Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa
Maharishi Vedic City is located in Jefferson County, Iowa. The city was first incorporated in 2001 as Vedic City but then officially changed the name to Maharishi Vedic City five months later. The total population, currently about 200, is expected by its planners to reach 1,200 by the year 2010[1]. Maharishi Vedic City is Iowa's newest city and follows Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's views on architectural design that form part of his Maharishi Vedic Science, the foundation of Transcendental Meditation.
Geography
Maharishi Vedic City is located approximately two miles northwest of Fairfield, Iowa, the home of Maharishi University of Management.
ZIP codes
All addresses in Maharishi Vedic City fall under the 52556 ZIP code.
History
The idea for Maharishi Vedic City was conceived in 1991 by Chris Johnson, a real estate developer from San Francisco.[1] This idea evolved into a working municipality centered on the principles and teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, including his views on architectural design. These views, part of Maharishi Vedic Science, are claimed by Maharishi to promote happiness and energy, and include having a gold kalash on the roof of each building and having all structures face to the east.
Johnson and a dozen other followers of Maharishi purchased 50 farms totaling 3000 acres, some 1200 of which were designated for the town itself.[1] They laid out development in 10 circles ringing about one square mile, and paved roads, installed utilities from sewage to internet, and constructed buildings including two hotels, houses, office buildings, and an observatory with ancient astronomical instruments to orient the town within the cosmos.[1] Eventually a double golden dome in the center of the layout will serve as a venue for yogic flying, similar to a facility already in use at the nearby university because residents believe that group practice of this technique "will create coherence for the whole country".[1] Financial and infrastructure needs led Maharishi Vedic City to seek formal approval as a city from the state, and after petitioning the Iowa City Development Board and holding a referendum[1], it was incorporated as Iowa's newest city on July 21, 2001—the first in Iowa since 1982. The group expects to have a population of over 1000 by 2010, chiefly from meditators already living in Fairfield.[1]
Practitioners say that they are not a religious group, and some say that meditation enhances their Christian religious practice.[2] Although Malnak v. Yogi[3] ruled that a curriculum in the Science of Creative Intelligence, which included the Transcendental Meditation technique, could not be taught in New Jersey public schools because it violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, the technique continues to be taught in schools since it has been found to benefit students.[4]
Sanskrit has been named the city's "ideal language," although other languages are used. In November 2001, the city's name was expanded to Maharishi Vedic City. In November 2002, the city council passed an ordinance banning the sale of non-organic food. As of 2003, the city began offering tours to the public.[2] The city council voted to ban the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers within the city limits in April 2005, becoming the first all-organic city in the country.
Government
Maharishi Vedic City is administered by a five-person city council and a mayor. Few laws or ordinances exist, citing natural law as the governing principle of the city. The current mayor is Dr. Bob Wynne.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Jennifer 8 Lee (April 17, 2001). "In Many Ways, a New Iowa Town Looks to East". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) Reprinted at the [[Rick Ross (consultant)|]] website. - ^ a b Ellen Heath (August 17 2003). "Vedic City opens its doors for tours". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Malnak v. Yogi, 592 F.2d 197, 203 (3rd Cir., 1979)
- ^ http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/02/14/opinion/rmed.php
External links
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