Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
MaharishiMaheshYogi-04.jpg
Born January 12, 1917
Raipur, British India
Died February 5, 2008 (aged 91)
Vlodrop, Netherlands
Parents Father: Sri Ram Prasad

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (January 12, 1917 – February 5 2008), introduced the Transcendental Meditation technique and related programs and initiatives, including schools and universities with campuses in India,[1] the United States[1] Mexico,[2] the United Kingdom[3] and China.[4]

In approximately 1939, Maharishi became a disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati[5] who, from 1941 to 1953, was the Shankaracharya (spiritual leader) of Jyotir Math, located in the Indian Himalayas. Maharishi credits the Shankaracharya (Guru Deva) with inspiring his teachings.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's first global tour began in 1958, from which time[6] his techniques and programs have been taught worldwide.[7] He became known in the Western world in part due to interactions with The Beatles and other celebrities.

By 1990, Maharishi had begun to coordinate his global activities from his residence in Vlodrop, the Netherlands.[8] On January 11 2008, he announced his retirement from all administrative activities and went into Mauna (spiritual silence). He declared: "It has been my pleasure at the feet of Guru Dev, to take the light of Guru Dev and pass it on in my environment. Now today, I am closing my designed duty to Guru Dev. And I can only say, 'Live long the world in peace, happiness, prosperity, and freedom from suffering.'” [9][10][11]

Contents

Early life

He was born Mahesh Prasad Varma, in the Panduka area of Raipur, India[12], to a Hindu family living in the Central Provinces of British India (although the Allahabad University list of distinguished alumni calls him "M. C. Shrivastava").[13] He earned a degree in physics[14] at Allahabad University.[15] Place of birth given in his passport is Pounalulla, India. The name of his father is given as Sri Ram Prasad.[16]

According to Jay Randolph Coplin, the name "Mahesh" indicated that Maharishi came from a Hindu family that worshipped Shiva.[17] Cynthia Ann Humes writes that his family was of the Kayastha (scribal) caste. Contrary to some reports, caste rules allow the honorific terms "yogi" or "maharishi" to be applied to those of the Kayastha caste.[18][19]

In 1941 he became a secretary to Swami Brahmananda Saraswati, who gave him the name Bal Brahmachari Mahesh. Besides indicating his family faith, Coplin[20] says the conferred title "identified him as a dedicated student of spiritual knowledge and life-long celibate ascetic." Maharishi remained with Brahmananda Saraswati until the latter died in 1953. Although Maharishi was a close disciple, he could not be the Shankaracharya's spiritual successor since he was not of the Brahmin caste.[21]

In 1953, Maharishi moved to Uttarkashi, in the Valley of the Saints, in the Himalayas, where his own Master had lived in previous decades with his Master, Swami Krishanand Saraswati. In 1955, Maharishi left Uttarkashi, [22]and began publicly teaching what he states is a traditional meditation technique that he learnt from his Master, which he called Transcendental Deep Meditation, which he later renamed Transcendental Meditation. He began The Spiritual Regeneration Movement in 1957, in Madras, India, on the concluding day of the Seminar of Spiritual Luminaries. According to J. Lynwood King, the feedback Maharishi received from the diverse population that learned his technique suggested to him that it could be of wide benefit.[23] In 1958 Maharishi began the first of a number of worldwide tours.

Expansion of teachings

World tours

His first world tour began in Rangoon, Burma, now Myanmar. Maharishi remained in the Far East for about six months teaching Transcendental Meditation.[24]. On December 31 1958, the Honolulu Star Bulletin published an article about Maharishi saying: "He has no money, he asks for nothing. His worldly possessions can be carried in one hand. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is on a world odyssey. He carries a message that he says will rid the world of all unhappiness and discontent."[25]

In 1959, Maharishi taught the Transcendental Meditation technique in Hawaii[14] and later went to California and became a guest in a private home owned by the Olson family. He continued to visit and teach from the Olsons' home over the next few years.[26]

