Younes Kouider—The Effortless Artistic Quest

Younes Kouider—The Effortless Artistic Quest

by | May 22, 2018 | Achievements, Excluded from search

Younes smelling neroli flowers in Algeria before collecting them for distillation

Preparing his model for the runway to present his collection at the 2014 EcoJam fashion show in Fairfield

Working on his portfolio at the MUM art studio

 

Playing music with his brother Amine and Karen Aoki, both MUM faculty

MUM student Younes Kouider has always been an artist. Taking after his father, who illustrated children’s books, Younes started making art as a young child. He also has been playing music most of his life. His family practices the Transcendental Meditation® technique, so Younes came to MUM at 18, following his older brother Amine.

When he first enrolled at MUM in 2010, Younes pursued a BFA and graduated in 2014. Then he returned home to Algeria to manage the family’s essential oil manufacturing business while his parents worked in Tunisia. For three years, Younes learned about botanicals and oil distillation and even introduced soap-making to the business.

In 2017 Younes learned about MUM’s new MA in studio artprogram, which allows students to focus on artistic exploration and create a substantial body of quality work. When his parents returned to Algeria to take over the business, Younes was able to come back to MUM in February, 2018.

“I love this school so much,” said Younes. “There is something magical about it. And the experience of Transcendental Meditation helps so much in the studio. When you have deep meditations in the morning and in the afternoon, your artistic quest is so much easier. Your emotions are settled, your senses become more refined, and you know exactly what to do. It’s effortless.”

Younes is grateful for his art teachers who are guiding him in creating a consistent portfolio, which he can use to apply for an MFA program. In his free time, he enjoys playing music with his brother Amine and other musicians.

Younes has also been involved with Enlightened Leadership International, the next generation of leaders to support the TM organization, and he hopes to participate in charitable work on behalf of the organization.

ChangeMakers Conference Inspires New Wave of Student Engagement

ChangeMakers Conference Inspires New Wave of Student Engagement

by | May 7, 2018 | Achievements

Members of the MUM Student Government with Bob Roth and Michael Sternfeld of the David Lynch Foundation and Dr. Jeffrey Abramson chairman of the MUM Board of Trustees

 

Dalby Hall filled with over 300 students

 

Keynote speaker Father Mejia on stage (center) with his translator (left) and Bob Roth (right), David Lynch Foundation CEO

 

Guest speakers Daron Murphy, Nakisha Hobbs, Laura Dawn, Barry “Ra” Frye, Carmen Terrones, and Dusty Baxley
(photos by Werner Elmker)

 

MUM President Dr. John Hagelin gave the closing remarks

Last month MUM held the inaugural conference of ChangeMakers: Disruptors Transforming the World for Good. Hosted by MUM, the David Lynch Foundation, and the Abramson Center for Peace, the event was attended by 600 people, at least half of them students, who completely filled Dalby Hall.

MUM Student Government took a leading role in helping event producer Michael Sternfeld make the event more student-centered. They also launched ChangeMaking Month—a series of workshops, art displays, films, and an open mic. The series included a four-part workshop by Dylene Cymraes, an MUM student who is an experienced facilitator and the author of multiple books.

“The ChangeMakers Committee decided that weekly workshops directed toward helping students find their passion, mission, and action steps would help raise awareness of the big event weekend.” said Cris Evergreen, Student Body president. “We wanted to let students know that Student Government supports them in being the changemakers they want to be.”

In addition to listening to speakers like Father Gabriel Mejia, David Lynch, and Laura Dawn, students had the chance to interact with the guests during an afternoon round robin discussion. One of the highlights of the conference was David Lynch’s Skype call, which took the form of a Q&A session allowing students to ask him about exploring creativity and pursuing passion.

According to Karen Ballinger, Student Body vice president, students were inspired by the event, which immediately boosted participation in student activities and clubs, including the formation of new clubs and organizations such as the Growth of Consciousness Student Organization. One student, Corine Brooks, became so inspired by guest speaker Barry “Ra” Frye that she organized a successful follow-up visit for him and his youth group, Chicago Pride ROC.

Student Government is working with DLF on planning the next biannual event and hopes to contribute activities that will further increase active student engagement as well as showcase changemaking students.

Learn more about the speakers and watch the replay of the conference here.

Leslee Goldstein Publishes Study on Empowering Disadvantaged Mothers in Uganda

Leslee Goldstein Publishes Study on Empowering Disadvantaged Mothers in Uganda

by | Apr 25, 2018 | Achievements

MUM alumna Leslee Goldstein, PhD

 

With her Ugandan research team: Brenda Nakalembe, founder and executive director of United Women’s Platform for Empowerment and Development (UWOPED); Haawa Najjuma, UWOPED co-director; Leslee Goldstein; Alena Goldstein (MUM alumna 2015); Judith Nassali, national director of AWAGO

 

Mothers practicing the TM technique

 

Ugandan mothers serving as research subjects

MUM alumna Leslee Goldstein, PhD just had her study published in Health Care for Women International on how the Transcendental Meditation® technique can empower single, disadvantaged mothers in Uganda.

Dr. Goldstein decided to focus her Maharishi Vedic ScienceSMdoctoral study on women in Africa for two reasons. She had always enjoyed working with women, and there had been no studies done on this population.

Within 48 hours of her decision, she heard about the need for a researcher in Uganda to conduct a study on 81 women. Two months later she was in Uganda working with the African Women and Girls Organization for Total Knowledge (AWAGO).

Of the 81 women, 41 learned the TM® technique, and the rest served as the control group. After practicing the TM technique twice a day for three months, the study participants improved their ability to cope with difficult life challenges. Although Dr. Goldstein graduated in 2014, her study didn’t end. She and her team followed up with additional questionnaires after eight months and then again in three years.

