 117</ref>  MIU Press later became Maharishi University of Management (MUM) Press.<ref name=Williamsonp96/> MUM Press published books, academic papers, audio and video recordings and other educational materials.<ref>{{cite web|title=Home|work=Maharishi University of Management Press|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726141858/http://mumpress.com/index.html|archive-date=2010-07-26|url=http://mumpress.com/index.html|access-date=5 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.books-by-isbn.com/81-7523/|title=Maharishi Vedic University Press|publisher=books-by-isbn.com|access-date=5 January 2010}}</ref> These materials include the ''Modern Science and Vedic Science'' journal and books by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, [[John Hagelin]], [[Tony Nader]], Robert Roth, Craig Pearson, Robert Oates, Ashley Deans, and Robert Keith Wallace as well as ancient [[Sanskrit]] works by Bādarāyaṇa, Kapila, and Jaimini.<ref>{{cite web|title=Search results for 'Maharishi University of Management Press'|publisher=[[WorldCat]]|access-date=5 January 2010|url=http://www.worldcat.org/search?q=Maharishi+University+of+Management+Press&dblist=638&se=as&sd=asc&fq=dt%3Abks&qt=facet_dt%3A}}</ref> In addition their World Plan Television Productions contained a film library and audio and TV production studios, with $2 million worth of equipment, which distributed 1,000 videos each month to their TM teaching centers.<ref name="WashPo 1975"/>

====KSCI TV station====
{{main|KSCI}}

In 1975, the television station called channel 18 became KSCI <ref name="Time"/> and began production from a studio in West Los Angeles, while still licensed in San Bernardino.<ref name="LA Times"/> The station became a non-profit owned by the Transcendental Meditation movement and the call letters stood for Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's theoretical "Science of Creative Intelligence". The station broadcast began with 56 hours per week of "uplifting" news stories, prerecorded lectures by the Maharishi and variety shows featuring celebrities who practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique.<ref name="WashPo 1975"/><ref name="Time"/> KSCI's goal was to report "only good news" and seven sister stations were planned including San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and Buffalo, New York.<ref name="WashPo 1975">Meyer, EugeneL. (Sept 22, 1975) TM Takes on Corporate Look in U.S., ''Washington Post'', page A1</ref><ref name="Story Of The Maharishi"/><ref name="Time">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,947229-2,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091117234244/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,947229-2,00.html |archive-date=17 November 2009 |title=The TM Craze |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=1975-10-13 |access-date=2010-12-05}}</ref> The station manager was Mark Fleischer, the son of [[Richard Fleischer]], a Hollywood director.<ref name="Story Of The Maharishi"/> The Los Angeles location leased $95,000 worth of equipment and its highest paid staff member earned $6,000 according to tax documents.<ref name="WashPo 1975"/>

In 1980 the station switched to for-profit status and earned $1 million on revenues of $8 million in 1985.<ref name="Tribune">{{cite news|title=Few languages are foreign at San Bernardino's KSCI|first=Gus|last= Stevens|work= The Tribune|location= San Diego, California|date=11 July 1986|page= C.21}}</ref> In November, owners of the KSCI TV station loaned $350,000 to [[Maharishi International University]] in Iowa.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharishi U. Nets $6.3 Million In Gifts in '84|work=Omaha World – Herald. |location=Omaha, Neb.|date=4 November 1985|page=1}}"Private support also came in the form of a $350,000 loan from independent UHF station KSCI in San Bernardino, California, which is owned by a TM organization."</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Eclectic TV KSCI's Programming in 14 Languages Offers News, Entertainment, Comfort to Ethnic Communities|first=DAVID |last=HOLLEY|work=Los Angeles Times|date=15 June 1986|page= 1}}</ref> {{request quotation|date=September 2012}} As of June 1986 the station's content consisted of "a hodgepodge of programming in 14 languages"  that was broadcast on both cable and UHF in Southern California.<ref name="LA Times">{{cite news|title=Eclectic TV KSCI's Programming in 14 Languages Offers News, Entertainment, Comfort to Ethnic Communities|first=DAVID |last=HOLLEY|work=Los Angeles Times|date=15 June 1986|page= 1|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-06-15-me-11321-story.html}}</ref> In October, the station was purchased by its general manager and an investor for $40.5 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=KSCI TO CANCEL ITS SPANISH PROGRAMMING;|first=VICTOR|last=VALLE|work= Los Angeles Times|date= 29 October 1986 |page= 1}}</ref>

====KHOE radio station====
{{main|KHOE}}
[[KHOE]], is a low-power, non-profit radio station belonging to Maharishi University of Management (MUM), which began broadcasting in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|author=FCC Internet Services Staff |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/own_list.pl?Facility_id=20454 |title=FCC Ownership database |publisher=Fjallfoss.fcc.gov |access-date=2010-12-05}}</ref><ref name="KHOE">{{cite web |url=http://www.khoe.org/about.php |title=KHOE 'About Us' |publisher=khoe.org |access-date=2010-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220041727/http://www.khoe.org/about.php |archive-date=20 December 2010 }}</ref> The station features music and educational entertainment from around the globe including American music and cultural and ethnic programming. MUM's international students present music, poetry and literature from their native countries.<ref name="KHOE"/>
KHOE also broadcasts classical Indian (Maharishi Ghandarva Veda) music 24 hours per day on a special sideband.<ref name="KHOE"/>

====Satellite TV====
Maharishi Veda Vision is a satellite broadcast that began in 1998 with three hours of evening programming.<ref>{{cite news|title=News of the muse|first=Helen |last=Kaye|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=15 June 1998|page=07}}</ref> Programing expanded to 24 hours a day by 1999.<ref name=Ridge/> Maharishi Veda Vision was described as India's first religious television channel.<ref name=Ridge>{{cite news|title=The Maharishi at 80: Yogi in the sky with diamonds: A pyramid in India, the tallest building in the world, is among the projects planned by devotees|first=Mian|last=Ridge|work=The Vancouver Sun. |date=6 August 1999|page=A.17 }}</ref> The Maharishi Channel Cable Network, owned by Maharishi Satellite Network, was reported to have moved to [[Ku band]] digital satellites in 2001. While providing Vedic wisdom in 19 languages, most of the channel's programming was in Hindi and was intended for the worldwide non-resident Indian population.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maharishi first in India to jump onto Ku bandwagon |date=17 December 2001 |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-date=22 June 2011 |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k1/dec/dec44.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622070353/http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k1/dec/dec44.htm }}</ref> By 2002 the channel was carried on eight satellites serving 26 countries. The channel had no advertisements, depending on a "huge network of organisations, products and services" for support.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cashing in on piety: Nutrition for the soul now comes garnished with ads as spiritual TV channels take the road to commercialisation |date=11 April 2002 |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k2/reg.htm |publisher=indiantelevision.com |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-date=23 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123211440/http://www.indiantelevision.com/special/y2k2/reg.htm }}</ref> In 2005, the channel was among several religious channels vying to get space on [[DD Direct+]].<ref>{{cite news|title=India: Doordashan to expand digital platform to 50 channels|author=Indiantelevision.com|work=BBC Monitoring Media|location=London|date=29 April 2005|page=1}}</ref> Additional channels are broadcast over satellite as part of the Maharishi Open University's distance learning program, which also has studio facilities at Maharishi Vedic City in Iowa.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iowa Briefs|agency=Associated Press|work=Telegraph – Herald|location=Dubuque, Iowa|date=20 November 2001 |page=A.12}}</ref> The Maharishi Channel, which originates in the Netherlands, had a pending request for a downlink to India as of July 2009.<ref>{{cite web |title=150 TV channels await uplinking clearance |first=BB |last=NAGPAL |publisher=Indiantelevision.com |date=21 July 2009 |url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k9/july/july252.php |access-date=6 August 2010 |archive-date=22 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622070423/http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k9/july/july252.php }}</ref> According to its website, Ramraj TV is being established in India to introduce Vedic principles and practical programmes to the "World Family". As of August 2010, it is only available on the Internet. On a webpage last updated August 2009, the channel says it is in the process of obtaining a license from the Indian Government for a satellite uplink and downlink.<ref>[http://www.ramrajtv.com/ Ramraj TV web site]</ref>

==Organizations==
The International Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence (IFSCI).<ref name="Chryssides (2000)">Chryssides, George D. (2000) Scarecrow Press, ''The A to Z of New Religious Movements'', page 327</ref><ref>Cotton, Dorothy (1990) Psychology Press, ''Stress Management: An Integrated Approach to Therapy'', page 104</ref> American versions and additions to these organizations included the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation (SRMF), the World Plan Executive Council which was established to serve as a guide for the movement there <ref name="WPEC @ Britannica"/> and the American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence, for people in business and education.<ref name="Chryssides (2000)"/> Active international organizations include the International Meditation Society, Maharishi Foundation, [[Global Country of World Peace]] and the [[David Lynch Foundation]].

In 2007, the organization's "worldwide network" was reported to be primarily financed through courses in the Transcendental Meditation technique with additional income from donations and real estate assets.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/02/business/worldbusiness/02maharishi.html?_r=1&ref=maharishimaheshyogi New York Times, Maharishi's Minions Come to Wall Street, Maria Aspan, 2 July 2007]</ref>  Valuations for the organization are US$300 million in the United States<ref>Koppel, Lily (7 February 2008) Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Beatles' spiritual guru Founder of, transcendental meditation, ''International Herald Tribune'' "In the United States, the organization values its assets at about $300 million"</ref><ref>Unknown author(9 February 2008) [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18842050 Beatles Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Dies] ''NPR'', retrieved 10 October 2012</ref> and $3.5 billion worldwide.<ref name=Times0882/><ref>Sullivan, Patricia (7 February 2008) 
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi; Was Meditation Guru to the Beatles, ''The Washington Post'', "His organization's $3.5 billion in assets "</ref>

===Historically listed===

====1958: Spiritual Regeneration Movement and Foundation====
The Spiritual Regeneration Movement was established in India in 1958<ref name="Williamson page7"/><ref name="Partridge">Partridge, Christopher (2004) Oxford University Press, New Religions: A guide to New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities, pp 182-187</ref> and the Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation (SRMF) was incorporated in California, US, in July 1959 as a non-profit organization, with its headquarters in Los Angeles.<ref name="Partridge"/><ref name=CalSOS/> SRMF's articles of incorporation describe the corporate purpose as educational and spiritual. Article 11 of the articles of incorporation read: "this corporation is a religious one. The educational purpose shall be to give instruction in a simple system of meditation".<ref name=CalSOS>{{cite web |url=http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/cbs.aspx |title=Spiritual Regeneration Movement Foundation, California Secretary of State |publisher=Kepler.sos.ca.gov |date=7 July 1959 |access-date=17 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402014221/http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/cbs.aspx |archive-date=2 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>''Malnak v Yogi'', 440 F.Supp 1284(D.N.J. 1977)</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ncse.com/cej/3/1/scientific-creationism-science-creative-intelligence |title=Price, Robert M., "Scientific Creationism and the Science of Creative Intelligence", ''Creation Evolution Journal'' Vol 3 No 1 (Winter 1982)pp 18–23 |publisher=National Center for Science Education |date=16 March 1981 |access-date=15 November 2009}}</ref> The SRMF corporation was later {{when|date=September 2012}} dissolved.<ref name=CalSOS/> SRM offered TM courses to individuals "specifically interested in personal development in the context of a spiritual, holistic approach to knowledge".<ref name="Int'l Med Biblio"/> SRM addressed a smaller and older segment of the population as compared with subsequent organizations such as the International Meditation Society and the Students International Meditation Society.<ref>Lippy, Charles H., M>E> Sharpe Inc. (2000) ''Pluralism Comes of Age: American Religious Culture in the Twentieth Century'', page 112</ref> According to British author [[Una Kroll]], SRM was not a community and in the early 1970s the organization "cast off its semi-religious clothing and pursued science in a big way".<ref name="Una Kroll">Kroll, Una (1974) John Knox Press, The Healing Potential of Transcendental Meditation, chapter 1: The Guru, page 135</ref>

In January 2012 the [[Pioneer News Service]], New Delhi, reported that several trusts, including the SRM Foundation of India, had become "non-functional" after the death of the Maharishi in 2008 and were immersed in controversy after trust members alleged that parcels of land had been "illegally sold off" by other trust members without proper authorization.<ref>Author unknown (23 January 2012)  [http://dailypioneer.com/nation/37262-members-breach-yogi-trusts-with-land-deal.html Members breach Yogi trusts with land deal], ''Pioneer News Service'' | New Delhi</ref> In June the dispute was reported to be specifically between members of the SRM Foundation India, board of directors, over control of the foundation's assets, including 12,000 acres of land spread around India.  The two factions had accused each other of forging documents and selling land for "personal gains" without the sanction of the entire 12-member board. The two parties petitioned the Indian courts for a stay of all land sales until the Department and the Ministry of Home Affairs could conduct an investigation of the alleged improprieties. The newspaper went on to report that only four years after the Maharishi's death, his Indian legacy was "in tatters".
<ref>Ray, Shantanu Guha  (23 June 2012) [http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/maharishi-mahesh-yogi-rs-60000-crore-fortune/1/201925.html Yogi's disciples contort his legacy], ''India Today''</ref>

