University Report 2015 -2016

David Lynch delivers This is your brain on Creating peace commencement address Transcendental Meditation through group meditation

MAHARISHI UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015 -2016

Fireworks celebration in front of the Golden Dome on Founder’s Day

PRESIDENT BEVAN MORRIS RETIRES, JOHN HAGELIN TAKES THE HELM MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER

he potential of every human brain is unbounded, infinite. Everyone is equipped with the physical machinery in his “Tbrain physiology to experience that level of intelligence which is the ocean of all knowledge, the ocean of all energy, intelligence, and bliss.”—Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT

ince accepting the reins of first Regenerative Organic Agricul- Yet these achievements are just Maharishi University of Man- ture program and associated Petra the beginning. In the coming se- S agement last September from Stanley Center for Regenerative and mester, we are focusing on student our extraordinary former president Organic Agriculture (now under satisfaction, retention, and enroll- Dr. Bevan Morris, I have been great- construction). Our inspiring facul- ment; improving faculty skills, cre- ly inspired by the amazing progress ty and their enthusiastic students dentials, compensation, and bene- taking place at our University—and continue to receive national rec- fits—including retirement benefits; by the multitude ognition for their increasing our ability to inspire our of tantalizing op- groundbreaking re- students with Maharishi’s unique portunities that search, professional knowledge and vision, as well as lie just before us. achievements, and deepening their experiences with This 2015–2016 artistic creations. Advanced Techniques and the University Report At the center of all Sidhis; and expanding programs provides a quick this creative activity with the greatest positive financial overview of these is Maharishi’s great impact, thus providing the econom- inspiring achieve- gift to us of Con- ic engine to fulfill all our vital goals ments and emerg- sciousness-Based and commitments. ing opportunities. education—and the We have so much untapped po- Our new student profound develop- tential—so many low-hanging applications and ment of conscious- fruits and opportunities for rap- enrollments are surging, thanks to ness that comes from Transcen- id expansion! We need only ral- the exceptional skill of our newly re- dental Meditation and TM-Sidhi ly together as a united family and constituted marketing team. We are practice. In this Report you will commit our collective focus and simultaneously engaged in an inten- see clear evidence of the quanti- resources—and thereby turn these sive transformation and renovation fiable growth of higher states of tantalizing opportunities into mag- of our MUM campus, starting with consciousness in our students and nificent achievements. I look for- our student dormitories, which are faculty, the dramatic effect on crime ward to working with you to accom- so central to the happiness of the produced by our Invincible America plish all these inspiring goals in this precious students we serve. We are Assembly, and the inspiring legacy coming year. strengthening our existing academic of MUM’s accomplishments under programs as we launch innovative the leadership of our past president new ones—including the nation’s Dr. Bevan Morris.

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CAMPUS NEWS UNIVERSITY REPORT - 2015 - 2016

4 | Long-time president Bevan Morris retires, John Hagelin assumes presidency

6 | Maharishi Vedic Observatory now graces campus

7 | Donors help fund extensive renovation

7 | Students enroll in new web TV series track in film MFA

8 | Sustainability achievements and recognitions continue

8 | MUM graduates 58 students in FEATURES South Africa 9 | MUM collaborates with Bali 12 | Filmmaker David Lynch delivers educators commencement address 9 | Record enrollment of 1,769 Creating a better world through Transcendental students Meditation 10 | Donation supports Vedic organic vegetables 18 | Accounting Professionals MBA poised for expansion ACHIEVEMENTS Offers state-of-the art technical skills 36 | Faculty achievements 22 | Your brain on Transcendental 40 | Student achievements Meditation 44 | Maharishi School EEG research by Fred Travis shows how you evolve achievements 28 | Meditating for peace INSTITUTIONAL Study shows campus assembly lowered homicide ADVANCEMENT and violent crime

48 | Our supporters 30 | 36 years of remarkable achievements Reviewing the presidency of Dr. Bevan Morris

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 3 CAMPUS NEWS

LONG-TIME PRESIDENT BEVAN MORRIS RETIRES, JOHN HAGELIN ASSUMES PRESIDENCY

President Bevan Morris announced in May that he would be retiring, effective Founder’s Day on September 12—marking the end of 36 years of service to Maharishi University of Management. CAMPUS NEWS

uring its regular quar- ford Linear Accelerator Center. He “Dr. Morris has inspired count- terly meeting in June, has made major contributions to less people with his presentations on the board of trustees grand unified field theory, publish- the knowledge Maharishi brought named a new president: ing over 70 papers in journals such to light and how Maharishi’s pro- Drenowned physics professor John as Physics Letters, Nuclear Physics, grams are taking root all over the Hagelin. A formal announcement and Physical Review. world,” said MUM vice-president of the transition was made during Dr. Hagelin also heads the U.S. Craig Pearson. “He has led a truly commencement ceremonies in June. organization that teaches the Tran- remarkable life of enlightened lead- Dr. Morris will continue to be scendental Meditation technique ership and service.” affiliated with the University in his and is the president of the David new role as International President Lynch Foundation, which teaches of Maharishi Universities of Man- Transcendental Meditation to at- “He is tops in knowledge, agement. He will also continue in risk students, veterans, victims of his role as Prime Minister of the abuse, the homeless, refugees, in- both in science and Maharishi Global Country of World Peace, mates, and other highly stressed Vedic Science, a charismatic which includes helping to oversee populations. He is also the direc- and inspiring figure, and has Transcendental Meditation® orga- tor of MUM’s Institute of Science, proven his administrative nizations in countries around the Technology and Public Policy. He and marketing skills.” world. will continue in these other roles Dr. Morris speaking Speaking of Dr. Hagelin’s qualifi- while serving as president of MUM. about John Hagelin cations for this new role, Dr. Morris said, “He is tops in knowledge, both Dr. Morris’s extraordinary in science and Maharishi Vedic Sci- contribution “Dr. Morris has inspired ence, a charismatic and inspiring Under Dr. Morris’s leadership, the countless people with his pre- figure, and has proven his admin- University underwent immense sentations on the knowledge istrative and marketing skills by change, including academic of- Maharishi brought to light increasing the number of people in ferings and the campus itself. He and how Maharishi’s pro- the U.S. learning the Transcenden- oversaw the addition of a variety of grams are taking root all over tal Meditation technique tenfold in graduate programs at the master’s the world.” just a few years.” and PhD levels. Enrollment grew In a letter to MUM supporters, from around 550 students to nearly MUM vice-president Dr. Hagelin wrote, “I am deeply hon- 1,700. Craig Pearson ored, and greatly looking forward to The campus itself was trans- both the challenges and wonderful formed, with scores of old buildings opportunities that lie ahead.” razed and dozens of new ones taking their place, all designed according Other administrative Physics professor and to Maharishi Vastu® architecture. changes leading researcher Even as he led the University, Coinciding with the naming of a Dr. Hagelin has been a physics Dr. Morris continued to play a new president, other administra- professor at Maharishi Univer- leadership role worldwide, working tive changes include naming several sity of Management since 1984 with Maharishi on projects and vice-presidents and a provost. Dr. and has served as honorary leading many conferences and Pearson, who has served as exec- chair of the board of trust- assemblies held over the years. utive vice-president for 18 years, ees. He received a PhD in He has traveled to more than has been named vice-president theoretical physics from 100 countries, meeting leaders in of academic affairs. Scott Herri- Harvard University in government, business, and science, ott has been named provost. Rod 1981 and then complet- as well as with the international Eason has been named vice-pres- ed post-doctoral fellow- leaders of Transcendental Medi- ident of enrollment management ships at European Or- tation organizations, students at and marketing. Brad Mylett is now ganization for Nuclear Consciousness-Based education vice-president for development and Research (CERN) schools, and alumni and friends of alumni affairs, and Tom Brooks is and the Stan- MUM. vice-president of operations.

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 5 MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER MAHARISHI VEDIC OBSERVATORY Now graces campus

A Maharishi Vedic Observatory™ created In ancient times they were used to track by Carl Stone now graces the grounds the heavenly bodies and locate the immediately in front of the Argiro individual in space and time. But, more Student Center, thanks to a generous importantly, they are instruments for donation from Mr. Stone and Maharishi cultivating one’s deep connection with Global Vedic Observatories. the universe and aligning oneself with the orderliness in nature. Maharishi The observatory consists of 10 instruments described the observatory as an ancient in a circle that are different types of Vedic technology to expand awareness sundials as well as a central display of the and train the vision and mind to focus Rik Ved. These instruments are based on on the mathematical precision and order the same timeless Vedic tradition as the that regulates the universe without Transcendental Medi-tation technique. problems.

The Milky Way is visible behind the Argiro Student Center in this photograph taken a few hours before sunrise.

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Donors help fund extensive renovation Verrill Hall, Hildenbrand Hall, science labs, video and sound studios, and community workshop undergo renovations Generous supporters of MUM helped fund major renovation this past year. Verrill Hall, which houses offices and classrooms, and Hildenbrand Hall, a residence hall for women, both received up- grades. Other areas receiving attention included two science labs, video studios, and a makerspace, a community workshop available for chair Jeffrey Abramson, include a Renovation in Verrill Hall, most woodworking, metalworking, elec- new kitchen and dining room, study of which was funded by an anon- tronics, 3-D printing, sewing, and rooms, a TV room, a lounge, and a ymous donor, included four class- more. Plus, a new sound studio was fitness room. The main entrance re- rooms to accommodate the hun- created that’s being used for pro- ceived a new canopy, landscaping, dreds of students in the Computer ducing music and for post-produc- and sidewalk. The next phase of Science Department and 30 offices tion of film. improvements will be focused on for the Computer Science Depart- Renovations in Hildenbrand student rooms, bathrooms, and a ment as well as other administrative Hall, funded by board of trustees new roof. personnel.

Students enroll in new web TV series track in film MFA

A new track in the David Lynch MFA program in which each student writes, directs, and produces a 7-minute episode for a web-based TV series launched with nine students this past spring. co-executive producer/showrunner dreds of films, many of which have The track is being taught by some of the popular TV series Everybody won awards in various festivals and top Hollywood professionals, in- Loves Raymond, for which she re- competitions. He also worked with cluding producer Bill Borden, whose ceived an Emmy nomination; and Maharishi from 1971–78 making 35 movies and TV shows include screenwriter Kate Purdy, who has films. Mission: Impossible III, La Bamba, written for TV series such as Cou- Toward the end of this three-se- and High School Musical. He is the g a r To w n , The McCarthys, BoJack mester program, the students will acting executive producer of the se- Horseman, Enlisted, Secret Girlfriend, head to Los Angeles to meet with ries the students are producing. MADtv, and Cold Case. David Lynch and pitch their com- Also teaching is screenwriter El- Heading the program is Michael pleted series to various video stream- len Sandler, whose credits include W. Barnard, who has created hun- ing services.

