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Enter the gates at Heavenly Mountain near Boone, North Carolina, and it's clear you enter another world. It's not just the beauty of the densely forested slopes, the profusion of rhododendron in bloom, the rocky cliffs and cascading streams. There's something more: a feeling in the air&emdash;an intangible, yet very real sweetness, softness, and silence... Somehow nature seems more rich and beautiful here, the rolling ridges more lush, the vegetation more vibrant, than in the surrounding countryside.
"It's a magical place," says Richard Bialosky, an architect, who with his wife, Jane, recently moved to Heavenly Mountain Resort from Santa Barbara, California. There, the Bialosky's lived in a beautiful home on five acres in the mountains overlooking the Pacific Ocean. "In the relative, it was about as good as it gets," says Richard. Yet, since moving to Heavenly Mountain he doesn't miss it "one tiny bit." "I've never been as happy in my life since moving here," he says.
Natural Beauty Permeated by Silence
The Bialoskys are one of a growing number of families who are building homes on Heavenly Mountain and helping to create the center of enlightenment and coherence that Maharishi had envisioned in 1993.
It was then that Maharishi announced plans to create a Spiritual Center of America: a permanent home for the Mother Divine and Purusha programs, whose intensive focus on development of consciousness would generate a powerful influence of coherence for the United States. At the same time, the radiance of bliss would draw people to this scenic site in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. To quote a line from a popular movie, "If you build it they will come."
The builders were successful businessmen David and Earl Kaplan. They purchased the initial 1500 acres, which grew to 7000, and financed and organized all the construction projects.
In just seven years, Heavenly Mountain has become a lively residential and resort community. Development includes five large hotel-type buildings, two recently converted into the new Heavenly Mountain Clinic; six yagya halls for Vedic Pandits; 15 condominiums; and the spacious campuses of the Purusha and Mother Divine programs. Twenty-four private homes have been built by Heavenly Mountain Resort and individuals. Over 800,000 square feet of buildings have been constructed&emdash;all according to the principles of Maharishi Sthapatya Veda design, the ancient Vedic science of architecture in harmony with Natural Law. Driving along the scenic roads at Heavenly Mountain, one is hardly aware of the extensive development nestled in the thick forests and scattered across the ridgetops, with panoramic views for miles around.
And people have come. Over 2700 people have enjoyed the deep silence and bliss while attending World Peace Assemblies and Creating Coherence courses. Many have been inspired to return again and again, and some have chosen to stay.
The Heavenly Mountain Community
Individuals and families are buying lots and building homes in a residential development strategically located between the campuses of the Mother Divine and Purusha programs. The development contains homes and condominiums and will eventually include a meditation hall, community center, and recreation facilities. Homes in the project range from 700- to 1350-square-foot condominiums, to 2000- to 8,000-square-foot cottages and estate homes. All are being built on the mountain slopes that descend from one of Heavenly Mountain's two grand ridges. Elevation ranges from 3700 feet at the highest point down to 2300 feet. About 150 homesites are planned, and 60 sites have been purchased so far. Most of the homes sit on slopes that fall away to the east or north, providing spectacular, long-range views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The sites are lush with a variety of trees&emdash;pine, mountain laurel, oak, maple, beech, hickory, and beautiful southern magnolia with blossoms a foot in diameter.
There are a variety of home styles, but the two elements many homes have in common are the Kalash roof ornament and vastu fence.
While their new home is being planned, Rob Glazier and his family live in the Courtyard, a cluster of quaint homes surrounding a flower garden. Rob says he experienced "big changes" in his life after moving here. "Life became simpler," he says. "Thinking became simpler; there are less extraneous thoughts. My thoughts also became much more creative. It's a whole new style of functioning."
The Glaziers' daughter, Merin, is a 1999 graduate of Heavenly Mountain Ideal Girls' School, located on the Mother Divine program campus. "Attending the school was a very profound learning experience," she says, "not only being in the stress-free environment, but also being able to learn all of your studies in the light of your own Self and your own experiences. Being in that large coherence-creating group of ladies added a softness and sweetness to the atmosphere."
Since its inception, the school has enrolled 63 girls as boarding students, with 16 graduates. Beginning this academic year, the school will offer grades 9-12 day and boarding, and grades 6-8 for day students only. In addition, a full Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment is planned.
The availability of Consciousness-Based education right on the property is a big draw for the families settling at Heavenly Mountain. They have come from far and wide, even abroad, seeking the superior quality of life offered here.
David and Eva Lucas and their two children moved to Heavenly Mountain from England. "Having been here for two years, we can say that every aspect of our lives is enriched and has grown immeasurably," says David. "For example, our business has quadrupled since we've been here."
At Heavenly Mountain, the inner richness of spirituality is complemented by the outer beauty of the environment. Miles of hiking trails pass by clear mountain streams and through thick hardwood forests. The area surrounding Heavenly Mountain has long been a renowned vacation spot, known for cool, pleasant summers, crisp autumns, mild winters, and springs blooming with wildflowers.
In addition to hiking trails, other physical amenities include a swimming pool and tennis courts. Future plans include a 6,000-square-foot meditation hall and community center with indoor and outdoor pools, Jacuzzi, sauna, fitness center, and dining facilities. Construction on the meditation hall and community center is slated to begin later this fall.
Besides the beautiful environment and physical amenities, residents appreciate the convenience of attending courses at the campuses of the Mother Divine or Purusha programs, including the Creating Coherence Program, which allows them to live at home.
Jeanne Costello, sales manager of Heavenly Mountain Resort, says visitors who aren't familiar with Maharishi's knowledge are deeply impressed by Heavenly Mountain. "Even people who know nothing about Maharishi Sthapatya-Veda or TM have an overwhelming sense of what's here. They sense the serenity," she says. "They also notice that the spirituality here includes material values, too, and they like that. It's setting a new standard for spirituality."
A New Home for Maharishi Open University
Maharishi's knowledge is at the core of life at Heavenly Mountain. A recent addition is the new Heavenly Mountain Clinic, which offers intensive in-residence programs for spiritual development and for the treatment of chronic disorders. These new programs have been developed by leading Vedic experts under Maharishi's guidance, to be offered specifically in the uniquely refined atmosphere of Heavenly Mountain. The Clinic is under the direction of Stuart Rothenberg, M.D., in conjunction with Asht-Vaidya Nambiji and other experts in Maharishi Vedic Medicine.
Heavenly Mountain has also become the new home of Maharishi Open University. Last March, Dr. Bevan Morris, the faculty of Maharishi Open University&emdash;the world's first satellite-TV university&emdash;and most of the international staff of Maharishi's worldwide organization moved here at Maharishi's urging. MOU courses are produced in three new video studios and broadcast 24 hours a day to all continents in 15 languages.
Early Stages of Development
With so much inner and outer development, it's hard to imagine that Heavenly Mountain is still in its early stages. All the construction so far has been on the first 1500 acres that were purchased. More development, including a resort hotel and golf course, is planned for the remaining 5500 acres. And the community could expand to 1600 homes.
As more families move to Heavenly Mountain, homeowner Ann Wolfe feels the wholeness in the atmosphere growing. "I feel I'm part of a community that's profoundly focused on enlightenment," she says. "I feel I have more and more company on that silent level, all creating Heaven on Earth. There are more levels of fullness as more people come."