====1959: International Meditation Society====
In 1959 the Maharishi went to England and established the British arm of the International Meditation Society with an additional office in San Francisco California, US.<ref>Jones, David (2002) ''The Beatles and Wales'', Publisher: St. David's, Cardiff, Wales</ref><ref>Spencer, Leigh (7 February 2008) MAHARISHI MAHESH YOGI,  ''The Independent''  (London, England)</ref> The International Meditation Society was founded in the U.S. in 1961 to offer both beginning and advanced courses in Transcendental Meditation to the general public.<ref name="Time"/><ref name="Williamson page7">{{Cite book|last=Williamson|first=Lola |title=Transcendent in America:Hindu-Inspired Meditation Movements as New Religion |url=https://archive.org/details/transcendentamer00will|url-access=limited|publisher=NYU Press|year=2010|isbn=978-0-8147-9450-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/transcendentamer00will/page/n21 7]}}</ref><ref name="Int'l Med Biblio"/> As of 2007 it was still an active organization in Israel.<ref>Halkin, Talya (14 February 2006) Group touts TM as cure for ills of Israeli society, ''Jerusalem Post''</ref><ref>Ehud Zion Waldoks, (November 2007) School crisis? Send the kids to the corner – to count to 10, cross their legs, and hum...''Jerusalem Post''</ref>

====1965: Students International Meditation Society====
The Students International Meditation Society (SIMS) was first established in Germany in 1964.<ref name="Olson-Encyclopedia">Olson, Carl (1 January 2005) Transcendental Meditation, ''Encyclopedia of Religion''</ref> A United States chapter was created in 1965 and offered courses to students and the youth of society.<ref name="Int'l Med Biblio"/><ref name=Chryssides>{{Cite book | last1 = Chryssides | first1 = George D. | title = Exploring new religions | year = 1999 | publisher = Cassell | location = London | isbn = 978-0-8264-5959-6 | pages = 293–296| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jxIxPBpGMwgC&pg=PA293 }}</ref> The [[UCLA]] (University of California, Los Angeles) chapter of SIMS, which had 1,000 members, was founded by Peter Wallace and his brother Robert Keith Wallace, the first president of [[Maharishi International University]].<ref name="Williamson page7"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Transcendental Idea to Meditate About|first=JEAN|last=MURPHY|work=Los Angeles Times|date=9 January 1968|page=C1}}</ref> In the 1970s, SIMS centers were established at "over one thousand campuses"<ref name="Olson-Encyclopedia"/> in the United States, and similar growth occurred in Germany, Canada and Britain.<ref name="Bainbridge, William Sims page 188"/>

====1970: International Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence====
Transcendental Meditation has been utilized in corporations, both in the United States and in India, under the auspices of the [[#1970: International Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence|International Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence]] and the Maharishi Development Corporation.    In India a number of companies provide the TM technique to their managers. These companies include [[AirTel]], [[Siemens]], [[American Express]], [[SRF Limited]], [[Wipro]], [[Hero Motocorp|Hero Honda]], [[Ranbaxy]], [[Hewlett-Packard]], [[Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited|BHEL]], [[BPL Group]], [[ESPN Star Sports]], [[Tisco]], [[Eveready Industries|Eveready]], [[Maruti Suzuki|Maruti]], [[Godrej Group]] and [[Marico]].<ref name="Khan">{{Cite news|work=The Times of India|date=17 August 2003|title=TM: Corporate India's latest stress buster|first=Sakina Ysuf|last=Khan}}</ref> The employees at Marico practice Transcendental Meditation in groups as part of their standard workday.<ref name="Khan"/> The US branch of the organization is called the American Foundation for the Science of Creative Intelligence (AFSCI)<ref name="Time"/><ref name="Int'l Med Biblio"/> and as of 1975 it had conducted TM courses at [[General Foods]], [[AT&T Corporation]] [[Connecticut General Life Insurance Company]] and [[Blue Cross/Blue Shield]].<ref name="Time"/>  As of 2001, US companies such as [[General Motors]] and [[IBM]] were subsidizing the TM course fee for their employees.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hainsworth|first1=Karen |last2=Gardner|first2=Darran|title=It's the mind that matters|work=Sunday Herald|location=Glasgow, UK|date=21 October 2001|page=22}}</ref>  The organization has been described as one of several "holistic health groups" that attempted to incorporate elements of psychology and spirituality into healthcare.<ref>Harold George Koenig; Mona Smiley et al., (1988) ''Religion, Health, and Aging: A Review and Theoretical Integration'', Greenwood Press, New York, page 159</ref>

The Maharishi Corporate Development Program is another international non-profit organization that offers the TM program to people in industry and business.<ref name="Body Mind">Allison, Nancy (1999) Rosen Publishing Group, ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Body-Mind Disciplines'', Volume 57, page XXIV</ref><ref>Clarke, Peter (2006) Routledge, ''Encyclopedia of New Religious Movements'', page 634</ref> According to religious scholar [[Christopher Partridge]], "hundreds" of Japanese business' have incorporated the meditation programs offered by Maharishi Corporate Development International<ref>Partridge, Christopher (2004) Oxford University Press,  ''New religions : a guide : new religious movements, sects, and alternative spiritualities'', page 402</ref> including Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.<ref name="Arkansas Business">{{cite news|last=Tobler|first=Christopher|title=Meditation far from 'far-out' for some businesses|newspaper=Arkansas Business|date=14 August 1995}}</ref> In 1995 the Fortune Motor Co. of Taiwan reportedly had a 100% increase in sales after participating in the program.<ref name="Arkansas Business"/> The ''Washington Post'' reported in 2005, that US real estate developer, The Tower Companies,  had added classes in Transcendental Meditation to their employee benefit program with 70% participation.<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper=Washington Post|title=More Area Firms Paying Employees to Relax, Transcendental Meditation Seen As Health Care Boon|first=Annys|last=Shin|date=3 March 2005|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A1630-2005Mar2?language=printer}}{{Dead link|date=December 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine|title=Cubicle Karma|first=Mellisa|last=Chessher|date=October 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|magazine=Time |title=How to Get Smarter, One breath at a Time|first=Lisa |last=Cullen|date=16 January 2006|page=93|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1147167-2,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060111075353/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1147167-2,00.html|archive-date=11 January 2006}}</ref>

====1972: World Plan Executive Council====
[[File:Maharishi European Research University.jpg|thumb|WPEC headquarters in Seelisberg, Switzerland]]
The World Plan Executive Council's (WPEC) international headquarters were located in [[Seelisberg, Switzerland]] and its American headquarters in Washington, D.C.<ref>Lewis, James R. (2001) Prometheus Books, Odd Gods, pages 230-223</ref> The organization name was taken from the Maharishi's "world plan",<ref name="books.google.com">{{Cite book | last1 = Melton | first1 = J. Gordon | title = Encyclopedic handbook of cults in America | year = 1992 | publisher = Garland Pub. | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-8153-1140-9 | page = 288|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KRTGzgpDvL4C&q=j+gordon+melton+cults&pg=PP1 }}</ref> which aimed to develop the full potential of the individual; improve governmental achievements; realize the highest ideal of education; eliminate the problems of crime and all behavior that brings unhappiness to the family of man; maximize the intelligent use of the environment; bring fulfillment to the economic aspirations of individuals and society; and achieve the spiritual goals of mankind in this generation.<ref name="Oates"/> It provided courses in the Transcendental Meditation technique and other related programs.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1419408/World-Plan-Executive-Council |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=15 November 2009|title=World Plan Executive Council &#124; religious organization }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jonesday.com/experience/experience_detail.aspx?exID=S24022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126205635/http://www.jonesday.com/experience/experience_detail.aspx?exID=S24022 |archive-date=26 January 2013 |title=World Plan Executive Council wins 6th Circuit reversal of adverse $2 million judgment in bankruptcy/real estate dispute |publisher=Jones Day |access-date=15 November 2009 }}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=October 2009}}

It was founded in Italy in 1972 and by 1992 had organized twenty-five TM centers with thirty-five thousand participants in that country.<ref>James R. Lewis, J. Gordon Melton (1992) Perspectives on the New Age, State University of New York Press, Albany NY, page 279</ref> In 1998 the World Plan Executive Council Australia (WPECA) sought the approval of the New South Wales Labor Council (NSWLC) to allow a resort on property owned by NSWLC.<ref>Macken, Julie (5 November 1998) Labor Council to Decide on TM Lease, The Australian Financial Review, page 2</ref>

The World Plan Executive Council (WPEC) was established in the U.S. as a non-profit educational corporation to guide its Transcendental Meditation movement.<ref name="WPEC @ Britannica">{{cite web|url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1419408/World-Plan-Executive-Council |title=Britannica Encyclopedia online |publisher=Britannica.com |access-date=2010-12-05}}"World Plan Executive Council, the organization that guides the Transcendental Meditation movement".</ref>  Its president was an American and former news reporter named Jerry Jarvis and the Maharishi is reported to have had "no legal, official or paid relationship with WPEC".<ref name="WashPo 1975"/><ref>Braverman, Marcy (1 January 1999) Transcendental Meditation, Contemporary American Religion</ref> WPEC was an umbrella organization and operated almost exclusively on revenues generated from TM course fees.<ref name="WashPo 1975"/> It featured corporate trappings such as "computerized mailings, high-speed communications, links, even a well-turned medical and life insurance plan for its employees".<ref name="WashPo 1975"/> WPEC supervised the 375 urban TM centers as well as several failed resorts that were purchased or leased as "forest academies" for in-residence meditation classes and courses.<ref name="WashPo 1975"/> It had $40 million in tax exempt revenues from 1970 to 1974<ref name="WashPo 1975"/> and in 1975 it had $12 million in annual revenues but <ref name="Time"/> did not employ any outside public relations firm.<ref name="WashPo 1975"/>
[[File:WPEC Organization.svg|frameless|upright=3|left|WPEC's organization in the United States in 1975]]

In 1985, a civil suit were filed against the World Plan Executive Council, in the United States by Robert Kropinski, Jane Greene, Patrick Ryan and Diane Hendel<ref>United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Civil Suit #85-2848, 1986</ref> claiming [[fraud]] and psychological, physical, and emotional harm as a result of the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs. The district court dismissed Kropinski's claims concerning intentional [[tort]] and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and referred the claims of fraud and negligent infliction of physical and psychological injuries to a [[jury]] trial. The jury awarded Kropinski $137,890 in the fraud and negligence claims. The [[appellate court]] overturned the award and dismissed Kropinski's claim alleging psychological damage. The claim of fraud and the claim of a physical injury related to his practice of the TM-Sidhi program were remanded to the lower court for retrial.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/853/853.F2d.948.87-7060.87-7033.html |title=Kropinski v. WPEC, 853 F.2d 948 (CADC 1988) |access-date=27 May 2010 |archive-date=16 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100516001057/http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/853/853.F2d.948.87-7060.87-7033.html }}</ref> Kropinski, Green, Ryan and the defendants settled the remaining claims out of court on undisclosed terms.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=rzIdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fqUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4664,5096237&dq=maharishi+kropinski&hl=en "Meditation groups settle fraud cases", ''Associated Press'', reprinted ''The Tuscaloosa News'' (21 April 1991)]</ref> The remaining suit by Hendel, not included in the settlement, was later dismissed because the claims were barred by the statute of limitations. In affirming the dismissal, the Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit held that Hendel's claims were time-barred under the discovery rule because "...the defendants made representations which any reasonable person would recognize as being contrary to common human experience and, indeed, to the laws of physics. If, as Ms. Hendel alleges, she was told that meditators would slowly rise in the air, and that some of them were 'flying over Lake Lucern' or 'walking through walls, hovering, and becoming invisible,' and that her failure to go to bed on time could bring about World War III, then a reasonable person would surely have noticed, at some time prior to September 1, 1986, that some of these representations might not be true."<ref>Hendel v World Plan Executive Council, 124 WLR 957 (2 January 1996); affd 705 A.2d 656, 667 (DC, 1997)</ref>

