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Fairfield, Iowa: Transcendental Meditation Capital of America

12/15/2015

9 Comments

 
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When I arrived in Fairfield, Iowa - at the end of a long day of driving by the state’s vast fields of corn and soy, its grain silos and American Pastoral farmhouses, through its small disconnected towns under skies of thick clouds and wide sunlight - I was immediately taken for a political reporter. 

“You’re here for the caucuses?” is the first question Kent Boyum asks me when we sit down to chat in his office. We're in the Maharishi Peace Palace (pictured above) of the Maharishi Vedic City. At first I have no idea what he’s talking about (my sense of election timing is admittedly thrown off on the road), and only after he notices the look of genuine bewilderment on my face does he remind me of the upcoming election. 
“No, no,” I tell him, “I’m just here to talk about Community and spirituality.” 
He immediately brightens. 
“Oh good,” he says. 

What follows has nothing to do with politics. (Although maybe it would be nice if it did.)  It has to do with an idiosyncratic universalist utopian oasis in the middle of Southeast Iowa, a place where doorways only open on the North and East sides of buildings (the orientation of a building is essential for the wellbeing of its occupants); the intentional city developed around an Eastern Ayurvedic health spa two miles up the road; and the practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM®) that is nearly ubiquitous among the area's residents. It also has to do with a university that requires its students to take classes in Creative Consciousness®, and to spend at least forty minutes a day (twenty in the morning, twenty before bed) letting their minds rest in the "quiet sea of infinite consciousness" (not quite ®, but close). From these practices, so they say, the golden age of evolved world peace will come about: the Satyug, the Era of Truth.

​I'll say this from the start: if the temperament and vibes I felt during my week in Fairfield are any indication, this Saytug really ain’t gonna be too shabby. 


Fairfield, Iowa and Maharishi Vedic City
, The Quick History 

In 1958 the guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (d. 2008) made his first world tour. He was an immediate sensation, a true mystic and teacher, a peacemaker. When he arrived in Hawaii in 1959, the Honolulu Star Bulletin reported: "He has no money, he asks for nothing. His worldly possessions can be carried in one hand. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is on a world odyssey. He carries a message that he says will rid the world of all unhappiness and discontent.”

How to achieve this goal? A simple technique he called Transcendental Meditation. It was an ancient practice, one passed down from teacher to student for generations, and the time had come to spread it to the world at large. It centered around a specific scientific formula for daily meditation (described below). Give people this simple tool to improve their daily mental states and attain cosmic calmness, the Maharishi taught, and one at a time the people will raise their consciousness, and the era of world peace will naturally follow. 

In 1975, TMers from across the world found one of their headquarters in Fairfield, Iowa (there are many TM hubs around the globe, as well as centers in most major cities where you can find a teacher and community of fellow TMers). The Maharishi and his followers bought a local university - Parsons College - that was going out of business and re-dubbed it The Maharishi International University, now Maharishi University of Management (MUM). They implemented a curriculum founded in the ideas of Creative Consciousness®, a learning process meant to put a person more in touch with his/her/gender non-conforming most authentic self. It has one of the most intensive and successful programs in sustainable energy development in the world, as well as many highly touted art graduate degrees, including a Masters in Film fully funded by prominent TMer David Lynch (other TMers and followers of the Maharishi include the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Howard Stern, Yukio Hatoyama (former prime minister of Japan), and others). Many of those who came to Iowa after the Maharishi - Boyum among them - learned from the man himself the techniques for teaching TM. 

Fifteen years after the establishment of MUM, construction began some miles up the road from Fairfield on a world class health spa. The Raj was to be (and is today) a kind of Ayurvedic mecca. “Veda” is the Sanskrit word for “knowledge” and “Ayur” means body. ("Veda," Boyum tells me, refers to a highly scientific kind of knowledge, one that crosses disciplines, and so is the suffix for many aspects of living that the Maharishi propounded. E.g. “sthapatya-vedic” is the kind of architecture used for buildings in the Vedic City as well as on MUM’s campus. "Sthapatya" means "establishment.") Located in an ornate sthapatya-vedic building, it looks out on a beautiful lake and is surrounded by a peaceful grove of trees. Most of the areas were closed to visitors when I visited, so I couldn’t peak into the women and men’s respective health spa rooms, and as to what exactly goes on in those spa rooms, I can’t say. The prices for treatments were well beyond my budget (which is a source of skepticism about the whole TM phenomenon…see “Skepticisms” below). 

