Jahfin Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 The Beatles John Lennon, left, Paul McCartney, center background, Ringo Starr, second from right, and George Harrison, right, join the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, center, as they arrive by train at Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom, to participate in a weekend of meditation Photo: AP By MIKE CORDER, Associated Press Writer THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a guru to the Beatles who introduced the West to transcendental meditation, died Tuesday at his home in the Dutch town of Vlodrop, a spokesman said. He was thought to be 91 years old. "He died peacefully at about 7 p.m.," said Bob Roth, a spokesman for the Transcendental Meditation movement that the Maharishi founded. He said his death appeared to be due to "natural causes, his age." Once dismissed as hippie mysticism, the Hindu practice of mind control that Maharishi taught, called transcendental meditation, gradually gained medical respectability. He began teaching TM in 1955 and brought the technique to the United States in 1959. But the movement really took off after the Beatles visited his ashram in India in 1968, although he had a famous falling out with the rock stars when he discovered them using drugs at his Himalayan retreat. With the help of celebrity endorsements, Maharishi — a Hindi-language title for Great Seer — parlayed his interpretations of ancient scripture into a multi-million-dollar global empire. After 50 years of teaching, Maharishi turned to larger themes, with grand designs to harness the power of group meditation to create world peace and to mobilize his devotees to banish poverty from the earth. Maharishi's roster of famous meditators ran from The Rolling Stones to Clint Eastwood and new age preacher Deepak Chopra. Director David Lynch, creator of dark and violent films, lectured at college campuses about the "ocean of tranquility" he found in more than 30 years of practicing transcendental meditation. Some 5 million people devoted 20 minutes every morning and evening reciting a simple sound, or mantra, and delving into their consciousness. "Don't fight darkness. Bring the light, and darkness will disappear," Maharishi said in a 2006 interview, repeating one of his own mantras. Donations and the $2,500 fee to learn TM financed the construction of Peace Palaces, or meditation centers, in dozens of cities around the world. It paid for hundreds of new schools in India. In 1971, Maharishi founded a university in Fairfield, Iowa, that taught meditation alongside the arts and sciences to 700 students and served organic vegetarian food in its cafeterias. Supporters pointed to hundreds of scientific studies showing that meditation reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, improves concentration and raises results for students and businessmen. Skeptics ridiculed his plan to raise $10 trillion to end poverty by sponsoring organic farming in the world's poorest countries. They scoffed at his notion that meditation groups, acting like psychic shock troops, can end conflict. "To resolve problems through negotiation is a very childish approach," he said. In 1986, two groups founded by his organization were sued in the U.S. by former disciples who accused it of fraud, negligence and intentionally inflicting emotional damage. A jury, however, refused to award punitive damages. Over the years, Maharishi also was accused of fraud by former pupils who claim he failed to teach them to fly. "Yogic flying," showcased as the ultimate level of transcendence, was never witnessed as anything more than TM followers sitting in the cross-legged lotus position and bouncing across spongy mats. Maharishi was born Mahesh Srivastava in central India, reportedly on Jan. 12, 1917 — though he refused to confirm the date or discuss his early life. He studied physics at Allahabad University before becoming secretary to a well known Hindu holy man. After the death of his teacher, Maharishi went into a nomadic two-year retreat of silence in the Himalayan foothills of northern India. With his background in physics, he brought his message to the West in a language that mixed the occult and science that became the buzz of college campuses. He described TM as "the unified field of all the laws of nature." Maharishi's trademark flowing beard and long, graying hair appeared on the cover of the leading news magazines of the day. But aides say Maharishi became disillusioned that TM had become identified with the counterculture, and he spent more time at his ashram in Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills to run his global affairs. In 1990 he moved onto the wooded grounds of a historic Franciscan monastery in the southern Dutch village of Vlodrop, about 125 miles southeast of Amsterdam. Concerned about his fragile health, he secluded himself in two rooms of the wooden pavilion he built on the compound, speaking only by video to aides around the world and even to his closest advisers in the same building. John Hagelin, a theoretical physicist who ran for the U.S. presidency three times on the Maharishi-backed Natural Law Party, said that from the Dutch location Maharishi had daylong access to followers in India, Europe and the Americas. "He runs several shifts of us into the ground," said Hagelin, Maharishi's closest aid, speaking in Vlodrop about his then-89-year-old mentor. "He is a fountainhead of innovation and new ideas — far too many than you can ever follow up." