Exploratory Study: The Random Number Generator and Group Meditation

Abstract

Experiments using truly random number generators (RNGs) have reportedly demonstrated anomalous deviations in various group settings. To ex- plore these claims, group meditation (average 261 females, 398 males) was tested as a venue for possibly inducing these deviations using a true RNG located in a large meditation hall. A total of 94 hours and 33,927 trials, each trial consisting of 1,000 random bits collected in 10-second periods, were recorded during meditation (Transcendental Meditation and advanced techniques). Cumulative deviation results were in accordance with chance expectation for baseline data, but showed significant non-randomness for the first (p , 0.00001) and second set of meditation data (p , 0.00001). A sub-section of the meditations, known as ''yogic flying,'' showed significant deviations for both the first (p , 0.000001) and the second data sets (p , 0.000001). Results at a second test location known as the Vedic Observatory were significant for the first (p , 0.01) and second data collections (p , 0.05). All results were analyzed for any possible mean drift by subtracting differences in the pre- and post-test baseline slopes. After the adjustment for any drift, the direction and the experimental results were still significantly atypical, with a greater number of zeros being generated than ones. The use of non-exclusive-or-ed methods to eliminate drifts of the mean of the random data is discussed as well as the use of RNGs for measuring changes in collective consciousness associated with standardized meditation.