Dylan said, “For the first time in my life, I feel fulfilled by my education and the knowledge I am learning.”

Pursuing enlightened leadership
by Maharishi International University, Fairfield, Iowa, USA, Achievements
14 May 2022

Maharishi International University (MIU) student Dylan MacDonald was working on a banana farm in Australia when he learned the Transcendental Meditation technique. Now he is one of four recipients of the new Enlightened Leadership Program scholarship.

Dylan grew up in the United States, had a troubled youth, and lacked direction. But then he began reading religious texts and practicing meditation. The more he learned, the more he wanted to follow a spiritual path.

Looking for a fresh start, he moved to Australia. He had heard about the TM technique before, and when he learned it two years ago he knew he had arrived at the end of his quest. “I realized that I wanted to teach TM and help others,” he said.

Soon he changed jobs and started working with the disabled and the elderly. He spent all of his free time volunteering for the Australian TM organization, helping to organize courses and retreats.

Last summer he heard about the Enlightened Leadership Program at MIU. Although higher education was not on his mind, he felt compelled to pursue it. He applied, got accepted, and a few weeks later arrived on campus.

“It’s been amazing,” he said. “For the first time in my life, I feel fulfilled by my education and the knowledge I am learning.” Dylan in majoring in a new track, Enlightened Leadership, which aims to train students for leadership roles in the TM organization by offering courses in Maharishi Vedic Science, management, and business.

Last winter Dylan also completed the TM-Sidhi program and has enjoyed attending the group practice in the Golden Domes. In his free time Dylan studies Mandarin and wants to be able to teach the TM technique in both English and Mandarin.

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