A longtime Maharishi leader who spent more than three decades in Iowa has died.
Bevan Morris, a prominent figure in the Maharishi Global Transcendental Meditation Organization for more than 50 years, began his teaching career in 1969 and later became president of Maharishi International University in Fairfield.
Morris died Thursday, February 26, in Fairfield at the age of 76. For the past few years he has lived at the Transcendental Meditation Headquarters in the Netherlands.
Maharishi International University was founded in 1971 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who also introduced transcendental meditation. Four years earlier, in 1967, Morris met yogis in his native Australia, where he learned meditation techniques, according to an undated tribute posted by the university.
Morris received his BA and MPhil from the University of Cambridge and his MA and PhD from the University of Cambridge. He received a doctorate in creative intelligence from the Maharishi University of European Studies, according to the Maharishi University of European Studies board of trustees web page.
In 1979, Morris chaired the first annual World Peace Conference in Amherst, Massachusetts.
An obituary from Beiner Funeral Home and Crematory in Fairfield said the funeral will be held on the campus of Maharishi International University, but a date has not yet been set.
More: What Iowa officials say in response to ‘massive’ U.S. attack on Iran
Maharishi’s 50-year career in meditation
Morris began teaching Transcendental Meditation soon after meeting Yogi and in 1980 joined the faculty of Maharishi International University (formerly Maharishi University of Management) in Fairfield. He served as Dean of the College for 36 years until 2016, helping to expand the College academically and structurally and overseeing the installation of the iconic Golden Dome of Pure Knowledge more than 40 years ago.
Maharishi International University initially had about 500 students but currently has about 2,500 students.
Morris is revered by some as one of the longest-serving university presidents. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Maharishi University.
Aerial view of Maharishi International University Fairfield Campus. The Schwarz-Guich Center for Sustainable Living is pictured below right.
In 2005, Morris was named president of the Maharishi World Peace Foundation, current Maharishi University President Tony Nader said in an email to students and faculty.
“He worked directly with the Maharishi for many years and traveled with the Maharishi around the world,” Nader’s email said. “He visited more than 120 countries and met with leaders in education, government, business and other fields to introduce them to awareness education, Maharishi International University, and the Maharishi’s plans to create world peace.”
More: Cause of death of man killed in Greenfield-area house explosion under investigation
After Morris left the presidency, he remained active in Maharishi.
According to a release from Maharishi University of Management, he serves as the international president of the university.
Morris has served since 2005 as Prime Minister of Global Nations for World Peace, a non-profit organization founded by Yogi to “create a new era of peace, progress and prosperity in our world community.”
Morris was known for his “great heart, the personal care and support he quietly gave to so many people over the years,” Nader said.
Morris received numerous honors, including the first doctorate in Maharishi Vedic Science.
“He was known for his in-depth knowledge of the Vedic science of Maharishi and the eloquence with which he expressed that knowledge,” Nader said in an email.
More: Berkshire CEO, Iowa resident vows to be prudent steward after Buffett
Former Maharishi president battles ‘medical complications’‘
Morris appeared to have “disappeared” in January, according to a post in the Fairfield Iowa Meditation Facebook group.
Craig Pearson, vice president for awareness development at Maharishi University, said Morris had been dealing with medical complications and was being treated at the University of Iowa.
“He had been in Fairfield for the past several months and passed away peacefully Thursday night surrounded by loving, open-minded friends,” Nader said in an email.
Pearson said Morris’ death was unexpected.
He has known Morris since he first became president in 1980. Morris was a Maharishi advocate with global influence, and Pearson noted that Morris’ Australian accent changed over time and where he lived.
“He is truly a global figure and he brings that global perspective to his leadership of the university,” Pearson said. “He also brings the university to his global work, so this is a great way to make MIU known.”
Many people who practice transcendental meditation believe death is not the end, and followers of Maharishi would agree that Morris is “in a good place,” Pearson said.
“We honor and celebrate Dr. Morris for his extraordinary lifelong service to Maharishi, for his steadfast leadership of the university, for his countless distinguished achievements, for his colleagues and friendships, and most importantly for his lifelong example of devotion to the highest values of knowledge, service and enlightenment,” Nader said in an email.
“His memory will continue to inspire us for generations to come.”Kyle Werner is the Chronicle’s breaking news and public safety reporter. Contact him at kwerner@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared in the Des Moines Register: Maharishi meditation leader who spent 36 years in Iowa dies at 76
