For two straight years, 2004 and 2005, the Atlantic Ocean battered the Eastern U.S. coast with seven major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) — the most in any two years since 1851, when reliable data-keeping started.

Pictured above: A NOAA satellite view of a massive Hurricane Erin churning off the U.S. East Coast on Aug. 20, 2025. Image credit: NOAA Satellites

It was also the only time that five or more hurricanes of any strength made U.S. landfall in consecutive years. In 2005 alone, four major hurricanes struck — the highest single-season total on record.

At the beginning of 2006, meteorologists naturally predicted another severe hurricane season.

But that year, no hurricanes, major or minor, struck the U.S. — the only year since 1851 that the number of major hurricanes hitting the U.S. dropped from four to zero.

“It was almost like we had a hurricane repellent”

This was no one-year wonder. No hurricanes struck the U.S. for the next four years.

One of those years, 2010, was a particular standout. Twelve hurricanes spun out of the Atlantic basin — five of them major — but none landed. Low-pressure systems kept the storms at sea. Nothing like this had been seen before.

“This was a strange, strange season,” one meteorologist said in a story in National Geographic. “It was almost like we had a hurricane repellent over the U.S. East Coast and Gulf Coast. The storms were out there, but they just didn’t approach the U.S.” (See map below)

Over the next four years, 2011 to 2014, eight minor hurricanes — but no major hurricanes — made landfall in the U.S.

Weather experts describe that nine-year period, 2006–2011, as a hurricane drought — a historically unprecedented event expected to occur only about once every 177 years.

How to explain this?

Weather scientists have been at a loss to account for what happened.

But a recently published statistical study, reviewing 171 years of hurricane records, found a striking pattern: the nine‑year reduction in the annual incidence of landfalling hurricanes coincided with large group practice of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and its advanced programs at MIU in Iowa.

The study was conducted by MIU scientist Dr. Kenneth L. Cavanaugh and Dr. Lee Fergusson, an MIU PhD graduate, professor at Maharishi Vedic Research Institute, and educational researcher at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia.

Human activity affects the weather

Scientists have long accepted that human behavior affects weather and climate through physical means. Industrial chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons have altered the ozone layer, and greenhouse gas emissions are widely understood to intensify storms and rainfall.

But the new study addresses a more controversial question: whether human consciousness itself might also play a role.

“We asked whether subtler forms of human behavior — particularly collective meditation — could beneficially influence environmental outcomes.”

— Dr. Ken Cavanaugh

“Modern science already recognizes that human activity shapes weather,” Dr. Cavanaugh points out. “We asked whether subtler forms of human behavior — particularly collective meditation — could beneficially influence environmental outcomes.”

Other researchers have explored this idea. For example, in a study entitled “Wishing for Good Weather: A Natural Experiment in Group Consciousness,” Princeton University’s Engineering Anomalies Research (PEAR) lab analyzed 36 years of weather data to compare rainfall in Princeton with rainfall in nearby communities — and found that there was significantly less rain, and less often, in Princeton on days with major outdoor activities, such as graduation, suggesting a possible association between group expectations and weather outcomes.

A prospective demonstration project

A large group began practicing these techniques daily at MIU in 2006, following the devastating 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons. One purpose of this prospective demonstration project was to reduce the frequency and intensity of hurricanes striking the continental United States.

The group grew to roughly 1,700 participants — the theoretical threshold the researchers say is needed to influence national trends. Using interrupted time‑series analysis, the study found that the average number of U.S. landfalling hurricanes dropped sharply during the 2006–2014 period, falling to about 0.7 per year compared with a long‑term baseline of roughly 1.7. 

“When we controlled for conventional predictors like storm energy and total Atlantic activity, the decline remained highly significant.”

— Dr. Lee Fergusson

“When we controlled for conventional predictors like storm energy and total Atlantic activity, the decline remained highly significant,” Dr. Fergusson said. “The timing aligns closely with the period of sustained group practice.”

According to Dr. Cavanaugh, the probability is less than 1 in 100 million that these results would be observed if the true effect of the meditation group were actually zero.

The experiment ends — and the major hurricanes return

Notably, after the group program ended in 2015, the pattern reversed — hurricane landfalls and damages increased again. This included the catastrophic 2017 season, when the U.S. was struck by a succession of devastating storms — Harvey, Irma, and Maria — that caused widespread destruction across Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean. The season was one of the costliest on record, with damages exceeding $265 billion.

The current analysis builds on Dr. Cavanaugh’s earlier unpublished work. In a 2010 pilot study, he examined NOAA hurricane data from 1851–2010 using similar statistical methods. He found a significant reduction in U.S. landfalling hurricanes during the early years of the demonstration period, with predicted counts more than 60 percent below the historical baseline after controlling for overall Atlantic storm activity.

Cavanaugh and Fergusson’s study also builds on decades of research into the Maharishi Effect, which has linked large group practice of Transcendental Meditation and the TM‑Sidhi programs with reductions in crime, accidents, and other social indicators. This new analysis extends that idea to the natural environment.

Economic impact: hundreds of billions

In a parallel report, Dr. Howard Settle, CPA, who worked with Maharishi to establish this demonstration project, found a substantial reduction in financial damages associated with this hiatus in landfalling hurricanes.

Analyzing NOAA and federal data, Dr. Settle found that hurricane damage averaged just $18.9 billion per year during the 2006–2014 period — less than half the pre‑2006 average and far below the $77.1 billion annual average seen after 2015. 

By comparison, the study estimates that the “quiet” years produced $240 billion in avoided losses, while a return to higher storm activity after 2015 resulted in more than $500 billion in additional costs relative to that benchmark.

“These were not just statistical differences — they translated into real economic relief.”

— Dr. Howard Settle

“These were not just statistical differences — they translated into real economic relief,” Settle said. “Insurance markets stabilized, rebuilding could proceed uninterrupted, and communities had time to recover.”