In the 1990s WPEC in the United States became the parent company to an American, for-profit, hotel subsidiary called Heaven on Earth Inns Corp. with Thomas M. Headley as its president. The Heaven on Earth Inns Corp. was reported to have purchased nine US hotels at cut-rate prices that year, including two in Ohio, one in Oklahoma<ref>Dees, Cynthia (26 December 1229) Oklahoma Hotel, Home, Apartment Sales Enjoyed a Good Year. (Originated from ''The Tulsa World'', Okla.), Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News</ref> and one in Omaha, Nebraska.<ref>Shim, Grace (6 June 2002) Old Buildings in Downtown Omaha, Neb., Slow to Change Hands, ''Omaha World-Herald'' (Omaha, Nebraska)</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=IMAGINE YOU ARE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT MEDITATION IS KEY IN THIRD-PARTY BID Series: Another in an occasional series of profiles of long-shot candidates for president|first=BRIGID |last=SCHULTE|work=The Record|location= Bergen County, NJ|date=23 June 1996|page=a.32}}</ref> The hotels were bought as facilities for TM classes and as income-producing operations for health-conscious travelers who preferred vegetarian meals, alcohol free environments and non-smoking accommodations.<ref>Lubinger, Bill (8 October 1993) Transcendental Group Buys N. Randall Hotel, ''Plain Dealer'', page E2</ref> The following year WPEC purchased a hotel in [[Asbury Park, New Jersey]]<ref>{{cite news|title=A Vision for an Asbury Park Hotel|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/11/world/a-vision-for-an-asbury-park-hotel.html|work=The New York Times|date=11 July 1994}}</ref> and a "shuttered" hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.<ref>Berger, Jerry (13 March 1994) A Buyer Is Found for Old Forest Park Hotel, ''St Louis Post-Dispatch'' (MO)</ref> WPEC also "took over" Chicago's [[Blackstone Hotel]] via foreclosure in 1995.<ref>Kupcinet, Irv (4 August 1995) KUP'S COLUMN, ''Chicago Sun-Times''</ref>

The Maharishi Global Development Fund (MGDF) purchased the [[Clarion Hotel]] in [[Hartford, Connecticut]], US, in 1995 for $1.5 million and sold it to Wonder Works Construction in 2011.<ref name="Hartford Courant">{{cite news|last=Gosselin|first=Kenneth|title=Long-Empty Clarion Hotel In Downtown Hartford Sells|url=https://www.courant.com/2011/01/31/long-empty-clarion-hotel-in-downtown-hartford-sells/|access-date=26 January 2013|newspaper=The Hartford Courant|date=31 January 2011}}</ref>  In 2006 MGDF's assets were listed as $192.3 million with $51.4 million in income.<ref name="Hartford PL">{{cite news|last=D'Ambrosio|first=Daniel|title=The Maharishi's Empty Hotel|url=http://www.hartfordinfo.org/issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_advocate_031209.asp|access-date=26 January 2013|newspaper=Hartford Public Library|date=12 March 2009}}</ref>

====1975: Maharishi Foundation====
Maharishi Foundation is an educational and charitable organization<ref name="The Indie1997">{{cite news|last=Jury|first=Louise|title=Stately home for sale: could suit yogic flyer or maharishi|newspaper=The Independent|date=13 May 1997}}</ref>  active in at least four countries.  The Maharishi Foundation's headquarters resided at [[Mentmore Towers]] in Buckinghamshire beginning in 1978<ref name="The Indie1997"/> and later moved to [[Skelmersdale]], [[West Lancashire]], England.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bin Laden meets his match in yogic flyers from Skelmersdale|first=Jenny|last=Wildman|work=Daily Post|location=Liverpool|date=5 October 2001|page=3}}</ref> According to its website, Maharishi Foundation is a "registered, educational charity" that was established in Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom in 1975.<ref name="MF web site">Unknown author [http://www.maharishifoundation.org.uk/UK-charity.html   Maharishi Foundation-the UK Charity] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722115933/http://www.maharishifoundation.org.uk/UK-charity.html |date=22 July 2013 }} Official web site</ref> Its purpose is to advance public education by offering courses and services for human development including Transcendental Meditation.<ref name="MF web site"/><ref>{{cite news|title=MAHARISHI FOUNDATION: CORRECTION; Transcendental meditation reduces ADHD symptoms among students: Newly published study|author=Anonymous|work=M2 Presswire|location=Coventry|date=25 February 2009}}</ref>  The foundation is said to promote [[Consciousness-Based Education]] and research on Transcendental Meditation by "independent academic institutions"<ref name="MF web site"/> and reported $7 million in revenues in 2010.<ref name="Wash Po Jan 20, 2013"/> Similar corporations include the Maharishi Foundation Incorporated in New Zealand<ref>[http://www.tm.org.nz/ Copyright] The Transcendental Meditation Programme of New Zealand, "Transcendental Meditation is the registered trademark of Maharishi Foundation Incorporated. © Copyright 2011"</ref> and Maharishi Foundation U.S.A.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/07/15/5022454/australian-food-store-offers-transcendental.html | title=Australian Food Store Offers Transcendental Meditation to Employees | publisher=The Herald (South Carolina, US) | date=15 July 2013 | access-date=3 August 2013 | author=Press Release by Maharishi Foundation | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130803192934/http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/07/15/5022454/australian-food-store-offers-transcendental.html | archive-date=3 August 2013 }}</ref>  Maharishi Foundation purchased the [[Kolleg St. Ludwig]] campus in 1984 for USD 900,000<ref name=Corder98>{{cite news|title=Plan to demolish monastery pits guru against neighbors // Followers want to raze the building to avoid anxiety, depression and criminal tendencies|first=MIKE |last=CORDER|work=Austin American-Statesman|date=25 January 1998|page=A.11}}</ref> and it  became the Maharishi European Research University (MERU) campus as well as the Maharishi's movement headquarters and residence.<ref name=Koppel2008/> The buildings were old, inefficient, in disrepair and did not meet the Maharishi Sthapatya Veda requirements of an east facing entrance.<ref name=Corder98/> A 2006 report in the Los Angeles Times said the Maharishi's organization has been involved in a two year "courtroom battle" with preservationist who wanted to block the demolition of the Kollege St. Ludwig building which "was abandoned in 1978" by its previous owners.<ref name="LA Times Max">{{cite news | url=http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/19/news/adfg-yogi19/2 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118014318/http://articles.latimes.com/2006/feb/19/news/adfg-yogi19/2 | archive-date=18 November 2010 | title=A Yogi's Plan for Today's Troubled World | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=19 February 2006 | access-date=20 March 2013 | author=Max, Arthur | page=2}}</ref> A three-story, canvas illustration of the intended replacement building was put up on the front side of the building but local government ordered its removal.<ref name=RP/> According to a 2008 report, the MERU Foundation indicated it would consider leaving the site if permission to demolish the old building was not granted.<ref name=RP>{{cite news |title=Wegberg: Zieht die Meru-Stiftung aus? |language=de |url=http://www.rp-online.de/niederrheinsued/erkelenz/nachrichten/erkelenz/Zieht-die-Meru-Stiftung-aus_aid_600782.html |date=12 August 2008 |first=Eberhard |last=Von Lange |work=RP Online |archive-date=20 February 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130220172910/http://www.rp-online.de/niederrheinsued/erkelenz/nachrichten/erkelenz/Zieht-die-Meru-Stiftung-aus_aid_600782.html }}</ref> In 2015, the old buildings were removed completely.<ref>Der Abriss des Klosters St. Ludwig in Vlodrop (17 April 2015) [http://www.rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/erkelenz/der-abriss-des-klosters-st-ludwig-in-vlodrop-bid-1.5022884 RP Online]</ref>
[[File:20130723 MERU (Maharishi European Research University) in Vlodrop Holland - CC BY-NC-ND 1000x368.jpg|thumb|upright=1.25|New construction in 1997]] 
By 1996, it was referred to as the "Maharishi Continental Capital of the Age of Enlightenment for Europe".<ref>{{cite news|title=Turn on, tune in, make a killing|work=South China Morning Post|location=Hong Kong|date=18 February 1996|page=4}}</ref> In 1998, the overall redevelopment plan for the location was budgeted at USD 50 million.<ref name=Corder98/> Aerial photographs show the development of the site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uclakathjaa.de//klosterstludwigvlodrop/images/img_3861-2.jpg|title=Aerial photograph: MERU|access-date=27 September 2010|archive-date=19 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719100713/http://www.uclakathjaa.de//klosterstludwigvlodrop/images/img_3861-2.jpg}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roerstreekmuseum.nl/Ludwig/index.htm|title=College St. Ludwig|publisher=roerstreekmuseum.nl|access-date=27 September 2010|archive-date=9 May 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030509154038/http://www.roerstreekmuseum.nl/Ludwig/index.htm}}</ref> Floodlights illuminated the new building constructed in 1997 and 164 flagpoles carried the flags of the world nations "like a meditation-based United Nations."<ref>{{cite news |title=Memorial pays tribute to Indian guru Maharishi Yogi |first=Catherine |last=Hornby |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL0720517520080207 |archive-date=5 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005223314/http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKL0720517520080207 |date=7 February 2008 |work=Reuters }}</ref> Local authorities later limited the use of floodlights and required removal of the flagpoles.<ref name=RP/>  [[Tony Nader]] was crowned Maharaja Raja Raam there in 2001,<ref>{{cite news|title=Mahesh Yogi reopens meditation centres in Britain|work=The Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi|date=31 January 2008}}</ref> and it became a "capital" of the Global Country of World Peace.<ref name=Koppel2006>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/08/magazine/08wwln_essay.html?_r=1&oref=slogin| work=The New York Times|title=Encounter: Outer Peace |first=Lily |last=Kopprl|date=8 October 2006}}</ref> By 2006, the campus had 50 residents and had been visited by [[John Hagelin]]<ref name=Koppel2008/> and [[Doug Henning]] in prior years.<ref name=Koppel2006/><ref name=OBrien>{{cite news|title=Title:Magical, mystical Veda Land aims to enlighten the world. (Maharishi Veda Land)|work=Amusement Business |first=Tim |last=O'Brien |volume=103 |number=15 |date=15 April 1991|page=3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Maharishi Mahesh Yogi steps down as head of meditation empire |first=Emma |last=Thomasson |date=28 January 2008 |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-31636820080128 |archive-date=7 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080507223533/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-31636820080128 |work=Reuters }}</ref>

In November 2011 Maharishi Foundation USA filed a lawsuit in Federal court against The Meditation House LLC for infringement of the foundation's Transcendental Meditation trademark which are licensed to select organizations.<ref name=tess2/><ref>Eckhoff, Jeff (29 November 2011) [http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2011/11/29/maharishi-foundation-to-competitor-meditate-on-this-lawsuit  Maharishi Foundation to competitor: Meditate on this lawsuit] Des Moines Register</ref> The foundation alleges that its "credibility and positive image" are being used  to "mislead customers" while the defendant asserts the foundation has an unfair monopoly on an ancient technique.<ref name="Wash Po Jan 20, 2013">{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Legal feud over teaching of transcendental meditation technique is anything but peaceful|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/legal-feud-over-teaching-of-transcendental-meditation-technique-is-anything-but-peaceful/2013/01/20/353fbe84-6329-11e2-889b-f23c246aa446_story.html|access-date=25 January 2013|newspaper=Washington Post|date=20 January 2013}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

====1976: World Government of the Age of Enlightenment====
This self described non-political, non-religious, global organization was formed in 1976 by the Maharishi<ref name="Sci of Being appendix">Yogi, Maharishi Mahesh (1995) Meridian Group, the Science of Being and Art of Living pp 324-366</ref> As of 1985 the World Government of the Age of Enlightenment was administrated by its president, Thomas A. Headly. Its purpose was to teach the Science of Creative Intelligence and the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs and to accomplish the seven goals of the World Plan. In addition, the organization gave Maharishi Awards to several outstanding members of the community each year.<ref name="Int'l Med Biblio">Jarrell, Howard R.,(1985) Scarecrow Press, International Meditation Bibliography 1950–1982, page 322</ref>

====1988: Maharishi Heaven on Earth Development Corp.====
{{main|Maharishi Heaven on Earth Development}}
Maharishi Heaven on Earth Development Corp. (MHOED) is a for-profit [[Real estate development|real estate developer]] associated with [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]] and his Transcendental Meditation movement. First founded in Malibu California in 1988, it has sought to build utopian projects in the U.S., Canada, and Africa with a long-term goal to "reconstruct the entire world", at an estimated cost of $100 trillion.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maharishi May Show Way To Heavenly Home|date=15 January 1989|first=Eric |last=Zorn|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/01/15/maharishi-may-show-way-to-heavenly-home/}}</ref><ref name=Kay>{{cite news|title=Utopia? &#124; Guru, backers have high hopes for heavenly housing concept|first=Marsha |last=Kay|work=The San Diego Union|date=25 December 1988|page=F.1}}</ref> The US arm planned to work with developers to build 50 "Maharishi Cities of Immortals" in the US and Canada.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Age Comes Home as Maharishi Plans 'Cities of Immortals'|first=Michael |last=Flagg|work=Los Angeles Times|date=18 April 1989|page=9.F}}</ref> The Canadian arm bought and renovated the [[Embassy of Algeria, Ottawa|Fleck/Paterson House]] in Ottawa in 2002, earning the "adaptive use award of excellence" from the City.<ref>{{cite news|title=Restoration work on bridge earns prize|date=12 March 1994|page=12|work=The Ottawa Citizen}}</ref> A subsidiary purchased land to build Maharishi Veda Land [[theme park]]s in Orlando, Florida and Niagara Falls, New York. The Dutch arm negotiated with the presidents of Zambia and Mozambique to acquire a quarter of the land in those countries in exchange for solving their problems.

