Maharishi International UniversityReviews of miu.edu

Wow.. how bout a levelheaded review from a nontraditional student with some perspective.. Eh? I am what would be called a Townie here. That means I grew up in Fairfield, but wasn't part of the MIU community, so I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. And this place has it all! So depending on your intentions you can have a wide range of experiences here. The computer programming world and the meditation/ayurvedic world almost exist independently. So if you are coming for computers and expect a party school.. you are going to be disappointed! But if you are looking for a small community where you can learn some of the healing arts, and even a stellar Art program itself.. I dont think you will find an experience like this at any other campus. MIU is the definition of unique. It has its flaws for sure, but I truly feel that because of the effort they have made to provide this strange little intimate experience they had to be creative in making that happen. The movement itself has had its corruption scandals over the years, but what places don't? The management seems to be in transition towards getting a new generation of truly inspired individuals in place. You can call it a meditation cult if you want, and if you want to belong to a cult I am sure you can find a group here. But if you are someone like me, who needed a place to come and just heal for a few years, then aside from enrolling yourself into a 4 year rehab, you won't find a place better than this. Mid pandemic my drinking had gotten to an uncomfortable level. I didn't realize at the time, but I was trying to heal from an abusive custody battle that spanned 15 years. I just knew I had to get help. And directly after my 30 days in rehab I started attending MIU. It wasn't where I intended to go, but a good life isn't about what you want.. It's about what you need. And what I needed was physical and spiritual healing. And 2 sober years later I am sitting here in the best mental, physical and spiritual shape of my 47 years. No it isn't all attributed to the school and its teachings. But because of their loose grip on what your spiritual path “should be” they support you and whatever higher power you follow to find a welcome place here. I look at MIU as a huge antenna that calls to all the quirky seekers of the world. It is focused enough in its intention to gather us all, but relaxed enough to let you carve out your own kind of experience. You won't find heavy handed woke ideology running your curriculum either, but if that is important to you then you can find a community for that as well. It is difficult to describe this wonderfully weird place. But this Townie is so very grateful that it exists. I am a better man for it.

If you want to build meditation as your daily habit and enjoy nature far far away from the city life.... This place is gold for your personal development.

It is very good that we are returning to a more practical approach to MIU as an educational system. MIU must maintain the integrity of "secular" knowledge and avoid trying to saturate a student's mind with what they may perceive as dogma. They will get the benefit of Maharishi's knowledge to the extent they want to accept it into their lives. But when students start feeling indoctrinated, many will turn off and move in another direction. I have seen this first hand. David Gottsch, class of 1980.

It is incredibly empowering and inspiring to live in a community with a common vision of human potential, learning and practicing together with open hearts. Many of my closest connections were formed at MIU. That said, in such an environment, one must also be vigilant not to slip into dogma and self-certainty. I loved my time at MIU and got an outstanding education, in both the objective and subjective domains.

One of the few universities that is genuinely focused on enhancing the lives of its students, not placing them on an academic achievement treadmill. A lively and attentive teaching staff, engaging extracurriculars, a wonderful campus atmosphere, and endless opportunities to build meaningful personal connections. Attending MIU was a transformative experience for me both personally and professionally.

Comparing my personal experience in meditation with the study of English Literature, and later Education, at MIU, resulted in knowledge that I fully own. It built a concept map within me. I can see how parts fit into the whole, and feel a depth of understanding on many subjects. I am completely satisfied with the quality of my education. I was at times disappointed with administrative fairness.

MIU is a resource of deeply profound knowledge for life, health and happiness in a very supportive environment.

An opportunity like no other. With all the appreciation I had going into it, I still look back on it as one of the most blissful and beneficial experiences of my life so far.