Friday, May 1, 2009

Heavenly Mountain, Boone, NC



Ok, keeping with the cult theme.... Transcendental meditation is considered by some to be considered cult-like. According to Steve Hassan, author of several books on cults it "seeks to strip individuals of their ability to think and choose freely. (wikipedia) TM was started by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and was made famous by the Beatles who visited him during their recording of Sgt. Pepper's. People who practice TM meditate for several hours a day and some even practice "Yogic Flying", which basically means levitation. (advanced only, prerequisite required) So, what's all this got to do with Boone? 
The Spiritual Center of America
Heavenly Mountain Resort 
639 Whispering Hills Rd.
Boone, NC 28607

Yes, there used to be a TM school in Boone (right off the parkway) that was started in the late 90's and was active for several years. It was called the Spiritual Center of America and housed members of the women's Mother Divine Program and the men's Purusha programs, as well as residents and visitors. It was a thriving community complete with it's own school for girls. What happened to Heavenly Mountain? It closed in 2004 because of a rift between David Kaplan, who helped start the TM school and the residences of Heavenly Mtn. After Kaplan became so sick he almost died he decided to leave the Purusha Program and was kicked out of the movement. After Kaplan and his brother Earl investigated Maharishi (founder of TM) they decided they could no longer support him or be a part of the TM movement. What did they find out? They never said, but I definitely would like to know. After that, the school failed and residences were asked to vacate the West campus. I believe the East campus is still occupied but is protected by a gate and a guard 24 hours. Yes, I have tried to go there. As for the West campus.... well it's still there. Abandoned temple, buildings, houses and apartments. There is no gate and you can drive up there and see for yourself. Trust me, it's creepy. It's completely untouched but deteriorating slowly. What's it still doing there? Who knows. Someone still owns it and has decided to just leave it sitting there. I've done much research about it on the Internet and can't find anything about who owns it now or why it's just sitting up there. It's probably time for investigative journalism. 
So the point of this story was to show that you don't always know what's happening or what happened in your own backyard. Because I guarantee that none of you knew about this until now. 

Pictures:
http://www.healingtaousa.com/heavenly_mountain.html

Links: 
http://www.enmag.org/01/1sca.htm
http://www.rickross.com/reference/tm/tm98.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_Meditation
http://www.religionnewsblog.com/7338/future-of-heavenly-mountain-disputed

6 comments:

  1. Lizzie, did you find out any more about Heavenly Mountain and who owns it? It's fascinating to me - all that millions spent on developing it and it's crumbling away.

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  2. It isn't crumbling away. It's been renovated and the apartments are for rent now. As a matter of fact, I'm renting one for the Spring.

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  3. The temples and cafeteria and other TM-related buildings are crumbling away - but they are renting apartments which do seem to be taken care of. I read that David Kaplan was supposed to be building some sustainable center there, now renamed Heavenn's Nest - but last I heard that was 2 summers ago. Wonder if that plan is still in the works...

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  4. Hey, Lizzie!

    The West campus would be a neat place to visit, if I knew how to find it...and if it is still abandoned.

    I own a timeshare in Boone, and I'm there periodically. The last time I was there I learned about the "Land of Oz". I hiked up the mountain (didn't know I could drive there lol) and took photos.

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151600798077733.1073741827.814082732&type=1&l=656b0eaa38

    I would love to find the "abandoned temple, buildings, houses and apartments" of the West campus and take photos.

    Scott

    http://misfitterpated.blogspot.com

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  5. My late husband and his brother built it....creepy...the men would put books beside their head so not to look at me...waste of awesome mountain property....and Oz is on top of Banner Elk...Nice Ski area...If looking...the Pinnacle is a Cool Place..can walk to everything..F
    F
    Freds General Store...Google it,,and you can walk the yellow brick road still I think

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  6. This is a very Biased perception! I worked there for just under a year. I was treated with Love and Dignity, Care and Concern. As well, I was paid above the minimum wage and it was my pleasure to assist the Ladies of Heavenly Mountain. On Thanksgiving Day, Honoring Our Tradition, here in the United States, the Chef prepared a tofu turkey and all the traditional sides in vegetarian style. The Ladies, over 100, greeted the staff and sang to us. It was beautiful and delicious, wholesome food and intent. There are many, many interactions that are forever in my memory with my time at Heavenly Mountain, NC. Please, do not speak what you don't know. Thank you. God Bless you and your life's journey *

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