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Sustainability achievements and recognitions continue

Sustainable Living Center Approximately 140 recognized by United trees planted Nations Thanks to a $10,000 A two-page case study of MUM’s grant from Alliant Ener- Sustainable Living Center has been gy and the class gift from included in a 160-page PDF book the 2015 graduating published by the United Nations class, around 140 trees that serves to “inspire, encourage, and were planted on campus support universities to develop and this past year. implement their own transformative The class supported planting of leftover food in serving trays, and din- strategies for establishing green, re- 39 fruit trees, while the Alliant grant ers’ uneaten food deposited in bins— source-efficient, and low carbon cam- funded planting of around 100 lin- is being composted on campus. puses.” den, cypress, oak, buckeye, redbud, The compost is used by the MUM Titled Greening Universities Toolkit birch, hickory, locust, pine, and tulip Student Organic Farm, which grows V2.0, the book details strategies and trees, as well as other varieties. vegetables year-round for sale to the tactics that universities around the Many trees on campus in recent MUM dining hall and to local cus- world can use to reduce their carbon years have been lost due to drought tomers. In the past, MUM had been footprint, address climate change, and disease, and the new trees are a paying a company to take away the increase resource efficiency, enhance significant step toward replanting food waste for composting, and then ecosystem management, and mini- campus. MUM hopes to be able to paying again for delivery of the com- mize waste and pollution. continue planting each spring and fall. post. The Sustainable Living Center case Thanks to a $20,000 grant from study includes a photo of the build- 100% of dining hall food Iowa’s Department of Natural Re- ing, a description of MUM, the issues waste now being composted sources, a new compost facility will be the building was intended to solve, Since late December, all of the food built on the northwest corner of cam- and extensive detail about the build- waste from Annapurna Dining pus that will include a 90-foot hoop ing itself. Hall—leftovers from veggie prep, house.

MUM graduates 58 students in South Africa MUM continues to enroll students 2015 one of the biggest advertis- Microsoft has also supported MII at Maharishi Invincibility Insti- ing agencies in South Africa (FCB) with a software donation valued at tute (MII) in South Africa, with partnered with the Invincible Em- about R20 million ($1.5 million). 53 undergraduates and 5 graduate powerment Fund. This deal could The software includes Windows 10 students receiving degrees this past ultimately support 200–300 women licenses, Microsoft Office programs, June. per year to enroll in Maharishi In- and associated training courses. In March of 2017, MII is sched- stitute programs. In uled to graduate its fourth class of addition, FCB has MUM bachelor’s students, bring- committed to fund ing the total number of MII-MUM the development of graduates to almost 200 since De- an industry-related cember of 2013. Four of these grad- curriculum in 2016, uates of have now enrolled at the followed by a pilot Fairfield campus to study for an program in 2017 and MBA. 2018 that will pre- MII continues to garner generous pare students for jobs corporate support. In December of in that industry.

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Sustainability achievements and recognitions continue MUM collaborates with Bali educators A delegation of nine officials from the Indonesian island of Bali visited campus in October 2015, including the minister of education and the head of Warmadewa University, to discuss collaborations with MUM. The initial phase of the collabora- over 275 teaching staff. It offers 14 The visit resulted in a formal agree- tion will entail offering short cours- undergraduate and 4 graduate pro- ment that describes four areas of es to Warmadewa faculty and exec- grams. collaboration with Warmadewa utives. Some of these courses have Short courses will also be the fo- University and an agreement for col- already been developed, and others cus for the collaboration with SMA laboration with SMA Negeri Bali are being created, with instruction Bali Negeri School, where the 300 Mandara School. The Warmadewa to be online, on-site, or a combina- students are already practicing the collaborations include their medical tion of the two. Transcendental Meditation tech- school, agriculture program, man- Warmadewa University, founded nique and are intending to learn the agement department, and biology in 1984, is an accredited universi- TM-Sidhi® program. department. ty with over 10,000 students and

Record enrollment of 1,769 students Enrollment continues to reach new heights, with 1,769 students enrolled this past spring. Of these, 1,089 were enrolled in the Comput- er Professionals Program, including those in their practicum phase working at companies around the country. The Computer Professionals net and social media marketing, but paid positions in companies around Program is celebrating its 20th an- especially due to word of mouth. the U.S. for up to two years as part niversary in 2016. Beginning with Students in the program spend up of their practicum. They also con- 14 students in 1996, the program to eight months on campus taking tinue to take courses while enrolled has grown rapidly thanks to inter- advanced courses and then work in in the practicum.

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 9 CAMPUS NEWS Donation supports Vedic organic vegetables A generous donation of $75,000 from the Wege Foundation over the past two years has funded the purchase of Maharishi Vedic OrganicSM vegetables for the campus dining hall.

Morning Harvest, Washing and Packing

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The vegetables are grown by Maharishi World Peace Vedic Organics in Maharishi Vedic City. The farm includes two one-acre greenhouses that grow produce year round. Specially trained Maharishi Vedic Pandits perform specific daily recitations to the seeds and plants in order to enliven vitality and balance. The performances last many hours and are done at each of the eight stages of the development of the plants.

Morning Delivery, Cooking, Serving, and Enjoying!

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 11 FEATURES “Always have final cut.” FILMMAKER DAVID LYNCH GIVES COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS RECEIVES HONORARY DOCTORATE amous for his movies, revered on campus, and one of the world’s most high-profile advocates of the Tran- F scendental Meditation technique, filmmaker David Lynch delivered the 2016 commencement address and received an honorary doctorate. Movies such as Mulholland Drive, The Elephant Man, Blue Vel- vet, and The Straight Story have established Mr. Lynch as Hollywood’s most original filmmaker, widely admired for being fiercely committed to his artistic vision. His key advice to the graduating students sums up that commitment:

“Always have final cut.” Don’t compromise your creative impulse by letting someone else make the final edits.

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 13 FEATURES

Practicing Transcendental campus, during which he attended 2004 he and John Hagelin were fea- Meditation since 1973 a performance by Maharishi School tured speakers at a peace conference students of acts they would be pre- in Denmark that was attended by He credits his practice of the Tran- senting at the state speech compe- the Danish Minister of Defense. scendental Meditation technique tition. He was astounded by their Then in December 2004 and Jan- for his creativity. creativity, spirit, and presence. He uary 2005 Mr. Lynch began to focus “I started Transcendental Medi- had worked in Hollywood for de- on education. He and recording art- tation in 1973 and have not missed cades, but felt as if these students ist Donovan headlined three events a single meditation ever since. had something special. He was sold, that showcased the Transcendental Twice a day, every day. It has given then and there, on the idea of Con- Meditation technique and Con- me effortless access to unlimited re- sciousness-BasedSM education. sciousness-Based education: Lin- serves of energy, creativity, and hap- A shy and private man, later that coln Center in New York City, the piness deep within. This level of life year he took his first big step to Kennedy Center in Washington, is sometimes called ‘pure conscious- talk publicly about Transcendental DC, and the Kodak Theatre in Los ness’—it is a treasury. And this lev- Meditation. Collaborating with or- Angeles. el of life is deep within us all.” ganizer Bob Roth, he appeared at a Throughout his career he typical- press conference along with Heath- David Lynch Foundation ly encouraged those he worked with er Graham, Laura Dern, and Laura brings Transcendental to learn Transcendental Medita- Haring—actresses who had learned Meditation to 500,000 tion, and many did, such as actress- Transcendental Meditation while Inspired by the promise of Con- es Laura Dern and Naomi Watts. working with him. They spoke sciousness-Based education, in But mostly his practice was a pri- about the benefits of Transcen- 2005 Mr. Lynch launched the Da- vate matter. dental Meditation and announced vid Lynch Foundation for Con- That began to change when he the intention to build a Maharishi sciousness-Based Education and chose to attend a special month- Peace Palace in Los Angeles. World Peace with the goal of mak- long course with Maharishi in More press conferences announc- ing the Transcendental Meditation 2003, giving him the opportunity ing Peace Palaces followed, with technique available to at-risk chil- to immerse himself in Maharishi’s the media always eager to attend, dren in urban areas. Within a year wisdom. thanks to his fame and that of those schools had begun adopting the who would appear along with him. foundation’s Quiet Time Program, Campus visit stirs Transcendental Meditation was in- to great success. enthusiasm for promoting creasingly in the news. Over the years, fundraisers and Transcendental Meditation After these press conferences, he generous donations helped support Shortly after his course with continued to speak publicly about bringing Transcendental Medita- Maharishi he made a quiet visit to Transcendental Meditation. In May tion to additional groups who were

“I started Transcenden- tal Meditation in 1973 and have not missed a single meditation ever since. Twice a day, every day. It has given me effortless access to unlimited reserves of energy, creativity, and happiness deep within.”

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Catching the Big Fish

The 10th anniversary edition of David Lynch’s best-selling book Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness and Creativity is now available. When it first appeared in 2006, his book was laud- ed for being “as close as Lynch will ever come to an interior shot of his famously weird mind” (Rocky Mountain News). Providing a rare window into his methods as an artist, his personal working style, and the immense creative benefits he has experienced from the practice of meditation, Catching the Big Fish explains the development of Mr. Lynch’s ideas. Now for the bestseller’s 10th anniversary, he includes his exclusive interviews with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, who open up about first meeting Maharishi in 1967, their mu- sicianship, songwriting, shared history, and the benefits they have experienced from their decades-long practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique.

in desperate need: veterans, the the transforming power of Tran- University of California at Berke- homeless, HIV sufferers, abused scendental Meditation. In 2005 he ley, and the University of Oregon. women and children, and more. embarked on a tour of universities Unlike the earlier press confer- Today his foundation has helped in the U.S. ences, in which Mr. Lynch spoke bring the Transcendental Med- The theme was “Exploring the briefly along with other speakers, itation technique to more than Frontiers of Consciousness, Cre- these events promised the opportu- 500,000 children and adults in 35 ativity, and the Brain,” and each nity to spend a significant amount countries. event also included John Hage- of time hearing Mr. Lynch talk lin, Fred Travis, and other notable about creativity, filmmaking, con- National college tour speakers. Venues included New sciousness, and meditation. Instead Meanwhile, Mr. Lynch continued to York University, Yale, Brown, Uni- of a lecture, though, he would sim- go public with his enthusiasm for versity of Southern California, ply take questions—which he pre- fers to giving a prepared talk. His legions of fans found the opportunity too good to be true: their hero, in person, answering their questions and talking about creativity. Hundreds of people flocked to the events. “David is a quiet and shy person by nature, but he just keeps put- ting himself out there, getting up in front of huge audiences to talk about Transcendental Meditation,” said Bob Roth, principal organiz- er of Mr. Lynch’s events. “He is completely committed to bringing Transcendental Meditation to everyone, in whatever way he can.”