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I felt very saddened by this when I heard this morning. I have nothing but respect for him. He moves on to a better place having left his mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidmoon Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 He didn't die, he just changed form. If you're "saddened" by his passing, then you probably don't know much about Hinduism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 That's a big assumption on your part. I'm saddened for my own reasons . If you read my post you will see I acknowleged his transition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidmoon Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 That's a big assumption on your part. I'm saddened for my own reasons . If you read my post you will see I acknowleged his transition. I did say "probably". Nevertheless, I'd assume you're not Hindu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 I did say "probably". Nevertheless, I'd assume you're not Hindu. Which means I can't know anything about it? I really don't think this is the right thread for this. If you feel like starting an argument with me take it to PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bong-Man Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Hard to have much respect for the Jimmy Swaggert of Hinduism. As usual, Ringo was the normal one.... "This food sucks...I'm a Beatle dammit !!....give me a T-bone !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JethroTull Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 R.I.P. Sexy Sadie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Despite how eccentric Maharishi came across, he did help expose Eastern philosophy and Yoga to the West, via The Beatles and others. Swamis and Yogis are as flawed as anyone else and you'll only be disappointed if you expect them to be perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidmoon Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Which means I can't know anything about it? I really don't think this is the right thread for this. If you feel like starting an argument with me take it to PM. Hey, Your inbox is full, so... I certainly was not trying to make you look foolish. My apologies if it came across that way. So, yes, I think we have the matter resolved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 Hey, Your inbox is full, so... I certainly was not trying to make you look foolish. My apologies if it came across that way. So, yes, I think we have the matter resolved. Cheers and sorry about the full box!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angel With A Broken Wing Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 "Don't fight darkness. Bring the light, and darkness will disappear," Maharishi said in a 2006 interview, repeating one of his own mantras. His body may be gone but his words are eternal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GetTheLedOut Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Not to put down the Maharishi if you care about him, but when this news transpired I couldn't have cared less, and I wouldn't be too surprised if Paul or Ringo didn't care too much either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelmon Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 This is the same dude who Jethro posted about...the song Sexie Sady that John wrote right ? Sexy sadie...you'll get yours yet...you made a fool of everyone !! The Beatles found out he wasn't so divine when he was caught messing around with one of the girls in the entourage, Mia Farrow. The Beatles had held him on a high pedestal..then realized he was just HUMAN.... So....it took time..but Lennon's lyrics exposed him...and now have taken hold. Sexy Sadie what have you done, You made a fool of everyone You made a fool of everyone, Sexy Sadie, ooh, what have you done Sexy Sadie you broke the rules, You laid it down for all to see You laid it down for all to see, Sexy Sadie, ooh, you broke the rules One sunny day the world was waiting for a lover She came along to turn on everyone, Sexy Sadie, the greatest of them all Sexy Sadie, how did you know, The world was waiting just for you The world was waiting just for you, Sexy Sadie, ooh, how did you know Sexy Sadie, you'll get yours yet, However big you think you are However big you think you are, Sexy Sadie, ooh, you'll get yours yet We gave her everything we owned, Just to sit at her table Just a smile would lighten everything, Sexy Sadie she's the latest and the greatest of them all Ha, she made a fool of everyone, Sexy Sadie, Ha, however big you think you are, Sexy Sadie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 So messing around with girls makes you a scumbag? How ironic................