Cult News

A new book is now available free online titled Call No Man Master, written by Joyce Collin-Smith.

The author has had “fifty years of spiritual adventures” and offers “praise of teachers,” but warns to be “wary of gurus.”

One of the gurus she warns about is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Collin-Smith was one of his early disciples, so she “knew him when.”

A reader recently told CultNews.com the following:

“Chapters 9 to 14 give a detailed description of the early years in which Maharishi established himself in England.

The author passed through a variety of spiritual movements and spent about 8 to 10 years meditating with Maharishi and also served in some capacity as his administrator.

Her period of involvement was from 1960 to about 1968-70.

Fascinating and valuable descriptions of how Maharishi got his start in England.

The author provides convincing evidence that his Transcendental Meditation (TM) may have caused damage and passivity, from the very beginning.

Collin-Smith also offers a fairly convincing case that the guru was an imposter, basically a monastic washout who failed to get a promotion in India, who then sought to re-invent himself as a ‘Realized Master’ in the West. And then marketed that persona to less discerning and more gullible audiences.

It seems significant that Maharishi did not minister to the more knowledgeable émigré Indian community in London, but instead concentrated on Westerners, that probably could not tell a bogus yogi from a real one.

Collin-Smith appears to demonstrate that from the outset Maharishi was greedy for money and that he seemingly ruthlessly used and discarded followers. The guru also apparently showed no concern when people began breaking down as a result of practicing TM.

The author says that though Maharishi might have some special gift, he abused it. And of course, how the guru struck gold when he was able to latch onto the Beatles.”

Collin-Smith claims to have suffered personal injury as a result of her years of TM practice and reports that many artists she knew also had their careers derailed because of this form of meditation.

She also discusses how TM-related passivity and depression may have disabled people’s critical faculties.”

The author writes, “The stream of creative energy, once so vigorous and prolific in me, had been dammed, diverted or even destroyed altogether. I therefore had no source of happiness and satisfaction. Judging by the conversations I had with various artists, writers, musicians and a ballet dancer, this experience of the meditation effects was shared with them. ‘The ballet used to be my life. Now it’s just the way I earn my living.’ ‘I don’t seem to want to paint any more. I’d rather just sit in the sun.’ ‘I can’t get on with writing my book. I don’t seem to feel much interest in anything but TM,’ were some of the comments I heard.”

Note: This book, now made easily accessible through the Internet, provides thought-provoking information for anyone interested in the early history of Maharishi and/or the origins of TM.

A new book is now available free online titled Call No Man Master, written by Joyce Collin-Smith.

The author has had “fifty years of spiritual adventures” and offers “praise of teachers,” but warns to be “wary of gurus.”

One of the gurus she warns about is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Collin-Smith was one of his early disciples and so she “knew him when.”

A reader recently told Cult News.com the following:

“Chapters 9 to 14 give a detailed description of the early years in which Maharishi established himself in England.

The author passed through a variety of spiritual movements and spent about 8 to 10 years meditating with Maharishi and also served in some capacity as his administrator.

Her period of involvement was from 1960 to about 1968-70.

Fascinating and valuable descriptions of how Maharishi got his start in England.

The author provides convincing evidence that his Transcendental Meditation (TM) may have produced dissociative reactions and passivity, from the very beginning.

Collin-Smith also offers a fairly convincing case that the guru was an imposter, basically a monastic washout who failed to get a promotion in India, who then sought to re-invent himself as a ‘Realized Master’ in the West. And then marketing that persona to less discerning and more gullible audiences.

It seems significant that Maharishi did not minister to the more knowledgeable émigré Indian community in London, but instead concentrated on Westerners, that probably could not tell a bogus yogi from a real one.

Collin-Smith appears to demonstrate that from the outset Maharishi was greedy for money and that he seemingly ruthlessly used and discard followers. The guru also apparently showed no concern when people began breaking down as a result of practicing TM.

The author says that though Maharishi might have some special gift, he abused it. And of course, how the guru struck gold when he was able to latch onto the Beatles.”

