Electrophysiological. The electroencephalogram (EEG) of the person touched by the Swamiji syncs with the EEG of the Swamiji while “spiritual healing” was offered. (4) Similarly, EEG changes and heart rate changes (measured with simultaneous electrocardiogram [ECG] recordings) were observed in “patients” who were offered “spiritual healing” by the healers initiated by the Swamiji. (5) This is generally considered impossible in medicine. For EEG to change, particularly for the electrical waves and activity to sync between two people, is not considered possible in the conventional medical neurological wisdom.

Is the above an isolated phenomenon of some electrophysiological effects alone? No, as demonstrated by the following results are published in peer-reviewed international scientific journals.

Cellular. The people who undergo Inner Awakening® programme designed on the basis of Hindu scriptures (called Agamas, together with Vedas termed as Vedagamas) show an increase in morphologically healthy stem cells in the peripheral blood, indicating an increase in the youthful rejuvenating capacity of the body of the participants. The end-benefit, as deduced from this cellular marker outcome, can potentially include improved immunity, anti-ageing and faster healing from injuries amongst others.

Molecular biology. Everybody wants to grow younger, not older. So how if the Inner Awakening® programme did something about that? It indeed appears to do that too. The genes reside in the chromosome, which is made of DNA. In fact, genes are nothing but codes of a 4-letter alphabetical system each represented by a unique type of DNA molecule. The ends of the chromosomes are called telomeres. As one ages (becomes old) the length of the telomeres shortens. If the shortening can be prevented or reversed in a healthy fashion it is scientifically believed that there will be an arrest of and reversal of ageing related processes and associated cellular damages. This can lead to an improvement of health, prolongation of life and decrease in diseases while simultaneously making one younger or arresting their ageing (anti-ageing).

Metabolic. Similarly, everybody wants an Olympic athletic body and fitness. However, nobody wants to spend time in the gym slogging like an ant. The people who undergo the Inner Awakening® programme and those who undergo a “spiritual healing” like touch (daily Deeksha or “energy” Darshan), both groups, show increasing levels of mitochondrial activity. The average increase is about 21- and 15- fold respectively in the two groups, the lowest observed value being about 10-fold. This is the kind of increased metabolic activity and efficiency that one expects to see in an athlete who has trained for the Olympics, say all his or her life.

This study, done as a pilot, is now under “preparation of manuscript” stage for publication in peer-reviewed international scientific journals. (7) The obvious health benefits would be a reduction in the severity of or even a possible cure for diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.

Gene expression changes. The cells in the different stages of their life, say growth vs maturation, express a variable and different set of genes that often are identifiable as a signature of the specific stage they are in.

Sometimes even different physiological states produce differential expression of genes. For example, after a meal, the intestinal cells will express genes that lead to the production of enzymes (these are biological “chemicals” made of amino acids, a class of proteins) that help in the breakage and digestion of the food.

The researchers working closely with the Ashram found that those who undergo the Inner Awakening® programme had seen their cells alter the expression of genes to a vastly healthier profile conducive to better and more robust immunity (preventing or reducing diseases like psoriasis, arthritis, etc.), anti-ageing, anti-cancer and so on.

Of particular interest are the changes that relate to the modulation of immunity. Immunity helps our body protect against foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses and other parasites, and even cancer which originates from the corrupted cells of our own body. But in some people, this system can go out of tune and start attacking their own bodies. These pathologies are called autoimmune diseases. It is one of the pathologies that has been observed by the researchers in the case series they have looked at relating to “spiritual healing”. Autoimmune disorders show one of the best and most promising response. This clinical observation seems to correlate well with the gene expression alteration profile.

Clinical outcomes. Corresponding to the holistic changes seen above, from electrical to cellular to molecular biology to metabolic to genomic, various other groups of researchers working closely with the Ashram have seen and documented corresponding clinical improvements in both healthy and diseased adults and children. These have been self-published by the Ashram.

Children and spirituality. The children studying in the Ashram’s residential schools (Gurukuls) have been shown by an American researcher and educationist, Dr Deborah Chance, to have various mental and physical capabilities that are well above the expected ranges for their age. Importantly, their intelligence quotient (IQ) was at the level of a genius or above for most, if not all of them.

In fact, many of these children and some of the adult disciples of the Swamiji have achieved some extraordinary feats in some phenomenon that are currently beyond science.

In fact, many of these children and some of the adult disciples of the Swamiji have achieved some extraordinary feats in some phenomenon that are currently beyond science

Extraordinary science, supra-scientific Hinduism.