December 1999

Books and Buildings
by Rolf Erickson

For a late October day, the sun was remarkably bright and warm. Nearly 150 people in their best suits and finest dresses walked around a large white mansion, talking happily, laughing and ringing bells.

Circling the building three times, we admired its harmonious design and dignified appearance. Yet it was something deeper, a growing sense of profound inner silence, even as we walked, that confirmed the true significance of this structure and the day.

Forty years ago, while meeting with some of the first Meditators in North America, Maharishi shared the formula to perpetuate the practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique. "Books and buildings," he said. "Give me buildings; I’ll give you books." He then began The Science of Being and Art of Living, followed by a translation and commentary on the Bhagavad Gita.

But Maharishi didn’t stop there. During the past four decades, he has showered the world with knowledge— dozens of books, hundreds of courses, thousands of hours of videotapes— safeguarding his Vedic wisdom for generations to come.

Maharishi has revealed the fine fabrics of Veda. He has revived one branch of Vedic Literature after another, drawing out remarkably practical technologies for gaining fulfillment in life: Maharishi Yoga, Maharishi Sthapatya Veda, Maharishi Gandharva Veda, Maharishi Jyotish, Maharishi Yagya, Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health.

What building could possibly provide a suitable home for such a wealth of Vedic knowledge? Only a Maharishi Vedic Center, constructed according to the principles of Vastu Vidya, the ancient Vedic Science of design.

Now, on October 28, 1999, we had gathered in Bethesda, Maryland to inaugurate the first of 435 Maharishi Vedic Centers in the United States. At the auspicious time of 12:36 p.m., Dr. Neil Paterson, Governor General of the Age of Enlightenment for North America, stepped across the threshold to officially open the new Maharishi Vedic Center. He was closely followed by other special guests from around the country and local supporters of the Center.

As we settled into the lecture hall to begin the inaugural ceremonies, the celebration was connected by teleconference to Maharishi in Vlodrop, Holland. Maharishi encouraged everyone to "thank the family and celebrate the inauguration on an international basis. Ask them all to express their joy on this occasion."

Maharishi was speaking about the Abramson Family: Jeffery and Rona Abramson, and especially Jeffrey’s father, Mr. Albert Abramson. Construction of the Maharishi Vedic Center in Bethesda was financed completely by donations, and the Abramson Family provided a major grant which covered more than 70 percent of the project’s cost. This contribution was joined by many more from 90 other families in Maryland and around the country.

We Have a Precious Gift
Master of Ceremonies Bob LoPinto, President of the Board of Directors for the Maharishi Vedic Center, welcomed everyone to the celebration. His opening remarks included this resounding proclamation. "By constructing this building," he said, "we have made a statement for this and future generations. We have committed ourselves to the nourishment of our neighborhood, our community, our region and the world, through the delivery of Maharishi’s knowledge.

"We are saying by this act that we are here, and we’ll always be here to serve and to support the most fundamental and noble aspirations of people every-where.

"And how will we do this? Very easily. By enabling people to find, in the settled state of their own mind—and this is the profound beauty of it—infinite peace, infinite freedom, all of Nature’s resources, total Natural Law, Total Knowledge, which by its definition cannot only eliminate ignorance and consequent suffering and disease, but take us far beyond to a life lived as nothing short of Heaven on Earth.

"We are here at a glorious time on earth. We have a precious gift, and now have given it a home in our community. I invite all of us therefore, to mark this day not as a completion, but as a beginning. A start of a new time in our region, where we can begin to share this knowledge from a dignified home, one which we can be proud of, one which reflects, and in fact embodies, the bliss-producing effects of Maharishi Vedic Science. 

"As we move forward from today, I look forward to working together with everyone to fulfill this mission we have started, as we make our Maharishi Vedic Center a phenomenal success. And then as we go on to build seven more in Maryland and 434 more throughout the United States."

Leading the Way
Dr. Bevan Morris, Chairman of the Council of Supreme Intelligence of Maharishi Global Administration through Natural Law, then offered his congratulations by teleconference from Holland. "Maharishi has been hearing from all sides of the very kind support of Jeffrey’s father, Mr. Abramson, for the creation of the Maharishi Vedic Center in Bethesda Maryland, which we are joyously celebrating today. 

"By doing this, Mr. Abramson has blessed the health of the most powerful city of the world. And now Washington, because of this inauguration today of the Maharishi Vedic Center, will be a great health center of the world. The first Maharishi Vedic Center for the United States is in the capital city of the most creative country of the world.

"Washington is the world’s capital of a system of government which is today experiencing failure, because of the conflict and paralysis and the violence of its policies. And why is that governmental system failing? It’s because, Maharishi says, of the weakness of education.

"Bad education makes bad people. And bad education means, that education which only partially develops the brain, and leaves functional holes in the brains of every human being. This leads to violations of Natural Law, violent behaviors and sickness, and all other problems. It comes from that weakness of education.

"So the Maharishi Vedic Center in Bethesda is leading the way in the whole nation. The first such Center to offer this Total Knowledge of Natural Law for total brain development for every human being to enjoy the perfection in their own life."

This Building of Dreams
Jeffrey and Rona Abramson were involved in every aspect of the project. Jeffrey expressed heartfelt appreciation to his family and all those who contributed to the project. He also shared his vision of the far-reaching influence of the new building. "When Maharishi started his Spiritual Regeneration Movement in 1957, he said his movement would grow through ‘books and buildings.’ Now, a dream of almost a half a century has come true for Washington, D.C. 

"This building, the first Maharishi Vedic Center, has come to heal, to rekindle, and to restore all traditions. It is our gift so our world will flourish, for to give what is in one’s heart is to give for all future generations.