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 15 FEATURES

were accompanied by a lineup of meditating celebrities and musicians: Jerry Seinfeld, Howard Stern, Sheryl Crow, Donovan, Eddie Ved- der, Ben Harper, Moby, Paul Horn, Bettye LaVette, Mike Love, and Jim James. National publicity followed. The theme was “Change Begins Within,” and many of the performers spoke about the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation technique in their lives. The event was a bold move: it was conceived and implemented in a matter of months. A top New On getting creative ideas: “I equate ideas to fish; we don’t York PR firm was astounded, say- make the fish, we catch the fish… It’s very fortunate when ing that something like this usually takes a year to plan and stage, and one catches a great idea… Once you get one fragment [of that the organizers usually only get an idea], it’s like bait… You drop the line into the beautiful one big name. ocean of consciousness.” But David Lynch’s sincerity, and the high regard people have for him, plus the merit of his cause, drew a ent Transcendental Meditation as a roster of top performers. David Lynch Weekends at solution for peace. And that was just the begin- MUM ning… Then in the spring of 2006 he came Paul McCartney, Ringo Around 20 similar events have to campus for the first of three an- Starr, Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh now been held, typically featur- nual David Lynch Weekends. Open Jackman, Ellen Degeneres ing meditators such as Katy Perry, to the public, the theme of the support Lynch Foundation Sting, Russell Brand, Ellen De- weekends was again “Conscious- Mr. Lynch’s openness about his generes, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Hugh ness, Creativity, and the Brain.” practice of Transcendental Medi- Jackman, Arianna Huffington, and Hundreds of students and fans tation and its benefits, along with Candy Crowley. from the region and even from oth- his extraordinary reputation among The success in schools, the scores er parts of the country showed up. creative artists, gradually began to of endorsements by famous people, Mr. Lynch spent hours answer- encourage other well-known practi- the events and tours, the rigorous ing questions. Attendees also heard tioners to be open about their prac- research—all of this has helped about consciousness and the unified tice. And many who weren’t already bring Transcendental Meditation field from John Hagelin. Fred Tra- meditating became interested in into the limelight again. Many more vis spoke about the brain, and gave learning, creating a groundswell of people are now learning the prac- a live demonstration of someone interest. Meditation was cool. tice. practicing Transcendental Medita- A turning point came in 2009 tion while an EEG readout of the when Mr. Lynch and Bob Roth en- Lends name to MUM’s David person’s brain waves appeared on visioned an event that would feature Lynch MFA in Film a large screen. Well-known mu- surviving Beatles Paul McCartney Despite being busy with his founda- sicians, including Donovan and and Ringo Starr. It was to be a ben- tion and with his ongoing creative Moby, performed. efit for the David Lynch Founda- endeavors, Mr. Lynch has been gen- Following the success of his col- tion and was to be held at Radio erous enough to spend time with lege tour, in 2007 he appeared at City Music Hall in New York City. MUM’s film students. events in 16 countries in Europe, Not only did these famous mu- In 2013 MUM launched the Da- the Middle East, and North Ameri- sicians agree to perform for free vid Lynch MFA in Film, which gives ca along with John Hagelin to pres- to support this worthy cause, they experienced filmmakers with an un-

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dergraduate degree the opportunity was awarded an Honorary Doctor and then knowing a way to make to earn a master of fine arts degree of World Peace Honoris Causa. it correct… I always say, intuition and take their skill to a new level. Instead of giving a prepared talk, is the number one tool for an art- Mr. Lynch co-founded the pro- he asked that his commencement ist, for people in business, and for gram in hopes of spreading Tran- address be his preferred mode of human beings. As Maharishi says, scendental Meditation throughout public speaking: taking questions. ‘There are no problems, only solu- the filmmaking community. He And he requested that he not be tions.’ ” meets intermittently with the stu- shown the questions in advance. On the most important thing for dents via Skype throughout the Four graduating students joined success: “Transcendental Medita- year and has hosted each cohort at him on stage to take turns asking tion, it’s obviously the most import- his home studio in Los Angeles. In questions. ant thing to do day in and day out.” 2016, the class also met with him on As usual, his central point was On getting creative ideas: “I campus during his visit to Fairfield. the wonderful gift of Maharishi— equate ideas to fish; we don’t make His friendship with MUM also all that it has done for him, all that the fish, we catch the fish… It’s very extends to allocating David Lynch it promises to those who practice it, fortunate when one catches a great Foundation funds to help pay for and the very real potential for creat- idea… Once you get one fragment new students to learn Transcenden- ing world peace. [of an idea], it’s like bait… You drop tal Meditation, and to assist with Asked to speak about leadership, the line into the beautiful ocean of the cost when students learn the he said, “I think this is the defini- consciousness.” TM-Sidhi program. In addition, he tion of a great leader: someone who And when a film student asked has served as a trustee of the Uni- inspires others to learn Transcen- him to tell about one thing learned versity. dental Meditation, to become a light on one of his film sets that became unto themselves and … sending a life lesson, he said, “Always have An unusual, and delightful, them out there to get [Transcen- final cut!” commencement address dental Meditation] to other people David Lynch has created extraor- Given his close ties to MUM, as well so that we can have peace on earth.” dinary films, nearly always with fi- as all that he is doing for the world, On the role of intuition, he re- nal cut, and now he’s helping to cre- Mr. Lynch was invited to deliver the sponded, “[Intuition is] knowing ate a better world—and he’s doing it 2016 commencement address and when something isn’t quite correct in his unique way.

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 17 FEATURES WHY IS ANDY EXCITED? Not just because MBA faculty and students have received Andy Bargerstock is excited. national awards In August he received, for the second time, a national award: Lean Accounting Professor of the Year. And his student Linlin Ye Shi received, for the second time, Lean Student of the Year. Never before in the history of the Lean Enterprise Institute have there been repeat winners. But that’s not why Andy is excited now. FEATURES

ver the past 10 years he’s guided MUM’s graduate O study in accounting to a national reputation. But he’s just getting started. The best is yet to come in spring 2017, he says, when the MBA launches a new specialization that’s in demand worldwide.

Andy’s excited about ERP. Yes, National reputation for MUM So, beginning in 2011 he had ERP (Enterprise Resource Plan- management program them participate in the worldwide ning), and he envisions hundreds of CAPSIM business simulation as students eventually enrolled in this In 2005 Andy was invited to rejoin part of their capstone course. Since new specialization for the MBA the management department—his then, every cohort of MBAs from program. third stint as faculty. He was re- MUM has placed at least one team cruited to direct a new Accounting in the 90th percentile or high- Professor at age 23 Professionals MBA that would be er, competing against as many as If Andy’s enthusiastic, people have modeled on MUM’s highly success- 1,100 other master’s degree-lev- learned to pay attention. He always ful Computer Professionals Pro- el teams—and three MUM teams seems to be on a fast track to suc- gram. have finished #1 in the world. cess. At the age of 23, already having Students come from around the In CAPSIM simulations, stu- an MBA and having passed the Cer- world, drawn by the opportunity to dents play the role of top manage- tified Public Accountant exam, he earn an MBA, get work experience ment executive teams who guide began teaching at Allegheny College at a U.S. company as part of their the decision-making of their en- in Pennsylvania. Earlier he worked practicum, and pay for their educa- terprise through eight years of as an auditor for a large CPA firm tion from the money they earn while multi-faceted decisions, including in Pittsburgh. they’re working. sales and marketing, product de- He was attracted to accounting, Although the students in the velopment, manufacturing opera- he says, because it’s fun: “It’s like Accounting Professionals Program tions management, finance, human solving mathematical puzzles.” don’t number in the hundreds, it has resource management, and total He spent time on MIU faculty in clearly been a success. Over the past quality improvement. the late 1970s before jumping into 11 years he has helped the depart- “The CAPSIM simulation pro- several highly successful ventures, ment earn a national reputation, vides an important third-party as- including a national consulting both for the success of his MBA sessment of our MBA students’ de- business that trained corporations students in accounting competitions velopment,” Andy says. “An MBA how to recruit personnel, with cli- and the national awards that he and education is designed to prepare ents such as the U.S. Patent and his students have received. Which is leaders for the future, leaders who Trademark Office, Allstate Insur- not really a surprise, given his track possess good strategic and tactical ance corporate headquarters, and record of success. insights based on data analysis and the Virginia Department of Social problem-solving skills.” services. In 1994 he earned a PhD #1 in the world The students have also excelled in management from MUM. Six years after the Accounting Pro- in the workplace. For example, Erin He was also a senior executive at fessionals Program began, Andy Liu, whose CAPSIM team finished a Fortune 500 company, where he wasn’t satisfied. He wanted concrete in the top 10%, now works as a se- headed a division with hundreds of evidence that the abilities of his ac- nior manager at Friedman LLP, a employees and guided a turnaround counting students were at least on New York City accounting firm, in sales. par with other MBA students. performing audits for companies

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 19 FEATURES

In 2009 Andy was named Excellence in Lean Accounting Professor of the Year by the Lean Enterprise Institute, a nonprofit research, education, and publishing organization that focuses on “making things better through lean thinking and practice throughout the world.” In 2011 Andy’s PhD student Manjunath Rao (right) was selected as Lean Accounting Student of the Year for his PhD dissertation.

that are planning their initial pub- that focuses on “making things bet- lic offering. ter through lean thinking and prac- National awards for “lean tice throughout the world.” accounting” In 2011 Andy’s PhD student faced by an international corpora- Manjunath Rao was selected as tion with divisions in China, Af- Early on during Andy’s latest stint Lean Accounting Student of the rica, and South America,” he says, on faculty, business professor Jimmy Year for his PhD dissertation re- clearly relishing the thought of the Sinton introduced him to a state- search that studied why organiza- challenge. “Suppose a CEO wants of-the-art approach to management, tions that are embracing lean aren’t to see financial statements for the manufacturing, and accounting also adopting lean accounting. past three years. If the corporation called “lean,” famously pioneered by Then in 2013 another of Andy’s doesn’t have ERP, it’s hard to do.” Toyota Corporation. PhD students, Linlin Ye Shi, re- Each country has its own ac- Lean is a systematic method for ceived the 2013 Excellence in Lean counting practices, and each divi- driving business priorities to ad- Accounting Student Award for her sion its own way of doing things. dress customer needs and expecta- teaching of, and research on, lean The CEO has to contact the chief tion, which benefits the enterprise accounting. financial officer to ask for data. by the elimination of waste in all its And more recognition was to Then he has to try to combine that forms. come. In 2016 Andy again won data, which is difficult. Once he’s Always on the cutting edge, Andy Lean Professor of the Year and Lin- combined it, only then is he able embraced the idea of lean. “It al- lin again won Lean Student of the to run the sort of analyses that he lowed me to exercise my intellec- Ye a r. needs to do. tual curiosity about how natural The solution, Andy says, is ERP. principles can be used effectively to The future is ERP An ERP accounting module stan- guide the growth and development Is Andy one to rest on his laurels? dardizes data entry and has flex- of companies,” he says. He taught No, he’s thinking ahead. He hardly ible reporting capabilities. With it to his students, guided his PhD wants to talk about lean, which he ERP, the CEO at this international students in researching it, present- says is an interesting niche worth corporation doesn’t even need to ed at conferences, and published in mining. But now his attention is on contact the CFOs in each of the professional journals on the top- the future prospects for ERP. divisions. He simply logs in to the ic—and introduced the principles It’s an integrated information software. All the data he needs is at at all levels of MUM management platform that includes modules in his fingertips. and personnel. such areas as human resources, fi- And better yet, ERP makes pos- The profession took notice. In nance, supply chain, and inventory sible the use of EPM (Enterprise 2009 he was named Excellence in management. At many companies Performance Management), which Lean Accounting Professor of the these databases are unconnected, allows specialists like the ones Year by the Lean Enterprise Insti- making it a challenge to get the kind MUM will be training to help the tute, a nonprofit research, educa- of information that a CEO needs. CEO make better decisions by pro- tion, and publishing organization “Think about the challenges viding reports based on financial

