INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION OF CONSCIOUSNESS-BASED EDUCATION MAHARISHI UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT FACULTY DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR MAY 8, 2010 DOCUMENT 3. Progression of the Maharishi Science of Consciousness Points in Each Course In 2007 Maharishi asked that a new approach be used in the creation of Science of Consciousness points to illuminate discipline points. The principle is that the Science of Consciousness points should unfold progressively from basic experiences to more advanced experiences of developing consciousness from the benefits of Transcendental Meditation in daily life sequentially through the higher states of consciousness and creation of an ideal society. In this approach, therefore, not only is the discipline unfolded progressively from beginning to end of the course; but also the knowledge of the Science of Consciousness unfolds progressively from beginning to the end of the course. In addition, in every lesson one of the Science of Consciousness points should cite a research finding on the Transcendental Meditation or TM-Sidhi program that relates to the discipline main point. MAHARISHI ASKED THAT THE FACULTY BE GIVEN THE FOLLOWING POINTS: Advantages for the Students of this Approach to Creating Main Points All students are introduced to higher states of consciousness when they learn the practice of Transcendental Meditation. By unfolding the knowledge of consciousness sequentially in the Main Points Charts, the students are exposed again and again to the distinct features of each of the higher states in order of their development. For example, when the consciousness points of every course they are taking focus first, for several days, on the experienced benefits of Transcendental Meditation, then for several days on the qualities and experience of Transcendental Consciousness, the students become deeply familiar with the distinctive qualities of Transcendental Consciousness, and how this fourth state of consciousness gives deeper significance to the disciplines they are studying. Then, as the course progresses, they are reminded by the consciousness points that the next state they will develop, when Transcendental Consciousness is established permanently in awareness, is Cosmic Consciousness; they see repeatedly how the different disciplines they are studying are illumined by the knowledge of this state of consciousness. In this way the students develop finer discrimination and more comprehensive intellectual understanding of each of the higher states of consciousness, and how they differ from each other.
Progression of Science of Consciousness Points MUM Faculty Seminar 5-8-10 Document 3 2 Another important advantage of this systematic approach is that through the sequential unfolding of consciousness points from beginning to advanced states, students can more easily relate the consciousness points to their own experiences of developing consciousness. This sequential approach to Science of Consciousness points is an improvement over the current approach in which the consciousness points are without sequence, and therefore do not give students repeated knowledge of one higher state as distinct from another. Progression of the content of Science of Consciousness points through the course The total number of lessons can be divided loosely into six parts, with the progression of these six levels in the Science of Consciousness points: Level 1. Benefits of the Transcendental Meditation program in daily life Level 2. Transcendental Consciousness and its qualities Level 3. Cosmic Consciousness Level 4. Refined Cosmic Consciousness God Consciousness Level 5. Unity Consciousness Level 6. Creating an ideal society and invincibility for the nation In addition: Reference to a scientific research finding on the Transcendental Meditation or TM-Sidhi programs is made for one of the Science of Consciousness points for each lesson. ILLUSTRATION 1. Wholeness and Main Points of a basic biology lesson on digestion With the Science of Consciousness points focusing on Level 2 Transcendental Consciousness and its qualities Human Biology Fulfilling Our Infinite Potential as Human Beings THEME OF WEEK 4: The Digestive System Natural Law Unfolds in Perfect Order LESSON TITLE: The First Three Stages of the Digestive System Our Evolution Progresses Toward More Refined and Powerful Levels of Life Continues.
