At a business awards dinner in Calgary, Don Arney stood to address the gathering of influential corporate leaders. He had just been awarded the prestigious Manning Award for creativity in business, in recognition of his outstanding inventions. He had also received a commendation from the Prime Minister of Canada.

"I feel the major part of corporate success comes from creativity," he told the group," and the creativity I've experienced is a direct result of practicing the Transcendental Meditation program."

Don Arney revolutionized the role of helicopters in fire fighting by designing and developing a new generation of water buckets, known as the Bambi Bucket. Today, his company, SEI Industries, is the world leader in helicopter water buckets, commanding 95 percent of the international market, and has sales offices in 78 countries. Last year SEI won the "Exporter of the Year Award," presented by the Royal Bank of Canada.

Both Don and SEI Industries President Mark McCooey have practiced the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs since the mid-70's, and make it available to all their employees.

"From day one we’ve offered the TM course for employees," says Mark, "and it has really paid off. We find it keeps stress levels low, improves health, and gives our company an important creative edge in a highly competitive industry."

The TM program has also become a valuable tool for executives in other sectors. Members of senior management at many major banks and investment firms in Toronto have learned the technique—companies such as Toronto Dominion Bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia, and Investors Group. 

"The need for healthy and competitive employees is a mainstream business goal," says Jeanne Geldart, director of the Maharishi Corporate Development Program in Canada. "The Conference Board of Canada has just released a startling report indicating that 50 percent of Canadian workers feel they are significantly impaired by stress on the job."

Stress-related health care expenditures are costing business a bundle. According to a recent issue of Health and Productivity Magazine, most employers spend 10 percent of their total payroll on employee health costs. 

This is one area where the TM program can really improve a company’s bottom line. Comprehensive research published in the international journal Anxiety, Stress, and Coping shows that employees who learned the TM technique have much less anxiety, job tension, and enjoy better health and improved job effectiveness.

In Japan, over 100 top corporations have participated in TM program training. Sumitomo Corporation, with 1998 sales of $94 billion, has more than 1,000 managers practicing the TM program as a part of a long-term on-site training project— and research has shown that it pays off.

An in-depth study by the Japanese Ministry of Labor found that the Transcendental Meditation program significantly improved employee health. In fact, the Ministry was so impressed with these research results that they sent a report to businesses throughout Japan, recommending that they begin utilizing the Transcendental Meditation program.

Dr. Raju Hajela is Chair of the Advisory Committee to the Physician Health Program for the Ontario Medical Association. "Stress and hypertension are major concerns for companies and individuals today. My examination of research on the Transcendental Meditation program indicates that it is a very effective approach to reduce stress, hypertension and substance abuse. The improved employee health and performance is well worth the investment in the Transcendental Meditation program."

"There is a growing trend in Canada for companies to pay for the TM program," notes Jeanne Geldart. "Economic necessity is forcing an increasing numbers of employers to address the rising cost of employee health care. As a result, insurance companies such as Assumption Life and Maritime Life now pay from 50 to 100 percent of the course fee for employees who want to learn the TM technique. And Government departments are also permitting employees to learn the TM technique through their employee assistance programs.

"Hundreds of creative companies all over the world have paid for employees to learn the TM program," she adds. "Like SEI Industries, they do so because it’s the best program for improving employee health and creativity, and for boosting corporate success."

The Maharishi Corporate Development Program is covered under corporate health and wellness plans in many companies. For a brochure and more information on the program, please contact:

In Canada: Maharishi Corporate Development Program 500 Wilbrod Street Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N2

In the United States: Maharishi Corporate Development Program 639 Whispering Hills Road, Suite 704 Boone, NC 28607

Or visit: www.tm.org/mcdp/index2.html.