Transcendental Meditation: Maharishi Yogi May He Rest in Peace

The famed Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi died last night, February 5^th in the Netherlands while in his sleep, of natural causes...he was ninety one years old and lived in this quiet retreat since his retirement last month...a peaceful end to the man that believed in individual peace and enlightenment.

He introduced Transcendental Meditation to the western world in 1959 but didn't become well known until he became the guru to the Beatles and to many other stars during the sixties, when people were searching for inner peace and ways to attain it. Mia Farrow was another celebrity who studied with him and always said he helped enrich her life. the guru to the stars was a name he picked up at that time. Why in later years the Beatles became disenchanted with him was not known.

He became famous for the mantras he taught, always teaching spiritual enlightenment, based on yoga and meditation, involving a technique which used a word or short phase in which the practitioner was supposed to find the deepest kind of relaxation by repeating over and over again, which then was supposed to bring pure inner joy, creativity and vitality... he had followers from around the world... more then 5,000,000 followers believe and practice his teachings.

Two of them are my hubby's sister and brother in law.

When we would go to their house, the first thing we had to do was take off our shoes...the reason behind this, as I understand it, is to keep out the negative vibes...upon entering, there are pictures of the Yogi on the walls with incense burners nearby. My sister and brother in law meditate at the same hours each day, both morning and night. They believe, with all their hearts, in this way of life and have been practicing for many years...they go to retreats in Oregon and Iowa where the practice of meditating by large groups, all at the same time, is supposed to bring about world peace and end poverty throughout the world. They are strict vegetarians and devout believers in this way of life.

After many years of practicing these yoga routines an a daily basis, we know not to call them at certain times of the day or, if we are in California where they live, we do not visit at those times...some of the family truly believes that what they say and do is relevant and meaningful and will eventually help the world.... I just don't know...they tell me they have the ability to hop, while meditating, meaning they move but not by physical will...This 20 minute twice daily routine which they follow, and, their very strong belief, I must say, has made them very spiritual and, as they get older are still quite spry and in good shape. They don't seem very stressed out at all regardless of what comes their way...both are very creative people, he's a writer and she's an artist concentrating on beautiful canvases with environmental themes.

They practice and believe one of his most famous mantras, "Don't fight darkness. Bring the light and the darkness will disappear" ...I hope they find this light for the rest of their lives...as for me, I'm more of a skeptic but respect their beliefs and hope for the peace in this world that Maharishis' followers have been meditating for all these years.

One thing that has always made me wonder about the whole thing was the large donations that were made by these believers, many paid a $2,500 fee to learn his technique to end poverty and bring about peace...these donations have grown into a multi-million dollar empire...I hope this money will someday help the world.

May Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Rest In Peace...