(13 May 2003) His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi called on government leaders to create permanent peace through consciousness-based education, which will unfold the cosmic potential of every individual and promote coherent national consciousness, rather than resorting to military, police, and punishment, which Maharishi denounced as ignorant, inhuman, and a dismal failure.

"It’s not punishment that will stop crime and conflict. It is proper education, which promotes higher states of consciousness and harmonious, integrated national consciousness, that will accomplish the goal," Maharishi said. "Our offer is not a matter of faith – it is based on scientific fact. However, if governments do not utilise the knowledge, it is their responsibility. If the doctor is there but the patient does not take the prescription, what can the doctor do?"

Maharishi’s declaration came on Wednesday, 30 April, during his weekly global news conference, broadcast live via satellite, Internet webcast, and teleconference call. Maharishi’s next news conferences will be held on 14 and 15 May (see page 3 for details).

Maharishi said that government leaders only have to make a slight modification in their educational systems to create a harmonious world. "By adding just one period a day for Transcendental Meditation, the students will develop the infinite creative potential of their brain physiology and utilise the evolutionary power of total Natural Law in their every thought, speech, and action. They will spontaneously rise to enlightenment and create coherent national consciousness – the basis of a prevention-oriented, problem-free administration."

Maharishi then revealed a shortcut to creating a perfect government. "A group of a few thousand people unfolding their cosmic creative potential through Vedic technologies of consciousness will radiate the evolutionary power of total Natural Law – the light of God – throughout the world. Then there will be no negativity and no failure for anyone," Maharishi said. This will be achieved, Maharishi said, without interfering with the administration of existing governments. "It’s a miracle. Without interfering with any government, every government will be supported and enriched by the administration of total Natural Law. Then every government – now and in the future – will enjoy first-class administration."

Maharishi called for those who would like to make a career of creating coherence in world consciousness to unfold their full cosmic creative potential as their profession. Maharishi also called on the wealthy to create an endowment fund for world peace to immediately establish on a permanent basis these groups of peace-creating experts in every country.

Maharishi emphasised that his message is not new. "This has been the voice throughout the ages: Administration through Natural Law – the Will of God – which governs the ever-expanding universe with perfect order. Man-made constitutions with their inherent human weaknesses and failings are not competent to administer any nation. Only administration through Natural Law can successfully administer a nation because only administration through Natural Law can promote the evolution of everyone, so that everyone enjoys the supreme level of human life – Unity Consciousness."

Maharishi said that with one period a day of Transcendental Meditation in the schools and with groups of peace-creating experts in every country, the whole world will be infused with peace, prosperity, and happiness. "The knowledge is available. Now every individual and every government have a choice," Maharishi said. "Either take it and live in light, or don’t take it and remain in darkness. It’s simply a matter of choice."