During the 1960s and early 1970s practitioners of the technique began to be seen as part of the then current "counter-culture" phenomenon. Also during that time, a number of celebrities that included The Beatles,[27] the Beach Boys, (including singer Mike Love,[28] who became a TM teacher) and singer-songwriter Donovan (who befriended Maharishi and put his picture on the back cover of his A Gift from a Flower to a Garden album) learned the technique. Comedian Andy Kaufman and magician Doug Henning were also students of Maharishi. Clint Eastwood[29] and David Lynch [30] are two notable directors who have practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique. Republican Party politician William Scranton, another student of Maharishi, lost his 1986 bid for the Pennsylvania governorship when political consultant James Carville ran an television spot about Mr. Scranton's affiliation with the "guru."[31] In October 1975, Maharishi was pictured on the front cover of the US magazine Time.

Transcendental Meditation teachers

After establishing the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in the United States, Maharishi continued his world tour. He travelled to Europe in early 1960, stopping first in London. During the next two years, he returned to India and the Far East, before revisiting the U.S., Europe, and Africa. He lectured about, and taught the Transcendental Meditation technique, and also established administrative centers where practitioners could meet in his absence. Eventually the more experienced practitioners were trained to become teachers of the technique. In 1961, he conducted his first international Teacher Training Course near Rishikesh, India. Over 60 meditators from India, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Britain, Malaya, Norway, the United States, Australia, Greece, Italy and the West Indies attended. [32] Teachers continue to be trained.[33]

Early books

In 1961, Maharishi began to introduce additional knowledge regarding the development of human potential, including a translation and commentary on the first six chapters of the ancient Vedic text, the Bhagavad Gita.[34] Maharishi said that the source of his commentary was his master and the increasing interest in Vedic knowledge: "We are just an innocent means for the spontaneous flow of that knowledge -- that's all."[35]

In his 1963 publication, Maharishi describes the Bhagavad Gita as "the Scripture of Yoga." He says that "its purpose is to explain in theory and practice all that is needed to raise the consciousness of man to the highest possible level."[36] In 1964, Maharishi attended the All-India Yogic Conference held in Calcutta, India, where he said that because the teachings contained in the Bhagavad Gita were misunderstood, "the practice of yoga was misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misapplied," resulting in "weakness in the fields of thought and action."[37]

While working on his translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita, Maharishi audiotaped the text of the The Science of Being and Art of Living which was transcribed and published in 1963.[38][39]

Advanced programs

Over a 30-year period Maharishi held advanced, in-residence courses and assemblies in North America, India and/or Europe for practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation technique. These courses provided long meditation sessions, lectures by Maharishi, discussions based on personal experiences, questions from course participants, and organizational meetings. Maharishi believed that this group practice of the technique benefited the environment.[40] In-residence courses continue to this day.[41]

In the late 1970s, Maharishi designed the TM-Sidhi program as an additional option for those who had been practicing the Transcendental Meditation technique for longer periods of time. According to Coplin, this new aspect of knowledge emphasized not only the individual, but also the collective benefits created by group practice of this advanced program.[42]

Other initiatives, projects and programs

Maharishi International University (renamed Maharishi University of Management in 1995), the first university Maharishi founded, initially held classes in Santa Barbara, California, in the 1973-74 academic year. After that, the university moved to Fairfield, Iowa, where it remains today. The university houses a library of Maharishi's taped lectures and writings that includes the 33-lesson, Science of Creative Intelligence course, originally a series of lectures given by Maharishi in Fiuggi, Italy, in 1972. Described in the M.U.M. university catalogue as combining modern science, and Vedic science,[43] the course also describes certain higher states of consciousness, and guidance on how to attain these states. [44]

Maharishi continued to introduce programs and practices such as an alternative medical system called Maharishi Ayur Veda, Maharishi Jyotish, a system of Vedic astrology, Maharishi Sthapatya Veda, a system of Vedic architecture, Maharishi Gandharva Ved, and various other practices related to music, systems of education, theories of management, defense, and government.[45] Maharishi also offered a program said to alleviate poverty and introduced a new development currency, Raam Mudra, toward this end.[46] Also, in 2000 Maharishi began building "peace palace" sites across the world, and by 2008 his movement had constructed at least eight in the U.S. alone.[47]

