Consciousness-Based Education - Maharishi University of ...

Harnessing the laws of nature—maximum success to governmentabstractThis article explains the practical application of natural law to specific areasof governmental responsibility. It shows that all problems of national health,crime, the economy, defense, and education are caused by violations of naturallaw, or by the failure to apply natural laws effectively. It discusses theimplementation of specific policies and programs which would prevent theviolation of natural law and which would harness the laws of nature to bringmaximum success to governmental administration.1. HealthAwell-formulated national health care policy, by effectively harnessingthe laws of nature that uphold health, is capable ofcreating a disease-free society. By bringing national life intoaccord with natural law, and by shifting the current emphasis on diseasecare to the prevention of illness and the promotion of health, itis possible to ensure a long and healthy life for every citizen. As thenational health improves, the massive financial burden of disease carewill be lifted, freeing the nation’s precious resources for greater progressand prosperity.The ProblemToo many citizens suffer from poor health. In the United States, 100million citizens—40% of the population—suffer from chronic diseases—diseasesfor which modern medicine has no cure (Huffman,Rice, & Sung, 1996). Fifty million Americans suffer from high bloodpressure; 7 million are afflicted with heart disease; and 23 million moresuffer from cognitive, emotional, or behavioral disorders.Despite vast medical expenditures, the modern medical approach hashad surprisingly little impact on disease. According to research (U.S.Department of Health and Human Services, 1991), most illness is dueto behavioral and environmental factors over which modern medicinehas no control. Whereas nearly half of premature of deaths amongAmericans could be avoided by changes in individual behaviors andanother 17% by reducing environmental risks, only 11 % of such deathscould be prevented by improved access to modern medical treatment.185