American Vedic Civilisation

Transcendental Meditation, Maharishi University of Management, Vedic City and Peace Palaces have made a difference in America’s midwest

 

- John Holden

The American midwest isn’t best known for having any great commitment to Veda or ayurveda. However, the state of Iowa is home to a unique city. Just outside the town of Fairfield lies Maharishi Vedic City, a community that didn’t even exist 20 years ago, but has woven Veda into the very fabric of daily life.

How could a place like Maharishi Vedic City emerge within the cornfields and cattle ranches of the midwest? Well, most people credit the late Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who introduced the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique to millions of people around the world.

In addition, he spread the ‘science of consciousness’, a holistic approach to scientific discovery based upon Natural Law, as well as Vedic approaches to education, architecture, farming, etc.

In 1974, the Maharishi found himself in need of a larger premises for a university he had set up the previous year in California. So great was the demand for the courses offered at Maharishi International University that, after just 12 months, he simply had to find more suitable digs. He found what he needed in Fairfield, Iowa.

Now known as Maharishi University of Management (MUM), it aims at providing a type of learning its proponents perceive to be absent in other traditional educational institutions. That is, the development of a student’s intellect, both internally and externally. “The prevailing model of education in the world today only allows students with opportunities to gain knowledge outside of themselves,” explains Craig Pearson, executive vice president of MUM.

“Conventional educational methods fail to foster and develop the stunted potential that lies within us all,” says Pearson. While MUM still recognises the importance of lectures, assignments and various other traditional educational experiences, these pedagogic tools are complemented by TM and various other Vedic teaching approaches.