20 | MAHARISHI UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT FEATURES analysis and data mining. Born in Pakistan, Naveed grew up SAP, a German company and one There’s a huge demand for ac- in Saudi Arabia, where he worked of the world’s leading ERP plat- countants with experience in this for IKEA for eight years—manag- form providers. MUM has joined area. Coming to MUM’s MBA 2017 ing accounting teams and installing SAP’s University Alliance and will is a four-course specialization in ERP systems. gain full access to most of the SAP ERP and EPM. Because few MBA “He’s brilliant,” Andy says. “The platform through the University of programs offer this sort of special- next step was obvious: hire Naveed Wisconsin’s web-based hosting. ization, Andy expects to eventually for faculty when he graduated with “There’s a big demand in the U.S. have hundreds of students on cam- his MBA and begin offering a spe- for SAP analysts,” Andy says. “Stu- pus just like the Computer Profes- cialization in ERP.” dents will be able to come here, get sionals Program. Highly experienced in ERP, and the valuable tools in SAP, and take also a CPA, Naveed is now on fac- the path towards a high paying pro- Naveed Abbasi, the right ulty and directs the new ERP track. fession.” person at the right time Andy’s confidence in the appeal Both ERP and EPM What motivates Andy? of this new specialization is based Accounting students taking the new As noted above, accounting orig- in part on his knowledge of the track will get a solid grounding in inally appealed to Andy because it accounting industry, but also on ERP, learning to log accounting data entailed solving puzzles. And that having met with MBA-bound un- in a way that’s compatible with this may be the thread that runs through dergraduate students at the Insti- standard. If a school does teach this everything. He likes challenges, tute of Management Accountants new accounting approach, it’s typi- whether a new entrepreneurial ven- Student Leadership Conference in cally limited to ERP. ture, a new academic offering, or a the fall of 2015. The purpose of the EMP takes things a step further. better approach to accounting. conference was for MBA programs There are add-on tools that take One can hardly ever cross paths to exhibit their offerings to some the raw data from an ERP system with him without his radiating 600 interested undergrads. He was as an input for highly valued finan- some new enthusiasm. That spir- accompanied to the conference by cial analysis and data mining. Be- it even extends to his Fringe Toast then MBA student Naveed Abbasi. ing skilled in this advanced area will internet radio shows about contem- “About 80% of the prospective make an MBA grad doubly valuable porary music that also air on a local students asked about ERP,” Andy to his or her employer. radio station and his music reviews said. “That was a key factor in their Of course, the software for EPR in a local magazine. And even on choosing an MBA program, but and EMP doesn’t come cheap, cost- the athletic field, where he has also ERP is rarely offered to accounting hundreds of thousands of dol- excelled, playing both varsity foot- ing students. Naveed said to me, ‘I lars and requiring similarly expen- ball and lacrosse for Muhlenberg know about that. I’ve been doing it sive servers to run on. College. In recent years he’s taken for years.’” Fortunately, Maharishi Universi- up pickleball, wallyball, and disk ty of Management students will be golf. able to have access to ERP software Next up for Andy is ERP and for just $8,000 per year, thanks to EPM. Expect it to be a winner.

Highly experienced in ERP, and also a CPA, Naveed Abbasi (left) is now on faculty and directs the new ERP track. Andy says. “Students will be able to come here, get the valuable tools in SAP, and take the path towards a high paying profession.”

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 21 FEATURES

THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION: BRAIN WAVES REVEAL HOW YOU EVOLVE

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hen Fred Travis was doing his first electroencephalography (EEG) study on the Transcendental Meditation technique as a PhD stu- Wdent at MUM in the mid-1980s, he was perplexed. He had hypoth- esized that fairly new meditators would have a different EEG signature during meditation from that of longer-term meditators.

Instead, he found no difference. one’s mind is silent and alert. And of awareness—which Maharishi re- First-year students at MUM who this alpha1 EEG was highly coher- ferred to as Cosmic Consciousness. had just learned Transcendental ent in the front of the brain—the Fred did just that over a period of Meditation had levels of frontal al- electrical activity on the left was years, and it has resulted in his being pha1 brain wave coherence during similar to that on the right sides. considered one of the top medita- meditation that were similar to the “It’s very kind of nature to make tion researchers in the U.S. No oth- levels of students who had been the EEG signature of the long-term er researchers of other techniques meditating nine years on average. effects of Transcendental Medita- have characterized the brain pat- He looked at the data for three tion so clear,” Fred says. “It could terns associated with higher states months, unable to figure it out. He have been hidden. But the presence of consciousness. expected to see some sort of ev- of alpha1 EEG along with other idence of growth. Then one day EEG frequencies, such as beta, gives The next step: The EEG of walking home from the Dome, he us a clear picture of how the brain is persons witnessing during had an idea: look at the three-min- changing over time.” sleep ute period before the subjects began In retrospect Fred says that it Having finished his PhD as well meditating. shouldn’t have surprised him that as a postdoctoral fellowship, Fred When he was testing his subjects, the alpha1 coherence of new medita- began guiding his own PhD stu- he had each subject sit for three tors would be no different from that dents at MIU in the 1990s. By then minutes with his or her eyes open of longer-term meditators during there was a pool of people who had to be sure the EEG signals were Transcendental Meditation practice. been meditating for several decades stable. Maybe I’ll see a difference “Maharishi explains that the pro- who reported experiences of higher during that three-minute period, he cess of transcending is conducted by states of consciousness. thought. the natural tendency of the mind. He was eager to see if alpha1 EEG Since Transcendental Meditation would be seen during sleep in peo- Beta waves accompanied by is conducted by a natural process, ple reporting the experience of “wit- alpha1 transcending during the practice nessing” sleep. “Witnessing is not a Bingo. Whereas the alpha1 EEG should be as effective on the first day process of watching or consciously coherence patterns were similar as it is nine years later.” attending to ongoing experience,” during Transcendental Meditation Dr. Travis says. “Rather, ‘witnessing’ practice, the three-minute eyes- Alpha1 as a marker of describes the natural co-existence open period showed differences. In higher states of two mutually exclusive states— fact, the longer a person had been This discovery set the direction for inner, unbounded awareness along meditating, the greater the differ- much of Fred’s future research: to with the lack of awareness during ence. see whether alpha1 would be evi- sleep.” When a person’s eyes are open dent in the EEG of long-term med- Maharishi explained that witness- and the mind active, EEG readings itators during waking, sleeping, and ing sleep is the criterion of cosmic typically show beta brain waves dreaming. consciousness. The nervous system (12.5–30 Hz). But he found that as Maharishi explained that the re- needs to be highly integrated to be one practiced Transcendental Medi- peated alternation of transcendence able to hold together wide-awake, tation over a period of months and and activity results in the infusion inner transcendence along with the years, the beta waves were increas- of transcendence into one’s aware- inertia of deep sleep. ingly accompanied by alpha1 waves ness, until it eventually completely Fred and the late Skip Alexander (8–10 Hz), which are seen when suffuses these other common states guided PhD student Lynne Mason

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 23 FEATURES

in her dissertation that investigated EEG patterns during sleep in indi- Alpha1 waves are seen when viduals reporting the experience of Cosmic Consciousness. She com- one’s mind is silent and alert pared the EEG during sleep in 11 subjects who reported witnessing sleep with the EEG patterns during Alpha1 Coherence During sleep in a group of subjects who Meditation had been meditating three years but weren’t yet experiencing witnessing, and a group of individuals who did not meditate. The researchers found that the witnessing subjects had more alpha1 EEG during deep sleep than the meditating control group, and the meditating control group had more alpha1 during deep sleep than the non-meditating control group. 4-month meditator 8-year meditator How enlightenment grows

First-year students at MUM who had just learned Tran- Fred’s original hypothesis was sup- scendental Meditation had levels of frontal alpha1 brain ported. Alpha1 EEG is a marker for transcendence, and as one regularly wave coherence during meditation similar to the stu- meditates, that transcendence grad- dents who had been meditating nine years on average. ually becomes integrated into one’s awareness outside of meditation—as evidenced by the appearance of al- pha1 during deep sleep. Alpha1 Coherence Eyes Open “Again, it’s a gift of nature that the brain markers of witnessing sleep are so straightforward,” Fred says. “The EEG patterns of inner transcendence (alpha1) coexist with the EEG of deep sleep (delta, 1–4 Hz) when a person reports the continuum of inner self-awareness during sleep.” This study shows how higher states of consciousness develop. Even the meditating control group 4-month meditator 8-year meditator that was not experiencing witnessing during sleep had higher alpha When a person’s eyes are open and the mind active, EEG EEG than the non-meditating con- readings typically show beta brain waves. But Fred found trol group. Although they weren’t yet that as one practiced Transcendental Meditation over having the subjective experience of a period of months and years, the beta waves were in- witnessing, the EEG clearly showed creasingly accompanied by alpha1 waves, which are seen that they were growing toward high- when one’s mind is silent and alert. And this alpha1 EEG er states of consciousness. was highly coherent in the front of the brain. “This gives a picture of how enlightenment grows,” Fred says. “Ev- ery time you meditate, you begin to integrate more of the alpha marker

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“This gives a picture of how enlightenment grows,” Fred says. “Every time you meditate, you begin to integrate more of the alpha marker of transcending. Your brain changes with each meditation, accumulating meditation by meditation.”

of transcending. Your brain changes in specific computer tasks. with each meditation, accumulating These subjects had been medi- meditation by meditation.” tating about 25 years, on average. Brain waves Eventually a threshold is crossed, They were compared with a group and then the experience of inner of 17 subjects who had been medi- explained wakefulness dawns. It can seem like tating an average of eight years, but this experience suddenly emerged, who weren’t experiencing witness- Neurons in the brain but as Maharishi said, and as the ing during sleep or while they were communicate via EEG research shows, Cosmic Con- awake. And a third group included tiny electrical pulses. sciousness builds with every medita- 17 persons who hadn’t yet learned With the use of tion, day after day, week after week, Transcendental Meditation. electroencephalography year after year. To measure how the brains of (EEG), sensitive individuals having experiences of electrodes on the scalp The EEG of Cosmic witnessing functioned while they pick up the average Consciousness during were absorbed in a task, Fred had electrical activity of activity the subjects perform reaction time billions of neurons By the late 1990s Fred had a num- tasks at a computer while he record- talking back and forth. ber of studies showing the patterns ed their EEG. This electrical activity of alpha1 during meditation, and he occurs at different rates. had a clear picture of alpha1 during More coherence during In deep sleep, the pulses sleep. The next step was to study computer tasks are slow, just .5–4 times subjects who were having experienc- Did his hypothesis of alpha coher- a second or Hz. When es of witnessing during activity. Fred ence hold true? Was it present even one is concentrating, wanted to get a clear picture of brain when subjects’ brains were in high they’re fast, from 30–50 patterns during challenging tasks in gear? Again Fred found the pres- Hz. So the speed of the those who are experiencing Cosmic ence of alpha coherence—along with EEG measurement gives Consciousness. How do they differ? some other surprising results. insights into how one is What are the markers? What will The subjects experiencing Cos- feeling and thinking. science tell us about life in this ex- mic Consciousness indeed had alted state? People say they’re expe- higher alpha power over all brain In the past, Fred had to riencing it, but how can it be empiri- areas compared to both control attach nine electrodes cally verified? groups. The presence of alpha indi- to a subject’s scalp Now that many people had been cates that the subjects retained their with an adhesive. And practicing Transcendental Medita- inner awareness, that quiet settled the electrodes were tion for decades, there was a pool state of mind, even in the midst of a themselves connected to of subjects experiencing Cosmic task that engaged many parts of the a monster computer. It Consciousness that Fred could draw brain. was a tedious process. upon to see how their brains differ In addition, they had less gam- Today he uses a special during activity. He recruited a group ma power than the control groups. cap that’s fitted with of 17 subjects who were witnessing Gamma brain waves (30–50 Hz) 32 electrodes and is sleep and who reported experiences are associated with strenuous men- connected to a laptop of Cosmic Consciousness. He was tal activity, and the brains of those computer. eager to look at their EEG during in the control groups appeared to be the focused mental activity entailed working harder to accomplish the