The Beatles

The Beatles met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in August 1967, studying with him in Bangor, Wales, and in early 1968 attended a TM teacher-training course in Rishikesh, India. (Much of their "White Album" was written during their stay in Rishikesh.) While Starr and McCartney left the Maharishi's camp for personal reasons, Lennon and Harrison departed after hearing a story that he had made sexual advances on Mia Farrow or other course participants.[48] John Lennon wrote the song "Sexy Sadie" ("what have you done? You made a fool of everyone") as he was leaving, the lyrics referring to Maharishi.[49] "Magic" Alex Mardas had relayed the story to John and George, who felt betrayed by the Maharishi.[50] [51] Cynthia Lennon believed that Mardas invented a story about sexual impropriety to undermine the Maharishi's influence on the Beatles.[52][53] George Harrison, years later, commented on the contretemps, saying, "Now, historically, there's the story that something went on that shouldn't have done—but nothing did."[54] Paul McCartney, in his biography, likewise says that he does not believe the allegations and also attributes them to Mardas.[55] Farrow's autobiography is ambiguous about the incident: she describes "panicking" and fleeing after Maharishi put his arms around her in a dark cave, immediately after a private meditation session.[56]

Donovan, commenting on past rumors, said to WNYC New York Public Radio on February 6, 2008: "It was not to do with Maharishi and everything to do with what was personally happening in the lives of the Beatles at the time. In fact, George went to Maharishi and apologized. It was really a complete overlay of falsehood that in reality has nothing to do with this extraordinary man.... It is my great pleasure to speak of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. George and I agreed, this is the one, he can show us the technique. We honour him for his extraordinary work." [57]

After the Maharishi's death on February 5, 2008, Sir Paul McCartney released a statement saying, "Whilst I am deeply saddened by his passing, my memories of him will only be joyful ones. He was a great man who worked tirelessly for the people of the world...." Ringo Starr released a statement saying, "One of the wise men I met in my life was the Maharishi. I always was impressed by his joy and I truly believe he knows where he is going." [58]

On 5 February 2008, the same day Maharishi died, the Beatles' "Across the Universe" was beamed across the universe to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the song, the 45th anniversary of the DSN (Deep Space Network), and the 50th anniversary of NASA. The song's distinctive chorus 'Jai Guru Deva Om' are the Sanskrit words Maharishi once taught the Beatles.

Death

On February 5th, 2008 at Vlodrop, Netherlands,[59], Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died, alert, in yoga posture[60]. The Agni Samadhi Vedic rites were conducted on a high plateau, on the grounds of a temple Maharishi had been in the process of building in homage to his Master, and overlooked the confluence of the Ganges in Allahabad. The funeral was carried by Sadhana TV station, and was presided over by the Shankaracharya of the North, Swami Vasudevananda Saraswati Maharaj. During the military salute, the soldiers reversed arms but did not fire a salute, in honor of Maharishi's life-long dedication to the creation of world peace.[61] [and as reported by Sadhana TV station, 11 February, 2008]

Awards and Citations

According to a publication by Maharishi European Research University, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was the recipient of awards and citations during his lifetime. Some of these are: Man of Hope award, 1970, City of Hope, California, [62] Golden Medal of the City of Delphi , Greece, [63] key to the City of Houston, Texas, USA, [64], key to the City of Los Angeles, California, USA, [64], and honorary citizenship to the City of Winnipeg, Canada. [65] Proclamations given by governing bodies include ones given by Governor Dan Walker of Illinois, [66] and by Members of the Parliament of India. [67]