====1992: Natural Law Party====
{{main|Natural Law Party}}
Founded in 1992, the [[Natural Law Party]] (NLP) was a transnational party based on the teachings of [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]].<ref name=NLPUK>{{cite web |url=http://www.natural-law-party.org.uk/UKmanifesto/ |title=UK Manifesto, Natural Law Party |archive-date=24 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224115250/http://www.natural-law-party.org.uk/UKmanifesto/ }}</ref> The party was founded on the concept that [[Natural Law]] is the organizing principle that governs the universe and that the problems of humanity are caused by people violating Natural Law. The NLP supported using scientifically verifiable procedures such as the Transcendental Meditation technique and [[TM-Sidhi program]] to reduce or eliminate the problems in society. The party was active in up to 74 countries and ran candidates in many countries including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Israel, and Taiwan.{{sfn|Cowan|Bromley|2007|pp=48–71}}

Two of the most prominent candidates were [[John Hagelin]], who campaigned for U.S. president in 1992, 1996 and 2004, and magician [[Doug Henning]] who ran for office in England.  Electoral successes were achieved by the Ajeya Bharat Party in India, which elected a legislator to a state assembly, and by the [[Croatia]]n NLP, which elected a member of a regional assembly in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|title=We have lift-off|work=The Times|date=29 March 1993}}</ref> The party was disbanded in some countries beginning in 2004 but continues in India and in a few U.S. states.<ref>{{cite web|author=Craig Ridgley |url=http://www.natural-law.org/ |title=Natural Law Party official web site |publisher=Natural-law.org |date=2004-04-30 |access-date=2010-12-05}}</ref>

====1993: Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation====
Maharishi Vedic Education Development Corporation (MVEDC) is a non-profit, American organization, incorporated in 1993 and headquartered in [[Fairfield, Iowa]].<ref>{{cite news|work=The Wall Street Journal|title=Meditating for Heart Health|first=Laura |last=Johannes|date=7 March 2006}}</ref> [[Bevan G. Morris]] is the acting and founding president of the corporation and Richard Quinn is the director of project finance.<ref name=Hamill>{{Cite news| issn = 0362-4331| last = Hamill| first = Sean D.| title = Sites for 'Maharishi Effect' (Welcome to Parma) Spread Across U.S.| work = The New York Times| access-date = 15 November 2009| date = 22 February 2008| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/us/22peace.html?_r=2}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSearchSummary.asp?ReadFromDB=True&UpdateAllowed=&FEIN=043196447 |title=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts |publisher=Corp.sec.state.ma.us |access-date=15 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130612230847/http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSearchSummary.asp?ReadFromDB=True&UpdateAllowed=&FEIN=043196447 |archive-date=12 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="tm.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.tm.org |publisher=TM.org |access-date=5 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903141408/http://www.tm.org/ |archive-date=3 September 2010 |title=The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Program – Official website. How and where to learn. }}</ref> MVED's primary purpose is the administration of Transcendental Meditation courses and training TM instructors in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meditation Program Sessions at Osterhout|work=Wilkes Barre Times Leader|date=26 September 1998}}</ref><ref>Butler v. MUM/MVED Case #4:06cv 00072 JEG-TJS, 24 September 2008 page 23, summary judgment two: negligent representation.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.TM.org |title=The Transcendental Meditation (TM) Program – Official website. How and where to learn |publisher=TM |access-date=15 November 2009}}</ref> Courses in Transcendental Meditation are led by TM teachers trained by MVED.<ref>{{Cite news | issn = 0362-4331 | last = Koppel | first = Lily | title = Earth's Future Peacemakers Just Need a Little T.M. | work = The New York Times | access-date = 15 November 2009 | date = 14 November 2005 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/14/giving/14koppel.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Portland Press Herald|title=High on the Peace Plane|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ME&p_theme=me&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=High%20on%20the%20Peace%20Plane%20AND%20date%28all%29&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=%28%22High%20on%20the%20Peace%20Plane%22%29&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no |date=21 May 2005|first=Trevor|last=Maxwell|page=C1}}</ref> MVED also provides promotional literature to its teachers and TM centers<ref>Meditation Program Sessions at Osterhout, Wilkes Barre Times Leader, 26 September 1998</ref>

[[File:Peace Palace Fairfield, IA.JPG|thumb|left|Maharishi Peace Palace in [[Fairfield, Iowa]]]]

In 1975 the US non-profit oversaw five owned properties and hundreds of rented facilities that offered meditation lectures and seminars. One facility located in Livingston Manor, New York housed a 350-room hotel, a printing press and a professional quality video and sound-recording studio.<ref name="Time"/> MVED is the sublicensee for many trademarks owned by the U.K. non-profit Maharishi Foundation Ltd. These trademarks include: Transcendental Meditation, TM-Sidhi, Yogic Flying and  [[Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health]].{{sfn|Forsthoefel|Humes|2005|p=75}}<ref name=tess2>{{cite web|url=http://tess2.uspto.gov|publisher=U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices|title=Service Mark – Transcendental Meditation|access-date=4 September 2010}}</ref><ref name="mum.edu">{{cite web |url=http://www.mum.edu/consumer/copyright.html |title=Conditions of Use – Maharishi University of Management |publisher=Mum.edu |access-date=15 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602043702/http://www.mum.edu/consumer/copyright.html |archive-date=2 June 2010 }}</ref>

In 2004, the lawsuit ''Butler vs. MUM'' alleged that MVED was guilty of negligent representation and had direct liability for the death of a [[Maharishi University of Management]] student. In 2008, all charges against MVED were dismissed and the lawsuit was dropped.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/may/02/usa.theobserver |title=Trouble in transcendental paradise as murder rocks the Maharishi University|work=The Observer|date=2 May 2004|first=Antony |last=Barnett | location=London}}</ref><ref>Butler v. Maharishi University of Management, US [[United States district court|District Court]], Southern District of [[Iowa]], Central Div., Case No. 06-cv-00072</ref><ref>Kilian v. Maharishi University of Management, US District Court, Southern District of Iowa</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=Chicago Tribune |date=8 January 2009|title=University Expected to Settle Lawsuit Over Death}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Man Fails to Fly, Sues Camelot Owner|first=NANCY K.|last=OWENS|work=Greater Tulsa Reporter|url=http://www.gtrnews.com/greater-tulsa-reporter/753/once-grand-camelot-hotel-had-a-quick-demise|date=26 October 2005|access-date=27 May 2010|archive-date=11 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711132906/http://www.gtrnews.com/greater-tulsa-reporter/753/once-grand-camelot-hotel-had-a-quick-demise|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref>Butler v. MUM/MVED Case #4:06cv 00072 JEG-TJS, 17 January 2008 page 15, summary judgment one: direct liablity. Butler v. MUM/MVED Case #4:06cv 00072 JEG-TJS, Sept 24, 2008 page 23, summary judgment two: negligent representation.</ref> According to journalist [[Antony Barnett (journalist)|Antony Barnett]], the attacks led critics to question the movement's claims that group practice of advanced meditation techniques could end violence.<ref name=Barnett>{{cite news|title=Trouble in transcendental paradise as murder rocks the Maharishi University: Antony Barnett reports on the killing that has shocked the Beatles' guru's college campus|first=Antony|last=Barnett|work=The Observer|location=London (UK)|date=2 May 2004|page=3|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/may/02/usa.theobserver}}</ref> Maharishi said of the incident that "this is an aspect of the violence we see throughout society", including the violence that the U.S. perpetrates in other countries.<ref name=Barnett/>

MVED has created educational enterprises, such as Maharishi Vedic University and Maharishi Medical Center, and has overseen the construction and development of Maharishi Peace Palaces owned by the [[Global Country of World Peace]] (GCWP) in 30 locations in the United States.<ref>{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Building the 'Maharishi effect', one peace palace at a time|date=2 December 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/world/americas/22iht-yogi.1.10301330.html|first=Sean D.|last=Hamill}}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=25yC2ePhbXEC&pg=PA120 Philosophers and Religious Leaders, Christian D. Von Dehsen, Scott L. Harris, Chapter Maharishi Mahesh Yogi p. 120]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=mLYlsMszi64C&pg=PA188 The PDR family guide to natural medicines and healing therapies, By Physicians Desk Reference, p. 188]</ref>
Maharishi Peace Palaces, Transcendental Meditation Centers, Maharishi Enlightenment Centers, and Maharishi Invincibility Centers provide training and [[Maharishi Ayurveda]] treatments as well as serving as local centers for TM and TM-Sidhi practitioners

====1997: Maharishi Housing Development Finance Corporation====
The Maharishi Housing Development Finance Corporation (MHDFC) was established in India in 1997 and as of 2003 had 15 branch offices.<ref name=AAIW2003/> In 2000 MHDFC began offering seven and 15-year loans and proposed a plan to offer 40-year [[mortgages]].<ref name="BusLn">{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-59952078/india-maharishi-housing-offer.html|title=India: Maharishi Housing to offer 40-yr loan scheme.|date=8 March 2000|work=Business Line|access-date=8 July 2013}}</ref> By 2003 the finance company had 15 branches across India, a loan portfolio of Rs104 crore, and the Maharishi University of Management of UK was listed as its majority owner.<ref name=AAIW2003>{{Cite news|title=ICICI Bank in due diligence for Maharishi HSG Fin Buy (to complete due diligence process by Jun 2003)|work=Asia Africa Intelligence Wire|date=29 May 2003|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/icici-bank-in-due-diligence-for-maharishi-hsg-fin-buy/71683/}}"The Maharishi group is promoted by the UK-based Maharishi University of Management."....."The company, (MHDFC) with its head office in New Delhi....which is almost owned by the Maharishi University of Management."</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maharishi-india.org/companies/c2/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040207202601/http://maharishi-india.org/companies/c2/index.html |archive-date=7 February 2004 |title=Maharishi's Programmes in India: Maharishi Housing Development Finance Corporation |publisher=Maharishi Vedic University |access-date=5 April 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://maharishi-india.org/contact.html |title=Maharishi's Programmes in India |website=maharishi-india.org |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100903132037/http://maharishi-india.org/contact.html |archive-date=3 September 2010 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|work=The Press Trust of India Ltd.|date=28 May 2009|title=Religare forays into home fin biz; buys 87.5% stake in MHDFC}}</ref> In 2009 [[Religare Enterprises]] Limited acquired an 87.5 percent stake in MHDFC and on that basis MHDFC received the highest quality credit rating from the ICRA in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Religare To Acquire Controlling Stake In MHDFC|first=Rupal|last=Patel|date=6 April 2009|url=http://business.highbeam.com/436238/article-1G1-197743688/religare-enterprises-acquire-majority-stake-maharishi|access-date=25 October 2012|archive-date=29 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429193915/http://business.highbeam.com/436238/article-1G1-197743688/religare-enterprises-acquire-majority-stake-maharishi}}</ref><ref>(Sept 7, 2010) ICRA gives A1+ to Maharishi Housing Development Finance Corp short-term debt programme, ''ADP Debt News'', "ICRA said today it has assigned an A1+ rating to the INR 1.0 billion (USD 21m/EUR 17m) short-term debt programme of Maharishi Housing Development Finance Corporation Limited (MHDFC)."...."based on the company's strong parentage in form of Religare Enterprises Limited (BOM:532915), which holds 87.5% stake in the company"</ref>

====1999: Maharishi Solar Technology====
Maharishi Solar Technology (MST) is an Indian solar producer that makes modules, solar lanterns and pumps founded in 1999.<ref>Unknown author, [http://www.maharishisolar.com/  Home page] Maharishi Solar Technology, accessed 7 January 2013</ref><ref>
(16 March 2012) {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20130511174411/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-03-16/news/31201398_1_solar-energy-solar-pv-cells-maharishi-solar "Budget 2012: Concession on equipment for solar-thermal is senseless, says domestic solar PV industry"]}} ''Economic Times'', accessed 7 January 2013</ref> MST has a vertically integrated facility for producing [[photovoltaic panel]]s at [[Kalahasti]] in Andhra Pradesh,<ref name=globalsolar/> and is a core producer of the [[Crystalline silicon|multicrystalline silicon]] wafers used to make them.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Get a Deep Insight into the Global & China Solar Polysilicon Industry Chain Report|work=Business Wire|location=New York|date=3 December 2007}}</ref> MST is reported to be a "venture of Maharishi group" and has contracted with the US-based  [[Abengoa|Abengoa Solar Inc]] to produce solar thermal collectors.<ref>Doe, Paula, (24 April 2008) [http://www.electroiq.com/articles/sst/2008/04/chindia-rushes-into-solar.html Chindia Rushes Into Solar] Solid State Technology, retrieved 21 April 2012 "Established local solar producer Maharishi Solar Technology, which makes 2.5MW of modules, as well as basic gear like solar lanterns and pumps for areas without electricity, now plans to expand to 40MW -- and ramp its new 100T capacity polysilicon plant by the end of this year."</ref><ref name=FE10-12-2009>{{Cite news|title=Harnessing solar power for industrial use|first=Sandip|last=Das|work=The Financial Express |location=New Delhi|date=12 October 2009|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/harnessing-solar-power-for-industrial-use/527767/}}" Maharishi Solar Technology, a venture of Maharishi group, has tied up with the US-based Abengoa Solar Inc (ASI) for production of solar, which would be used for industrial applications of steam generation and other needs. The company is launching the project within next three months. The company would be in a position to supply equipment to industries for tapping solar energy, which would be used for air-conditioning, hot water needs and other thermal applications"</ref> MST's president, Prakash Shrivastava <ref>Malachandar, G. (16 March 2012) '[http://www.mydigitalfc.com/knowledge/renewable-energy-sector-left-unhappy-196 Renewable energy sector left unhappy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617074209/http://www.mydigitalfc.com/knowledge/renewable-energy-sector-left-unhappy-196 |date=17 June 2013 }},''Financial Chronicle'', accessed 7 January 2013</ref> is a member of the Solar Energy Society of India's Governing Council.<ref>{{cite web|title=Governing Council of SESI 2009–10 |publisher=Solar Energy Society of India |access-date=6 April 2010 |url=http://www.sesi.in/governingcouncil.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124070249/http://www.sesi.in/governingcouncil.asp |archive-date=24 January 2010 }}</ref> According to a press release published in [[Reuters]], MST was included in the  "2011–2015 Deep Research Report on Chinese Solar Grade Polysilicon Industry".<ref>Unknown author (6 January 2012) {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120305224906/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/06/idUS92512+06-Jan-2012+BW20120106 Research and Markets: 2011-2015 Deep Research Report on Chinese Solar Grade Polysilicon Industry]}} Reuters, accessed 7 January 2013</ref>