Competing explanations

Mainstream meteorology has struggled to fully explain the drought. Standard factors such as El Niño cycles, Atlantic temperature patterns, and storm intensity do not account for the sharp drop in U.S. landfalls during those years, according to the study.

Lacking a persuasive explanation from conventional atmospheric science, some prominent hurricane experts simply attribute the drought to “luck.”

A broader hypothesis

Cavanaugh and Fergusson acknowledge that the findings are consistent with — but do not prove — causation. The findings are, however, consistent with predictions of the theory behind the Maharishi Effect. In fact, they predicted the observed reduction in landfalling major U.S. hurricanes in 2006 at the outset of the demonstration project.

At the core of the research is a broader theoretical framework drawn from Vedic tradition, which proposes that individual and collective consciousness are interconnected with the natural environment. In that model, large‑scale stress in society can contribute to imbalance in nature, while coherence — enhanced through practices such as meditation — can neutralize stress and promote stability. 

“We are not claiming that consciousness directly ‘controls’ the weather,” they say. “But the data are consistent with the hypothesis that reducing collective stress may influence how natural systems behave.”

“This hypothesis challenges conventional thinking,” Cavanaugh said. “But history shows that science advances by investigating anomalies, not ignoring them.”

Given these results, Cavanaugh and Fergusson urge public and private organizations to support replicating this evidence-based approach to mitigating disasters.

For further information

Click here to read the study, “Consciousness and the Environment: Maharishi Technologies of Consciousness and the Incidence of U.S. Landfalling Hurricanes, 1851–2021,” published last December in the Journal of Scientific Exploration.

Click here to read Dr. Howard Settle’s “US Hurricane Damage Analysis 1997–2023.”

A team of medical scientists from MIU’s Institute for Natual Medicine and Prevention has published two major new peer-reviewed scientific papers on Maharishi Amrit Kalash (MAK), an Ayurvedic herbal formulation traditionally used to support health, resilience, and healthy aging.

The publications represent a milestone in the scientific study of Maharishi Ayurveda and cardiovascular disease, combining modern clinical research with traditional Ayurvedic knowledge.

The research team included MIU faculty Dr. John Salerno, Dr. Robert Schneider, Dr. Sanford Nidich, and Dr. Maxwell Rainforth, along with collaborators from Howard University Hospital Heart Center in Washington, DC, and Maharishi Ayurveda research groups in India and Europe. Dr. Carolyn Gaylord King and Dr. Charles Alexander of MIU contributed to the overall project’s direction.

Clinical trial highlights potential cardiovascular benefits of Ayurvedic formula

The first article, published in the international journal Medicina, reported results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating Maharishi Amrit Kalash in older adults with cardiovascular disease or high cardiovascular risk.

The study found that participants taking Maharishi Amrit Kalash demonstrated significant improvement in vascular smooth muscle function, an important marker related to vascular aging and cardiovascular health. Researchers noted that the findings suggest possible beneficial effects on biological pathways involved in vascular aging.

The clinical trial was conducted in collaboration with Howard University and reflected years of work integrating modern cardiovascular science with traditional systems of natural medicine.

“These publications help advance the rigorous scientific evaluation of traditional Ayurvedic approaches within modern medicine.”

— Dr. Robert Schneider

“Ayurveda has long emphasized prevention, balance, and healthy aging,” said Robert Schneider, MD, FACC, and senior author of the study. “These publications help advance the rigorous scientific evaluation of traditional Ayurvedic approaches within modern medicine.” Schneider is Distinguished Professor of Integrative Medicine and Health at MIU and Director of the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention.

The study was funded by a center grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health to MIU’s Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention.

Comprehensive study highlights antioxidant and cardioprotective effects

The second article, published in Frontiers in Pharmacology, was a scoping review of experimental and clinical studies on Maharishi Amrit Kalash and cardiovascular disease (a scoping review maps and summarizes the existing research on a topic to show what evidence is available and where further study is needed).

The review summarized evidence suggesting antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, and cardioprotective effects of the formulation, including studies on oxidative stress, LDL oxidation, vascular function, angina symptoms, and atherosclerosis.

The authors noted that Maharishi Amrit Kalash is based on the classical Ayurvedic concept of rasayana — therapies traditionally used to promote longevity, vitality, and resistance to disease. The formulation was developed from the traditional preparation known as Brahma Rasayana.

Together, the two reports reflect MIU’s longstanding leadership in integrative medicine, consciousness-based health research, and the scientific study of Maharishi Ayurveda.

The publications also highlight the growing international collaboration among researchers in the United States, India, and Europe working to investigate traditional systems of medicine using contemporary scientific methods.

Click here to read the first study, John W. Salerno, Shichen Xu, Maxwell Rainforth, Sanford I. Nidich, and Robert H. Schneider, “A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of an Ayurvedic Herbal Formulation and Vitamin C/E on Vascular Function in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease,” Medicina 62, no. 5 (2026): 972.

Click here to read the second study, “Radha Singh, Rini Vohra, Richa Shrivastava, and Robert H. Schneider, “Cardioprotective Potential of Maharishi Amrit Kalash: A Scoping Review of Evidence from Experimental and Clinical Studies,” Frontiers in Pharmacology 17 (May 13, 2026).

MIU’S emerging athletics program is vaulting forward. Enrollment is growing. New coaches have signed on. MIU teams have enjoyed success across multiple sports. National visibility is on the rise. And the program is laying the groundwork for joining the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

MIU Athletics is positioning itself as a distinctive model in collegiate sports — promoting peak performance through the inner development approach of Consciousness-Based Sports.

Strong first-year growth and impact

In its inaugural year, MIU Athletics enrolled more than 25 student-athletes — 19.5 full-time equivalents — accounting for a significant share of campus growth.

Notably, 13 of the university’s 36 new on-campus undergraduates in Fall 2025 came through athletics, representing roughly 36 percent of new residential enrollment. That proportion held steady into the spring term, highlighting athletics as a key driver of campus expansion.

