FW: When I look, what I see is reasonably encouraging. To illustrate, I see:
— Nearly 20 times more people people learned TM in the US in 2018, compared to the 1,300 that learned in 2007. — Following Bob and Carol’s appointment as National Directors of Advanced Programs this year, and thanks to the many initiatives they have already implemented: — There are national and international group meditations being held monthly with up to 18,000 participants (so far) — There are large TM Retreats and WPAs being set up all across the country with up to 100 participants — The numbers learning the Advanced techniques and the TM-Sidhis has increased substantially (e.g. CIC is up by so far 250% this year!!) — Thanks to the work of the Ideal Community Group the following facilities/improvements are now in place: — The downtown flying hall now provides greater time flexibility and less of a distance to travel for those that live and/or work in town — The Ideal Life Campus is providing low-cost vastu housing for dozens of people, and a facility for residential courses throughout the year — The TM Information Center on Main Street provides an attractive introduction to the TM community for visitors and newcomers alike — A restructured, more ‘customer orientated’ womens’ dome committee has introduced multiple improvements to the aesthetics and comfort there — Regular one week TM Retreats are being held for meditators from out-of-town in the Peace Palaces and a WPA program is planned for later this year. Also, periodic knowledge programs are structured that have attracted people from all over (e.g. last year’s, and next year’s proposed,October Surprise) Collectively the approaches of (i) more people learning TM (ii) more people learning advanced TM/TM-Sidhi programs and (iii) more attractive facilities and reasons to visit the community all suggest to me that there is a very real possibility that in a few years time we will start to see a new generation of meditators and sidhas moving to Fairfield/MVC and starting to re-populate the domes. In the meantime though, let’s do all we can to realize Bob’s sankalpa by encouraging those that are already here to come back to the domes and practice their programs together more regularly. Best wishes and Happy Holidays to you and all!!