Thursday, February 07, 2008

Maharaishi R.I.P.


But whatever other powers transcendental meditation had, under its influence they wrote like demons. The main body of evidence is the White Album, a two-disc collection of 30 songs, more than twice the number on any previous Beatles album. from: New York Times article

Dozens of Eastern cultural and spiritual influences infiltrated North American popular culture in the last century but probably none as famous or wide spread as Maharishi. Although I have been meditating since I was a little kid...and later learned various formal meditation techniques from Dalai Lama and others...I didn't study TM. I have had a lot of friends who learned meditation through Transcendental Meditation, and the magnificent David Lynch believes meditating gives energy to ones life and to ones art work. I agree. I can't imagine life without meditation. The first time I read the Bhagavad Gita was a translation done by Maharaishi.

Maharishi was born to a Hindu family living in Jabalpur in the state of Madhya Pradesh, in India - Panduka Dist.(date unknown) Maharishi earned a degree in physics at Allahabad Univsity. 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,and began publicly teaching what he states is a traditional meditation technique that he later renamed Transcendental Meditation. He began The Spiritual Regeneration Movement in 1957, in Madras, India. The feedback Maharishi received from the diverse population that learned his technique suggested to him that it could be of wide benefit. By 1958 Maharishi had begun the first of a number of worldwide tours.

Maharashi University
Transcendental Medititation
Gurus in Netherlands
Wikipedia bio
Bhagavad Gita

10 comments:

brassawe said...

Good stuff, Candy. And to think it was less than two weeks ago that you called me for making gentle fun of the good ole Maharishi. I hope I didn't create universal vibes that led to this! Whatever, I feel one inch tall now. . . . No, 7/8 inches tall. He was très cool, and he really did not make a pass at that women when The Beatles were with him in India.

Gardenia said...

Answer to all my problems I wish. Very interesting! I do meditate but not nearly often enough. I remember hearing about the Maharishi in the 60's.

Martha Elaine Belden said...

i never could master meditation... at least, not in the Buddhist sense. you know the whole... no thought, just peace concept. but prayer (which i guess is the Christian version of meditation) brings me a real sense of peace. i don't know what state i'd be in without it.

i need to learn more about Maharishi... i'm definitely not as familiar as i'd like... but anyone who encouraged peace of mind and thoughtful meditation is worth admiring in my book.

tweetey30 said...

The Beatles Wonderful.. They are good arent they??? We have most of there songs either on cd or tape.

Malcolm said...

I was just talking about "The White Album" today. I found it funny when I found out that "Sexy Sadie" was written about the Maharishi. Ignoring the song title and just listening to the lyrics, it makes sense (based on what I have heard about him).

Bridget Jones said...

Remember the song 'Sit With Guru'?

tweetey30 said...

Hey off the topic i was just going to tell you that I am going to break the first chapter down in the book and put up a review in my own words on Monday. I need a few days to digest what I just read. I cant even tell you what funny feelings I was feeling while reading this. Good feelings all in all. I will break each chapter down and do a review. Some might get bored with it but its the easiest way with a book like this one..

Candy Minx said...

Uncle Steve, thanks yes strange we were just talking about him...it's not like he is a part of everyday conversation!

Gardenia, good to see you! Yes, he got stories in the media with the Beatles and all huh? Strange all that kind of media coverage stopped...only spiritual leaders in news now are the ones who are against same-sex marriage but turn out to be gay!

Martha, meditation is a little strange compared to praying. I think too much emphasis is put on forcing the "thoughts to stop" rather than encouraging people to let them fade away over time...so people give up on meditation and feel they can't do it. I believe in the long run the chemical reaction in the body is similar betweenpraying and meditation. Different paths for different people...

Tweetey, I like the idea of you posting as you read along the book. I think it has rather intense concepts and writing your reactions or feelings will be a good way to process the ideas. I look forward to your posts on the Eckhart Tolle book.

Malcolm, the link to the New York Times article in this post...says that there was a misunderstanding about the Maharaishi and Mia Farrow...apparently in her autobio she says something along those lines...

Bridget Jones, no sorry I don't know that song...I will try to find it though, its sounds interesting.

Malcolm said...

Candy, I sent the 1968 Strawberry Alarm Clock song "Sit With the Guru" to Bridget Jones last Friday. If you want a copy too, shoot me an email at ultfan67@yahoo.com.

Bunny McVane said...

Candy, I read your blog from time to time. I see that you are a meditator. I am interested in comparing notes with you if it is not too personal of a subject. what type of meditation do you practice?

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