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 25 FEATURES

Alpha1 EEG is a marker for transcendence, and as one regularly meditates, that transcendence gradually becomes integrated into one’s awareness outside of meditation—as evidenced by the appearance of alpha1 during deep sleep.

experiencing Cosmic Consciousness functions differently? Another facet of the study looked at an indicator of efficiency of brain function, and indeed those in the Cosmic Consciousness group appeared to have more efficiently functioning brains. To test this, Fred looked at the brain’s “preparation response” during several tasks presented on a computer display. The most tell- ing finding was the “choice reaction time” task. In this task, one number appears on the screen, and then 1.5 seconds later a second number appears in place of the first. Sub- jects indicate if the first or second number was higher by pressing the button in either their left or right hand. same task. Rather than having a control group, and the meditating Fred wanted to see what their quiet center, they were completely control group had higher broadband brains were doing during that brief absorbed in the task. coherence than the non-meditating 1.5-second interval. The differenc- control group. es among the groups were remark- More coherence overall The frontal areas are the exec- able. The brains of the Cosmic Fred had expected to see alpha EEG utive centers of the brain. When Consciousness group were much coherence during the tasks because a person is experiencing Cosmic less active than the non-meditating alpha EEG coherence is the primary Consciousness, these frontal areas controls during that interval. The indicator of transcendence. appear to be functioning in a more brains of the Cosmic Conscious- What he didn’t expect to see was coordinated fashion across many ness subjects only became active higher coherence in the higher-fre- frequency bands, whether it’s the al- after the second number appeared, quency beta and gamma bands. This pha1 EEG of inner transcendence, and then only as active as need be. means that those who were experi- the beta EEG of brain processing, Simply put, their brains were more encing Cosmic Consciousness had or the gamma EEG associated with efficient, only becoming as active as more orderly brains at every level of intense focus. In fact, the differenc- necessary. activity of the brain. es in broadband coherence account- “Those who were witnessing re- This coherence across the alpha, ed for the greatest variation among main more balanced,” Fred says. beta, and gamma EEG bands is re- the three groups. “They didn’t move until it was time ferred to as broadband coherence. to move. Maharishi explains that in During the tasks, the Cosmic Con- More efficient brain function enlightenment the thought comes sciousness group had higher broad- So what does it all mean? Is there at the right time. Here we see that band coherence in the frontal part any practical value? Is it more than the brain doesn’t start to respond of their brains than the meditating a novelty that the brain of someone until it is needed.”

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Maharishi explained that witnessing sleep is the criterion of cosmic consciousness. The nervous system needs to be highly integrated to be able to hold together wide-awake, inner transcendence along with the inertia of deep sleep.

National recognition An outcome of the meeting was says. “They’re trying to understand the formation of a group of top their experiences. When I present Because of these and other ground- meditation researchers to collabo- the model of higher states, they real- breaking studies, in 2013 Fred was rate on research and to meet regu- ly appreciate it. And they’re starting invited to present at the New York larly as a group. There is increasing to understand the criteria of these Academy of Sciences along with 20 recognition among the researchers states: a broader sense of self— other leading meditation researchers. that different types of meditation the experience of pure conscious- As the only researcher who has have different effects. In addition, ness along with waking, sleeping, been studying higher states of con- Fred says, there’s an increasing rec- and dreaming—and the associated sciousness, he found that his body ognition of the need to study the physiological patterns.” of work was held in high esteem. growth of inner subjectivity. They also are clearly coming to “I was almost taken aback, their Together the group is developing understand how the Transcendental praise was so effusive,” he says. “Af- criteria for higher states of con- Meditation technique is different ter I presented, one person got up sciousness. And they look to Fred from other meditations. during the question period and said, as the expert on this. This collegiality is itself a re- ‘I’ve read every study you’ve ever “They’re meditators themselves, markable achievement—and just done, and I think you’re doing ex- and they’ve sometimes had an ex- one more extraordinary accomplish- cellent work.’ ” perience they don’t understand,” he ment of Fred Travis.

How a person in Cosmic Consciousness describes himself or herself

Maharishi described Cosmic Consciousness as an exalted state of awareness, in which one’s sense of oneself is completely transformed. But what is that experience like? Fred researched this too in a followup to his original EEG study on Cosmic Consciousness. In structured interviews he asked the subjects how they would describe themselves. Those who hadn’t yet learned the Transcendental Meditation technique said things like, “I guess I’m open to new experiences, and I tend to appreciate those things that are different,” and “I kind of like to forge my own way.” In contrast, the individuals reporting the state of Cosmic Consciousness described themselves much differently, saying things such as, “I experience myself as being without edges or content. . . beyond the universe. . . all-pervading, and being absolutely thrilled, absolutely delighted with every motion that my body makes. . . . My consciousness, my intelligence pervades everything I see, feel, and think.” This experience, Maharishi said, is the birthright of everyone.

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 27 FEATURES

NEW STUDY SHOWS MEDITATE CAMPUS ASSEMBLY REDUCED U.S. HOMICIDE FOR PEACE AND VIOLENT CRIME During 2007–2010, there were 8,157 fewer homicides and 182,744 fewer violent crimes in the U.S. than would have been predicted based on crime trends during the previous four years—a highly significant decrease. Why did this happen?

The answer comes in a new and rigorous study, published in April 2016 in the journal SAGE Open: This decrease was brought about by a large group of meditation experts in southeast Iowa, on the campus of Maharishi University of Management. This study provides some of the strongest scientific support thus far for Maharishi’s boldest proposition: large groups practicing the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs can radiate a positive influence to the whole society. What was significant about 2007-2010? During those years, the number of people practicing these programs together was at or above the predicted threshold to have an effect. If you were one of those participating in this group at that time, you were personally responsible for averting 4.6 deaths and 104.2 violent crimes. result? No other explanation would suffice. Diagnos- tic tests found that the results cannot be explained by Field effect of consciousness pre-existing trends, seasonal variation, autocorrela- That may sound like a fantasy. But coauthors Michael tion, or “spurious regression.” Dillbeck and Ken Cavanaugh rigorously analyzed the Could the reduced homicide trend be simply due to data, using such tools as time-series regression. chance? Statistical analysis showed that this probabil- Could other influences, such as policing, demo- ity is less than 3 in 10,000 million million—and less graphic trends, and unemployment trends, explain the than 3 in 100 million for violent crime.

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Influence of coherence takes effect in 2007 U.S. Homicide Rate per 100 million The story begins in the summer of 2006 p = 2.7 x 10 -16 when Maharishi called for a large group to assemble on campus and in nearby Maharishi Vedic City. The goal: to reach the threshold of 1,725 participants. At the time, this number represented the square root of 1% of the U.S. population—the size sufficient to create an effect nationwide. By January of 2007 that threshold was crossed, and the numbers remained near or above the threshold through the end of De- cember 2010, when some of the participants began to disperse. Figuring out the details To see if there was an effect, the research- Number of TM-Sidhi ers first established a baseline by looking at Group Participants the trends from 2002–2006. This is where it gets complicated for a statistician because, for example, there are marked seasonal fluc- tuations, with violent crime being lowest in January and highest in July. Using time-series regression, they established this baseline and then compared it with 2007–2010. When the information for 2010 was re- Decreased Homicide Rate in the USA The top graph shows the sea- leased by the government in 2013, the re- sonal fluctuation of the homicide rate, which peaks in July and is low- searchers got the homicide data from the U.S. est in January. The superimposed dotted red line shows the gradual Centers for Disease Control, which compiles reduction during 2007-2010. homicide data for each month. For violent crime the data came from the FBI Uniform evidence to date because it covers a much longer peri- Crime Report database. od—four years compared to periods of a few months in most of the other studies. The results The researchers found that during the baseline period of Implications for crime 2002–2006, there was a rising trend in the U.S. monthly prevention homicide rate. However, that trend was reversed during Dr. Dillbeck feels this research has 2007–2010, when it declined 21.2% over the four-year important implications. period compared with the baseline average. The decline “Given the multiple studies show- in homicide rate was even greater, 28.4%, in urban areas ing a highly significant relationship with populations over 100,000. between a large group practicing Dr. Michael Dillbeck For violent crime, there was a flat trend during the Transcendental Meditation and 2002–2006, and a declining trend during 2007–2010, TM-Sidhi programs and decreased with a total decline of 18.5% over the four-year period. violence in society, this obviously The researchers then extrapolated from these chang- has implications for crime preven- es in trend to estimate the number of homicides and tion,” he said. “It has a calming ef- violent crimes that were averted. fect on others, and if the group of Although there were previously eight peer-reviewed people is large enough, that effect articles comprising over a dozen studies that showed can spread to the whole society in a similar effects, this study offers some of the strongest measurable way.” Dr. Ken Cavanaugh

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 29 President Bevan Morris 36 Years of remarkable achievements

uring his remarkable 36-year tenure as president, Bevan Morris led Maharishi University of Management through many important developments and events:

•• Expansion of enrollment •• Creation of new academic programs •• Large assemblies of Yogic Flying® practitioners that created significant and historic Dinfluences of peace nationwide and worldwide •• Expansion of Consciousness-Based education around the world •• Reconstruction of the campus •• Extensive research and publication by the faculty, and more

Highlights

A community of Yogic flyers

Dr. Morris was at the heart of the initiative to create world peace through large groups of Yogic flyers ever since the beginning. In the summer of 1979 Maharishi sent him to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst to lead the world’s first large World Peace Assembly, which brought together 2,500 Yogic flyers.

At the end of the course, Maharishi inspired over 800 Governors and Sidhas to move immediately to Fairfield, where over 700 Yogic flyers were already practicing together, to create the world’s first national Super-Radiance group. In mid-September 1979, Dr. Morris moved to Fairfield to help form the Super-Radiance group on campus.

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In recognition of Dr. Morris’s inspiring leadership and organizing power related to these initiatives, Maharishi awarded him the first-ever doctorate of the Science of Creative Intelligence®. And at that time he joined the University’s Board of Trustees. The following year, on September 12, 1980, the Trustees appointed him president.

To accommodate the large group of Yogic flyers, two domes were built. The Maharishi Patanjali Golden Dome of Pure Knowledge, for men, was completed on January 12, 1980, after three months of day-and- night construction by dedicated volunteers in the cold of winter. The Bagambhrini Golden Dome, for women, was completed in 1981.

Hosting and participating in assemblies

During Dr. Morris’s presidency, the emphasis on large groups of Yogic flyers continued. The University was involved in every large gathering of Yogic flyers, whether in the Golden Domes or in other parts of the world.