Financially, the program is outperforming expectations on a per-student basis. Athletics students generate approximately $16,000 in net tuition revenue per FTE — about $1,000 above the average on-campus undergraduate.

This reflects the program’s structured use of merit-based scholarships: Non-athletes receive need-based aid, while athletes receive merit scholarships based on cultural fit with the university, academics, and athletic performance.

Academically, recruited athletes posted a 3.12 average GPA, surpassing the NAIA Scholar Team benchmark — something only about half of NAIA programs nationwide achieve. Four student-athletes individually qualified for the NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete Award.

All athletes, coaches, and staff have learned the TM technique, and four of them are taking the advanced TM-Sidhi program training this summer.

The athletics program has also demonstrated early marketing traction, generating more than 200,000 organic social media impressions per month without paid promotion.

“I’m so proud of how athletics fulfills one of MIU’s key strategic goals — growing our campus enrollment.”

— Owen Blake

“We’re excited about this growth,” said Owen Blake, Associate Athletic Director. “I’m so proud of how athletics fulfills one of MIU’s key strategic goals — growing our campus enrollment.” Blake is also an assistant professor of Maharishi Vedic Science and a Faculty Fellow in the Dr. Tony Nader Institute.

Soccer: Building a competitive foundation

Soccer is emerging as a cornerstone of MIU’s athletics strategy. Rafael Muniz, newly hired as head coach of women’s soccer, brings extensive experience in collegiate coaching and program development.

Muniz previously helped build Wiley University’s men’s and women’s programs into conference champions and became the program’s all-time winningest coach. His international recruiting network, particularly in Brazil and Latin America, should strengthen MIU’s talent pipeline.

“The opportunity to build a strong soccer program from the ground up is something that motivates me greatly,” Muniz said.

Both men’s and women’s soccer will play a central role in MIU’s transition to varsity competition.

Tennis: Leadership and program development

MIU is also launching men’s and women’s tennis under head coach Eric Sturgis, a veteran with more than 30 years of coaching experience.

Sturgis brings a long record of player development and collegiate leadership, along with a background in high-level competition and sports management. His role is to establish the program’s culture and competitive foundation as MIU expands its athletics offerings.

“After speaking with Ruben and Owen, I knew MIU was the perfect fit,” said Sturgis. “The opportunity to start a tennis program from the ground up is something that I truly enjoy. The facilities and support for tennis at MIU also made this an easy decision. I am looking forward to having men’s and women’s teams in the fall.”

Esports: Early national success

MIU’s esports program has quickly reached a national stage. In its first year, the League of Legends team posted a 6–1 regular season record and qualified for the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Division V National Championship.

The team secured victories against well-established programs, including Indiana University, North Dakota State, and Tarleton State, demonstrating its ability to compete with much larger schools.

Program leaders say the success reflects a holistic coaching approach that emphasizes mental clarity, decision-making, and team coordination alongside technical skill. The esports program will continue as part of MIU’s broader athletics portfolio, with room for further growth.

Expansion toward NAIA competition

Looking ahead, MIU is preparing for a full launch into intercollegiate competition within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the governing body for many smaller four-year colleges. This represents a shift from early-stage program building to fully structured varsity athletics.

The transition includes fielding at least three men’s and three women’s teams, meeting eligibility and compliance standards, and competing in an official conference with access to regional and national championships.

It also requires expanded coaching staffs, fully recruited rosters, scholarship alignment with NAIA guidelines, and the administrative systems needed to sustain varsity competition.

“We’re launching men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country.”

— Owen Blake

“We plan to meet those requirements by the 2026–27 academic year,” Blake said. “We’re launching men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country. Adding cross country is a strategic move — it allows athletes from other sports to participate without needing more coaching staff.”

Full NAIA membership is targeted for Fall 2027, with the coming year serving as a critical buildout phase in which these programs begin operating at a varsity level and prepare for conference play.

MIU has also applied to join the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association). Recommended by NAIA as a step toward full membership, this will allow MIU to compete for post-season play in national tournaments. The USCAA offers significant scheduling flexibility, allowing MIU considerable freedom in choosing opponents, timing, and travel.

“We project the athletics program to grow to approximately 75 student-athletes this fall, supported by a recruiting pipeline of around 120 applicants,” Blake said. “At that scale, we expect athletics to generate about $1.21 million in net tuition revenue every year.”

Long-term projections estimate more than $13.6 million in net tuition revenue over five years, along with significant increases in residential enrollment that help reduce per-student costs and contribute additional room-and-board revenue.

Table tennis opportunity in development

MIU is also exploring the potential addition of a nationally competitive table tennis program, pending donor support. Athletics leaders are in discussions with a highly accomplished coach who recently won the U.S. professional championship and has led collegiate teams to numerous national titles.

Leaders see the opportunity as both competitively significant and mission-aligned, with the potential to bring national visibility to MIU Athletics.

Nike partnership signals next phase of growth

Capping a year of rapid progress, MIU Athletics has announced a partnership with Nike and BSN Sports, making Nike the official provider of uniforms, apparel, and equipment across all varsity programs.

The agreement establishes a unified look across teams and reinforces the program’s national ambitions. University leaders also see the partnership as reflecting a shared philosophy of performance rooted in inner development.

“MIU Athletics is growing and every decision we make, including this one, is intentional,” said Athletics Director Rubén Sanchez. “Nike carries the pioneer spirit. We are the Pioneers. That alignment is powerful.”

“By combining elite athletic branding with Consciousness-Based training, the Nike partnership creates a unique environment for student-athletes.”

— Romel Bryant

“The partnership complements MIU’s broader educational model,” said men’s basketball head coach Romel Bryant. “By combining elite athletic branding with Consciousness-Based training, the Nike partnership creates a unique environment for student-athletes.”

As MIU Athletics moves toward full NAIA competition, the Nike partnership signals both credibility and momentum—marking the program’s transition from launch phase to sustained growth on a national stage.

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Bhagia Sheri came to MIU from Pakistan in 2022 to pursue a master’s degree in computer science. She received the Outstanding Graduate Award at her 2025 graduation and has been working as a software engineer at Walmart in the United States.

