'Yogic flying' competition

- 1 November 1988

SEELISBERG, Switzerland (Reuter). — Followers of Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi have staged what they called Europe’s first European yogic flying” competition, describing it as a demonstration of their leader’s programme to end violence on earth.

Eighteen practitioners of the Maharishi’s technique of “transcendental meditation” bounced along foam mattresses on Sunday while maintaining the traditional cross-legged lotus sitting position.

They staged 25-metre hurdle, 50-metre dash, high jump and long jump events and gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded.

The races were held in a converted hotel in Seelisberg, overlooking Lake Lucerne, which has served as the Maharishi European Research University since 1974.

The Maharishi’s followers claim that war and conflict arise from a build-up of stress in the collective consciousness of nations that “yogic flying” can ease by reducing tension.

They said that if 1 percent of the world’s population practised ”yogic flying” simultaneously crime, accidents, illness and hospital admissions would decrease and global peace would be strengthened.

The Maharishi is trying to raise US$100 million (NZ$168 million) to maintain a permanent group of 10,000 practitioners of “yogic flying”’ in India.

“Once the group of 10,000 is established permanently, the basis of war, conflict and terrorism will be eliminated and world peace will dawn,” said Oliver Werner, vice-Chancellor of the Maharishi university.