Over the next ten years, the area around this spa would be purchased and developed into the Maharishi Vedic City, which is a fully incorporated city complete with mayor and city council, that abides by the strict attributes of sthapatya vedic architecture. These attributes include many similarities to the natural building techniques used at ecovillages like Earthaven. Passive solar energy, utilization of rooms’ orientations, and a particular respect for the geometries of space are paramount. 

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Transcendental Meditation, an Introduction

Kent Boyum, who works in the Peace Palace in a large office with white walls (all the walls in the Palace are painted white) and big windows facing the North and East with sunlight bursting through, tells me about his own TMing, “I practice it regularly because it makes me feel good. It’s not hard to do, it’s not frustrating. The job its supposed to do is to make you feel good, feel clear. It’s like brushing your teeth every morning, it freshens your teeth up, makes you feel good. You just do it.” 

This is how Kent describes the feeling of TM: “You’re awake inside but you’re not sleepy. You’re not thinking about too much, even though thoughts can come and go. It’s a process of making a use of a sound that’s taught to a person that doesn’t have any meaning. The mind itself just goes whatever direction it wants to, and restfulness is a direction the mind and the body like to take.” 

In Fairfield, I stopped in at the local TM Center for a free introductory lecture (further instruction becomes quite pricey). A friendly woman named Lark taught me the theory behind the meditative practice, complete with a diagram which I’ve included a picture of. The squiggly line at the top of the white board is representative of a person's normal daily thought. Up and down, from one thing to another, unceasing, restless. The goal of TM, easily attained once the technique of the meaningless mantra is learned, is to drop out of that routine and into the quiet sea of infinite consciousness. That's the long line at the bottom of the diagram. It does not move. It does not change. It is permanent. It is everything. When the mind is trained properly, the quiet sea is where the mind naturally goes. 

The hook of TM is that it does not require any amount of focus or concentration. Rather than a meditative technique that calls for "focusing on a candle" as Kent puts it, or "following your thoughts as they happen“ as Lark describes another form of meditation, TM happens "spontaneously and immediately" (Lark). Once a person learns how to do it - and it takes about four or five sessions, Lark tells me, in which the teacher instructs the student what to do in every conceivable situation that might arise while meditating, including the doorbell ringing or the baby crying - then that quiet sea of infinite consciousness is always available to fall into. 


Skepticisms…

Divorcing the concepts of TM from the parade of celebrities, brand endorsements, studies, and business language that its proponents employ can be a challenge. I admit that I’m generally skeptical of the language of “management,” the copyrighting of terms like TM and Creative Consciousness, and the exorbitant costs of learning the TM technique from an accredited teacher. The constant barrage of ads that is the experience of contemporary daily life makes me suspicious whenever anyone tries to sell me anything, and this is especially true of enlightenment. In a search for meaning and truth, for some insight into the mysteries of God, being told “here’s the answer, and it only costs a few hundred dollars!” is something of a red flag, to put it mildly. 

But it’s hard to argue with experience. And my experience of Fairfield, Iowa was undeniably pleasant, and included thoughtful and enlightening conversations with a number of people. I never got the sense that I was being swindled, that anyone trying to sell me TM was doing so from anywhere but a genuine place of belief in the fact that it just works. It makes you feel better. It makes you calmer. And the place spoke for itself: it was nice, it was calm, the people were friendly. From the conceptual viewfinder of this blog, one might also wonder if the quiet sea of infinite consciousness isn’t just another name for the Oneness? Another doorway of useful lies to an experience of the same essential place, albeit a doorway with trademarks and celebrity endorsements. I admit, I might be interested in finding out….if only it wasn’t so damned expensive.