====2001: Global Country of World Peace====
{{Main|Global Country of World Peace}}
[[File:Global Country headquarters.JPG|thumb|U.S. headquarters for the GCWP]]
The '''Global Country of World Peace''' (GCWP) was declared by [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]], the founder of [[Transcendental Meditation]],  on [[Vijayadashami]] (Victory Day), 7 October 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maharishi.co.uk/acatalog/Maharishi_Ayur_Veda__Global_Country_Flags_25.html |title=Global Country of World Peace Flags |access-date=25 January 2010 |publisher=maharishi.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418112529/http://www.maharishi.co.uk//acatalog//Maharishi_Ayur_Veda__Global_Country_Flags_25.html |archive-date=18 April 2010 }}</ref> He described it as "a country without borders for peace loving people everywhere".<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news|work=The New York Times|title=Sites for 'Maharishi Effect' (Welcome to Parma) Spread Across U.S.|date=22 February 2008|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/22/us/22peace.html|first=SEAN D. |last=HAMILL}}</ref><ref name="mou.org">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070204080157/http://www.mou.org/media/pr/2002_11_20.html Maharishi Open University web site ]}}</ref> GCWP is structured as a kingdom, with [[Tony Nader]] as its current Maharaja or Sovereign Ruler.<ref name="Durst-Andersen2010">{{cite book|last=Durst-Andersen|first=Per|title=Mentality and thought: north, south, east and west|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sSQQonu4xg8C&pg=PA7|date=1 January 2010|publisher=Copenhagen Business School Press DK|isbn=978-87-630-0231-8|pages=60–62}}</ref> It became incorporated in the state of [[Iowa]], US, on 15 October 2002 as a non-profit organization with [[Bevan Morris]] as its president.<ref name="sos.state.ia.us">[http://www.sos.state.ia.us/Search/corp/%28S%28ucgg1fuaxuk0yv55dum2be55%29%29/corp_summary.aspx  Iowa, Secretary of State, Official Web Site]{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The corporation has its headquarters in [[Maharishi Vedic City]], [[Iowa]].<ref name="sos.state.ia.us"/><ref>Other members of the board, as of 2009, are [[John Hagelin]],  Benjamin Feldman, Larry Chroman, Robert G. Wynne, Steve Rubin, Prakash Shrivastava, and Peter Beach. [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aEv16urU3344 Bloomberg.com 28 December 2009] {{cite web |url=http://www.sos.state.ia.us//ANNUALREPORTS/AR09/FINAL/VOLUME%20206K/A09271094.tif |title=BIENNIAL REPORT |date=21 January 2009 |access-date=23 January 2010 |publisher=sos.state.ia.us |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127063718/http://www.sos.state.ia.us/ |archive-date=27 January 2010 }}</ref> It has, or is building, capitals in the Netherlands, Iowa, Kansas, West Virginia, Manhattan, and India. The GCWP has made various unsuccessful attempts at attaining sovereignty as a [[micronation]] during the years 2000 to 2002, offering sums in excess of $1 billion to small and impoverished countries in exchange for the sovereignty over part of their territory. It has a global reconstruction program which seeks to rebuild all of the cities and buildings in the world following Maharishi Sthapatya Veda principles.

====2005: David Lynch Foundation====
{{Main|David Lynch Foundation}}
The [[David Lynch Foundation|David Lynch Foundation For Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace]] is a [[foundation (charity)|charitable foundation]] based in [[Fairfield, Iowa]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sos.state.ia.us/search/corp/(S(zrt0cabvn3qu3oi14f5slk45))/corp_summary.aspx |title=David Lynch Foundation for Consciousness-Based Education and World Peace Iowa Secretary of State |publisher=Sos.state.ia.us |access-date=15 November 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> founded in 2005 and operating worldwide. The Foundation primarily funds at-risk students learning to meditate using the Transcendental Meditation program. Its other activities include funding research on Transcendental Meditation and fundraising with the long-term goal of raising $7 billion to establish seven affiliated "Universities of World Peace", to train students in seven different countries to become "professional peacemakers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=508719 |last = Wasserstein | first = Scoop | title = David Lynch meditates on peace | publisher = Harvard Crimson | work = Thecrimson.com |date=2005-09-30 |access-date=2010-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://download.tmnews.org/2005_07_21_ChronicleHE_ltr.pdf | last = Hoover | first = Eric | title = Filmmaker starts foundation to help students chill out – with Transcendental Meditation | publisher = Chronicle of Higher Education |date = 2005-07-21 |access-date=2010-12-05}}</ref>

====Other====

The Academic Meditation Society was launched in Germany in 1965 after 18 teaching centers had been established.  In 1966–1967 the number of teaching centers increased to 35 and the society opened an "academy" in [[Bremen-Blumenthal]].{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}

In 2000, the Maharishi group launched the IT company Cosmic InfoTech solutions.[sic]<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 June 2000 |title=Maharishi group |work=The Tribune |location=India |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000620/biz.htm |archive-date=5 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605233732/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000620/biz.htm }} "Maharishi group today announced its entry in the IT segment through launch of Cosmic InfoTech solutions"</ref> The Maharishi Group Venture was reported in 2006 to be "a non-profit, benevolent society based in India that aids students".<ref name=Star>{{Cite news|title=India has a huge demand for digital expertise Animation, India- style|first=Donna Jean|last=Mackinnon|work=Toronto Star|date=28 September 2006|page=J.1}}</ref> According to his bio at the Human Dimensions web site, Anand Shrivastava is the "chairmen and managing director of the Maharishi Group of Companies".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rrcap.unep.org/uneptg05/resource/anand.htm |publisher=UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development |title=Human Dimension: Anand Shrivastava |access-date=5 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718201432/http://www.rrcap.unep.org/uneptg05/resource/anand.htm |archive-date=18 July 2011 }}</ref> According to the web sites of [[Picasso Animation College]] and Maharishi Ayurveda Products Ltd. the "Maharishi Group is a multinational and multidimensional conglomerate with presence in over 120 countries".[sic]<ref name=PDM>{{cite web |url=http://www.picasso.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=61 |title=Maharishi Group |publisher=Picasso Digital Media |access-date=5 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100926045856/http://picasso.co.in/maharishi.asp |archive-date=26 September 2010 }}</ref><ref name=MAPPL>{{cite web |url=http://www.maharishiayurvedaindia.com/html/mgroup.htm |title=THE MAHARISHI GROUP |access-date=22 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100914193650/http://www.maharishiayurvedaindia.com/html/mgroup.htm |archive-date=14 September 2010 }}</ref> "In India, Maharishi organization is engaged in multifarious activities including education, health, technology development and social welfare. Maharishi Group is a multinational and multidimensional conglomerate with presence in over 120 countries." According to a report in Global Solar Technology, the Maharishi Group is "India's leading International group with diversified interests".<ref name=globalsolar>{{cite press release|url=http://www.globalsolartechnology.com/solar/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4021:maharishi-solar-technology-announces-tiea150up-with-abengoa-solar&catid=8:india-news&Itemid=29|title=Maharishi Solar Technology announces tie-up with Abengoa Solar|date=15 September 2009|publisher=Global Solar Technology|access-date=5 April 2010|archive-date=12 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012032026/http://globalsolartechnology.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4021&Itemid=9}}"Maharishi Solar Technology', a venture of Maharishi Group – India's leading International group with diversified interests, today announced its strategic tie–up with the Industrial (IST) Division of Abengoa Solar Inc., (ASI) a World leader in delivering solar technology solutions."</ref> A company called Maharishi Renewable Energy Ltd (MREL) was reported in 2009 to be "part of $700 million Maharishi group".<ref name=FE11-12-2009>{{Cite news|title=Maharishi to acquire tech from German co|first=BV|last=Mahalakshmi|work=The Financial Express |location=New Delhi|date=12 November 2009|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Maharishi-to-acquire-tech-from-German-co/540299/}}</ref><ref name=FE2010>{{Cite news|work=The Financial Express |first=Sandip|last=Das|date=12 October 2009|title=Harnessing solar power for industrial use.}}"Maharishi Renewable Energy Ltd (MREL) is part of $700 million Maharishi group"</ref>

In 2008, a resident of [[Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa]] filed a lawsuit against the India based company, Maharishi Ayurveda Products Pvt Ltd. (MAPPL), alleging that she had received lead poisoning from one of their products which she had purchased on a trip to India.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Title:Vedic City woman charges herbs caused lead poisoning.|work=Gazette|location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa|date=8 March 2008|first=Erika|last=Binegar}}</ref><ref>Ellin, Abby (18 September 2008) [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B02E7DB1030F93BA2575AC0A96E9C8B63&n=Top/News/Health/Diseases,%20Conditions,%20and%20Health%20Topics/Dietary%20Supplements%20and%20Herbal%20Remedies&pagewanted=2 SKIN DEEP; Ancient, but How Safe?] ''New York Times'' "a woman named Frances Gaskell experienced some of these symptoms after taking Garbhapal Ras, an herbal supplement geared toward pregnant women, and filed a lawsuit in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Iowa against the manufacturer, Maharishi Ayurveda Products, which is based in India"</ref><ref>Associated Press (11 March 2008) Woman claims poisoning by herbal product, Telegraph – Herald (Dubuque)"A woman has filed a lawsuit claiming she contracted lead poisoning from a Maharishi herbal product."</ref>

The Institute for Fitness and Athletic Excellence is the American organization that offers the TM program to amateur and professional athletes.<ref name="Body Mind"/> The Global Mother Divine Organization describes itself as "an international non-profit organization that offers women"  the "Transcendental Meditation technique and its advanced programs."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://globalmotherdivine.org/about-us.html | title=About Us | publisher=Global Mother Divine organization | access-date=2013-04-19 }}</ref>

The World Center for Ayurveda was founded in India in 1985. Other active organizations include the Institute For Social Rehabilitation and the International Center for Scientific Research.<ref name="Int'l Med Biblio"/>

Maharishi Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. (MITPL) was founded in 1999.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maharishi-india.org/institutions/i8/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804062914/http://maharishi-india.org/institutions/i8/index.html |archive-date=4 August 2010 |title=Maharishi's Programmes in India: Maharishi Information Technology |publisher=Maharishi Vedic University |access-date=5 April 2010 }}</ref>

==Marketing==
The public presentation of the TM technique has varied over its 50 year history. Some authors have praised its methods and success while others have criticized its marketing techniques. For example author G. Francis Xavier writes, the Maharishi is "one of the best salesman" and has made full use of the mass media to propagate TM around the world<ref>Xavier, G. Francis, (2006)  Pustak Mahal Publishers, Yoga For Health & Personality, page 100</ref> while authors Bainbridge and Stark criticize the TM movement for using endorsements from the scientific establishment as "propaganda", reprinting favorable articles and using positive statements by government officials in conjunction with their publicity efforts.<ref name=Market85/> On the other hand, cardiologist [[Stephen Sinatra]] and professor of medicine Marc Houston have said of the Maharishi: "His emphasis on scientific research proved that the timeless practice of meditation was not just an arcane mystical activity for Himalayan recluses, but rather a mind-body method hugely relevant to and beneficial for modern society".<ref name="James Dalen 2011 237">{{Cite book| author = James Dalen | editor = Stephen Devries| title = Integrative Cardiology | year = 2011 | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = New York | id = 978-0195383461 | page = 237 | chapter = The Integrative Approach to Hypertension, Ch. 11}}</ref>

