Fancy some Yogic Flying? Blow your mind and meditate on Luton’s own Peace Palace
It looks like the sort of palace Michael Jackson might like to own, nestling in open parkland, complete with child-like picture of rainbow for good effect.
But this is for real – an artist’s impression of a so-called "Peace Palace". It would be a centre of meditation, Yogic Flying and natural health programmes, the dream of devotees of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. And it could be coming to Luton…See page 3 for full story

Plans to build a multi-million pound 'Peace Palace' in Luton are set to bounce their way onto the desk of Luton Council's planning department.

With Britain on the brink of war, devotees of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi are looking for a suitable site in the town to build a new palatial school with a difference.

Here, meditation, Yogic Flying and natural health programmes would join English and maths lessons on the daily curriculum.

Inspired by the spiritual leader who heavily influenced The Beatles, the school promises to unlock the potential of pupils through the power of thought.

It will be based on a prizewinning and league table-topping school in Lancashire, where all 100 per cent of pupils pass five GCSE subjects at grades A-C.

The alternative proposals are the brainchild of Transcendental Meditation teachers in the town.

You may remember Yogic Flying as the technique of leaping off the floor while sat in the Lotus position, made famous by the National Law Party during the 1992 general election.

Once the Peace Palace is up and running - organisers are currently raising funds and searching for a suitable site - the school will follow.

Spokesperson Patricia Saunders said: "We have ambitious ideas for the palace to employ people to practice Transcendental Meditation and Yogic Flying every day.

"Yogic flying may look strange to people who have not experienced it but it gives out wonderful waves of bliss and positivity.

"And we plan to have a fee-paying school like the one in Lancashire, where staff and students practice meditation every day."

At the Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment near Skelmersdale, students meditate to 'release their stress and tensions and allow the day to pass more easily', says headteacher Derek Cassells.

Non-selective, the mixed school currently has 110 pupils between four and 16, and a GCSE pass rate that any Luton establishment would die for.

It has also churned out a steady flow of award-winning poets, including the WH Smith young writer of the year.

In response to the ambitious plans, a spokesman for Luton Borough Council said: "We have not been approached directly by this organisation yet but if they were to contact us I'm sure we would be happy to discuss the possibilities with them."

But he added: "Available land in the town is in such short supply that it may not be a feasible option."

Copyright, Herald and Post, 2003