The long-term results indicated that the women enjoyed improved health, better relationships with others, and increased employment rates. “That’s what has made the study so powerful, that the participants were still regular with their TM practice and getting benefits,” said Dr. Goldstein.

Dr. Goldstein is now on the advisory board of AWAGO and coordinates special projects. Her current focus is to help implement a community business model, possibly organic agriculture, so the women could live together peacefully and generate income to take care of their children.

Dr. Goldstein was a member of the graduating class of MIU in 1977 and since then has earned two master’s degrees and a PhD from MUM. She has also worked in various positions at MUM. She hopes to conduct further research on the effect of the TM technique on women. “I have real affinity towards working with women, especially in Africa,” she said. “I feel a kindred connection with these women and the culture.”

Co-authors of the study were Drs. Sanford Nidich, Rachel Goodman, and David Goodman. This research was supported by funding from the Rona and Jeffrey Abramson Foundation, and Dr. Rick and Jean Mofsen.

Watch a short video about Leslee’s research here.

Nicole Winning—Finding Joy in Life

Nicole Winning—Finding Joy in Life

by | Apr 17, 2018 | Alumni Profiles

MUM alumna Nicole Winning

 

Working at the Bethesda TM Center in 2014

 

With fellow students at a TM retreat on the Mother Divine campus

 

Doing performance art at her solo show called “Un Govern Able Spaces” in Gallery 244 at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

MUM alumna Nicole Winning is currently pursuing an MFA degree at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and exhibiting her art around the country. During the past year, her work has been included in 20 shows in 12 states, including two solo exhibits.

Nicole’s days are jam-packed with working in the art studio and pursuing two part-time jobs. Nevertheless, she always finds time to practice the Transcendental Meditation® and TM-Sidhi® programs twice a day, which keep her recharged. “My daily TM practice is the only way I feel I can accomplish as much as I do without burning out,” she says.

Nicole earned her undergraduate degree in art from the University of Mary Washington in her hometown of Fredericksburg, Virginia. She is also a certified Hatha Yoga teacher, having taught yoga at retreat centers in the U.S. and abroad.

She learned the Transcendental Meditation® technique in 2014 and soon after was offered a job as administrator of the Transcendental Meditation Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Listening to the variety of guest speakers coming to the Center from Fairfield, Nicole became increasingly interested in Yogic Flying® and Maharishi Vedic ScienceSM, and nine months later she enrolled at MUM.

During her two years at MUM, Nicole completed the MA in Maharishi Vedic Science program, learned the TM-Sidhi technique, participated in monthly weekend TM retreats, and joined the Invincible America program for three months.

“I have found the most fulfillment at MUM,” said Nicole. “Through these practices, I gained the ability to have access to inner peace and stability and finer levels of awareness of my emotions and my thoughts. I continually see manifestations of greater joy in my life as well.”

After completing her MFA degree, Nicole hopes to pursue a holistic-based career and lifestyle, where the practice of the TM technique, her artistic expression, and bodywork practices seamlessly integrate.

Hemanth Kumar Reddy Mukka—From Agrochemicals to Organic Farming

Hemanth Kumar Reddy Mukka—From Agrochemicals to Organic Farming

by | Apr 12, 2018 | Achievements

MUM student Hemanth Kumar Reddy Mukka

 

With fellow students in the regenerative organic agriculture course

 

In the MUM student greenhouse with Farm Managers Kristofor Johnson and Steve McLaskey (left) and fellow students

 

Studying soil samples in a soil science class

Hemanth Kumar Reddy Mukka worked in the agrochemical industry in India for seven years, selling fertilizers and pesticides to farmers. Now he is a student in MUM’s Regenerative Organic Agriculture Certificate Program. When asked about what inspired him to give up his job and come halfway around the world to study organic agriculture, he said:

“Every time I talked to farmers, they just worried about pests and sprayed what we gave them without knowing about its effect on the environment. They needed to survive and they didn’t have a choice. I didn’t have any alternatives to offer them.”

Hemanth earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and an MBA and pursued a job in agriculture because he wanted to help farmers. But he realized it was time to offer more sustainable solutions. “We need to protect our environment, our soil, and our living organisms,” he said. “If conventional farming continues the way it’s going, we may not have any resources left for the next generation.”

Hemanth was able to enroll at MUM with the help of a full scholarship from the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation, established by Mr. and Mrs. Shibulal. Mr. S.D. Shibulal is one of the co-founders of the global IT giant Infosys. The Foundation offers assistance for higher education and organic farming and collaborates with the Regenerative Organic Agriculture Program (ROAP) at MUM by offering ten full scholarships to economically challenged students from India.

Now that he is learning about biological pest control and soil regeneration, Hemanth feels he is gaining the knowledge and skills necessary for starting his own organic farm when he returns to India.

“Hemanth is an intelligent student performing well in the class,” said Professor Appachanda Thimmaiah, head of ROAP. “He is keen on understanding regenerative organic agriculture concepts and practices. The nine-month certificate course will be a great learning experience for him to inspire the conventional farmers in India to transition into regenerative farming practices.”

Hemanth enjoys the hands-on, practical nature of the program and the benefits of the Transcendental Meditation®technique. “After practicing for a month, I already have more energy and focus,” he said. “Transcendental Meditation is very good for staying effective the whole day.”

Even though starting an organic farm is challenging, the increasing trends and growing government support towards sustainable agriculture in India keep Hemanth optimistic. “It’s not about the money,” he says, “it’s about saving the planet.”