She says that her MIU education transformed her life, leading to significant academic, professional, and personal growth. She believes that Transcendental Meditation®, which she learned when she arrived at MIU, has played a major role in her success. 

Q: What stands out to you most about MIU? 

“What I liked most about MIU was the block system, in which I studied one course at a time. This structure allowed me to focus deeply and truly understand each subject instead of studying multiple subjects at the same time. It helped me give my full attention to each course, especially in areas that were new to me, and enabled me to build strong foundational knowledge.

“One of the other aspects that I love about MIU is that learning happens outside the classroom as well. With a diverse campus and students from all around the world, I was able to make lifelong friends, learn a lot about their cultures, and share my own culture with them. I will cherish all the memories I made at MIU.”

Q: How would you describe the quality of instruction from your professors?

“MIU professors are truly exceptional, one of the strongest pillars of the university. They are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive and approachable.

“They genuinely care about students’ success and often go above and beyond to help. Whether it’s answering questions, adapting teaching methods, or providing guidance, they ensure that every student gets the opportunity to grow.

“I always felt encouraged and supported throughout my journey.”

Q: How has TM helped you in your studies and career?

“TM has been one of the most important parts of my journey at MIU. It helped me manage stress, stay focused, and maintain balance.

“TM helped me stay consistent, handle academic pressure, and remain mentally clear while managing multiple responsibilities.” 

— Bhagia Sheri

“During my studies, TM helped me stay consistent, handle academic pressure, and remain mentally clear while managing multiple responsibilities such as classes, projects, and applying for a paid practicum. It helped me stay calm and focused even during challenging times.

“Even now in my professional life, TM continues to help me think clearly, make better decisions, and handle stress in a balanced way. In a fast-paced field like technology, having a calm and focused mind is essential for success, and TM plays an important role in maintaining that clarity and balance.”

Q: What encouragement would you give to students worldwide who are considering MIU?

“I recommend MIU and the TM technique, as they can be highly beneficial for those seeking international exposure, career growth, and personal development. MIU is a place for those who want to learn in a stress-free environment and stay balanced. 

“MIU provides the right environment and support system that encourages students to take on new challenges.”

— Bhagia Sheri

“Growth happens when you step out of your comfort zone and remain consistent over time. MIU provides the right environment and support system that encourages students to take on new challenges, develop discipline, and steadily build personal and professional skills.”

MIU is rapidly expanding its visibility and leadership within the United Nations system, with senior university figures participating in a series of high‑level UN‑sponsored events over the past two years.

From keynote addresses at the UN’s inaugural and second annual World Meditation Day observances to an upcoming academic presentation before a major UN scholarly council, MIU is helping shape global conversations on meditation, public health, and human resilience.

“The UN’s recognition of World Meditation Day reflects a growing understanding that inner development and outer peace are inseparably linked.”

— Dr. John Hagelin

“We are witnessing a shift in the global conversation — from meditation as a personal wellness tool to meditation as a strategic resource for public health and conflict prevention,” Dr. John Hagelin said. “The UN’s recognition of World Meditation Day reflects a growing understanding that inner development and outer peace are inseparably linked.”

A historic first: Dr. Tony Nader keynotes the inaugural World Meditation Day

Momentum began on December 20, 2024, when MIU President Dr. Tony Nader was invited as the sole non‑diplomat keynote speaker at the United Nations’ first‑ever World Meditation Day celebration in New York City. The event followed a unanimous General Assembly resolution establishing December 21 as an annual observance dedicated to “Inner Peace, Global Harmony.”

More than 200 attendees — including diplomats from roughly 30 UN member states and leaders of UN‑affiliated NGOs — gathered for the inaugural event. Senior diplomats from the six sponsoring nations — India, Sri Lanka, Liechtenstein, Nepal, Mexico, and Andorra — were prominently represented. Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, addressed participants live from Zurich.

In his keynote, Dr. Nader emphasized that “meditation is not a luxury — it’s a necessity,” describing the Transcendental Meditation technique as a universal, non‑religious technology for inner renewal. Citing the UNESCO constitution’s assertion that peace must be built in the minds of individuals, he argued that TM provides a systematic means of doing so.

Dr. Nader referenced more than 750 scientific studies on TM’s health benefits, along with over 118 studies showing reductions in crime, illness, and conflict during large‑group practice. He also recalled a landmark 1993 Washington, D.C., study in which researchers documented a significant drop in violent crime coinciding with a large meditation group assembled in the city.

The global observance drew more than one million participants worldwide on December 21, marking the start of what is now an annual UN‑recognized event.

Sustained engagement: Dr. John Hagelin at the International Day of Peace and World Meditation Day in 2025

Building on that foundation, MIU leaders again played a central role at the United Nations in 2025.

On September 21, Dr. John Hagelin delivered a keynote address as part of the International Day of Peace global celebration, coordinated internationally in connection with the UN. His talk, “World Peace through Inner Peace: An Evidence‑Based Approach,” outlined five core elements of the brain‑based / Consciousness‑Based® approach to peace. Watch the presentation here.

On December 21, 2025, Hagelin spoke at the second annual World Meditation Day commemorations at UN Headquarters, held in the historic Trusteeship Council Chamber. The gathering reflected growing institutional interest in meditation as a tool for public health, resilience, and peacebuilding. Speaking as a scientist and international president of the Global Union of Scientists for Peace, Hagelin presented research on the mechanisms by which large‑group meditation produces societal coherence, alongside diplomats, academics, and spiritual leaders.

Dr. Robert Schneider, originally scheduled to speak in Dr. Nader’s place on cardiovascular benefits of TM, arrived shortly before the conclusion due to weather‑related delays, and Hagelin presented in his stead.

In his remarks, Hagelin described meditation as a “non‑political, non‑coercive technology of peace — grounded in science and accessible to all,” noting a shift in global discourse toward its relevance for conflict prevention and public health.