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelmon Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 So messing around with girls makes you a scumbag? How ironic................. I guess it did to John Lennon...he wrote the lyrics....but I believe it was more because they considered him DIVINE...and NO NEED for sex. I'm not personally condemning him....just passing on information about The Beatles relationship to the Maharishi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KashmirDevi Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Although I've never been into the TM movement, I had respect for him as far as introducing the Western culture to meditation. I've know a lot of people in the TM movement and lets just say some very odd things occurred within the movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knebby Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 I guess it did to John Lennon...he wrote the lyrics....but I believe it was more because they considered him DIVINE...and NO NEED for sex. Well more fool them I say! As a more general response - TM has been a great gift to this world - you can even get a reduction on your health insurance if you practice it. I wish people were more ready to see the good than to pounce on the percieved bad. * I posted this while you were editing KD. IT wasn't a response to your comments about TM* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelmon Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Well more fool them I say! As a more general response - TM has been a great gift to this world - you can even get a reduction on your health insurance if you practice it. I wish people were more ready to see the good than to pounce on the percieved bad. * I posted this while you were editing KD. IT wasn't a response to your comments about TM* I guess we all call 'em as we see 'em. Hence the various responses. And since John DID write a song about him...Well, I just wrote about that. NO perceived bad....it's pretty plain actually in his lyrics and the video interviews of him speaking about their experience and disheartened realization. I hadn't seen anyone post abou this...only the name of the song..so I provided pertinent information. No 'perceived' bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KashmirDevi Posted February 7, 2008 Share Posted February 7, 2008 Well more fool them I say! As a more general response - TM has been a great gift to this world - you can even get a reduction on your health insurance if you practice it. I wish people were more ready to see the good than to pounce on the percieved bad. * I posted this while you were editing KD. IT wasn't a response to your comments about TM* I happen to agree with you Knebby. TM is a very methodized form of meditation. Meaning it is easy to people to start giving you a focus on mantra. As far as his teaching on 'yogic flying' I have my own very strong opinions on him making that a part of the TM movement and people starting a practice any yogic path to gain siddhis. Siddhis are a boon and should never be a goal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joelmon Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 So messing around with girls makes you a scumbag? How ironic................. Well......if it had been Yoko..... Bagism... is a term which was created by John Lennon and Yoko Ono as part of their extensive peace campaign in the late 1960s. Bagism reflected the whimsical, carefree, and often comedic mood of John and Yoko's other peace efforts, such as their Bed-Ins. By catching the attention of the masses with its outlandish premise, bagism presented a powerful social and political message to the world. As Lennon stated, "Yoko and I are quite willing to be the world's clowns, if by doing it we do some good." Disc 2 (live jam) 5. "Scumbag" (John Lennon/Yoko Ono/Frank Zappa) – 6:08 I like to clown around too ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunChild Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 Well......if it had been Yoko..... Bagism... is a term which was created by John Lennon and Yoko Ono as part of their extensive peace campaign in the late 1960s. Bagism reflected the whimsical, carefree, and often comedic mood of John and Yoko's other peace efforts, such as their Bed-Ins. By catching the attention of the masses with its outlandish premise, bagism presented a powerful social and political message to the world. As Lennon stated, "Yoko and I are quite willing to be the world's clowns, if by doing it we do some good." Disc 2 (live jam) 5. "Scumbag" (John Lennon/Yoko Ono/Frank Zappa) – 6:08 I like to clown around too ! Wow, cool, thanks for that. Owned that album back in the day. Things ain't changed much, We're still All Water, and Woman is still the Nigger of the World... (sorry Obama) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotplant Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 He didn't die, he just changed form. If you're "saddened" by his passing, then you probably don't know much about Hinduism. I was going to say the same thing. He is just being reborn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragster Posted February 8, 2008 Share Posted February 8, 2008 So sad to hear that. RIP man.....we are all only passing thru here.....till we meet one day over the ocean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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