Books

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is credited as the author of more than 16 books.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gifts of the Global Country of World Peace
  2. ↑ Rundschau
  3. ↑ Maharishi School UK
  4. ↑ 1-888-LEARN TM (888-532-7686)
  5. ↑ http://www.srigurudev.net/srigurudev/gurudev/biography.html
  6. ↑ Oates, Robert M. Celebrating the Dawn, page 40. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. ISBN 0-399-11815-2.
  7. ↑ Transcendental Meditation book: Introduction
  8. ↑ The New York Times
  9. ↑ "12 January 2008: Rejoicing in the supreme fulfilment of Invincibility for the world - Global Country of World Peace celebrates the dawn of administration of eternal silence" Press release, January 12, 2008
  10. ↑ „Historic address of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on 11 January 2008“ Press release, January 11th, 2008
  11. ↑ „Dear Fellow Governors, Sidhas and Meditators of America.“ Mailing from John Hagelin, „Raja of Invincible America“, 8. Januar 2008
  12. ↑ Per pamphlet at the Vedic Agni Samadhi rites in Allahabad
  13. ↑ Biographies by Paul Mason, William Jefferson, and Elsa Dragemark say that Maharishi's real name is Mahesh Prasad Varma and he was born January 12 1917 in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Yet a different form of his name appears in the Allahabad University list of distinguished alumni, where he is listed as M.C. Srivastava (see http://www.allduniv.edu/hostels/gnjha/gnjha_alumni.htm).
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Blume, Mary (July 8, 1995). "A Little Meditation on the Bottom Line". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved on 2004-04-25.
  15. ↑ Encyclopedia of Religion, p.2, ISBN 0-02-865981-3
  16. ↑ Per his passport
  17. ↑ Coplin, J.R. (1990)Text and Context in the Communication of a Social Movement's Charisma, Ideology, and Consciousness: TM for India and the West. University of California, San Diego, p. 48
  18. ↑ Humes, C.A. (2005)Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: Beyond the T.M. Technique, in Gurus in America, ed. Thomas A. Forsthoefel and Cynthia Ann Humes, SUNY Press, p. 61, ISBN 079146573X
  19. ↑ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Spiritual Leader, Dies. Lily Koppel, New York Times, February 6, 2008
  20. ↑ Coplin, J.R. (1990)Text and Context in the Communication of a Social Movement's Charisma, Ideology, and Consciousness: TM for India and the West. University of California, San Diego, p. 64
  21. ↑ Coplin, J.R. (1990)Text and Context in the Communication of a Social Movement's Charisma, Ideology, and Consciousness: TM for India and the West. University of California, San Diego, p. 49
  22. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 189, ISBN 9071750027
  23. ↑ King, J.L. (2007) Fundamentals of Maharishi Vedic Science, p.13.
  24. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 213-37, ISBN 9071750027
  25. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 236, ISBN 9071750027
  26. ↑ Hermit in the House, p.44, Los Angeles, 1967
  27. ↑ Keen, Judy (May 23, 2006). "Maharishi meets the Bible Belt". USA Today. Retrieved on 2004-04-25.
  28. ↑ Lovett, Michael (May 25, 2006). "The Beach Boys’ Mike Love: From ‘Good Vibrations’ to transcendental meditation". Retrieved on 2007-03-17. 
  29. ↑ Sullivan, Robert. "TLGolf.com: Clint Eastwood Profile". TLGolf.
  30. ↑ [1]
  31. ↑ Ferrick, Tom (February 10, 2008). "Recalling the Maharishi and Carville’s Killer Ad". New York Times. Retrieved on 2008-07-09.
  32. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, pp. 318-344, ISBN 9071750027
  33. ↑ Seven-step course in How to Learn the Transcendental Meditation program
  34. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 400, ISBN 9071750027
  35. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 348, ISBN 9071750027
  36. ↑ Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. (1969) On the Bhagavad-Gita: A New Translation and Commentary. New York: Penguin Books, pp. 20-21.
  37. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 587, ISBN 9071750027