More to come this week on the science of TM and the behaviors of faith, and some thoughts on the teachings of the Maharishi. 

9 Comments
Einar Olsen
11/7/2017 07:01:36 pm

Thanks Daniel,

I'm a teacher of TM who has lived in Fairfield and Maharishi Vedic City since August, 1979. Here ares some comments.

Overall a nice article in content and tone.

"Creative Consciousness" with the hyperlink you give (Mark Steinberg), has nothing to do with Transcendental Meditation or its organizations, to the best of my knowledge, although similar phraseology is used in the TM organizations.

The second meditation every day is not ideally before bed, but aftger the end of the working afternoon and before dinner.

To the best of my knowledge, Transcendental Meditation is the most widely practiced standardized form of non-religious meditation in the world. I see several reasons for this:

a) It is easy and natural.
b) Anyone can do it (other than perhaps those with certain kinds of severe mental health issues). Four year old children can do it (although they don't sit down at that age!).
c) No faith or belief is required.
d) No change in lifestyle or diet is suggested or required, other than those 20 minutes 2/day
e) About 700 scientific research studies have shown its powerful benefits, about half of which have been published in independent peer-reviewed journals. And about 50 of which (19 peer-reviewed) studies sociological effects such as reduced crime, accident, and sickness rates in populations with a sufficient number of people practicing TM or its advanced program, which requires far fewer practitioners to create the same effect.

"Oneness" Yes. This knowledge was first expressed in the West by the second pre-Socratic philosopher (Anaximander) who called this ultimate value 'apeiron,' the unlimited. Parmenides, who Plato called "the father of philosophy," and "our father," prominently spoke of "the One." So did Plotinus. Spinoza - "substance" Hegel - Spirit (geist). And many others.

Scholars may debate about fine points differentiating these terms. But they all refer, more or less, in general, to the same value or knowledge. And it is NOT just an idea. It is also an experience.

The school of thought called Perennialism has this knowledge at its hub. There are many other synonyms or close parallels for the "One' you mention. Including the Buddhist tradition of sunya (emptiness) and tathata (suchness). Also higher Self, atma/n.

In India, the most common traditional word is brahman (godhead, absolute). Maharishi later in his life adapted this to Brahm.

All these refer to 'something,' paralleled in modern physics by the terms unified field and theory of everything, that all is made of, that all is - including you and me. It can be called infinite, universal, eternal. It is often referred to as beyond words. Dante's Divine Comedy (especially Paradiso) has been called the second most widely read book in the West, and he uses an Italian word often translated Plenum (as somewhat distinct from the personal 'God.').

Religions obviously have been circling around this (and centering on it) for millennia, but more in terms of faith and belief.

Many poets have written remarkable and beautiful lines about their experience and understanding in this area. America's two most appreciated poets, Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, specialized in this topic in their poetry, both directly and indirectly. So did T. S. Eliot in his Nobel prize-winning Four Quartets.

But yes, TM works. There is no ultimate separation from getting the deeper rest that sleep can not and does not provide, on the one hand, and making progress toward unfolding our full potential.

There are many affiliated sciences to the tradition of knowledge and experience on which Transcendental Meditation is based. Health, architecture, music, and others. In fact, the founders of this country were quite familiar with distorted forms of these very architectural and health traditions, percolating through Egypt, Greece, and Rome, which they closely and widely studied.

The money: This kind of spiritual path and growth has often been associated with renunciation of worldliness and a more reclusive attitude. A main reason is that an effective form of meditation was not available, so those strongly interested withdrew from the world in various degrees.

But with a meditation technique (from this ancient tradition, not something new) that did not require withdrawal to work, that withdrawal is no longer necessary.

In fact, the emphasis is not on just the inner dive of meditation. Growth and success take place through the alternation of rest and activity. Yoga is not just a series of postures. Yoga, union, integration, is all-encompassing and available to anyone and everyone.

