SUBJECT: Article from UK regional newspaper, The Bucks Herald, on Maharishi's Programme to Create World Peace

The following excellent article appeared after Nigel Kahn sent a letter to the paper encouraging them to report on Maharishi's initiatives for world peace. They immediately sent one of their reporters to view Maharishi's weekly press conference at the local TM Centre. Separately, we are sending you a copy of Nigel's letter (drafted by Jonathan Hinde) which could also be sent to the local press in any part of the UK. Current events clearly indicate that the peaceful influence of Maharishi's technologies of consciousness is urgently needed in Britain and every part of the world.

The BACK PAGE interview with Fiona Finucane

PEACE within ourselves and for the world can both be achieved easily through meditation, according to one man from Ledburn.

Nigel Kahn has been a Transcendental Meditation teacher for almost 30 years and encourages people to meditate using the technique first introduced by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Over 100,000 people in the UK practise Transcendental Meditation but Mr Kahn insists that this is not enough and by encouraging more people to do it we can really make a difference to ourselves and the rest of the world.

Mr Kahn explains how through Transcendental Meditation the mind goes into your body and reaches an inner calm.

He describes it as the mind being like the ocean with waves and activity but at the bottom of the ocean there is silence and calm.

By entering into the calm state of mind for 20 minutes twice a day, the body and mind are more energised and can work better.

Scientific research has proven that reaction times, thinking and general health are boosted through Meditation and it has an immediate effect.

"If only one per cent of the population in Aylesbury were to meditate we would see immediate effects, but to get crime off the streets totally we would need to maintain the meditation," he said.

Transcendental Meditation has been taught around the world for more than 40 years and instruction involves a seven-step course given by qualified teachers like Mr Kahn.

Advanced level courses which take place after three months of meditation can train participants in Yogic Flying where the body jumps off the floor with such energy.

Mr Kahn says that through Transcendental Meditation we are tapping into a renewable energy source that we can use every day.

Studies have shown that when people meditate over a prolonged period of time crime rates fall and life is better for those in that community.

A study in Washington DC in 1993 over a four-month period had an immediate effect, and there was a decline in violent crimes in the city.

Further studies in troubled zones such as the Middle East also show declines in the number of war casualties when high percentages of the population have been meditating.

Mr Kahn says that it is vital that the public knows that this Meditation is an alternative to 'war on terror' and has been validated by scientific research.

"This country really needs people to meditate at the moment because the country is in turmoil and is at risk of a terrorist attack," he said.

"If we could get one per cent of Aylesbury to meditate with us we would see things change straight away in the town but the full benefits would not be seen unless we maintained the meditation for a longer period of time," he said.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who founded Transcendental Meditation in 1957, broadcasts to the world every Wednesday via a satellite link or through the website.

In the latest broadcast he expresses his disgust at the world, particularly the United States of America and warns President Bush that unless he changes his attitude towards Iraq he is doomed.

Mr Kahn emphasises this and says that political leaders need to take heed and listen to the words of Maharishi and practise meditation.

He explains that natural law determines everything we do and by getting in touch with it we will see a decline in natural disasters and war because we enter into a higher level of energy which effects everything.

The powers of Transcendental Meditation have been proven in more than 600 studies around the world, and Mr Kahn firmly believes that the world would be a better place if we get involved.

He adds that by meditating you are not joining a cult or religious group, but are learning a new technique that will be of great benefit to yourself and the world.

Mr Kahn said: "Most of us do not know anything about natural law and we exhaust ourselves every day but the energy, relaxation and inspiration we crave is within ourselves."

Four day courses in Transcendental Meditation are currently run by Mr Kahn.

For further information, visit www.t-m.org.uk

----- Caption beneath large photograph of local TM teachers watching Maharishi's press conference on the Maharishi Channel: "LEARNING: Nigel and Dorry Kahn watch a broadcast by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi" -----

Copyright 2003, The Bucks Herald