Describe yourself
I'm pretty lively! I love talking to people and sharing experiences. I love to explore new places – being in totally different surroundings with new people. But I'll always come back to my family and old friends, they're really important to me.
On growing up in a TM family* in a perfect vastu home
I couldn't imagine a better start in life! My family are wonderful and support me in every way. I feel incredibly lucky to have been surrounded by such fundamental knowledge, and actually experiencing it by living in an ideal vastu, from such a young age.
* All of Bonnie’s family practise Transcendental Meditation (TM) or the equivalent technique for young children.
On Maharishi School
Most people can't wait to finish school, but I honestly didn't want to leave! The teachers were great, I had so much respect for them, and that really motivated me to do well. Also, as my understanding and experience of Maharishi Science of Creative Intelligence (SCI) became deeper and more expanded, I gained a deeper appreciation of every other subject. I learned to see wholeness, consciousness, the most basic value of my own life, at the basis of everything I study. The relationship between classmates was wonderful as well; I think we'll all value the experience of Maharishi School for the rest of our lives.
On Maharishi University of Management (MUM)
I'm so glad the Maharishi School wasn't the end of my consciousness-based education. In many ways MUM shares the same qualities as the school did. It's lovely for the students to share a mutual understanding of the wholeness of life, and a deep respect for Maharishi's knowledge. But MUM is so much bigger – I was worried it would be completely unfamiliar and foreign to me. Not so! Everyone was so warm and welcoming. Students and staff go out of their way to make you feel 100% happy and at home – I've never been in such a friendly environment! It's beautiful! It's also lovely to be one of such a diverse group of people. We have students of all ages, from all over the world, all eager to share their insights and equally excited to learn from your’s!
On life in the meditating community of Fairfield, Iowa
For a small town, I've never seen so many cafés and restaurants; you're spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. There are often events going on in the town square. The week before I left, there was Salsa dancing – I think we formed Fairfield's longest ever Conga line! Every month there's an event called 'Art Walk', where artists display their work in the many cafés around town and everyone has the opportunity to walk around the square, see the beautiful artwork, eat cookies, listen to live music, get their face painted or whatever! It's a lot of fun! The university itself also arranges lots of events to keep us students entertained. There have been several dance parties in the student café since I arrived, and fun days out. I also took a trip out to Radiance Dairy, a local organic farm where we get our milk from. It’s owned by meditators – they play 24-hour Gandharva music in the cow shed to the beautiful Jersey herd. Their ice-cream is the best!
On friendship…
Well, in this kind of environment it's not difficult to make friends! From the moment I arrived it felt like everybody was my friend! My birthday was on the 18th of January, six days after I arrived. I remember feeling just a little nervous that I’d be celebrating it alone. Anyway, I thought I’d managed to arrange a quiet meal with two girls I'd met – twenty people turned up! Some brought presents – and I didn't even know them! I felt so lucky. I realised then just how special a place MUM is to be.
…And hobbies
I've attempted soccer – the standard here is high, there are lots of talented boys. I enjoy swimming in the reservoirs; I love the water, and it's been so hot!
At the weekend
At MUM we have classes six days a week. This means…a one-day weekend! It's a slight draw-back, but I manage to have lots of fun anyway! There's a cinema and a bowling alley in town, and sometimes I go to Iowa City to do some shopping. There are always plenty of things going on; the problem is finding the time to do them!
On life after MUM
I think I'll choose the Sustainable Living Major, so I expect this will be the way forward when I graduate. I'd love to be involved in building green communities – completely off-the-grid; I think this is what the world really needs. My ideal job would be to help build Maharishi Sthapatya Veda homes, buildings and communities, and really make the world a better place.
Bonnie Mercer was speaking to our website reporter, William Gilmour.
For more information on courses available at Maharishi University of Management, click here. |
