We are all Seekers here

I do not stand out amongst the crowd.  I am the crowd. My Light shines - it shines cohesively with the everyone.   We all talk about our feelings and thoughts (even the guys) and discuss amongst ourselves without judgement.  People are authentic here...REAL...grounded in their Higher Self...yet exploring and growing towards "more."  It's really beautiful!  

To quote Louise L. Hay:


"I am unique, and so is everyone else. We are all one in Spirit. Yet, our faces and bodies are quite different and so are our personalities. We are unique and different expressions of the one Life. There has never been anyone like me before, and I rejoice in my uniqueness. I am neither too much nor too little, and I do not have to prove myself to anyone. I choose to cherish and love myself as the Divine, magnificent expression of Life that I am. Being me is an exhilarating adventure! I follow my inner star, and sparkle and shine in my own unique way. I love life, and I love me!"

Here is a video of one of the Welcome Week activities, the Ice Cream Social.  

Check it out! You might just see me...

I'm really loving Fairfield.  It has a quaint appeal that cannot be reputed.  It's a small town with a downtown square, a few banks, two tattoo shops, and four coffee shops.  Not to mention, there are some great thrift stores in town!!!  Lucky Day, Goodwill, and Bargain Box.

*WHOO-HOO*

The Beauty Shop is a great place to get your groove on...so if you are a musician and you're touring, make a stop in Fairfield.  Please :)

Cafe Paradiso is another fantastic place for coffee and music.   A friend and I ventured out one Friday night to see the Rosie Burgess Trio.  We both really enjoyed their music and energy! 


My favorite Chai latte comes from Revelations Cafe, which is also a great place to meet up with everyone on a Saturday night for food, books, and conversation!  


There are more than 70 trains that pass through Fairfield every day/night.  It's good to embrace their sounds and attempt to ignore the fact that they are all pulling coal.  So here goes for honoring everything around me, including the fabulous sunset.  

Back to school...
My first block (class) is/was STC (the Science and Technology of Consciousness), as it is for all new undergraduate students.  It helps us understand what "Consciousness-based Education" is all about.  I've truly enjoyed it.  I see and read things from a whole new perspective!  I completed my final project earlier today.  My partner was my friend Maja and we put together a piece I like to call "Poetry in Motion - a woman's perspective."  It was the most fluid and fun project I've ever completed!!!  


Next block, starting October 3rd, I'm taking Higher States of Consciousness.  I believe it will be a good follow-up to STC and places me well on my way for the other Vedic Science classes.


Food here on campus is buffet-style.  The food service is very good for a college cafeteria, and I am really grateful to have prepared food available to me when I want it.  Occasionally, I yearn for something different (about once a week) and splurge somewhere off campus.


I have a work-study job at the Recreation Center.  I work 2-hour shifts, 3 days a week.  I normally work my preferred 5p-7p shift, as it coordinates best for my personal life.  I like having a job here.  I enjoy greeting everyone when they come in!   And it comes easy to me, as I worked at a similar place in my early twenties.  Plus, it provides me a tiny bit of spending money.  


Living in the ladies dorms is usually quite nice; even sharing bathrooms isn't  too bad.  The ladies are normally considerate of the "Quiet hours" which are from 9:15pm to 9:15am, so it's easy to enjoy some down time for study or socializing in my room.  


The general schedule goes something like this:
8:15a    group meditation 
9-10a    breakfast
10-12p  class
12-1p    lunch
1-3:15p      class
3:15-6:30p free time
6:30-8p      dinner
8p-9:15p    social events
9:30p         suggested bed time to enable enough rest for the next day


There is never a moment to be bored around here!  Almost every day and for sure, every weekend, there are events happening.  They are educational, inspirational, and enjoyable.


Our first cultural event of the year was the Ethiopian New Year.  Watch some of the highlights....we had so much fun!  I got my groove back on the dance floor  ;)




There is a wonderful age-range of students.  I consider myself the medium.   The younger students are so lucky to have their college education start here!  And I'm lucky to have the opportunity to complete mine here.  I have met some really beautiful people and look forward to getting to know them all better.  I am comfortable.  I am Home.

I went to visit MUM in Iowa

Last Friday morning I left Austin enroute to Des Moines, Iowa.  Well... my final destination was Fairfield, Iowa in order to visit the campus of MUM, otherwise known as Maharishi University of Management. 