Although World Meditation Day is only two years old, participants at the 2025 observance highlighted its role as a catalyst for new institutional pathways within the UN system.

Academic integration and policy impact

Emerging initiatives now involve engagement with the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), preparation for future Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Consultative Status applications, collaborations around the International Day of Yoga, and potential participation in interfaith and comparative religion conferences.

Central to MIU’s expanding role is the effort to introduce evidence‑based meditation research directly into UN academic and policy networks. Engagement with ACUNS — a key scholarly partner — offers opportunities to integrate meditation into discussions of sustainable development, mental health, environmental stress, and human security.

ECOSOC Consultative Status remains a strategic priority, enabling TM‑affiliated organizations to participate more formally in UN meetings, submit written statements, and host side events across the system.

Looking ahead: MIU to present at ACUNS annual meeting in Portugal

The next milestone comes on June 6, 2026, when Dr. Schneider and Dr. Charlotte Bech present peer‑reviewed research at the ACUNS Annual Meeting in Lisbon, Portugal. Their paper, “Environmental Stress, Cardiovascular Risk, and Human Resilience: Evidence‑Based Pathways for Multilateral Policy Integration,” examines cardiovascular disease as a downstream effect of environmental and psychosocial stressors.

They will outline preventive cardiovascular strategies for climate, environmental, urban, and social policy frameworks, and highlight evidence‑based stress‑reduction interventions — including TM — as components of resilience‑oriented public health policy.

“This places Dr. Schneider and TM in front of a very prestigious audience of academic advisers to UN leadership,” said Craig Hobbs, an organizer of MIU’s UN engagements. “It also adds credibility and visibility to Dr. Hagelin’s and Dr. Nader’s work with global governance bodies.”

“We are at a pivotal moment where meditation is no longer viewed as alternative or adjunctive, but as complementary and integrative within mainstream medical practice.” 

— Dr. Robert Schneider 

“We are at a pivotal moment where meditation is no longer viewed as alternative or adjunctive, but as complementary and integrative within mainstream medical practice,” Dr. Schneider said. “The data support its inclusion in preventive cardiology, workplace health programs, and trauma-informed care.”

A growing role on the world stage

From keynote speeches at UN headquarters to academic presentations shaping international policy conversations, MIU’s leadership is building a respected presence in multilateral discussions on peace, public health, and human development — and new avenues of engagement continue to open.

* * * * * * *

Banner photo by Gavin Li on Unsplash.

Two MIU scholars were among a small group of invited international speakers at a major academic conference held last fall in conjunction with the birth centenary of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, one of India’s most influential spiritual leaders.

Dr. Fred Travis, Distinguished Professor of Neuroscience and Director of MIU’s Center for Brain, Consciousness, and Cognition, and Ramayan scholar Michael Sternfeld presented their work during a Vedic Centennial Conference held January 23–25, 2026, at Prasanthi Nilayam, the main Sai Baba ashram in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh.

The academic sessions followed large‑scale centenary observances that drew hundreds of thousands of participants from around the world. The main celebration, on November 19, included a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and marked the 100th anniversary of Sai Baba’s birth.

An unexpected invitation

Sternfeld, who has no prior institutional connection to the Sai Baba organization, said the invitation itself was unexpected.

“As a longtime student of Maharishi’s knowledge, I really didn’t feel that familiar or connected with the Sai Baba tradition,” he said. “But they were very intentional about inviting scholars from outside their own lineage, and they were genuinely interested in dialogue.”

Sternfeld earned an MA in Maharishi Vedic Science from MIU, where he became fascinated with the Ramayana and, using his producer skills, went on to create numerous productions of the great epic over the last 30 years, including theatrical productions, a theme park, and the first complete audio production of the unabridged Ramayana of Valmiki — 75 hours long, making it the world’s longest audiobook. His latest production, Sita’s Gems, retells the story from the vantage point of the divine feminine.

Travis was invited soon afterward and flew in briefly to speak at the conference’s central academic venue.

Neuroscience and lived experience

Travis’s presentation focused on the relationship between consciousness and brain functioning, drawing on decades of neuroscientific research on Transcendental Meditation and higher states of consciousness.

“The main point,” Travis said, “is that consciousness is primary. The brain isn’t producing consciousness — consciousness is structuring the brain.”

He emphasized that this perspective is not philosophical speculation but something that can be measured.

“When consciousness interacts with itself, we see it very clearly in patterns of brain functioning,” he said. “We can measure coherence in brainwaves, and we can see consistent changes during meditation and chanting.”

At the organizers’ request, Travis conducted a live demonstration using EEG equipment to show real‑time changes in brain activity during Vedic chanting.

“It wasn’t about convincing anyone,” he said. “It was simply about showing what happens in the nervous system during these experiences.”

Re‑reading the Ramayana

Sternfeld addressed a much larger audience in the ashram’s main gathering hall, speaking to several thousand people during a morning session. His talk explored the Ramayana not as a fixed moral code, but as a living guide to discerning increasingly subtle levels of right action.

“The Ramayana is often described as a textbook of dharma,” he said. “But dharma there isn’t black and white. It’s deliberately ambiguous, and that ambiguity challenges us to open our awareness to finer levels of discrimination.”

Central to Sternfeld’s presentation was what he described as the interweaving of love and dharma throughout the epic.

“This interweaving is much like the double helix of DNA, which acts as the ‘code of life,'” he said. Throughout the Ramayana, its central characters repeatedly encounter this apparent opposition between love and dharma. This dynamic tension serves as a refined crucible through which dharma is clarified, love expands, and consciousness evolves.”

He illustrated this dynamic through key episodes in the epic, including the emotionally charged exchange between Rama and Bharata during Rama’s exile.

“That moment captures the whole teaching,” Sternfeld said. “Bharata speaks from love. Rama speaks from dharma. The resolution honors both.”

Conference organizers asked Sternfeld to speak without slides or prepared text.

“They specifically said, ‘We want you to speak extemporaneously,’” he said. “They wanted it to come from lived understanding, not presentation polish.”