===History===
According to one account, the Maharishi in 1959 began "building an infrastructure" using a "mass marketing model" for teaching the TM technique to Westerners.<ref name=Micozzi /> First, the Maharishi visited the U.S. because he felt that its people were ready to try something new, and the rest of the world would then "take notice".<ref name=Goldberg /> By the same token, author Philip Goldberg says the Maharishi's insistence that TM was easy to do was not a "marketing ploy", but rather "a statement about the nature of the mind."<ref name=Goldberg /> In 1963 the Maharishi published his first book on Transcendental Meditation called ''The Science of Being and Art of Living''.  In the mid-1960s, the TM organization began presenting its meditation to students via a campaign led by a man named Jerry Jarvis who had taken the TM course in 1961.<ref name=Goldberg /> By 1966, the Students Meditation Society (SIMS) had begun programs in U.S. colleges such as [[University of California, Berkeley]], [[Harvard]], [[Yale]] and others, and was a "phenomenal success".<ref name=Goldberg /><ref>Woo, Elaine (6 February 2006) "Maharishi Mahesh Yogi", ''Los Angeles Times''</ref>

In the late 1960s, the TM technique received "major publicity" through its associations with [[The Beatles]], and by identifying itself with various aspects of modern day [[counterculture of the 1960s|counterculture]].<ref name="Bajpai, R.S. 2002 page 554">Bajpai, R.S. (2002) Atlantic Publishers, The Splendours And Dimensions Of Yoga 2 Vols. Set, page 554</ref><ref>Barrett, Stephen and Cornacchia, Harold J. (1980) ''Consumer Health: A Guide to Intelligent Decisions'', page 106</ref> However, Goldberg and others say that during the first decade of the TM organization, the Maharishi's main students in the West were not rock stars and their fans, but ordinary, middle-aged citizens. In the late 60's, young people coming to learn TM at the center in London, England, were surprised  "to be greeted not by fellow hippies but by the proper, middle-aged men and women who were Maharishi's earliest followers."<ref>Goldberg, Phillip (2011) Harmony Books, American Veda, page 153</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Mason|first=Paul|title=The Maharishi: The Biography of the Man Who Gave Transcendental Meditation to the West |year=1994 |publisher=Element|location=Dorset, UK |isbn=978-1-85230-571-0|page=80|quote=Meditators came from diverse backgrounds, but the majority were from the white middle classes, and many had no previous experience with spiritual organizations.}}</ref> Another author notes that, "By the time the Beatles first met the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in London in 1966, Mahesh had already made seven trips around the globe, established 38 centres, and amassed more than 100,000 followers."<ref>{{cite book |last=Winston|first=Diane|title=Oxford Handbook of Religion and the American News Media |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MCCja27G0AAC&q=Oxford+Handbook+of+Religion+and+the+American+News+Media. |year=2012|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York|isbn=978-0-19-539506-8 |page=260}}</ref>

While [[The Beatles in India|Lennon and Harrison were in India]] in 1968 there were tensions with the Maharishi over business negotiations for a proposed documentary film and television show. The Beatles were surprised to find the Maharishi was a sophisticated negotiator<ref name=BrownGaines195>Brown & Gaines (1984) p. 195</ref> with an interest in publicity, business and finances.<ref>{{cite book|last=Lennon|first=Cynthia|author-link=Cynthia Lennon|title=John|url=https://archive.org/details/john0len20lenn|url-access=registration|date=27 September 2005|publisher=Crown|isbn=978-0-307-33855-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/john0len20lenn/page/210 210]}}</ref>

TM is said to have taken full advantage of all available publicity, and began to market to specific populations, such as spiritual people, political people and "pragmatic" self-help people. The latter approach is said to have been "given impetus" by the scientific research on the technique.<ref name="Blatter" /> In ''The Future of Religion'', sociologists Bainbridge and Stark write that, while the movement attracted many people through endorsements from celebrities such as The Beatles, another marketing approach was "getting articles published in scientific journals, apparently proving TM's claims or at least giving them scientific status".<ref name=Market85>{{cite book |author1=Bainbridge, Sims |author2=Stark, Rodney |author3=Bainbridge, William Sims |title=The Future of Religion: Secularization, Revival, and Cult Formation |publisher=Univ. of California Press |location=Berkeley, Calif |year=1985 |isbn=978-0-520-05731-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/futureofreligion00107s|url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/futureofreligion00107s/page/285 285] |quote=public relations Transcendental meditation. }}</ref> In the 1970s, according to Philip Goldberg, the Maharishi began encouraging research on the TM technique because he felt that hard scientific data would be a useful marketing tool and a way to re-brand meditation as a scientific form of deep rest, rather than a mystical "samadhi"; one of his first steps in secularizing the technique.<ref name=Goldberg /> The Maharishi's "appropriation of science was clearly part of his agenda from the beginning" says Goldberg, and so his "organization was incorporated as an educational non-profit, not a religious one".<ref name=Goldberg /> The Maharishi asked people with marketing expertise, like SIMS president, Jarvis, to present TM as a method for inner peace and relaxation based on scientific proof <ref name=Yamamoto /> and, because the TM technique was the first type of meditation to undergo scientific testing, it "has always received the most publicity".<ref name=Micozzi />

The first peer-reviewed research on TM, conducted by physiologist Robert K. Wallace at UCLA, appeared in the journal ''Science'' in 1970. It attracted significant public and scientific attention. The study's findings were also published in the ''American Journal of Physiology'' in 1971, in ''Scientific American'' in 1972,{{sfn|Freeman|2009|p=163}} and reported in ''Time'' magazine in 1971.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mind over drugs|page=47|newspaper=Time|date=25 October 1971}}</ref> Between mid-1970 and 1974, the number of research institutions conducting research on TM grew from four to over 100.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kanellakos|first=Demetri P |author2=Jerome S Lukas |title=The Psychobiology of Transcendental Meditation: A Literature Review |date=July 1974 |publisher=W.A. Benjamin Inc|location=Menlo Park|id=0-8053-5205-8|page=vi |quote=The pioneer paper on the physiological effects of TM first published by Robert Keith Wallace in Science, 1970, is a summary of his Ph.D. dissertation. ... shortly after the publication of this first paper and Wallace's book containing his full thesis (1970), many investigators attempted to verify his findings, and research on TM rapidly expanded in a number of areas, particularly psychology and medicine. ... Since Wallace published the first paper in 1970, the number of laboratories studying the psychobiological effects of TM has grown from 4 to over 100}}</ref>

Several researchers have said that Maharishi's encouragement of research on TM resulted in a beneficial increase in the scientific understanding of not only TM but of meditation in general, resulting in the increased use of meditation to alleviate health problems and to improve mind and body.<ref name="James Dalen 2011 237" />  Neuroscientists Ronald Jevning and James O'Halloran wrote in 1984 that "The proposal of the existence of a unique or fourth state of consciousness with a basis in physiology" by the Maharishi in 1968 was "a major contribution to the study of human behavior" resulting in "a myriad of scientific studies both basic and applied in an area heretofore reserved for 'mysticism'."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jevning|first1=Ronald|last2=O'Halloran|first2=James P|editor1-first=Deane H |editor1-last=Shapiro |editor2-first=Roger |editor2-last=Walsh |title=Meditation: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives|year=1984|publisher=Aldine Publishing Company|location=Hawthorne, New York|isbn=978-0-202-25136-3 |page=470 |chapter=Chapter 33: Metabolic Effects of Transcendental Meditation: Toward a New Paradigm of Neurobiology}}</ref> Research reviews of the effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique have yielded results ranging from inconclusive<ref name=Cochrane06 /><ref name=Ospina>{{cite journal |last1=Ospina |first1=MB. |last2=Bond |first2=K. |last3=Karkhaneh |first3=M. |last4=Tjosvold |first4=L. |last5=Vandermeer |first5=B. |last6=Liang |first6=Y. |last7=Bialy |first7=L. |last8=Hooton |first8=N. |last9=Buscemi |first9=N. |last10=Dryden |first10=D. M. |last11=Klassen |first11=T. P. |title=Meditation practices for health: state of the research |journal=Evid Rep Technol Assess (Full Rep) |issue=155 |pages=1–263 [4] |date=June 2007 |pmid=17764203 |url=http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf |quote=A few studies of overall poor methodological quality were available for each comparison in the meta-analyses, most of which reported nonsignificant results. TM had no advantage over health education to improve measures of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, body weight, heart rate, stress, anger, self-efficacy, cholesterol, dietary intake, and level of physical activity in hypertensive patients |display-authors=8 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225175425/http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/evidence/pdf/meditation/medit.pdf |archive-date=25 February 2009 |pmc=4780968}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=Insufficient evidence to conclude whether or not Transcendental Meditation decreases blood pressure: results of a systematic review of randomized clinical trials |journal=Journal of Hypertension |volume=22 |issue=11 |pages=2049–54 |date=November 2004 |pmid=15480084|quote=There is at present insufficient good-quality evidence to conclude whether or not TM has a cumulative positive effect on blood pressure. |doi=10.1097/00004872-200411000-00002|s2cid=22171451 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Canter PH, Ernst E |title=The cumulative effects of Transcendental Meditation on cognitive function--a systematic review of randomised controlled trials |journal=Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. |volume=115 |issue=21–22 |pages=758–66 |date=November 2003 |pmid=14743579 |doi=10.1007/BF03040500|s2cid=20166373 |quote=The claim that TM has a specific and cumulative effect on cognitive function is not supported by the evidence from randomized controlled trials.}}</ref> to clinically significant.<ref>John Vogel, Rebecca Costello, and Mitchell Krucoff, Chapter 47 in ''Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine'', Peter Libbie, et al, eds, Saunders Elsevier, 2007, p. 1157. Quotation: "TM has been shown not only to improve blood pressure but also the insulin resistance components of the metabolic syndrome and cardiac autonomic nervous system tone."</ref><ref>{{Cite book|editor=Italo Biaggioni|others=Geoffrey Burnstock, Phillip A. Low, Julian F.R. Paton|title=Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System|date=November 2011|publisher=Academic Press|location=USA|pages=297–298|quote=A meta-analysis of these studies indicates that TM significantly decreased low and high risk participants' systolic and diastolic blood pressures. ... In addition, psychological distress and coping abilities were significantly improved compared to control TM groups in both low and high risk groups.}}</ref><ref name="Sed12b">{{Cite journal |first=Peter |last=Sedlmeier|last2=Eberth|first2=Juliane|last3=Schwarz|last4=Zimmerman|last5=Haarig|last6=Jaeger|last7=Kunze|first3=Marcus|first4=Doreen|first5=Frederik|first6=Sonia|first7=Sonja|date=May 2012 |title=The Psychological Effects of Meditation: A Meta-Analysis  |quote=So, it seems that the three categories we identified for the sake of comparison, TM, mindfulness meditation, and the heterogeneous category we termed other meditation techniques, do not differ in their overall effects...A thorough comparison of the three kinds of meditation was difficult, due in part to the small number of studies that used a given category of dependent measure...Comparatively strong effects for TM...were found in reducing negative emotions, trait anxiety, and neuroticism and being helpful in learning and memory and in self-realization...For mindfulness meditation, such comparatively strong effects were identified in reducing negative personality traits, reducing stress, and improving attention and mindfulness...(other meditation techniques) yielded a comparatively large effect in the category of cognition...TM yielded noticeably larger effects than mindfulness meditation for the categories negative emotions, neuroticism, trait anxiety, learning and memory, and self-realization. The opposite results were found for negative personality traits and self-concept, where the effects of mindfulness meditation were larger...For most of the specific categories that could be analyzed, we found quite a variation in effects. These results indicate that different approaches to meditation might have differential effects. To date, it is difficult, however, to deduce any consistent differences therefrom|journal=Psychological Bulletin  |doi=10.1037/a0028168 |pmid=22582738 |display-authors=etal |volume=138 |issue=6 |pages=1139–1171}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |first=Kevin W. |last=Chen |author2=Christine C. Berger, Eric Manheimer, Darlene Forde, Jessica Magidson, Laya Dachman, C. W. Lejue |date=June 2012 |title=Meditative Therapies for Reducing Anxiety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials |journal=Depression and Anxiety|volume=29 |issue=7 |pages=1, 11–12|doi=10.1002/da.21964|pmid=22700446 |pmc=3718554}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=James Dalen|editor=Stephen Devries|title=Integrative Cardiology|year=2011|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=New York |id=978-0195383461|pages=236, 237|chapter=The Integrative Approach to Hypertension, Ch. 11 |quote=A 2008 meta-analysis of nine studies found a 4.7 mmHg systolic blood pressure and 3.2 mmHg diastolic blood pressure decrease in those who practiced TM compared to control groups that included health education. These decreases were judged to be clinically significant.}}</ref> ''Newsweek'' science writer Sharon Begley said that "the Maharishi deserves credit for introducing the study of meditation to biology. Hospitals from Stanford to Duke have instituted meditation programs to help patients cope with chronic pain and other ailments."<ref name="Begley 18">{{Cite magazine |first=Sharon |last=Begley |title=His Magical Mystery Tour |magazine=Newsweek |date=18 February 2008 |page=18}}</ref>

