Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Visits NAL
Robert R. Wilson (L) explains the accelerator system to Maharishi
Photo by Tony Donaldson
One of NAL's most unusual visitors came on Friday, March 16 -- Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the leading proponent of transcendental meditation, and about twenty-five members of his teaching staff. The diminutive Yogi had expressed his particular interest in meeting with Dr. Robert Wilson, to learn something about what we do at NAL.
In a discussion in Dr. Wilson's office, Maharishi explained that his interest in NAL stemmed from the nature of high energy physics. Just as scientists here and at other laboratories study the basic nature of matter, and are attempting to find some unifying principles governing all matter and energy, so Maharishi and his followers study the workings of the mind, trying to reduce the thought process to its most basic level. Maharishi feels that once these fundamental thought processes have been mastered through transcendental meditation, new realms of the mind and spirit are opened, and the individual is capable of greatly expanded capabilities and creativity. (Those who practice transcendental meditation do not adhere to any particular life style or hold any specific philosophical or religious beliefs.) Following their discussion, Dr. Wilson led the group on a tour of the site. His comment on the visit? "Well, they're a very interesting group. I'll be curious to see how they get on."