The money therefore represents a unification of spiritual and material attitudes, and goes for spreading the info to many people. I understand the difference in tone from what has been considered religious in the past - but we are entering a new era, aren't we?

This does not allow for a dropping of ethics and spiritual behavioral values. Rightly done

Reply
Dr. David F.O'Connell
1/18/2019 06:12:55 pm

I am a 40 + year Sidha.I am ready now for advanced spiritual training experience.may move to Uttar Kashi. Does the movement provide consultations/programs with a genuine master for guidance for advanced meditators.I am checking out Swami Sarvapriyananda at the NYC Vedanta Society.

Reply
Einar Olsen
1/18/2019 06:37:23 pm

David,
I'm not aware of any single master within the TM organization at this time, in the traditional sense of the word 'master.' The emphasis is on the technologies of consciousness taught and practiced.

There are about thirty advanced programs offered by the TM Movement, the official name of which is the Global Country of World Peace. Any Center can let you know of all these programs. To find the nearest TM Center, go to tm.org.

After 48 years practicing TM and its advanced programs, I sincerely feel that a traditional master is not necessarily the best or ideal way to continue spiritual evolution. The techniques were developed specifically to replace the guidance of a single person.

However, access to trained TM-Sidhi administrators can be important for some purpose. So can social and organizational contact. It depends on the person. In fact I would suggest, in general that many spiritual aspirants are moving away from the tradition of a relationship with one single spiritual teacher.

A master like you said outside the TM Movement would very likely not be able to address or deal with the TM-Sidhi program. I would not recommend discussing your TM-Sidhi program with anyone outside the TM organization because they are not trained to do that. The subtleties of the TM and TM-Sidhi practice are very important and refined. It is not just a matter of another master in a higher state of consciousness. It is also a specific teaching and specific way of handling countless different questions and experiences that can come up.

Maharishi's teaching and system and principles are in some very fundamental ways new and different (actually revived ancient principles). Even subtle differences of wording can take an aspirant off the best and safest path of spiritual evolution.

You can check out Purusha also, a group of single men who are all TM-Sidhas. There are about 200, 100 in WV, and 100 in Uttar Kashi (40 in one location and 50 in another). purusha.org

I appreciate your commitment and intent.

Regards,
Einar Olsen

Reply
John Ballou link
11/9/2019 10:17:50 am

I am a TM member and am interested in seeing if there is an interest in creating a rolling prayer theat continuously circles the planet.
With 5 million members world wide it should be an easy task. Please contact me snd let me know your thoughts.

Reply
Einar Olsen
11/9/2019 07:03:05 pm

Thanks John,
If prayer as it is commonly known worked well and predictably, TM would not be necessary. The reason TM came out is because the technique of meditation had been lost. Meditation is vastly more powerful than prayer (as prayer is commonly known). Group meditation would be far far far more powerful than prayer. So what would have the biggest effect (by far) is what Maharishi encouraged throughout his life - group meditation and group practice of the TM-Sidhi program, which is advanced. This can be time-zone coordinated.
If you go on tm.org, you will see in the upper right I think a Center locator. Using that, you can find the nearest TM Center. There is the place where group meditations should be available, and where you could talk to the TM teachers about arranging group meditations.

On most months, global and nationwide group meditations take place, often the last Sunday every month. November and December there won't be any, but in January I hope they start again. If you get on the TM mailing list (also available from tm.org, or ask you local TM teacher), you will be notified of global and nationwide group meditations, Your nearest TM center would also have a mailing list of local group meditations.
Thank you very much for your global thinking and spirituality.
Regards,
Einar

Reply
Lindsay Dyson link
11/24/2020 01:32:01 pm

Hi Daniel,
Thanks for this great article. I’m a certified teacher of the Transcendental Meditation technique.

Before I learned TM, I had the same question you did. Why does it cost money to learn a meditation? The TM teacher who gave my introductory talk said she had to buy paper and pens, pay rent and utilities on a center, etc. And I got it. And learned TM that weekend in 1972.
TM is learned one-on-one, the course being custom-designed for each individual. And comes with a life-time free follow up at any TM Center in the world.