A meeting of traditions

Both speakers said they were struck by the intellectual depth of the conference and by how closely many presentations aligned with Maharishi’s teachings, despite coming from a different lineage.

“The level of scholarship was remarkably high,” Sternfeld said. “Many of the speakers were senior academics, government advisors, or heads of national institutes. And their understanding of Vedic knowledge was extremely refined.”

Travis agreed.

“What stood out was how natural the conversation was,” he said. “There wasn’t any sense of competition between traditions. There was mutual respect.”

At the same time, the differences were clear.

“The orientation there is much more outward — Vedic chanting and service based on devotion,” Travis said. “Maharishi’s emphasis is deeply inward, experience pure consciousness and bring it into your life.” 

Conversations beyond the conference

Beyond their formal talks, Sternfeld and Travis met with senior leaders of the Sai Baba organization to explore possible future collaborations.

“We discussed three areas,” Sternfeld said. “Sending delegates to international conferences, potential collaborative research on meditation and chanting, and the importance of large groups practicing together.”

While no formal projects have yet been launched, both speakers saw the conversations as significant.

“The conference wasn’t framed as an endpoint,” Sternfeld said. “They were very explicit: this is meant to lead to ongoing work.”

A broader perspective

For both MIU faculty members, the experience offered a wider lens on how Vedic knowledge is being preserved, interpreted, and lived in different cultural contexts.

“It was valuable to be in another ashram environment and really see how it functions,” Travis said. “It helped clarify what’s essential and what’s stylistic.”

Sternfeld described the visit as affirming, both personally and professionally.

“To speak to thousands of people who are deeply established in a Vedic tradition — and to be received with respect as someone representing Maharishi’s work — that was meaningful,” he said. “It felt like a genuine meeting of knowledge.”

Click here for Michael Sternfeld’s presentation on Love & Dharma, here for his post-conference interview.

Click here for Fred Travis’s presentation on Neuroscientific Insights from Vedic Recitation, here for his post-conference interview. 

* * * * * * *

Banner image from “Aerial View of Prasanthi Nilayam Light Decorations | Birthday Lights” (YouTube).

On April 20, MIU’s Maharishi Vedic Science department will launch a new podcast that aims to bring the university’s long‑standing work on consciousness and human development into a wider global conversation.

April 20 is known in the Vedic calendar as Akshaya Tritiya, the most auspicious day to launch new initiatives.

Pictured above: Owen Blake, podcast director, and Joe Holland, podcast host.

Titled Consciousness & Human Potential, the podcast features in‑depth conversations with scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners exploring questions at the intersection of consciousness, science, education, and human flourishing.

“This podcast places MIU at the center of one of the most significant and growing conversations of our time — the nature of consciousness, the science of human development, and what it truly means to realize our fullest potential as human beings,” said podcast director Owen Blake. Blake holds a PhD in Maharishi Vedic Science, serves as associate athletic director at MIU, and teaches in the MVS department.

“This has been a passion project for a long time,” Blake said. “I’m optimistic this podcast will place the flag of Maharishi Vedic Science within the global field of consciousness, spirituality, and meditation. Right now, MIU isn’t a major voice in the field, and I want to support us sharing more broadly the principles and ideas we care so much about.”

Produced on MIU campus in Fairfield, Iowa, the podcast will be available on YouTube and major podcast platforms, with potential future distribution through the Transcendental Meditation app.

The podcast is hosted by Joe Holland, who holds a master’s degree in Maharishi Vedic Science from MIU and teaches courses in Consciousness and Human Potential. Before joining the MIU faculty, Holland worked in radio broadcasting in London, an experience he says prepared him for the long‑form, exploratory conversations the podcast will feature.

“I used to host radio shows many years ago, but that often involved talking about what my bosses wanted me to talk about, or reacting to what callers were interested in,” Holland said. “I’m looking forward to these expansive conversations and to diving into rich domains of knowledge with fellow explorers.”

Plans for the first season

The first episode features Ed Sarath, a longtime leader in integrating music, higher education, and contemplative practice. Sarath explores improvisation not only as a musical skill but as a way of engaging with life itself, touching on creativity, sports performance, and moments of shared awareness.

Another upcoming guest is Molly Beauregard, a longtime educator at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and author of Tuning the Student Mind. In her episode, Beauregard and Holland explore consciousness‑centered education, student mental health challenges, the role of meditation in the classroom, and the deeper questions of identity and creativity.

The team

The podcast’s production team also includes Ruta Matuleviciute, a member of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association, with an MFA in Painting from Vilnius Academy of Arts and an MA in Enlightenment and Leadership from MIU. With experience in curatorial practice, website creation, and project management, she is the director of Visual Arts for the NextGen Arts for Enlightenment project.

Rounding out the team is brand manager Marta-Kristi Põld, who brings a background in digital marketing and branding together with experience with Silicon Valley tech start-ups and Consciousness-Based businesses and nonprofits. She holds an MA in Consciousness and Human Potential from MIU. 

A platform for dialogue and cross‑pollination

The timing of the podcast reflects broader cultural shifts, Blake said. Interest in meditation, spirituality, and consciousness research has expanded in recent years, driven in part by mental health concerns and renewed philosophical questions raised by advances in artificial intelligence.

“Questions about consciousness, the nature of reality, and what it means to be human have taken on new urgency,” Blake said. “MIU holds a distinctive position in this conversation, but our perspective is often underrepresented or misunderstood.”

“MIU holds a distinctive position in this conversation, but our perspective is often underrepresented or misunderstood.”

— Owen Blake

Rather than presenting a single authoritative viewpoint, the podcast is intended as a platform for dialogue and cross‑pollination, engaging voices from within and beyond MIU’s academic community. The team hopes it will encourage collaboration, inspire new research, and contribute to broader understanding of consciousness‑based approaches to education and human development.

Ultimately, Blake said, the goal is not only to expand MIU’s visibility, but to contribute meaningfully to conversations that are increasingly shaping education, science, and society at large.

