The Knowledge and Experience of Self-Referral Consciousness
and the Fulfillment of Interdisciplinary Study

Samuel Y. Boothby

Maharishi University of Management
Fairfield, Iowa


Abstract

Interdisciplinary studies programs have been widely used to develop students' problem solving abilities and to promote more holistic and integrated understanding of knowledge. Maharishi's Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI) course directly addresses the integrative goal of interdisciplinary study by describing universal principles of creative intelligence that can be found in all academic disciplines. More recently, in his Vedic Science, Maharishi has described in detail the mechanics of creation available in the self-interacting dynamics of pure consciousness. These descriptions provide an additional rich source of integrative principles faculty at Maharishi University of Management use in their courses.

In addition, the highest ideals of an integrated, successful life that interdisciplinary studies programs hope to foster, are met by the laboratory component of this curriculum--practice of Maharishi's Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi program--which systematically develops higher states of consciousness. Research on regular practice of these techniques by Maharishi University of Management students indicates that the problem solving-goal of interdisciplinary studies programs is also achieved; students significantly grow in intelligence, creativity, broad comprehension and wisdom-qualities associated with successful problem solvers-over the course of their education. In addition, research on the Maharishi Effect, a coherent field effect of daily group practice of these technologies by Maharishi University of Management faculty and students, indicates they contribute significantly to the reduction of many problems in society.

This and other research, and the experience of the past 25 years, demonstrates that the addition of Maharishi's Consciousness-based curriculum to any modern science-based educational institution will bring practical fulfillment to their interdisciplinary studies goals.