From December 1983 to January 1984, the University hosted the Taste of Uto- pia course, with 8,000 people from 46 countries practicing Yogic Flying together, creating a worldwide wave of peace and harmony and verifying scientifically the Glob- al Maharishi Effect for the first time.

Over the next few years, the University hosted three more World Peace Assemblies of 4,000 to 5,000 participants. Subsequent research documented the role these assemblies played in bringing the Cold War to a close.

In the summer of 1993, the University, led by John Hagelin, organized 4,000 Yogic flyers for the Group for a Government course in Washington, DC, which lowered crime in Washington, improved quality of life, and changed the course of President Clinton’s presidency for the better.

A crowning achievement has been the Invincible America Assembly. Estab- lished in the community a decade ago, the assembly has led to advanced experiences of higher states of consciousness coupled with improved U.S. quality of life, reflected in reduced crime rate nationwide. Dr. Morris, along with Doug and Linda Birx, has been guiding the Invincible America Assembly experience sessions from 2006 to the present. Dr. Morris continues, even when he is traveling in the far corners of the world, to connect four days each week to these sessions, during which Invincible America Assembly participants report on experiences of higher states of consciousness.

Thanks to the generosity of Howard and Alice Settle, and with Maharishi’s personal guidance, the numbers of Yogic flyers participating in the Invinci- ble America Assembly increased dramatically from 2006. At the peak, there were 450 participants in the Invincible America Assembly; in addition, more than 1,100 Maharishi Vedic Pandits were practicing the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs together in nearby Maharishi Vedic City as well as conducting Vedic performances designed to create peace for the nation. These groups, together with other Sidhas and Governors in the community, created a group of nearly 2,000 practicing these programs together.

Subsequent scientific research showed that the collective practice in the peak years 2007–2010 produced a significant reduction in homicide and violent crime nationwide.

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Beyond hosting large groups of Yogic flyers, the University has also played a key role in instructing new Yogic flyers, having hosted over 80 TM-Sidhi courses and Yogic Flying blocks.

Creating coherence abroad

In addition to local assemblies, Yogic flyers from Fairfield have participated in creating coherence courses around the world, including 400 participants in the Vedic Science course with Maharishi in Delhi in 1980, and later the Philippines World Peace Assembly in 1984–85, and the Maastricht World Peace Assembly in Holland in 1991 with Maharishi.

In one of the University’s most significant contributions to global coherence, a group of University faculty and administrators traveled to the Soviet Republic of Armenia in 1989 to help with relief of the deep stress created by the terrible earthquake in Leninakan. Within a year they had taught the Transcendental Meditation technique to 30,000 people. This campaign expanded throughout the Soviet Union, where, within two years, 150,000 people learned the Tran- scendental Meditation technique and 3,000 became Sidhas. The campaign was later extended into the communist countries of Central and Eastern Eu- rope. During this period, the Berlin Wall fell, the Cold War came to an end, and the countries that comprised the Soviet Union gained their freedom.

Accreditation and expansion of academic programs

In May 1980 the University was granted accreditation at the bachelor’s and master’s levels by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1982, Dr. Morris led the effort to gain accreditation through the PhD level and ultimately to the offering of six PhD programs. The crowning achievement was the University’s offering the first accredited PhD in SCI, later to become the doctorate in Maharishi Vedic ScienceSM.

As of September 2016, MUM had awarded 3,038 bachelor’s degrees, 5,188 master’s degrees, and 145 PhD degrees. Hundreds of graduates have become Transcendental Meditation teachers, many of whom have returned to their home countries to become national directors.

The creation of Consciousness-Based education

Throughout Dr. Morris’s tenure, the University grew as a Conscious- ness-Based institution of higher learning. Under Maharishi’s guidance, the Consciousness-Based education approach was systematized, including development of Unified Field Charts, Main Point Charts, Unity Charts, and Richo Akshare Charts.

In keeping with Maharishi’s inspiration to share this knowledge, the University has held more than 100 seminars and conferences at our Fairfield campus in a wide range of disciplines, bringing experts from the U.S. and other countries to explore the latest and deepest principles of their fields in the light of Maharishi Vedic Science.

This growth led to MUM’s offering academic guidance and course work to other educational institutions worldwide, including Maharishi Invincibility Institute, South Africa; Rajapark College, Thailand; and Maharishi University of Enlightenment, USA.

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As the flagship for Consciousness-Based education, the University started the world’s first Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment, preschool to grade 12. This inspired schools to develop in Washington, DC, Great Britain, Can- ada, Australia, Holland, Thailand, and India, and hundreds more—both private and public—to incorporate Transcendental Meditation in their cur- ricula. In Latin America alone, Consciousness-Based education has been introduced to well over 100,000 students, tens of thousands of whom have become Yogic flyers.

Dr. Morris himself has traveled to 120 countries and territories over the past 36 years, giving presentations on Consciousness-Based education to leaders in education, government, business, and science.

By now, schools in 67 countries have adopted Consciousness-Based technologies. And all that began at Maharishi University of Management.

Faculty research

Research was also a major focus during Dr. Morris’s time as president. The Uni- versity, together with its collaborating institutions, received $25 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health to research the effects of Transcenden- tal Meditation. These grants led to the publication of scientific papers, including many rigorous studies on the prevention and treatment of hypertension and heart disease. These research publications, in turn, were routinely greeted with waves of national and international publicity.

By September of 2016, the faculty as a whole had published more than 2,000 articles and books and presented papers at more than 250 conferences and symposia.

Maintaining and spreading Maharishi’s knowledge

From curating a collection of recordings of Maharishi to publishing books, the University during Dr. Mor- ris’s tenure played a major role in maintaining and disseminating Maharishi’s knowledge.

Maharishi University of Management Press has published 48 books, including a new edition of Maharishi’s Translation and Commentary on the Bhagavad-Gita. The Uni- versity has also published the Journal of Modern Science and Vedic Science and the International Journal of Mathematics and Consciousness.

The University’s radio station, KHOE, offers Maharishi’s knowledge to the public and plays Maharishi Gandharva VedaSM music 24 hours a day to enliven specific laws of nature. The University also organized the Maharishi Festival of Music for World Peace—Maharishi Gandharva Veda concerts all over the country.

The University has played a central role in curating and preserving Maharishi’s videos and audios that embody his teaching. Included in the MUM Tape Li- brary are five years of Maharishi’s weekly press conferences that were organized by the University. In addition, tape librarian Peter Freund has created the world’s largest online resource of all Vedic texts in Sanskrit.

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Spearheading new areas of knowledge

As Maharishi brought out new areas of knowledge, the University played a leading role in developing those areas. MUM developed the first educational degree program in Maharishi AyurVeda and helped create Maharishi AyurVedaSM clinics in Fairfield and in Maharishi Vedic City—the first two such clinics outside of India. The University also instituted the first Maharishi Vedic Organic Agriculture projects in the world. The campus also features the recently-completed Maharishi Vedic Observatory, only the second one to be created outside of India (the first being in Maharishi Vedic City).

In keeping with one of its seven Founding Goals, “to maximize the intelligent use of the environment,” MUM also offered the first Sustainable Living major in America and constructed the Sustainable Living Center—a Vastu building that the Associated Press called “the ultimate green building.”

Computer science has also become a major focus, and since the late 1990s, MUM has developed what has become one of the largest master’s of computer science programs for professionals in the U.S. Over 1,100 students were enrolled in this program as of September 2016, with a total enrollment of over 3,000 in the past 20 years.

Reconstructing the campus

Dr. Morris also took to heart Maharishi’s charge to live and work in buildings constructed according to principles of Maharishi Sthapatya VedaSM—Vedic architecture in harmony with natural law. A total of 43 improperly oriented buildings on the campus were demolished, and 20 new Vastu buildings constructed, including the Argiro Student Center. The new construction also included the iconic Maharishi Tower of Invincibility between the Golden Domes.

Transforming the local community

Coinciding with Dr. Morris’s 36 years as president has been the growth and achievements of the Fairfield community. The influx of meditators beginning in 1979 has transformed the local econ- omy and culture. Perhaps most remarkable was the establishment of Mahari- shi Vedic City, the first city in the modern world following all Vedic principles. University faculty played a leading role in this effort.

The community transformation includes over $100 million of Vastu buildings—Uni- versity buildings, private homes, office buildings, and hotels. In addition, a large Sidha business community employs more than 1,000 people, making Fairfield a bright economic star in the state—in the 1980s the Governor of Iowa called Fairfield the “entrepreneurial capital of Iowa.” The cultural transformation also includes a lively and renowned cultural and arts community, drawing visitors from around the region, and leading to Fairfield’s being voted the number 2 best place in the nation as a destination for a road trip by Buzzfeed, and number 7 best small city to visit by Smithsonian magazine.

In addition, Mayor Ed Malloy, a University Trustee, was named one of the twelve greenest mayors in the U.S. He has been elected again and again and is supported by all parts of the Fairfield community, working together to create new sports facilities, convention center and theater, a 17-mile recreational trail around the city, and an advanced medical center.

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Maharishi’s recognition of Dr. Morris’s wisdom and knowledge

Perhaps most important, over the years Dr. Mor- answered by our wise and simple Prime Minister ris was a direct channel to Maharishi for the whole of the Global Country of World Peace, Dr. Bevan community—adopting and guiding all of Maharishi’s Morris. And Bevan Morris puts me up to answer the programs and technologies with tremendous passion questions just as a formality. But there cannot be any and speed. question which cannot be answered by the Prime Maharishi appreciated Dr. Morris’s deep under- Minister of the Global Country of World Peace. standing of the Vedic wisdom and his commitment to There cannot be any task which cannot be achieved bringing it to the world. During his October 5, 2005 by the Prime Minister of the Global Country of Global Press Conference, Maharishi expressed how World Peace, who has at hand, on his fingertips, the fully he trusted Dr. Morris to represent him: command over the total creativity of infinite dimen- “There cannot be any question which cannot be sion of natural law.”

Dr. Morris receives honorary doctorate, addresses the community

At the Founder’s Day celebration on September 12, 2016, “I have been so proud to Bevan Morris officially passed the presidency to John work alongside them Hagelin. In recognition of Dr. Morris’s achievements, he in all the marvels of was presented an honorary degree in Maharishi Vedic our history together. Science and Technology—Maharishi Veda Vigyan Through all these Vidyaa Vaachaspati Honoris Causa. years Maharishi In receiving the award, Dr. Morris reflected on his guided us, and we time as president of MUM: “Thank you for the hon- have done everything or of this degree, bestowed by the great University to fulfill his vision for founded by Maharishi, who was Brahm itself. And us, and to maintain our thank you for all the kind words spoken about me. connection to him. “It is from this University that Conscious- “Maharishi looked to us to pre- ness-Based education has spread to 67 countries. serve the purity of his teaching and his planning for Consciousness-Based education will now enable the the bright future of the human race. Every future youth of the world to create perpetual world peace, generation of the human race should be able to gain and a heavenly life for all. knowledge from Maharishi in his own words exactly “I love America, so I was thrilled when Maharishi as we have been able to do. in 1979 suggested to me to come to MIU and direct “I am greatly fulfilled today to be able to hand the the Creating Coherence program. The American reins of the golden chariot which is Maharishi Uni- family of the enlightened is simply amazing: their versity of Management, to Dr. John Hagelin. He is devotion, their energy and creativity, their sense of truly a genius, and a warm and loving presence as all possibilities, their generosity, what miracles they a leader. Under his presidency the University will get done. And they welcome anyone into their family, thrive and rapidly expand. In fact, the reason I am even from far away places like Adelaide, South Aus- retiring as president is just because I believe so much tralia. that his leadership is going to make all the difference.”

