Consciousness-Based Education - Maharishi University of ...

Harnessing the laws of nature—maximum success to governmentDespite spiraling medical costs and the impending bankruptcy ofMedicare, Medicaid, and other government health programs, there islittle hope for fundamental reform in the near term. Recent discussionin the Congress about major health care reform has degenerated intoa politically charged debate over “who will pay for whose disease.” Noreform bills debated by Congress have focused on improving health;they have dealt only with issues of disease care financing and deliveryof disease care services. More fundamental change has been systematicallyblocked by the U.S. medical establishment, which has contributedten of millions of dollars in campaign contributions to key members ofCongressional health committees through over 1,000 medical PACS(political action committees).Clearly a new approach to health care is needed that is comprehensive,cost-effective, and scientifically proven.The SolutionAccording to U.S. government statistics, at least 50% of deaths (McGinnis& Foege, 1993) and 70% of diseases (U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services, 1991) are self-inflicted—caused by a behavioralepidemic of unhealthy habits—habits that violate the laws of natureupholding physiological and psychological health. Moreover, stress hasbeen implicated as a causal factor in at least 90% of disease (Sapolsky,1992; Weiner, 1992). This pervasive stress also results from the violationof natural law, either through actions that strain the physiologydirectly, or from the frustration that results from the failure to fulfillone’s desires through the skillful application of natural law.In other words, according to research, most illness is directly or indirectlycaused by the violation of natural law. It follows that the single,most important solution to the global health crisis is life in accordwith natural law: i.e., putting an end to the health-afflicting behaviorsresponsible for stress and the vast majority of disease.The second most important solution is to replace the shortsightedand scientifically unjustifiable dependence on allopathic disease carewith natural, preventative health care systems that effectively harnessthe laws of nature that uphold physiological and psychological health.The third solution is to abandon antiquated and counterproductive187