MIU alumnus Caspar Jung ’15 has been appointed the CEO of Maharishi European Research University (MERU) in the Netherlands — the international headquarters for the Transcendental Meditation organization, a host for assemblies, retreats, and courses, and a center for knowledge.  

Caspar hails from a large family of TM meditators. Both his parents and his grandmother are TM teachers, all his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many of his cousins have learned TM, and many of his family members have worked or are actively working for the TM organization in some capacity. His father was the national director for the Netherlands in the 1980s and early 90s and since 2015 has been the CFO and deputy minister of finance for the international TM organization. His uncle led the Purusha program in Europe for many years and in 2000 became the administrative director at MERU — effectively the position Caspar now holds.

Caspar’s upbringing in such a family laid the foundation for his journey toward spiritual and professional fulfillment. 

After attending Maharishi Elementary School in the Netherlands, Caspar went to university to study architecture. While enrolled, he took a one-month break to participate in the Invincible America Assembly in Fairfield, the large group dedicated to long daily TM and TM-Sidhi program practice to accelerate personal development and create peace and harmony in society.

That’s where he discovered Maharishi International University (MIU).

“I appreciated that MIU was a place for self-exploration and that there was time for self-development.”

— Caspar Jung

“I appreciated that MIU was a place for self-exploration and that there was time for self-development,” he said. “I also liked that the block system allows students to try many different subjects in a short amount of time.”

After sampling courses in different majors, Caspar decided to pursue a business degree, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2015.

Caspar then went to work for fellow MIU alum Amit Hooda at his Fairfield-based company, Heavenly Organics. Serving as the operations coordinator, Caspar learned the elements of running a successful business. He helped establish a North America Free Trade Agreement for Heavenly Organics, enabling the company to sell products in Canada and Mexico, and had his first experience negotiating commercial contracts. 

Returning to the Netherlands, Caspar joined MERU, initially as a financial analyst before transitioning to a managerial role.

In July 2022, his responsibilities expanded as Dr. Tony Nader appointed a new management board at MERU and picked Caspar to take the reins as CEO.

Helping drive these changes was the TM organization’s goal to empower younger people to assume leadership positions. Today the new MERU management board is comprised of a diverse group of Gen Xers and Millennials.

Reflecting on his experiences, Caspar emphasizes the personal growth he has experienced through his new leadership role. “I’m enjoying taking responsibility and watching myself grow from these experiences,” he says. 

Caspar explains that part of MERU’s new plan is to expand the organization into a self-sufficient business, tourism attraction, and modern retreat center. This is being implemented by constructing new residential buildings, an office complex, a wellness resort, and a Maharishi Tower of Invincibility (set to be completed by 2028).

“MERU has unique strengths and opportunities because of its forest location, its importance to the TM organization’s history as Maharishi’s home, and a community of the world’s experts in consciousness. We want to open the door to the public so that people can receive the value that we have to offer.” 

This vision for MERU’s future aligns with Casper’s passion for helping people achieve their full potential through inner and outer growth.

“I’m excited about personal development and the search for meaning in life that we all pursue, and I think this pursuit has the potential not just for inner fulfillment but also for professional success,” Caspar says. “I love that Transcendental Meditation has brought me inner peace as well as outer capabilities. It’s given me an advantage, and I think other people could benefit from that same advantage.”

Caspar’s appointment as the CEO of MERU marks a pivotal moment in the TM organization, part of the transition toward empowering a new generation of leaders. As MERU evolves into a comprehensive center for spiritual and personal development, Caspar’s leadership promises to inspire and empower individuals on their quest for achievement and fulfillment.

“I think the India course was a big transformation for the TM organization,” he says. “It showed that we are still capable of gathering a great deal of support both from inside the organization and outside. Now the next step is to materialize that momentum and create lasting structures and groups. I’m optimistic about our capacity and I’m encouraged by our growing momentum —especially the growing number of new people in the administration being mentored by the senior experts.”