Reader’s Digest UK – July 2019

66 • JULY 2019

weeks, the violent crime rate goes

down. This has been done all around

the world in cities from Washington

to Jerusalem. Scientists refer to it as a

peace-field effect.

On a personal basis, being in a

positive neurophysiological state of

mind, such as meditation, is very

good for your health. It reduces stress

levels and makes you healthier.

Hopefully the peace-field effect

can help society and the world, by

cancelling out some of the peer-

based aggression which dominates

our planet. Every time I watch the TV

or open a newspaper, I see that it’s

either the end of the world or I’m

under attack from somebody. While

we need to be informed of these

things, they do lead to people feeling

worried and stressed. Hopefully if we

were all in a more peaceful state of

mind, that would radiate around the

world and make it a happier place.

There’s plenty of scientific evidence

to support this.

I would put lie detectors (voice-

stress analysers) across the bottom

of all televisions when politicians

are talking. That way, when we

asked them questions, we could see

if they were telling the truth or not.

I would find some way of rewarding

kindness. The Dalai Lama said,

“kindness is my religion”, and it’s one

of my favourite quotes. I see

selfishness as one of the big

psychological diseases of the world.

If people were less selfish and more

selfless, the world would be a better

place. Kindness, which is an

important part of being human, is a

great place to start.

I would incentivise everyone in the

world to meditate every day. When

there’s a boxing match on TV, the

murder rate goes up. However, when

you get a group of meditators

together in a major city and they

meditate every day over a couple of

Hypnotist, behavioural scientist and television

broadcaster Paul McKenna, 55, is also one of

Britain’s most successful authors of self-help

books including I Can Make You Thin

IF I RULED THE WORLD

Paul McKenna

INSPIRE