Dr. Hagelin’s appreciation for Dr. Morris’s contribution to the University

“Dr. Morris has been an invincible pillar of strength and stability for Maharishi’s entire global Movement for decades, and the rock upon which Maharishi University of Management was built, has flourished, and has enjoyed unprecedented historic achievements.”

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Presentations

Dr. Thimmaiah offers Presentations agriculture workshop in Italy at Harvard on A. Thimmaiah presented a two-day workshop on sustainable agriculture Biodynamic Agriculture MUM faculty presented a more profound view in Cissone, Italy, as well as of agriculture at a conference on “The Spirit speaking at a school and a of Sustainable Agriculture” hosted by Harvard university and networking Divinity School. Travis Cox spoke about inte- with various individuals and gral agriculture, John Fagan about Maharishi organizations. He was invit- Vedic Organic AgricultureSM, and A. Thim- ed by AgriBio, an associa- maiah about Biodynamic agriculture. In addition of over 1,000 farmers tion, in a plenary address, Dr. Thimmaiah said who practice Biodynamic that the future is spirituality in agriculture, agriculture in Italy, to speak clean agriculture. It’s agriculture such as Vedic about this approach to agri- and Biodynamic agriculture that gives deep culture and his experiences reverence for—and humility toward—farmers in implementing organic ag- and farming. riculture in the country of Bhutan.

Dr. Schneider addresses holistic medicine doctors Managing one’s mind and brain with the Transcendental Meditation technique

Robert Schneider gave a presentation on treating the body by managing the brain at a gathering of nationally recognized medical doctors in integrative medicine. The event, in Grand Rap- ids, MI, was titled “Medi- cine Beyond Medication: Rethinking Brain Health.” Dr. Schneider spoke on how one can manage heart health by managing one’s mind and brain with the Transcendental Meditation technique.

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Books

Data analytics book #1 on Amazon Translation of Upanishads

Data Analytics Made Accessible, Vernon Katz and Thomas Egenes an ebook published by Anil Ma- published a new translation of the heshwari in 2014, has ranked #1 Upanishads, a beloved section of on Amazon.com among ebooks the Vedic literature of India that in the Data Mining category. It’s a reveals the essence of the Vedic concise and accessible overview of wisdom and the path to enlight- the evolving area of data analytics enment. Titled The Upanishads: and provides a toolset of the major A New Translation, the book was data mining techniques and plat- published by TarcherPerigee press forms. In addition, in June of 2016 and is available on Amazon.com he published Big Data Essentials, which has ranked as and in most bookstores. high as #8. It covers big data tools such as Hadoop and MapReduce. His books also rank #1 and #6 in the Infor- Metrics for sustainability mation Management category. Metrics for Sustainable Business, by Dharma parenting Scott Herriott, describes the methods companies use to document Keith Wallace and Fred Travis have their sustainability and analyzes published Dharma Parenting: Un- the certification and rating systems derstand your Child’s Brilliant Brain used to evaluate sustainability. He for Greater Happiness, Success, and walks students through the steps Fulfillment (TarcherPerigee). This for doing a sustainability assess- how-to book combines ancient ment, teaching them to be financial Ayurvedic principles with a modern analysts who understand sustain- understanding of child brain de- ability reports and are able to create or audit them. Pub- velopment, giving practical tools to lished by Routledge, the book is part of their series on nurture a child’s brain. Environment and Sustainability.

The brains of world-class performers Book chapter on management education Seeking to understand what’s different about the brains of world- Dennis Heaton published a book class performers, Harald Harung chapter titled, “An innovative ap- and Fred Travis have published a proach to cultivate responsible next series of studies on top athletes, generation leaders: Transcendental managers, and musicians—find- Meditation in management educa- ings that have now been pub- tion.” It appears in Innovative Man- lished in a book. Titled Excellence agement Education Pedagogies for Through Mind-Brain Development: Preparing Next-Generation Lead- The Secrets of World-Class Perform- ers, published by IGI Global. He ers and published by Gower, the writes about Consciousness-Based book describes the key to high performance: an inte- education as a means of integrating experiential, intel- grated brain. lectual, pedagogical, and environmental features.

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Research

Increase in telomerase gene Reduced stress following Japan expression tsunami A randomized controlled trial published in PLOS A study on 171 residents of two cities in Japan affect- One found that the Transcendental Meditation tech- ed by the 2011 tsunami and earthquake found that nique and lifestyle changes both appear to stimulate those who practiced the Transcendental Meditation genes that produce telomerase, an enzyme that’s as- technique had a reduction in stress compared to a sociated with a decrease in cellular aging, reduced control group. The subjects were instructed between blood pressure, prevention of cardiovascular disease, two and eight months after having experienced the and reduced mortality. This pilot study was the cen- earthquake. The study was published in Psychological tral part of Shanthi Duramani’s PhD dissertation in Reports: Mental & Physical Health and coauthored by physiology at MUM. MUM Trustee Michael Dillbeck.

Reduced stress in caregivers Neural correlates of doshas

A study of 23 caregivers, most of whom were taking A paper by Fred Travis and Keith Wallace published care of a family member with Alzheimer’s, found that in the Journal of Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine laid over a two-month period practice of the Transcen- out the areas of the brain that may be associated with dental Meditation technique helped to reduce the each of the three doshas, vata, pitta, and kapha— stress associated with caregiving. The study, led by basic body types described by Maharishi AyurVeda Sanford Nidich, was published in the International that are fundamental to health and well-being. The Archives of Nursing and Health Care. Subjects expe- authors postulate that since metabolic and growth rienced improvements in perceived stress, spiritual factors are controlled by the nervous system, each do- well-being, and mood. In addition, qualitative evalu- sha type should be associated with patterns of func- ation suggested reduced anxiety and improvements in tioning of six major areas of the nervous system. This energy level, feeling of calmness, and resilience. could better explain individual differences.

Role of transcending in cognitive Improvement in allergies development A paper by Fred Travis in the Annals of the New York The herbal formula Maharishi Amrit Kalash Ambro- Academy of Sciences discussed how specific experi- sia™ (MAK 5) was shown to improve seasonal respi- ences help promote cognitive development at various ratory allergies in a study published in the Ayurve- stages as one grows, culminating in the experience da Journal of Health. The double-blind, randomized of transcendence as a driver of further development controlled trial, by Jay Glaser, Don Robinson, and once an individual reaches the adult stage of rational Keith Wallace, involved 54 subjects and found a pro- thought. He suggests that to go beyond hypothetical gressive decrease in symptoms in the treatment group deductive reasoning, one needs to transcend language, compared to controls, whose symptoms remained el- and he cites studies showing that the Transcendental evated. The researchers suggested MAK 5 appears to Meditation technique has an effect on cognitive de- modulate immune function, as allergies are known to velopment. be an overreaction of the immune system.

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Recognition

Professor Nolle New resources awarded patents Journal on Computer science faculty member Steve Nolle mathematics and was awarded his third and fourth patents related to optimizing performance for broadband cable consciousness data, voice, and video networks. His third patent A new online journal, Interna- allows Internet cable providers to balance traffic tional Journal of Mathematics generated by their customers’ cable modems based and Consciousness, examines on the load generated by customer downloads and consciousness from the point by loads generated by customer uploads. His fourth patent provides a way to of view of mathematics. Maha- predict traffic generated by cable modems and to balance the traffic of thou- raja Adhiraj Rajaraam is both sands of cable modems across hundreds of broadband channels. the founder and editor-in-chief. The first article published in the journal is by Maharaja and entitled “Consciousness Is All Ken Daley, Kesha There Is: A Mathematical Ap- proach with Applications.” It Nelson receive is the first of a series aimed at solving the question of how the awards from physical universe emerges from health council consciousness. See www.ijmac. com. Ken Daley, faculty, and Kesha Website elucidates Nelson, staff, received awards for Rear Admiral Jose Belardo (center) of their leadership and service on the over 700 Maharishi the U.S. Department of Health and Vedic Science terms council at the annual meeting of a Human Services, presents awards to regional council focused on elimi- Ken Daley and Kesha Nelson. The Maharishi Vedic Science nating health disparities among mi- Thesaurus website provides ac- norities. Mr. Daley is a member of one of 10 regional councils nation- cess to over 700 alphabetically the 28-person Heartland Regional wide, and Ms. Nelson is a former arranged terms from Maharishi Health Equity Council (RHEC), co-chair of the council. Vedic Science (mvsthesaurus. mum.edu). Created by emeri- tus University librarian Craig Shaw, the thesaurus offers a de- Surya Gied exhibits in scription of each term or a related quote from Maharishi, as Washington, DC well as links to websites where Faculty artist Surya Gied exhibited a series of abstract the term is described in more paintings at Hillyer Art Space in Washington, DC. depth. The entries also include Titled “Looking into the Distance Becomes Difficult,” links to related books, videos, the paintings in this solo exhibition addressed the and scientific research, as well push and pull the artist feels when looking to the fu- as to hierarchically related the- ture—feelings of wide open possibilities mixed with saurus terms. the fear of being swept away or left behind.

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Arts

Student film receives IMPA awards for best director, cinematography, actress

A film by Monica Demes, a 2015 director award, Gregor Kresal, a beautiful vampire film, and is the graduate of the David Lynch MFA 2015 graduate of the Lynch MFA, first complete feature-length film in Film, took home awards for Best received the cinematography award, produced by a student in the Lynch Direction–Long Form, Best Cine- and undergraduate student So- MFA. The film uses a service sta- matography, and Best Actress at the phia Woodward received the acting tion as a setting and draws upon the recent Iowa Motion Picture Associ- award. characters of the classic tale Dracu- ation awards held in Pella. Titled Lilith’s Awakening, Ms. la. However, it uses a female as the Ms. Demes herself received the Demes’s film is a haunting yet vampire character.

A film by Monica Demes, left, won three top awards, with Ms. Demes taking home the award for Best Director and So- phia Woodward, right, earning the award for Best Actress. At center is Joanna Plafsky, cofounder of the David Lynch MFA

in Film. photo credit: Almar Meijles

Student sculpture accepted for national exhibit A ceramic teapot by BFA student just 16 undergrad students who Kurtis Kujawski was one of 61 piec- had their work accepted. The 2016 es accepted for a national exhibit of National Student Juried Exhibi- student work in Kansas City. There tion was sponsored by the National were over 600 works submitted. In Council on Education for the Ce- addition, Mr. Kujawski was one of ramic Arts.

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Business Plan, Mediation

Student finalist in state business plan competition

MBA student Alden Rowe traveled ing a small school. While he didn’t to Des Moines to pitch his business win one of the three seed grants of plan to three judges after having $5,000, he was awarded $500 for be- been selected as one of 13 finalists ing a finalist. from colleges and universities state- Mr. Rowe’s business centers wide in the Pappajohn Student En- around an organic and non-genet- trepreneurial Venture Competition. ically modified food product for a Competing against three-per- niche market. son teams from schools such as the His plan was also a finalist in a University of Iowa and Iowa State, competition sponsored by the Fair- he was the only student represent- field Chamber of Commerce.