“We want this to be a valued voice in the field,” he said, “and a place where real curiosity and meaningful inquiry can thrive.”

To follow the podcast:

• Instagram — Instagram page for the Maharishi Vedic Science Department, where announcements of episodes and “shorts” from each podcast episode will be posted:
• Maharishi Vedic Science department – YouTube – YouTube account for the MVS department where the podcasts will be posted.

Help the podcast get visibility —  follow / subscribe to the accounts and interact with the content. 

Information and photos provided by Owen Blake.

Nationally recognized education scholar and reform leader Dr. Pedro Noguera will serve as the commencement speaker for the Class of 2026. The graduation ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 20, beginning at 1:00 p.m., in the university’s iconic Golden Dome and will also be live‑streamed for remote viewers.

As part of the ceremony, MIU’s Board of Trustees will confer upon Dr. Noguera the degree of Doctor of Education honoris causa, in recognition of his lifelong service and leadership in advancing educational equity, engagement, and opportunity for the nation’s youth.

A sociologist whose work has focused on how schools can become more responsive to students’ academic, emotional, and social needs, Dr. Noguera is one of the country’s leading voices on urban education, school reform, and the social conditions that shape student success.

He is currently the Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean of the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California.

The importance of student engagement and well-being

Throughout a career spanning more than four decades, Dr. Noguera has emphasized that academic achievement cannot be separated from student engagement and well-being.

In a recent interview, he noted that schools have “focused so much on measures of student achievement” while overlooking the fact that “the path to achievement is getting kids more engaged in learning.” He has consistently argued that meaningful learning begins when educators connect emotionally with students and inspire them to become self‑motivated learners.

Dr. Noguera has also spoken about the importance of practices that help students develop emotional regulation and inner stability — principles that resonate strongly with MIU’s educational philosophy.

“Transcendental Meditation is one tool that schools can draw upon to help kids get some control of their emotions.”

— Dr. Pedro Noguera

“Transcendental Meditation is one tool that schools can draw upon to help kids get some control of their emotions and bring calm to the individual and by extension the classroom,” he said. He emphasized that “anyone can meditate,” calling it an “incredible resource” in a society that focuses heavily on constant activity rather than cultivating “groundedness and peace of mind before we engage in doing.”

A prolific scholar, Dr. Noguera has written or edited 13 books and has published more than 250 research articles, chapters, and reports. His commentary on education frequently appears in major national media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times. He has also served on the boards of numerous national and local education organizations.

“His work exemplifies a commitment to educating the whole person.”

— Dr. Tony Nader

MIU President Dr. Tony Nader said the university is honored to welcome Dr. Noguera. “His work exemplifies a commitment to educating the whole person,” Dr. Nader said. “His vision speaks directly to the kind of graduates MIU seeks to educate — thoughtful, engaged, and grounded individuals prepared to uplift society.”

Members of the MIU community, families, and guests are invited to attend the ceremony in person or via live stream as the university celebrates its graduates and honors a distinguished leader in American education.

Click here for an interview with Dr. Noguera on Enjoy TM News.

* * * * *

Photographs: https://www.pedronoguera.com/.

When the COVID-19 lockdowns gripped Uganda, women in Kampala’s city slums faced an impossible situation: dwindling food, lost work, and rising domestic tensions inside cramped homes.

In that crisis, researcher Leslee Goldstein, PhD, helped evaluate a simple daily practice — Transcendental Meditation — that, according to her newly published peer-reviewed randomized controlled trial, made a measurable difference.

The study, published in February in the journal Health Care for Women International, has received notable attention in online mental‑health and science‑reporting outlets.

In just three months, women who learned TM showed statistically significant decreases in perceived stress, anger, and fatigue, along with improved sleep quality and increased self-efficacy — their belief that they could cope with life’s demands.

“Our results indicate TM doesn’t just help women to manage stress — it helps them to reduce and eliminate it.”

— Leslee Goldstein

“TM significantly helped these women improve their mental and physical health and their ability to cope in this crisis,” Goldstein says. “Our results indicate TM doesn’t just help women to manage stress — it helps them to reduce and eliminate it.”

Years in the making

For Goldstein, the project was the result of more than a decade’s work.

From 2014 to 2023, she served as Consultant and Director of Research for the Rona and Jeffrey Abramson Foundation, working closely with the African Women and Girls Organization (AWAGO), the TM women’s organization in Uganda. “AWAGO’s direct focus on TM programs for women led to the opportunity for me to conduct three studies,” Goldstein says.

Her first study, published in 2018, tracked gains in self-efficacy, perceived stress, and quality of life among mothers living in poverty conditions in the urban slums of Uganda. Her second, published in 2024, focused on female youth, assessing changes in self-esteem, self-efficacy, and gratitude.

This latest study, her third, was prompted by the extremely challenging situation for women in the slums of Uganda caused by the two national lockdowns during the Covid pandemic, which created an urgent national crisis.

“Their circumstances were already demanding,” Goldstein said. “They are mostly mothers struggling to feed and clothe their children and send them to school. Most are the main breadwinners in their families. With the lockdowns, they had the added burden of finding food for survival along with increased domestic violence.”

The study design

The study involved 199 women ages 16 to 73 from urban slums. Of the 199, 96 were randomly assigned to learn TM, while the others were assigned to a waitlist control group. The control group participants were later invited to learn Transcendental Meditation, and all chose to do so.

Goldstein and her team administered a questionnaire at baseline to assess the women’s psychological distress and coping ability in the wake of the lockdowns. They administered a similar questionnaire three months later — and, compared to the control group, found a significant reduction in perceived stress, anger, and fatigue, and significant improvements in self-efficacy (one’s perceived ability to deal with challenging circumstances) and sleep quality.

In a follow-up questionnaire at eight months, participants reported improved physical and mental health, improved relationships with their children and neighbors, and decreased domestic violence. 

Stories of rapid personal transformation

The women’s words bring the data to life. 

