Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa: Difference between revisions
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Vedic City is located approximately two miles north of [[Fairfield, Iowa]], the home of[[Maharishi University of Management]]. |
Vedic City is located approximately two miles north of [[Fairfield, Iowa]], the home of [[Maharishi University of Management]]. |
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===ZIP codes=== |
===ZIP codes=== |
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Revision as of 21:08, 31 May 2007
Vedic City, or Maharishi Vedic City, is located in Jefferson County, Iowa. The total population, currently about 200, is expected by its planners to reach 1,200 by the year 2010[1]. Vedic City is Iowa's newest city and follows Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's views on architectural design that form part of his Maharishi Vedic Science, the foundation of Transcendental Meditation.
Geography
Vedic City is located approximately two miles north of Fairfield, Iowa, the home of Maharishi University of Management.
ZIP codes
All addresses in Vedic City fall under the 52556 ZIP code.
History
The idea for Vedic City, a centralized location to practice Transcendental Meditation, was conceived in 1991 by Chris Johnson, a real estate developer from San Francisco.[1] This idea evolved into a working municipality centered on the principles and teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, including his views on architectural design. These views, part of Maharishi Vedic Science, are claimed by Maharishi to promote happiness and energy, and include having a gold kalash on the roof of each building and having all structures face to the east.
Johnson and a dozen other followers of Maharishi purchased 50 farms totaling 3000 acres, some 1200 of which was designated for the town itself.[1] They laid out development in 10 circles ringing about one square mile, and paved roads, installed utilities from sewage to internet, and constructed buildings including two hotels, houses, office buildings, and an observatory to aid in astrological decisions.[1] Eventually a double golden dome in the center of the layout will serve as a venue for yogic flying, similar to a facility already in use at the nearby university.[1] Financial and infrastructure needs led Vedic City to seek formal approval as a city from the state, and after petitioning the Iowa City Development Board and holding a referendum[1], it was incorporated as Iowa's newest city on July 21, 2001—the first in Iowa since 1982. The group expects to have a population of over 1000 by 2010, chiefly from meditators already living in Fairfield.[1]
Practitioners insist that they are not a religious group, and some say that meditation enhances their Christian religious practice[2], but the underlying ideas of the practice were ruled a religion for purposes of the Establishment Clause by the US Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Malnak v. Yogi.[3]
Sanskrit has been named the city's "ideal language," although other languages are used. In November 2001, the city's name was expanded to Maharishi Vedic City. In November 2002, the city council passed an ordinance banning the sale of non-organic food. As of 2003, the city began offering tours to the public, including the opening of many Fairfield businesses by practitioners.[2] The city council voted to ban the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers within the city limits in April 2005, becoming the first all-organic city in the country.
Government
Vedic City is administered by a five-person city council and a mayor. Few laws or ordinances exist, citing natural law as the governing principle of the city. The current mayor is Dr. Bob Wynne.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Jennifer 8 Lee (April 17, 2001). "In Many Ways, a New Iowa Town Looks to East". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) Reprinted at the [[Rick Ross (consultant)|]] website. - ^ a b Ellen Heath (August 17 2003). "Vedic City opens its doors for tours". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2007-03-05.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Malnak v. Yogi, 592 F.2d 197, 203 (3rd Cir., 1979)
External links
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