Students earn third place in international mediation tourney A team of three students finished in ment held at Drake University Law place team of Tal Ron, Lauren Web- third place overall in the client/ad- School in Des Moines, Iowa. ster, and Nahshon Yisrael made it to vocate category at the International Competing against 31 other the finals of the tournament along Intercollegiate Mediation Tourna- teams from 18 schools, the third- with teams from Boston University, the University of Texas-Dallas, the University of San Diego, the Uni- versity of Dubuque, and Principia College. In the individual category, the client advocate team of Tal Ron and Nahshon Yisrael earned fifth place out of 64 competitors. In addition, the team of Janet McDonald, Lau- ren Webster, and Nahshon Yisrael received a first-place Spirit of Medi- ation award in the mediator category, which is chosen by the competitors. The MUM mediators received perfect scores from their co-mediators in all three preliminary rounds.

Tal Ron, Lauren Webster, Janet McDonald, and Nahshon Yisrael

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Teaching, Research

Student teaches art to area seniors Offers 11-week program to assisted living centers in Fairfield, Ottumwa and Iowa City Recognizing that those in assisted living have most of their decisions made for them, student Kenzie Wacknov offered them the opportunity to make choices and express themselves by teaching art classes to

area seniors. photo credit: Andy Hallman, Fairfield Ledger She offered an 11-week program at SunnyBrook Assisted Living in Fairfield and in similar centers in Ottumwa and Iowa City. The program included sculpting and paint- ing clay sculptures as well as drawing. Those involved gave an exhibit at the end of the program. Ms. Wacknov is pursuing a double major in art and education.

PhD student receives $5,000 research grant

Mr. Dinesh Gyawali is an Ayurvedic vaidya (doctor) and offers consultations at the clinic on campus, as well as teaching courses on Maharishi AyurVeda.

Dinesh Gyawali, a doctoral stu- specifically high cholesterol. He will dent in physiology, received a also conduct a systematic review and competitive $5,000 grant from meta-analysis of studies on Ayurve- the Cochrane Collaboration to dic treatments of hypertension. help subsidize expenses associ- Mr. Gyawali is an Ayurvedic ated with his project to system- vaidya (doctor) and offers consulta- atically review research on the tions at the clinic on campus, as well effect of Ayurvedic preparations as teaching courses on Maharishi on cardiovascular risk factors, AyurVeda.

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Music, Athletics

Student song goes viral A single with lyrics by student Tara De Santis went viral, with over 28,000 views on Soundcloud.com the first month it was released. An indie dance song but with a flavor of electronic dance music, the single was produced by Saxton, a music producer in Maine, and is about love and hope for the future. Ms. De Santis began writing lyrics at the age of 15, but it was only in her course on digital music production that she realized she wanted to be involved in the music industry and to pursue her dream of writing music. The success of the song was all the more impressive given that there was very little promotion of it. Soundcloud is an online platform for artists to upload, record, promote, and share worldwide their original sounds. Her song can be heard at soundcloud.com/s-xton/aurora-ft-tara-de-santis.

Running club wins timed team award for sixth time The MUM running club participated in the Komen Southeast Iowa Race for the Cure in Ottumwa, and for the sixth time won the timed team award, which is given for the team with the five combined fastest times of all clubs entered in the 5-kilometer race.

MUM’s combined time was 1:52:57. Leading the way for the club was Vinodthan Nayagar in a time of 21:16. He also won the first-place trophy for having the best time in the 25–29 age group. Club coach Peter Mannisi was next in a time of 21:19. He also won a trophy for the best time in the 65–69 division. Cy Winther-Tamaki also won a trophy for winning the 20–24 division in a time of 22:22. Club president Mahmood Al Shameri was second in the 25–29 division in a time of 22:50. Vanan Nayagar was the fifth finisher for the club members in a time of 25:08 and won a second place medal in the 50–54 division. Also winning a second place medal was Pathu Nay- agar in the women’s 50–54 division in a time of 34:23.

MUM runners pose with their trophies and medals. Front row: Peter Mannisi, Vinodthan Nayagar, Cy Winther-Tama- ki. Back row: Vanan Nayagar, Pathu Nayagar, Mahmood Al Shameri.

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Pranav Chhalliyil State science champion Youngest student in state history to win the senior division t’s hard to imagine what’s next the prestigious Intel Internation- teria. And because his volunteer for Maharishi School student al Science and Engineering Fair work has brought him into contact I Pranav Chhalliyil. He won the in Phoenix. And he was invited with some of India’s most destitute junior division of the State Sci- by the Iowa Dental Association people, he is especially interested ence and Technology Fair of Iowa to present his research at in traditional approaches people last year as an 8th grader and their annual meeting— used to clean their teeth before this year, as a 9th grader, the youngest person the modern era of toothbrushes won the senior division, to present in the and toothpaste—a luxury the im- competing against 300 history of the or- poverished can’t afford. other young scientists ganization. Last year he found that tradi- grades 9–12. tional oral hygiene using activat- He was the youngest Researching ed charcoal to brush followed by student in state history best tongue cleaning was the most ef- to win the senior divi- approaches to fective reducer of oral bacteria. sion championship. oral hygiene This approach is ideal for devel- He also took fourth His research centers oping countries because it is easy, place in the microbi- around oral hygiene: convenient, and cost effective. ology category at which method of clean- This year, he worked to discover ing one’s teeth is what percentage of specific dental best at re- damaging bacteria was removed d u c i n g using three different approaches o r a l to cleaning with activated charcoal bac- products: 1) toothpaste brushing plus tongue cleaning, 2) gum and tooth finger rubbing plus tongue cleaning, and 3) rice-husk charcoal powder finger rubbing plus tongue cleaning. To reduce variations in the testing methods, he had 70 subjects perform all three cleaning methods separately for two nights each. The subjects collected saliva every morning in a DNA extraction tube. A second trial was done after a gap of one week. Pranav then analyzed DNA from 960 saliva samples using ge- netic sequencing to look for the types of bacteria known to damage one’s teeth. His statistical analysis showed a significant decrease in damaging bacterial counts in all three methods.

44 | MAHARISHI UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENTS - MAHARISHI SCHOOL

Top state award for Musical theater However, he concluded that Two acts from Maharishi School performed at method 3 (rice-husk charcoal the All-State Speech Festival in Des Moines, powder finger rubbing plus tongue cleaning) had the additional ad- coming away with the top award: a Critic’s vantages of removing bad breath Choice banner. The critic commended their and whitening teeth. ability to sing in dialect, and said that the Inventing a new dental performance had a “Zen-like quality.” powder The particular activated charcoal fter performing powder of the winning method well in the state was actually an invention of Pra- Acompetition, nav himself, developed during the two acts from Maharishi course of experimentation. He de- School were invited to rived it from rice husks, which are perform at All-State typically considered waste material. Speech Festival in Des He says that this powder is Moines, with their entry simple, efficient, and microbiome in the musical theater friendly, meaning that it’s compat- category coming away ible with the good bacteria in one’s with the top award: a body. Critic’s Choice banner. And since this highly adsorbing School senior Anna charcoal is made from recycling Unger and sophomore abundantly available rice-husks, Devan Burke performed it’s eco-friendly and can reduce an excerpt of “Once,” a plastic usage by both developed musical stage adaptation and developing countries. based on the 2007 film

It’s also cost-effective: Pranav about a Czech woman Ledger Hallman, Fairfield Andy credit: photo estimates that using this powder who encounters an Irish man on a street corner singing about his for a year would cost $0.0019. ex-girlfriend. Feeling depressed, he considers giving up music alto- That’s a fifth of a penny. gether. However, Unger’s character slowly falls in love with him. So what is next for Pranav? He The critic who gave them the top honor commended their ability plans to continue his mission to to sing in dialect, and praised Ms. Unger’s vocal range. She also was foster oral hygiene, knowing that impressed by the emotional depth of the performance, which centered poor hygiene can contribute to around heartbreak and mixed feelings. And she said that the perfor- health problems such as diabetes, mance had a “Zen-like quality.” cancer, and heart disease. Also performing at the festival was a group of 15 students who This will include more research, performed a choral reading about immigrants arriving at Ellis Island of course, but also will continue to that featured prose, poetry, and song. The piece was conceived in the include a dental awareness camp context of the students’ study of the Syrian refugee crisis and was also that he offers every summer in In- notable for the fact that the students performing it were from Esto- dia, as well as a half-hour science nia, China, India, the UK, and Africa, as well as the U.S. class he teaches most mornings via Skype.

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 45 ACHIEVEMENTS - MAHARISHI SCHOOL Success at state tennis

In tennis, the team won the district competition. At the state competition, twelfth-grader Chandre Mo- rales placed third in sin- gles, and the doubles team of Kai Vessey and Daniel Zhu also placed third.

and track

Twelfth-grader Ross Emmanuel qualified for the state track meet and came in second in the 800-meter race and fifth in the 400, as well as anchor- ing the second-place distance-med- ley relay team. His second-place finish in the 800, a personal best 1:56.31, was only .04 seconds behind the winner. He also came in second last year.

46 | MAHARISHI UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT ACHIEVEMENTS - MAHARISHI SCHOOL First at state in creativity In an annual creativity competition, Maharishi School had seven teams win the top award in their categories at state.

Destination Imagination teaches the creative process, Their success at state qualified them for the interna- from imagination to innovation. The students are re- tional competition in Tennessee, where their best result quired to respond to specific challenges by building came from a team of senior girls. Competing against 80 things and creating performances. They learn team- other teams, they earned 7th place. work, initiative, and thinking outside the box.

Alumni successes Ari Berman (class of 2000) returned to Maharishi School to give the 2016 commencement address. He is a noted author and political commentator. His book Give Us the Ballot was named one of the 100 best books of 2015 by the New York Times. He is a senior contrib- uting writer for The Nation magazine and a Reporting Fellow at The Nation Institute. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, and The Guardian. He is a frequent political commentator on MSNBC, PBS, C-Span, and NPR. In addition, he has testified at a Congressional briefing on the threat of voter suppression.

Yale Shaw (2009) was honored with a silver design award in the 2015 international Spark Design Awards competition for his life-saving medical device, “Epi,” which is an auto-in- jection epinephrine device that is lighter, more stylish, and more accessible than previous devices. When the user senses an allergic reaction, Epi can be quickly accessed to inject epinephrine into his or her muscle tissue, temporarily neutralizing the reaction. Epi then triggers its smartphone app to notify 911 emergency services of the user’s exact location, allergy susceptibility, and personal information.

John DeAngelis (2009) was selected by GreenBiz to be included in their 2016 listing of “30 Under 30”: young people who are providing leadership in sustainability. GreenBiz is an organization that “advances the opportunities at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability.” Mr. DeAngelis is the Energy Program Manager at Steelcase, the leading manufacturer of furniture for offices, hospitals, and classrooms. He leads high-impact projects such as overseeing the company’s renewable energy portfolio and engaging with energy policy in Michigan.

UNIVERSITY REPORT 2015-2016 | 47 MAHARISHI UNIVERSITY OF MANAGEMENT 1000 NORTH FOURTH STREET FAIRFIELD, IA 52557

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