According to Bainbridge and Stark, TM had engaged in several mass media campaigns prior to 1973, and had received a great amount of publicity, but the main source of new TM students was word of mouth, or the "advice of friends", because "TM was a relatively cheap, short-term service, requiring no deep commitment".<ref>Bainbridge, 313</ref> Author Jack Forem agrees, and writes: "the main source of publicity for the movement has been satisfied practitioners spreading the news by word of mouth".<ref name="Forem">Forem, Jack (1984) Unwin Paperbacks, ''Transcendental Meditation: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the Science of Creative Intelligence'', page 9–10</ref>

In 1973, [[Maharishi International University]] (MIU) faculty member, Michael Peter Cain co-wrote a book with [[Harold Bloomfield]] and Dennis T. Jaffe called ''TM: Discovering Inner Energy and Overcoming Stress''. The TM movement's area coordinator, Jack Forem, published his book ''Transcendental Meditation, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the Science of Creative Intelligence'' in 1976.<ref name="Forem" /> That year, TM teacher, Peter Russell, released his book ''An Introduction to Transcendental Meditation and the Teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi'' as did MIU board of trustees member, [[Nat Goldhaber]] who wrote ''TM: An alphabetical guide to the transcendental meditation program''. The Maharishi made appearances on the ''[[Merv Griffin Show]]'' in 1975 and again in 1977.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv.com/the-merv-griffin-show/december-14-1977/episode/1141200/summary.html?tag=episode_header;next|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120913213431/http://www.tv.com/the-merv-griffin-show/december-14-1977/episode/1141200/summary.html?tag=episode_header;next|archive-date=13 September 2012|title=The Merv Griffin Show: December 14, 1977|publisher=TV.com web site|access-date=30 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=FLIGHTY LAWSUIT HAS LOUSY KARMA|first=Mike|last=Royko|author-link=Mike Royko|work=Chicago Tribune |date=13 September 1985|page=3}}</ref><ref name="MG & DB 177">Merv: making the good life last, Merv Griffin, David Bender, page 177</ref> TM teacher, George Ellis published a book called ''Inside Folsom Prison: Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi Program'' in 1983. Movement spokesman, Robert Roth, published his book, ''TM: Transcendental Meditation: A New Introduction to Maharishi's Easy, Effective and Scientifically Proven Technique'' in 1988. As of 1993 the organization was utilizing its own public relations office called the Age of Enlightenment News Service.<ref name="Balt Sun 1993">{{cite news|last=Shane|first=Scott|title=Maharishi Inc.|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1993/02/05/maharishi-inc-the-bearded-popularizer-of-transcendental-meditation-has-earthly-holdings-that-will-blow-your-mind-his-corporate-empire-includes-land-holdings-hotels-publishing-houses-and-plans-fro-spir/|access-date=26 January 2013|newspaper=The Baltimore Sun|date=5 February 1993}}</ref> In a scene in the 1999 film, ''[[Man on the Moon (film)|Man on the Moon]]'', TM meditator [[Andy Kaufman]] was asked to leave a TM teacher training course because his performances were incompatible with the behavior expected of a TM teacher.<ref>{{cite book|first=Bill |last=Zehme |year=2001|title=Lost in the Funhouse: The Life and Mind of Andy Kaufman|publisher=Delta Books|isbn=978-0-385-33372-6|pages=346–347}}</ref> The Maharishi gave his first interview in 25 years on the ''[[Larry King Show]]'' in May 2002. Additional books were published by Maharishi University of Management (MUM) faculty and researchers such as [[David Orme-Johnson]]'s ''Transcendental Meditation in Criminal Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention'' in 2003 and Robert Scheider's ''Total Heart Health: How to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease with the Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health'' in 2006.

According to the ''[[New York Times]]'', since 2008 there has been an increased number of celebrity endorsements for Transcendental Meditation. Those who have appeared at promotional events to raise funds to teach TM to students, veterans, prisoners and others include comedian/actor [[Russell Brand]], TV host/physician [[Mehmet Oz]], and singer [[Moby]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Irina |last=Aleksander |title=Look Who's Meditating Now |work=The New York Times |date=18 March 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/fashion/20TM.html}}</ref> A benefit performance in New York City in 2009 included a reunion performance by musicians [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Ringo Starr]], [[Donovan]], [[Sheryl Crow]], [[Eddie Vedder]], [[Bettye LaVette]], [[Ben Harper]], [[Paul Horn (musician)|Paul Horn]], and [[Mike Love]]. Others appearances included comedian [[Jerry Seinfeld]], actress [[Laura Dern]], and radio talk show host [[Howard Stern]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jon |last=Pareles |title=Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr Reunite at Radio City |work=The New York Times |date=6 April 2009 |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/05/paul-mccartney-ringo-starr-reunite-at-radio-city/}}</ref> The book [[Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation]] was published by psychiatrist [[Norman E. Rosenthal|Norman Rosenthal]] in 2011<ref>{{cite news |first=Laura |last=Tennant |title=Transcendental Meditation: Were the Hippies Right All Along? |work=The Independent |date=10 July 2011 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/transcendental-meditation-were-the-hippies-right-all-along-2307898.html}}</ref> and MUM faculty member Fred Travis  published ''Your Brain is a River, Not a Rock'' in 2012.  A jazz concert to benefit the David Lynch Foundation was held in New York City in 2013. The events included remarks by TV hosts Mehmet Oz, [[George Stephanopoulos]] and actress [[Liv Tyler]] with musical performances by [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Corrine Bailey Rae]] and [[Wynton Marsalis]].<ref name="DLF on WSJ">{{cite news|last=Vilensky|first=Mike|title=Meditating on Contrasts |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324481204578179731665966630|access-date=20 January 2013|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=14 December 2012}}</ref>

===Reception to Marketing===
In 1988, author J. Isamu Yamamoto wrote that "TM was called the McDonald's of meditation because of its extravagantly successful packaging of Eastern Meditation for the American mass market".<ref name=Yamamoto>Yamamoto, J. Isamu, Hinduism, TM, and Hare Krishna ( 1998) Zondervan Publishing, page 16</ref> According to the 1980 book, ''TM and Cult Mania'', scientists associated with TM have attempted to prove the Maharishi's concepts by uniting scientific data and mystical philosophy.<ref name=Persinger/> The 2010 book, ''Teaching Mindfulness'', says that TM's eventual success as a new social movement was based on the "translation in Western language and settings, popular recognition, adoption within scientific research in powerful institutions." The book goes on to say that TM's "use of sophisticated marketing and public relations techniques, represents a model for success in the building of new social movements".<ref name="Blatter"/><ref name=Micozzi>{{cite book |author1=Donald McCown |author2=Diane C. Reibel |author3=Marc S. Micozzi |title=Teaching Mindfulness:A Practical Guide for Clinicians and Educators |publisher=Springer |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-387-09483-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O0TsBpTRXMYC&q=public+relations+Transcendental+meditation&pg=PA47}}</ref> Sociologist Hank Johnston, who analyzed TM as a "marketed social movement" in a 1980 paper, says that TM has used sophisticated techniques, such as tailored promotional messages for different audiences, and pragmatically adapted them to different cultures and changing times. Johnston says that TM's "calculated strategies" have led to its "rapid growth". In particular, it has objectified the rank-and-file membership, marketed the movement as a product, and created a perception of grievances for which it offers a panacea.<ref name="Johnston">{{cite journal|title=The Marketed Social Movement: A Case Study of the Rapid Growth of TM|first=Hank |last=Johnston|journal=The Pacific Sociological Review|volume=23|issue=3|date= July 1980|pages=333–354 |publisher=University of California Press|jstor=1388826|doi=10.2307/1388826 |s2cid=149943791 }}</ref> In her book, ''The Field'', author [[Lynne McTaggart]] notes that the "organization has been ridiculed, largely because of the promotion of the Maharishi's own personal interests", but suggests that "the sheer weight of data...[on the Maharishi Effect]...is compelling".<ref>{{Cite book| publisher = HarperCollins| isbn = 978-0-06-093117-9| page = 211 |last = McTaggart| first = Lynne| title = The Field| date = 24 July 2003|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uivwpQIRMwUC&dq=transcendental+meditation&pg=PA211}}</ref> According to an article in ''The Independent'', despite early criticism, the TM technique has moved from margin to mainstream, due mostly to its "burgeoning body of scientific research". Its recent appeal seems due to the possibility of relaxation with no chemical assistance.<ref>{{Cite news|work=The Independent|title=Transcendental Meditation: Were the hippies right all along?|first=Laura|last=Tennant|date=10 July 2011|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/features/transcendental-meditation-were-the-hippies-right-all-along-2307898.html}} "TM, as its followers call it, is rapidly moving from kooky margin to respectable mainstream thanks largely to a burgeoning body of scientific research.".."While the research on the health benefits of TM is fascinating, there's another, more compelling, reason why meditation is in the air just now. Done consistently, it seems to offer some sort of corrective to modernity, a respite from anxiety and the ability to really, truly relax, without chemical assistance"</ref>  Jerrold Greenberg in his book ''Comprehensive Stress Management'' writes that the Maharishi was a "major exporter of meditation to the Western world" who "developed a large, worldwide, and highly effective organization to teach Transcendental Meditation". Greenberg goes on to say that "the simplicity of this technique, coupled with the effectiveness of its marketing by TM organizations quickly led to its popularity."<ref>Greenberg, Jerrold S. (2006) McGraw-Hill, Comprehensive Stress Management, page 170</ref> According to Goldberg, research and meditation in general are likely to be the Maharishi's "lasting legacy".<ref name=Goldberg>{{Cite book|last=Goldberg|first=Philip|year=2010|title=American Veda—How Indian Spirituality Changed the West|pages=[https://archive.org/details/americanvedafrom00gold/page/151 151–175]|publisher=Crown Publishing/Random House|location=New York|isbn=978-0-385-52134-5|url=https://archive.org/details/americanvedafrom00gold/page/151}}</ref>

==Criticism and evaluation==

===Purity of the Maharishi's teaching===
The Maharishi believed that in order to maintain the continuity of Transcendental Meditation it had to be taught by trained teachers in dedicated centers.<ref name="name">Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. ''The Science of Being and Art of Living''. Plume, New York, 2001. p298-307</ref> Maharishi recorded his lectures; systematized the teaching of the technique, insisted the technique not be mixed with other techniques and separated the technique from other points of view and practices that might confuse its understanding.<ref>Russel, Peter. ''The TM Technique:A Skeptic's Guide To The TM Program.'' Routledge, Boston, 1977. pg15-18.</ref> He said that the "purity of the system of meditation" must be  maintained "at any cost because the effect lies in the purity of the teaching".<ref name="name"/> TM practitioners that are suspected of interacting with other gurus can be banned from meditations and lose other privileges.<ref name="two"/> In the 1990s, Maharishi prohibited his students from interacting with [[Deepak Chopra]].{{sfn|Forsthoefel|Humes|2005|pp=55–80}} As a result, Lowe writes, the number of sufficiently orthodox practitioners was significantly reduced by 2007.<ref name="two">{{cite journal|title=The Neo-Hindu Transformation of an Iowa Town |first=Scott |last=Lowe|journal=Nova Religio: The Journal of Alternative and Emergent Religions|volume=13|issue=3|pages=81–91|issn=1092-6690 |year=2010|doi=10.1525/nr.2010.13.3.81|jstor=10.1525/nr.2010.13.3.81}}</ref>  In 1983, Robin Wadsworth Carlson began teaching his meditation program via a "World Teacher Seminar." Many students at Maharishi International University (MIU) were suspended after describing the literature promoting the seminar. In response Carlson filed a lawsuit against MIU alleging interference in conducting his seminars.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iEIiAAAAIBAJ&pg=1334,1579296&dq | last = Munns | first = Roger | title = Upstart stirring up the karma | publisher = Owosso Argus-Press | agency = Associated Press | work = news.google.com | date = 1983-07-21 | access-date = 2010-12-05 }}</ref>

===New religious movement===
George Chryssides identifies the TM movement as one of the  new religious movements "which lacks overtly religious features as traditionally understood" and whose focus is on human potential. He also describes the TM movement in terms of Roy Wallis's typological terms as a world affirming rather than world renouncing or world accommodating new religious movement.<ref name="Chryssides/Exploring">{{cite book|last=Chryssides|first=George|title=Exploring New Religions|publisher=Continuum|isbn=978-0-304-33651-7 |page=23|year=1999}}(Roy Wallis, 1985, page 5)</ref> According to religious studies scholar, Tamar Gablinger, the "complex structure" of the TM organization falls somewhere  between being a commercial entity and a religious and social movement. Gablinger says this allows sociologists to categorize it in a variety of ways.{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}} Both Gablinger and sociologist Hank Johnston describe the TM organization as a "marketed social movement."{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}<ref name="Johnston"/>

