Subject: Vedic education to create healthy, wealthy, and wise citizens

(March 9, 2004) His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi declared that the solution to the chaotic state of society today is his Vedic approach to education, which awakens the cosmic potential within every individual to create healthy, wealthy, and wise citizens—and a peaceful, prosperous world.

"Millions of people are in jail and millions of crimes are committed on the streets all over the world. There are laws to punish people, but the laws are incompetent to prevent crime, sickness, or problems—or to maintain order in society," Maharishi said. "Fortunately, this can now be amended through proper education—Vedic education—which provides the knowledge of total Natural Law to raise everyone to enlightenment for a mistake-free, problem-free world."

Maharishi’s declaration came during his recent global news conference on Wednesday, March 3, which was broadcast live via satellite and Internet webcast from the Capital of the Global Country of World Peace in Meru, Holland. Maharishi’s next news conferences will be held on March 10 and 11.

Maharishi announced that a global initiative is now under way to bring Vedic education to students in every nation. Maharishi said government leaders are being invited to offer Vedic education in their educational institutions, and Peace Governments are establishing Vedic universities, colleges, and schools in every country. Maharishi also presented plans to establish Colleges of Vedic Engineering, which, Maharishi said, will open the door to "unimaginable possibilities" for every student.

"The huge, ever-expanding universe, with its countless suns, moons, and stars, has been engineered by, and is eternally upheld by, total Natural Law—the Unified Field," Maharishi said. "Vedic engineering provides the technologies to enliven this enormously complex and complete field of engineering within the Transcendental Consciousness of everyone. By aligning his awareness with cosmic creativity, any individual can create anything."

Maharishi explained that Vedic engineering provides the student with the direct experience of total Natural Law—and then later provides the theoretical knowledge. "First you teach a man how to use a machine—then later you tell him how the machine was made. In the same way, first you teach a man to identify his awareness with the field of cosmic creativity—then later you give the theoretical knowledge about the field."

Maharishi acknowledged that Vedic engineering may sound like a fairytale, but, in fact, it is a reality. "This is not magic; this is the practical offer of Vedic science, which is the complete knowledge of Natural Law, the complete knowledge of the light of God."

In response to a press question, Maharishi compared the holistic approach of Vedic education with the fragmented approach of education that prevails in every country. "Compared to what is possible for human life through Vedic education, today’s education wastes the precious time of students. It is like the blind leading the blind. It is like a lost child wandering around in the wilderness, never reaching the goal."

Maharishi also identified fragmented education as the cause of today’s problem-ridden civilisation— and said that Vedic education is the solution because it enlivens total Natural Law within the Self of everyone. "Then everyone’s thought, speech, and behaviour will be upheld by total Natural Law—and no one will make mistakes or create problems for himself or for others," Maharishi said. "Whether people take the knowledge now, or next year, or in 100 years—the reality is the same. Total Natural Law is within everyone and outside of everyone—it is just a matter of knowing it and being it."

Maharishi also announced that the wealthy are being invited to build Vedic schools, colleges, and universities in every country as quickly as possible. "Everyone needs enlightenment—retired people, working people, and children," Maharishi said. "With these schools, colleges, and universities, we will bless the whole world with the light of total Natural Law—the light of God."

Maharishi concluded by saying that his Peace Governments have taken responsibility for the world. "The world is our family—so it is our responsibility to open schools, colleges, and universities," Maharishi said. "Only those who have a light can show the light to others. Fortunately, with the blessings of the Vedic tradition of masters, we have the programs to create the light of total Natural Law—the light of God. And now we are building in every country Vedic universities—universities of enlightenment—to radiate that light for all mankind for all generations to come."