“I now have inner peace and self-control,” one subject said. “I feel confident with new situations,” said another. Another said, “We now talk and laugh, which was not the case before meditation.” One mother summed up the transformation: “They even tell me I am the best mother now since I learned TM.” Another woman, reflecting on domestic tensions, said, “The fact that now I have peace of mind, it’s hard for me to pick up a fight.”

Community leaders noticed the same transformations.

“TM has changed these women and girls,” said Fausta Zadoch, local church leader and counsellor who also found fewer women and girls coming in for counseling. “They are now stress-free, and everything is changed and improved, spiritually, financially, and physically. We are grateful for this beautiful program and would like to see this program expand to many communities around the world.”

A team effort

“The results didn’t surprise us,” Goldstein said. “We heard the same outcomes from TM teachers in Uganda and from the many community organizations where TM has been taught. Our goal here was to conduct a professional research study, using a gold-standard randomized controlled design, that would document the benefits of TM for this population.”

“They feel better about themselves. They feel empowered from within, more capable of manifesting a smoother path forward in their lives.”

— Leslee Goldstein

Beneath the statistics is a theory Goldstein has helped refine across these studies: empowerment from within. “TM practice has given them greater inner strength,” she says. “They feel better about themselves. They feel empowered from within, more capable of manifesting a smoother path forward in their lives.”

That empowerment is practical as much as it is personal. “It is critically important for these women to have a tool that they can use themselves, for themselves, by themselves,” she says.

The personal side

Goldstein says she has benefited immensely from this work.

“While working closely with the AWAGO management team, I learned so much about the Ugandan culture, and I watched this organization grow to be one of the biggest and most successful TM Women’s organizations in the world,” she says.

The work often unfolded over Zoom, but the distance didn’t diminish the connection.

“These women became like family to me.”

— Leslee Goldstein

“These women became like family to me,” she says. “My life, my destiny, has been beautifully intertwined with this culture and with these women for so many years. I have experienced great heart expansion and appreciation for the power of our TM programs. I am extremely grateful, blessed, and honored with grace for this opportunity.”

What’s next? Goldstein isn’t slowing down.

“I am continuing to do TM research with women,” she says. “Currently, I am working on a research project with women in Nepal who are mothers of students at a secondary school where all the children learn TM as part of their daily school routine. I am planning another project with colleagues in Uganda to conduct a PTSD study with female refugees.”

* * * * * * *

Funding for the study was provided by the Rona and Jeffrey Abramson Foundation.

Coauthors of the study are Daniela Romagnoli, PhD, and Sanford Nidich, PhD, Director of MIU’s PhD program in Physiology & Health and Director of the MIU Center for Social-Emotional Health & Consciousness.

MIU has announced a multi-year plan to close and redevelop Utopia Park, the longtime mobile‑home community on the north side of campus, with the transition scheduled to unfold in six phases through August 2028.

The decision follows a comprehensive infrastructure review conducted after MIU assumed full management of the property in July 2025. While many of the park’s mobile homes have received interior improvements in recent decades, the underlying water, sewer, and electrical systems — originally installed in 1983 — are now more than 40 years old. City regulations require that all utilities be fully removed and replaced before any new construction can begin, necessitating a complete clearing of the site.

A community with deep roots

Utopia Park was originally built at the end of 1983 as temporary housing for thousands of visitors attending MIU’s historic A Taste of Utopia assembly. Nearly 200 trailers were constructed in just weeks. In the years that followed, the park became an important source of affordable housing close to the Golden Domes for students, faculty, staff, and community members, often serving as a first residence for newcomers to Fairfield.

In May 2022, during the university’s Golden Jubilee celebration, MIU leaders announced plans to redevelop the area as the Global Peace Village. In June 2023, the Global Peace Village was inaugurated with six new townhouses. The event, led by Dr. John Hagelin and Raja Howard Settle, marked the largest step yet in the long-term redevelopment plans. 

Six‑phase closure through 2028

The newly announced transition plan outlines a gradual, two‑and‑a‑half‑year closure intended to give residents time to prepare while allowing crews to safely remove structures and utilities. The phased timeline is intended to create as smooth and supportive a process as possible.

The phases are scheduled as follows:

• Phase 1: February–July 2026 – Rows L and M, plus E21–22 & F21–22
• Phase 2: July–December 2026 – Row J
• Phase 3: December 2026–May 2027 – Rows A, B, & C
• Phase 4: May–October 2027 – Row K 
• Phase 5: October 2027–March 2028 – Rows G, H, & I 
• Phase 6: March–August 2028 – Rows D, E, and F
  

The work will move in a coordinated inward pattern to ensure safe demolition while minimizing disruption.

Support for residents

MIU leadership emphasized that supporting residents throughout the transition is a top priority. University leaders have held two informational town hall meetings to share details, answer questions, and discuss individual needs. Additional sessions will continue throughout the transition period.

To assist older adults in particular, MIU is partnering with Milestones Area Agency on Aging, which will provide one‑on‑one assistance to residents aged 60 and above. Milestones will help individuals review housing options, complete necessary documentation, and access available support services.

Residents can direct questions or request assistance by emailing utopiaparktransitions@miu.edu. MIU has also launched a website — https://utopia-park.miu.edu — to provide ongoing updates, resources, and the latest timeline information.

Redevelopment plans ahead

Once the park is fully cleared and infrastructure replaced, MIU plans to redevelop the property according to Maharishi Vastu architectural principles. Planning for the new construction is in early stages, and university officials estimate that new housing is still several years away.

“Even as we begin the process of renewal, we remain committed to sustaining the spirit of Utopia Park.”

— MIU CEO Bill Smith

“Utopia Park has played an enormous role in MIU’s history,” said MIU CEO Bill Smith. “And we know this redevelopment marks the end of an era. But as we begin the process of renewal, we remain committed to sustaining the spirit of Utopia Park. We are also committed to transparency, thoughtful planning, and support for every resident affected by this transition.”

Drone photography by Ron Wilson