"I thank each and every one of you, and I thank my family for their support and vision to build this magnificent building. This is a gift of a jewel from the citizens of Washington to inspire the whole world. This building of dreams has become a building of peace, of health, and of our future.

"We have built the building as a concrete symbol of what Maharishi is giving to America and the world. It is a symbol of his global effort to eradicate poverty, illness, and dissension among nations. It is the expression of our collective prayers and hearts that resonates and underlies our very being. This building stands as a visible expression of this grand and divine knowledge to end all suffering in our world.

"Philanthropy is the expression of the selfless Self. We have built this building to give the gift back that has so deeply blessed our lives. The Maharishi Vedic Centers will create a new history for our world in the next millennium. Peace of mind, peace among people, and peace among nations."

A Beacon Light of Peace
Dr. Neil Paterson, member of the Council of Supreme Intelligence of Maharishi Global Administration through Natural Law, spoke of the significance of the name of the new Center. "The high purpose and role of this structure is enshrined in its name: Maharishi Vedic Center. The word ‘Vedic’ pertains to Veda, and Veda means knowledge—Total Knowledge. The Vedas, we know, are hailed throughout the world as the oldest knowledge of mankind.

"The first name of the Center is Maharishi. Rishi means seer of Veda, the seer of Total Knowledge, seer of the truth. And a Maharishi is one who can awaken the Veda, awaken the truth, awaken Total Knowledge in others. "This is the significance of the name and the grand purpose of this structure. Everyone who enters the doors of this Center, will leave a seer of the Veda, a seer of the truth, a knower of Total Knowledge.

"This Center is dedicated to bestowing this reality on all those who pass through its doors, and to unfold that perfection of wisdom that lies within everyone. In this way, opening of the doors of this Maharishi Vedic Center is opening the door to perfection in life for everyone. This is what the Center will offer; nothing less than perfection of life for all those who pass through its doors.

"More than 40 years ago, when Maharishi came out of the Himalayas to bring the world this Vedic wisdom of life, to spiritually regenerate the world and eliminate suffering on earth, he was hailed as the ‘Beacon Light of the Himalayas.’ Today this Maharishi Vedic Center is the beacon light of happiness, peace and enlightenment for the whole population of Washington, DC, the capital of the most creative country of the world."

The Seat of Nature's Government
The Time Zone Administrators for the Eastern United States, Dr. Kurt and Dr. Christy Kleinschnitz, who made Washington, DC their home for many years, expressed support and good wishes from Holland. "Washington, DC is the seat of our nation’s government. There are so many buildings in Washington devoted to all the details of national administration. This new Maharishi Vedic Center in Bethesda is now the seat of Nature’s government for Washington, DC.

"With this wonderful new home of Natural Law for Maharishi’s Vedic knowledge, we find a new liveliness of Natural Law vibrating in the hearts of all those who live and work in Washington, and we’ll find a new inspiration in the leaders of our nation for living fullness and giving fullness of life for everyone in our nation, and for the whole of the world."

A Job Well Done
Mr. Thomas Headley, President of Maharishi Global Administration through Natural Law for the United States, congratulated the many donors and offered a practical overview of the Center’s function and goals. "On behalf of all the trustees of Maharishi Global Administration through Natural Law," he said, "we would like to congratulate you here in the Bethesda community for being Number One! What has made the construction of this Maharishi Vedic Center particularly successful and quick is the local energy, consciousness and financial resources that you have contributed on all levels."

Mr. Headley outlined the legal, administrative and financial structure for the Bethesda Maharishi Vedic Center, and then concluded, "On behalf of all the international trustees and the national trustees, I wish to say that we admire you, we thank you, and we congratulate you for a job well done. And again we thank our beloved Maharishi for all that he has given us." As the celebration came to a close, Maharishi said, "Wish perfect health and more of life to everyone who has created this Vedic Center in the Capital of the most creative country of the world. All glory to Guru Dev. Jai Guru Dev."

Looking around the room, the faces of those who had worked to build the Maharishi Vedic Center shone with fulfillment. Today they had offered this building to Maharishi, as an expression of their love and appreciation for so many years of knowledge.

Years pass and the knowledge flows. Books and buildings. It’s time for us to finish this work, and uphold our side of a bargain made so long ago.

Visit the Bethesda Maharishi Vedic Center Web site at: www.mvc-bethesda.org 

Maharishi Vedic Center Project Update
The goal of the project is to build 435 Maharishi Vedic Centers in the United States and 15 Maharishi Vedic Centers in Canada. Here are reports from several locations:

Calistoga, California: Bruce Kendall is preparing to build an in-residence facility for Maharishi Vedic Approach to Health programs. He has owned and operated a spa in Calistoga for many years.

Los Angeles, California: A prominent developer has been inspired to participate in building five Maharishi Vedic Centers in the Los Angeles area.

West Los Angeles, California: A highly visible building site is under contract for purchase for a Maharishi Vedic Center.

Gainesville, Florid: A developer is moving ahead to build a Maharishi Vedic Center.

Lexington, Kentucky: Howard and Mickey Settle will begin construction on their Maharishi Vedic Center in the spring. They have secured 11 acres in a development project organized by the University of Kentucky.

Columbus, Ohio: A developer will build a Maharishi Vedic Center in Easton, an upscale planned community.

United States: Municipal bond financing of $17 million is now available to pay for the construction of seven to eight Maharishi Vedic Centers across the country.

For more information on the Maharishi Vedic Center project, call the National MVC Project Office and speak with Rick Larson or Robby Farrugia at 828-268-0886; send a fax to 828-268-0887; or an e-mail to RCranson@pobox.com.

Rolf Erickson is editor of Enlightenment magazine.