How did I find this place you ask? 
About 18 to 24 months ago I was doing a little internet search for sustainable communities and/or EcoVillages.....this lead me to the University somehow.  At that point in time, I wasn’t ready to consider the idea of going back to school - so I dismissed it, even though I thought it was an astounding place to receive an education!  I left it to “the others” and even suggested it to a few people I knew. 

Last summer, MUM found it’s way into my world again.  I started to really look at this time, for myself.  As I discovered the sustainable vegetarian community/campus, and realized subjects were taught in one-month blocks...my fears of being a student again dissipated.   I decided to apply and left the rest to the Universe.

On December 23rd, 2010 I received a call that I had been accepted for the Fall 2011 semester - which led me to the current Visitor’s Weekend.  I’m here now to make sure that it’s everything it claims to be, get the Vibe of the place, and to get acquainted with staff & students....

FRIDAY:  Six of us who flew into Des Monies from LA, Anaheim, Florida, and Austin (myself) were picked up and driven 2.5 hours to the campus.  We were escorted to our rooms at the Visitor’s Dorm, then taken to the Student Center for dinner (an all organic vegetarian meal).  Some Vegan foods were even offered! 
After dinner, the 30 visitors introduced ourselves to each other and the staff, then shown a presentation of the Winter & Summer Base Camp trips that are included in the 1st year student curriculum.  These 3-4 day trips look like great fun and were created to get people out of the campus environment, out into Nature, and to help students bond with one another.  They are divided into two trips each season, one for males and one for females.  A way to try new things, like snow-skiing, and connect with my inner-child.  The trips are definitely something I look forward to! 
Another opportunity for students is what’s called “Rotating University.”  It’s where students can take one Block and travel on group trips all over the globe, putting what we learn into action.  In March, they are going to Peru!  I would love to go on that one....but other trips are on the horizon and I’m sure I’ll take the trips as often as I can  =)

 SATURDAY:  First things first!  An local organic vegetarian breakfast please...
After our bellies were filled, we took tours of the Sustainable Living department along with a peak into the new Sustainable (off the grid) Living Center that should open in the Fall, then heard presentations from the Business and Vedic Science departments. 

It was then time for lunch, where I sat with one of the Vedic Science professors and two students - originally from Barcelona, Spain (whoa!).  Everyone here has such great energy and smile frequently.  They are happy! This seems to scare a number of the visitors, as we aren’t used to, as a society, to be around a multitude of joyful people at one time.  It doesn’t scare me; I actually long to be surrounded by positive and healthy beings.
Later, it was three more brief presentations on Financial Aid, the TM technique, and Conscious-Based Education.  While listening, my worries and stress faded away, my shoulders relaxed and I felt that I am exactly where I should be.  This is where I belong for more adult education!  It's about being a whole, balanced, heart-open individual.  This is about learning tools that contribute to world peace.  This is about BEING...not Doing.  I absolutely love this place! After dinner, we were given the opportunity to attend the Grand Piano Gala Concert at the local Fairfield Arts Center.  It was a fantastic and enjoyable treat! 

SUNDAY:  After breakfast in the Visitor Dorm, we heard some presentations on "Student Life," "What students gain from MUM,"  and were involved in a student panel discussion for 90 minutes.  Mayor Malloy welcomed us to Fairfield during our lunch break, then we headed over to one of the Golden Domes for a tour.  There was a great sense of Peace inside - I could stay there forever!

 
During our free time, I was able to tour around the area with a couple other ladies.  We saw Vedic City, the EcoVillage, and a little bit of Fairfield.  One market in town is called Everybody's whole foods, although it's frequently confused with The Whole Foods - it's not quite the same  ;)

Global Peace Headquarters in Vedic City

house in Eco Village

Fairfield Court House

Later that evening, we had a Pizza party in the Visitor Dorm. There are many musicians and artists from all over the globe on campus and the Unity is a beautiful thing to experience.  They shared their music with us and we had a blast!!!

I had a wonderful weekend and look forward to getting there for the Fall semester....
On the way home, I kept feeling like I had left something behind - guess I did  ;)


See more pictures of my weekend here:
MUM Visitor Weekend 

Two other places I've considered are Noropa University in Boulder, CO and Evergreen College in Olympia, Washington...but neither of them hold my heart like MUM does!