===Connections to Hinduism===
{{Hinduism|collapsed=yes}} 
Author [[Noretta Koertge]] asserts that the TM movement introduced to the West the "[[scientistic]] version of Hinduism"; the idea that "the Vedas are simply another name for science".<ref>Noretta Koertge, ''Scientific values and civic virtues'', Oxford University Press US, 2005, {{ISBN|978-0-19-517225-6}}, p. 226.</ref> The TM movement has been described by Neusner as being a [[Hinduism in the West|neo-Hindu]] adaptation of classical [[Vedantic Hinduism]],<ref>Marie-Christine Rhally, ''The teaching of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as a Neo-Hindu version of Sankara's Vedanta: a modern stage in the development of Vedantic ideas'' (1983)</ref><ref>in Jacob Neusner, ''World Religions in America: An Introduction'', Westminster John Knox Press, 2009 {{ISBN|978-0-664-23320-4}}.</ref> while  author Gerald James Larson says it retains "only shallow connections" to Hinduism.<ref>Cited as a "Neo-Hindu revisionist and internationalist movement" with "only shallow connections" to Hinduism in Gerald James Larson, ''India's agony over religion'', SUNY series in religious studies, 1995, {{ISBN|978-0-7914-2412-4}}, p. 139.</ref>

Critics charge that the TM movement is a bastardized form of [[Hinduism]] which denies its religious roots and claims a scientific basis for the purpose of securing government funding for its programs.<ref name=Fox>{{cite web |author=Jonathan Fox |url=http://www.dallasobserver.com/2000-10-05/news/good-vibrations/ |title=Good Vibrations |publisher=Dallas Observer |work=DallasObserver.com |date=2000-10-05 |access-date=2010-12-05 |archive-date=17 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617073232/http://www.dallasobserver.com/2000-10-05/news/good-vibrations/ }}</ref> In their book, ''[[Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements]]'', Robbins and Palmer refer to the Maharishi's teaching that the practice of Transcendental Meditation will bring Ram Rajya (the rule of God) on earth as a form of progressive [[millennialism]] from the Hindu tradition.<ref>{{cite book |title=Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem: Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements |title-link=Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem |publisher=[[Routledge]] |year=1997 |isbn=978-0-415-91648-6 |editor-last=Robbins |editor-first=Thomas |editor-link=Thomas Robbins (sociologist) |location=New York |page=54 |language=en |editor-last2=Palmer |editor-first2=Susan J. |editor-link2=Susan J. Palmer}}</ref>

=== Cult, sect, religion ===
Along with other movements that developed as part of the [[hippie subculture]] in the 1960s, there has been debate on "[[cult]]"-like aspects of the Transcendental Meditation movement.<ref name=Persinger/> [[Camille Paglia]] wrote that TM was the "major Asian cult" of the 1960s.<ref name="Paglia 57–111 76"/> The Israeli Center for Cult Victims also considers the movement to be a cult.<ref name="Haaretz"/> Maharishi University says that it is not a religious institution but people who have left the movement refer to it as a cult which requires "deprogramming" for former members.<ref name="Depalma"/>

In 1987, the [[Cult Awareness Network]] (CAN) held a press conference and demonstration in Washington, D.C., saying that the organization that teaches the Transcendental Meditation technique "seeks to strip individuals of their ability to think and choose freely." [[Steven Hassan]], an author on the topic of cults, and at one time a CAN [[deprogrammer]], said at the press conference that members display cult-like behaviors, such as the use of certain language and particular ways of dressing. TM teacher and spokesperson, Dean Draznin, "discounted CAN's claims" saying that Transcendental Meditation "doesn't involve beliefs or lifestyle" or "mind control" and "We don't force people to take courses". Another spokesperson, Mark Haviland of the related College of Natural Law said that TM is "not a philosophy, a life style or a religion."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/trans_med/tm2.htm|title=Group Says Movement a Cult|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Phil|last=McCombs|date=2 July 1987}}</ref>

Author Shirley Harrison says that the method of recruitment is one  sign that helps to identify cult, and that TM's only method is advertising. She also says that "none of the other 'cultic qualities' defined by cultwatchers can be fairly attributed to TM."{{sfn|Harrison|1990|pp=93-103}} Harrison writes that the Maharishi's teaching does not require conversion and that Transcendental Meditation does not have a religious creed.{{sfn|Harrison|1990}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}

In the book ''Cults and New Religions'', Cowan and Bromley write that TM is presented to the public as a meditation practice that has been validated by science but is not a religious practice nor is it affiliated with any religious tradition. They say that "although there are some dedicated followers of TM who devote most or all of their time to furthering the practice of Transcendental Meditation in late modern society, the vast majority of those who practice do so on their own, often as part of what has been loosely described as the New Age Movement. "{{sfn|Cowan|Bromley|2007|p=18}} They say that most scholars view Transcendental Meditation as having elements of both therapy and religion, but that on the other hand, "Transcendental Meditation has no designated scripture, no set of doctrinal requirements, no ongoing worship activity, and no discernible community of believers."  They also say that Maharishi didn't claim to have special divine revelation or supernatural personal qualities.{{sfn|Cowan|Bromley|2007}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}

[[Marc Galanter (psychiatrist)|Marc Galanter]], writes in his book ''[[Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion]]'' that TM "evolved into something of a charismatic movement, with a belief system that transcended the domain of its practice". He notes how a variety of unreasonable beliefs came to be seen as literally true by its "more committed members". He cites an "unlikely set of beliefs" that includes the ability to levitate and reduce traffic accidents and conflicts in the Middle East through the practice of meditation.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dKlkYgGo2cEC |first=Marc |last=Galanter |title=Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion |page=65 |access-date=15 November 2009 | isbn=978-0-19-512369-2 | year=1999 | publisher=Oxford University Press US}}</ref>

In his book ''Soul snatchers: the mechanics of cults'', [[Jean-Marie Abgrall]] describes how Altered States Of Consciousness (ASCs) are used in many cults to make the initiate more susceptible to the group will and world view. He cites research by Barmark and Gautnitz which showed the similarities between the states obtained by Transcendental Meditation and ASCs.<ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Lévy | first1 = Bernard Henri. | title = What good are intellectuals?: 44 writers share their thoughts.. | year = 2000 | publisher = Algora Pub. | location = New York | isbn = 978-1-892941-10-7 | page = 164}}</ref> In this way, not only does the subject become more reliant on the ASC, but it allows for a weakening of criticism of the cult and increase in faith therein. Abgrall goes on to note that the use of mantras is one of the most widespread techniques in cults, noting in TM this mantra is produced mentally.<ref>Abgrall p.174 {{full citation needed|date=March 2020}}</ref> He says that a guru is usually central to a cult and that its success will rely on how effective that guru is. Among the common characteristics of a [[guru]] he notes paraphrenia, a mental illness that completely cuts the individual from reality. In regard to this he notes for example, that the Maharishi recommended the TM-Sidhi program including 'yogic flying' as a way to reduce crime.<ref>Abgrall p.71 {{full citation needed|date=March 2020}}</ref>

In his book ''The Elementary Forms of The New Religious Life'', [[Roy Wallis]] writes in the chapter called "Three Types of New Religious Movements" that TM is a "world affirming new religion which does not reject the world and its organisation" [sic]. Wallis goes on to say that "no rigorous discipline is normally involved" and "no extensive doctrinal commitment is entailed, at least not at the outset". Likewise, he writes, "No one is required to declare a belief in TM, in the Maharishi or even in the possible effects of the technique".{{sfn|Wallis|1984|pp=20-35}} In a later chapter called "The Precariousness of the Market", he writes that TM meditators are "expected to employ the movement's rhetoric and conceptual vocabulary" and shift from an empirical product [the Transcendental Meditation technique] to a "system of belief and practice" [such as the TM Sidhi program] and in this way "the movement shifts from cult towards sect".{{sfn|Wallis|1984|pp=[https://archive.org/details/elementaryformso0000wall/page/101 101–102]}} Sociologist Alan E. Aldridge writes that Transcendental Meditation fits [[Roy Wallis]]' definition of a "[[World-affirming movements|world-affirming religion]]". According to Aldridge, TM has an ethos of "individual self-realization" and "an inner core of committed members" who practice more advanced techniques (the [[TM-Sidhi program]]) that may not even be known to the "ordinary consumer of TM".<ref>{{Cite book| publisher = Wiley-Blackwell| isbn = 978-0-7456-2083-1| last = Aldridge| first = Alan E| title = Religion in the contemporary world: a sociological introduction| year = 2000| pages = [https://archive.org/details/religionincontem0000aldr/page/49 49–50]| url = https://archive.org/details/religionincontem0000aldr/page/49}}</ref>

Reporter [[Michael D'Antonio]] wrote in his book, ''Heaven on Earth – Dispatches from America's Spiritual Frontier'' that, as practiced at [[Maharishi University of Management|Maharishi International University]], Transcendental Meditation is "a cult rather than a culture".<ref>{{Cite book | last1 = D'Antonio | first1 = Michael. | title = Heaven on earth | year = 1992 | publisher = Crown Publishers | location = New York | isbn = 978-0-517-57802-5 | page = 286 | quote = For the first time in my travels through New Age America, I worried that I was observing a cult rather than a culture. | url = https://archive.org/details/heavenonearth00dant }}</ref> D'Antonio wrote that Transcendental Meditation was like the worst of religion: rigid, unreasonable, repressive, and authoritarian, characterized by overt manipulation, a disregard for serious scholarship, and an unwillingness to question authority. For the first time in his travels he found people he believed to be truly deluded, and a physics department teaching theories that were dead wrong.<ref>{{cite news|last=Casey|first=Constance|title=Gimme that new time religion|newspaper=Washington Post|department=Book Reviews|date=2 February 1992}}</ref> D'Antonio charges that they have taken Transcendental Meditiation and transformed it "into a grandiose narcissistic dream, a form of intellectual bondage, that they call enlightenment".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=txEVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6454,924527&dq=d-antonio+tm+fairfield&hl=en |last=Vallongo |first=Sally |title=Seeing New Age with a journalist's eye |work=Toledo Blade |page=10 |department=Religion |date=4 April 1992 |access-date=15 November 2009 |via=Google }}{{Dead link|date=November 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Clarke and Linzey argue that for the ordinary membership of TM their lives and daily concerns are little&nbsp;— if at all&nbsp;— affected by its cult nature. Instead, it is only the core membership who must give total dedication to the movement.<ref>{{Cite book | last1 = Clarke | first1 = Paul A. B. | last2 = Linzey | first2 = Andrew. | title = Dictionary of Ethics, Theology, and Society | year = 1996 | publisher = Routledge | location = London; New York | isbn = 978-0-415-06212-1 | page = 205 }}</ref> A former TM teacher, who operates an online site critical of TM, says that 90 percent of participants take an introductory course and "leave with only a nice memory of incense, flowers, and smiling gurus" while "the 10 percent who become more involved". He says those participants encounter "environments where adherents often weren't allowed to read the news or talk to family members".<ref name=Fox/> Another former TM Movement member, says there were "times when devotees had their mail screened and were monitored by a Vigilance Committee".{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

Religious scholar Tamar Gablinger notes that some of the reports from "apostates and adversaries" who have written about their involvement with the TM movement are "rather biased."{{sfn|Gablinger|2010}}{{page needed|date=August 2016}}

==Bibliography==

* {{Cite book|last1=Cowan|first1= Douglas E.|last2= Bromley|first2= David G. |title=Cults and New Religions: A Brief History (Blackwell Brief Histories of Religion) |publisher=Wiley-Blackwell |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4051-6128-2 }}
* {{Cite book| last1 = Forsthoefel | first1 = Thomas A. | last2 = Humes | first2 = Cynthia Ann | title = Gurus in Americ | year = 2005 | publisher = State University of New York Press | location = Albany, New York | isbn = 978-0-7914-6573-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ugSb7mArJlYC&q=gurus+in+america&pg=PP1 }}
* {{cite book |first=Lyn |last=Freeman |title=Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |year=2009 |isbn= 978-0-323-05346-4}}
* {{Cite book| first=Tamar| last=Gablinger | year=2010 | title=The Religious Melting Point: On Tolerance, Controversial Religions and the State: The Example of Transcendental Meditation in Germany, Israel and the United States  | others=Language: English | publisher=Tectum| isbn=978-3-8288-2506-2}}
* {{cite book |first=Shirley |last=Harrison |title=Cults: The Battle for God |publisher=Christopher Helm |year=1990 |location=Kent }}
* {{Cite book |last=Wallis |first=Roy |title=The elementary forms of the new religious life |year=1984 |publisher=London: Routledge; Boston: Kegan Paul |isbn=978-0-7100-9890-0 |url= https://archive.org/details/elementaryformso0000wall/page/101 }}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Transcendental Meditation}}
{{New Religious Movements}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Transcendental Meditation Movement}}
[[Category:Transcendental Meditation| ]]
[[Category:Hindu new religious movements]]
[[Category:New religious movements established in the 1950s]]