Maharishi University of Management (MUM) is a small school with a big twist. To fulfill its mission of fostering academic excellence, consciousness, creativity, and a high quality of life for attendees, all students learn and participate in twice-daily Transcendental Meditation practice (in addition to regular classes). Students graduate from this Iowa university with the practical skills they need for entering the workforce, as well as the means to create and maintain personal inner peace and wellness throughout their lives.

Samantha Thomas, who graduated in 2011 with a major in sustainable living and a minor in business administration, is one such student. “I am so grateful for TM as a practice that never fails to bring me back to myself — reminding me of what’s important, and why I work so hard doing what I do.” She grew up with a family that valued personal growth and the development of consciousness and came to MUM because she believed that its style of education would support her own values. “Being at MUM and surrounded by people who were always interested in the deeper meaning of life was really helpful for my personal development,” she said. “It helped me become stronger in who I am and understand what’s important to me. My time at MUM, and learning TM, have unequivocally helped me understand the true meaning of raising consciousness.”

After graduating, Samantha moved to New York City and spent a year working in the green fashion industry as a freelance model and event facilitator, but she ultimately found it unfulfilling and set out to find more meaningful work. Today, three years later, she is the executive director of DreamChange, a nonprofit organization founded in 1987 by The New York Times best selling author John Perkins to help raise humanity’s consciousness and inspire more sustainable ways of living. Just this year she created and launched their new signature event, The Love Summit, an annual conference designed to show corporate and government leaders that creating loving businesses could be the most powerful tool for mitigating environmental and social issues while creating thriving enterprises.

When we asked Samantha about her TM practice, she wrote us back, “As an entrepreneur, my work requires a great deal of focus, perseverance, and getting creative when times are tough. I am so grateful for TM as a practice that never fails to bring me back to myself—reminding me of what’s important, and why I work so hard doing what I do. The technique has a way of bringing out my creative energy and providing me with a sense of balance and ease in a world that is often high-stress and chaotic. It’s like a magical little tool I carry with me wherever I go and can use whenever I wish, which is great since I am often on-the-go and travel frequently.”

Samantha would also like to start her own organization someday. “I’ve always wanted to create a business that helps people and assists in fostering a more compassionate and peaceful world,” she said. In the meantime, she feels very fortunate to be able to work for an organization whose causes she feels passionate about.