Exploratory study: The random number generator and group meditation

Experiments using truly random number generators (RNGs) have reportedly demonstrated anomalous deviations in various group settings. To explore 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.