Progression of Science of Consciousness Points MUM Faculty Seminar 5-8-10 Document 3 3 WHOLENESS OF THE LESSON: Each stage of the digestive process increasingly refines the food until the food is in a form in which its nutrients can be absorbed by the body. Transcendental Meditation increasingly refines the activity of mind and body until the field of life that nourishes all levels of mind and body is experienced Transcendental Consciousness. MAIN POINTS Main Point 1. First stage of digestion: The refining process of digestion starts in the mouth. Saliva starts to break down the chemicals in the food, and prepares it to be swallowed, with the help of the tongue and teeth. To refine is to purify, in order to make more effective. Right from the first time we start to meditate, the experience of Transcendental Consciousness is refining our entire body and mind, dissolving stress and improving its smooth functioning, preparing us day by day to be more healthy, more aware, more intelligent. Main Point 2. Second stage of digestion: We swallow with the use of the esophagus, which moves the food from the back of the throat to the stomach. Muscles in the walls of the esophagus open and contract slowly to squeeze the food through it. These same stages of progress takes place in every human being. Everything in the universe moves through stages of evolution. Higher states of consciousness are the natural stages of evolution of every human being, starting with the experience of Transcendental Consciousness. Research on the brain shows that the longer that people practice Transcendental Meditation, the more effectively their brain functions in daily activity. Main Point 3. Third stage of digestion: The stomach has 3 important functions; (1) storing the food; (2) breaking it down into a liquid mixture; and (3) emptying the liquid into the small intestine. These stages are each necessary to create the substance that can be metabolized by the body for nourishment. Fundamental laws of nature guide the functioning of all transformations of mind and body. Through the regular experience of Transcendental Consciousness, our daily-life perceptions, thoughts, speech, and action become so refined that they are metabolized into bliss. (Continues )
Progression of Science of Consciousness Points MUM Faculty Seminar 5-8-10 Document 3 4 ILLUSTRATION 2. Any Main Point can be illuminated by any of the 6 levels and by scientific research. Here is the first main point in the first lesson of a chemistry course. Below the chemistry point are seven alternative points from Maharishi Science of Consciousness that could each illuminate this same main point. These different points illustrate that any significant point from a discipline can be illuminated with reference to any of the levels of consciousness and to scientific research findings on the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs. Sample Main Point from Chemistry: Chemistry is a science that seeks to understand matter what it is made of and how it interacts with other matter. Sample Corresponding Points from Maharishi Science of Consciousness from all 6 levels and from scientific research: 1. Benefits of the Transcendental Meditation technique in daily life: When scientists practice Transcendental Meditation they bring greater alertness, comprehension, creativity, and bliss to their systematic investigation of the objective world. 2. Transcendental Consciousness: The field of Transcendental Consciousness is the unified field of natural law, from where all material existence arises. The more familiar we are with this field through direct experience, the more easily we understand and can make use of nature s laws. Second example, using scientific research: Large groups of Yogic Flyers generate an influence of orderliness from the level of the unified field of natural law, Transcendental Consciousness, the basis of all physical existence and transformations. This influence creates harmony and integration on the measurable surface level of social interactions. 3. Cosmic Consciousness: With wide awake awareness permanently established in the nonchanging basis of all streams of knowledge, we gain reliable knowledge of natural laws and their interactions, and feel comfortable with all areas of knowledge. 4. Refined Cosmic Consciousness: In this state of consciousness we directly perceive and understand every level of the creative process, from surface to depth, and how different impulses of intelligence interact to create each level. With this quality of consciousness, we are inspired by the perfect order of all the laws of nature and flowing in bliss. 5. Unity Consciousness: In Unity Consciousness, all sciences, all streams of knowledge, are experienced as waves of one s own unlimited ocean of intelligence. Any details of struc-
Progression of Science of Consciousness Points MUM Faculty Seminar 5-8-10 Document 3 5 tures or interactions in nature are completely familiar and dear to us, as expressions of our own Self one is living Total Knowledge. 6. Creating an Ideal Society: When collective consciousness is fully in harmony with natural law, every person is a scientist of consciousness, understanding and spontaneously applying total natural law for the good of all through their every thought and action. Scientific Research on the Transcendental Meditation program: Scientific research shows that people who practice the Transcendental Meditation technique increase significantly in their intelligence and in their ability to maintain broad comprehension together with sharp focus. Growth of these mental abilities enables us to more easily understand fundamental laws of nature and their interactions.