I see your article was written in 2019. Were you aware that throughout the US, the course fee is income-based? (See tm.org for the sliding scale.)
If someone can’t afford even the lowest price (for those on federal assistance), there are usually partial scholarships for them available in the local centers and the payment can be spread out over 4 monthly payments.
We want everyone who wants to learn TM to be able to do so.
We don’t ask for proof of income, or how much your income is. We rely on your integrity.
Maharishi Foundation is a 501-c-3, non-profit, educational organization. We have taught the TM technique at no charge (including partnering with other non-profits like the David Lynch Foundation), to well over one million people in at-risk populations around the world.
The course fee for everyone else goes entirely to furthering our mission of making TM available to everyone who wants it.

Check it out. You’ll love TM, because it’s easy to learn and effortless to practice and it enhances all aspects of one’s life: mental, physical, emotional, spiritual.

Thanks again for your thoughtful and well-written article.

Reply
Noah link
1/10/2021 09:09:10 pm

Hello maate great blog post

Reply
Rodney Shapiro link
12/1/2022 08:47:34 am

I'm beginning to love my work. I'm no longer a keen reader ever since I finished school. But here I am, I'm back into reading articles and trying to understand. And as I go through this, I began to appreciate and am starting to enjoy reading this type of article that helps me understand the meaning of higher consciousness as I go deeper. I find it very important in healing both mind and body. I believe this is something that needs to be healed first. Undergoing life coaching and psychotherapy sessions helps a lot.
You may also consider checking this website. https://www.mindfullyaliveonline.com/higher-consciousness-and-psychotherapy/

Reply
Einar Olsen
12/1/2022 10:18:59 am

Thanks Rodney,

Since writing the above comments on this blog, I've come to realize more that higher consciousness is not more important than practical, worldly knowledge and skills, including emotional intelligence and skills, such as relationships and management, and local politics and community development.

India has specialized in the attitude and view that ultimate metaphysical knowledge and experience, and developing higher consciousness and enlightenment, are more fundamental and important than practical and worldly knowledge and skills, such as the ability to earn wealth and acquire fame, position, and influence,

The West has specialized in the attitude and view that practical and worldly knowledge and skills, such as the ability to earn wealth and acquire fame, position, and influence is more fundamental and important than ultimate metaphysical knowledge and experience, and developing higher consciousness and enlightenment,

I've come to experience and observe that both inner and outer, subjective knowledge, experience, and development are fundamental and important. Neither is less important than the other. Both approaches are one-sided and cause endless huge problems without sufficient development of the other, which is seen in the world today.

But my working hypothesis, for which there is a great deal of evidence, is that this time of troubles for the world is going to end sooner rather than later, perhaps starting to become widely visible by 2024-27, and a period of thousands of years of energy, peace, love, and prosperity, freedom and security, dynamism and silence, will maintain in balance and integration, in which both values of enlightenment and practical knowledge, skills, and success will coexist in coherence.

Thanks for your reference ot psychotherapy. After studying it for some time and in some depth, I've concluded it can help some people, but it is not fundamental. As it currently exists, it is not fundamental, because it is not transcendental. The technologies offered by the Global Country of World Peace (GCWP) are fundamental and, far more effective (evidence-based), although more research can be done. I've never heard of psychotherapy being a big part of anyone gaining actual enlightenment, although a small number of people have found it help develop higher consciousness (higher STATES of consciousness, as defined in the Eastern yogic tradition).

The technologies of the Church of the Master Angels (CMA) have been far more successful in healing both psychological and physical diseases (CMA is a religion, but TM and the other technologies of the GCWP are not religious or faith-based. Many case studies have been provided in the books of Dr. Richard Sarnat, available on Amazon.

https://www.medicalmiracle.info/

Thank you again for your post, and best wishes,

Einar Olsen
Fairfield, IA

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