  38. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 459, ISBN 9071750027
  39. ↑ Encyclopedia of Religion, p. 3, ISBN 0-02-865981-3
  40. ↑ Thirty Years Around the World, Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, p. 450, ISBN 9071750027
  41. ↑ Meditators Fly For Peace
  42. ↑ Coplin, J.R. (1990)Text and Context in the Communication of a Social Movement's Charisma, Ideology, and Consciousness: TM for India and the West. University of California, San Diego, p. 71
  43. ↑ Catalog 07-08-b
  44. ↑ King, J.L. (2007). Fundamentals of Maharishi Vedic Science, p.14
  45. ↑ King, J.L. (2007). Fundamentals of Maharishi Vedic Science, p.15.
  46. ↑ Forbes, "Queer as a three-raam bill"
  47. ↑ New York Times, "Sites for ‘Maharishi Effect’ (Welcome to Parma) Spread Across U.S."
  48. ↑ Wenner, Jann (2000) [1971]. Lennon Remembers. Verso, W.W. Norton & Co.. p. 27. ISBN 185984376X. http://books.google.com/books?id=ymjy06WZnd4C&pg=RA1-PA27&dq=%22lennon+remembers%22+maharishi&sig=Z-ZRmuOd3HN0av5kTK6IuemPGTY. "Yeah, there was a big hullabaloo about him trying to rape Mia Farrow or trying to get off with Mia Farrow and a few other women, things like that.". 
  49. ↑ Sheff, David (2000). All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Macmillan. p. 191. ISBN 0-312-25464-4. http://books.google.com/books?id=xK6Qle0MXpAC&pg=PA191&lpg=PA191&dq=lennon+%22inspired+by+the+Maharishi%22&source=web&ots=KJ0HiEYqMT&sig=XG9l7wVAmrMcU1QDf9X5F8UEvRY. 
  50. ↑ Spitz, Bob, The Beatles: The Biography, Little, Brown: 2005, pp. 755-757
  51. ↑ New York Times, "Meditation on the Man Who Saved the Beatles"
  52. ↑ Peter Brown and Steven Gaines, The Love You Make: An Insider's Story of the Beatles, New American Library: 2002, p.264, "By the end of the tenth week, Alex was bent on undermining the Maharishi's influence. . . . Cynthia, for one, didn't believe a word of [the accusations]. She had long ago become acquainted with Alex's jealousy over anyone who had John's attention, and she didn't doubt that Alex would lie to destroy the Maharishi's hold."
  53. ↑ Cynthia Lennon, A Twist of Lennon, Avon: 1978, pp. 174-176
  54. ↑ The Beatles Anthology, Chronicle Books, 2000, pp. 285-86
  55. ↑ Miles, Barry, Paul McCartney: Many Years from Now (Holt: 1998), p. 429, "it was Magic Alex who made the original accusation and I think it was completely untrue."
  56. ↑ "What Falls Away". Bantam. p. 128. ISBN 0553763342. "...I was blinking at his beard when suddenly I became aware of two surprisingly male, hairy arms going around me. I panicked, and shot up the stairs, apologizing all the way. I flew out into the open air, and ran as fast as I could to Prudy’s room. . . . I blurted out something about Maharishi’s cave, and arms, and beard, and she said, It’s an honor to be touched by a holy many after meditation, a tradition. Furthermore, at my level of consciousness, if Jesus Christ Himself had embraced me, I would have misinterpreted it.". 
  57. ↑ Interview with WNYC New York public Radio interview, 6 February 2008.
  58. ↑ [2]
  59. ↑ Corder, Mike (February 5, 2008). "Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Dies", Associated Press. Retrieved on 2008-02-05. 
  60. ↑ „Maharishi war gut auf den Tod vorbereitet.“Zisch Neue Urner Zeitung Online, February 7th, 2008
  61. ↑ "House mourns death of Mahesh Yogi, Goud." Central Chronicle, February 27th, 2008
  62. ↑ Proclamations, p.8, MERU Press publication, Germany, G875, 1976,
  63. ↑ Proclamations, p.11, MERU Press publication, Germany, G875, 1976,
  64. ↑ 64.0 64.1 Proclamations, p.104, MERU Press publication, Germany, G875, 1976,
  65. ↑ Proclamations, p.101, MERU Press publication, Germany, G875, 1976,
  66. ↑ Proclamations, p.19, MERU Press publication, Germany, G875, 1976,
  67. ↑ Proclamations, p.12-13, MERU Press publication, Germany, G875, 1976,

References

  • Lee, Gary (November 12, 2006). "Om on the Grange". The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2004-04-25.

External links

Official TM sites
Miscellaneous external links
Transcendental Meditation

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