Collin-Smith claims to have suffered personal injury as a result of her years of TM practice and reports that many artists she knew also had their careers derailed because of this form of meditation.

She also discusses how TM-related passivity and depression may have disabled people’s critical faculties.”

The author writes, “The stream of creative energy, once so vigorous and prolific in me, had been dammed, diverted or even destroyed altogether. I therefore had no source of happiness and satisfaction. Judging by the conversations I had with various artists, writers, musicians and a ballet dancer, this experience of the meditation effects was shared with them. ‘The ballet used to be my life. Now it’s just the way I earn my living.’ ‘I don’t seem to want to paint any more. I’d rather just sit in the sun.’ ‘I can’t get on with writing my book. I don’t seem to feel much interest in anything but TM,’ were some of the comments I heard.”

This book, now made easily accessible through the Internet, provides thought-provoking information for anyone interested in the early history of Maharishi and/or the origins of the TM.

Long before the Raelian “cloning cult” garnered media coverage for its leader through publicity ploys, the devoted followers of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi of Transcendental Meditation (TM) were at it.

Now it seems TMers are churning out one story after another in hot pursuit of publicity. This has included the creation of Maharishi money, peace palaces and even a country for the aging guru.

Former presidential candidate and Maharishi man John Haeglin pitched the latest hype.

Haeglin’s last effort at propaganda was trying to convince American voters he was a viable political candidate and not just a Maharishi sock puppet.

Now the supposed “political activist,” who is back at his day job as a professor at Maharishi U in Iowa, wants to go “political” again for the old man. His latest act of devotion will be to form a “peace government,” reports the Fairfield Ledger.

Haeglin says this government will promote, “the strategic application of meditation,” which is Maharishi-speak for more TM. And of course the guru immediately endorsed his disciple’s effort.

In another interesting TM development, the guru-controlled Iowa town “Vedic City” wants loan guarantees to build dormitories for 1,600 Indian immigrants, a likely source for cheap labor within the small community.

It’s interesting that probably the wealthiest guru in the world wants loan guarantees for cheap financing.

Maharishi may be 92, but the master hasn’t lost his TM touch—that is for generating money and attention.

At least one group called a “cult” has been the recipient of substantial government funds in the United States–and without President Bush’s “faith based initiative.”

Millions of taxpayer dollars have already flowed into the coffers of one guru’s pet projects.

The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who supposedly created Transcendental Meditation (TM), has a university called, what else, “Maharishi U.” The school in Iowa has received “$20 million dollars in state and federal funding for TM-related research,” reports Canada’s National Post.

Maharishi’s town in Iowa known as “Vedic City” was also recently granted $29,000 by the state for a salaried consultant.

The consultant “will research and coordinate energy saving technology into new construction at Vedic City, as well as for older buildings on the Maharishi University of Management campus,” reports the Fairfield Ledger.

The clever guru also managed to make a lucrative land deal late last year in the Bush family home state of Texas.

The Texas Department of Transportation paid the “Maharishi Global Development Fund” $14 million for acreage necessary to complete a highway, reported the Coppell Gazette.

It’s interesting to note that a guru, who controls a vast financial empire worth billions, can rely upon state and federal agencies to help him out.

At 92 Maharishi is as astute about money as ever and he doesn’t need to stand in line like evangelist Pat Robertson for any presidential “faith based initiative” funding.

Maybe it’s the guru’s vaunted meditation discipline or some special money mantra that enables him to so successfully scoop up government cash?

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi of Transcendental Meditation (TM) seems to be building a kind of self-contained world within Iowa.

Some might see this as a kind of “cult compound,” rather than a conventional city.

However, six new modular dormitories will soon provide space at “Vedic City” for 1,600 more of the guru’s devotees, reports the Fairfield Ledger.

Maharishi’s public relations people say this will bring the community to some magic number, which they call “super radiance.”

The guru’s spokespeople also claim that some TM members can “fly,” based upon special flying lessons mandated by Maharishi. They are called “yogic flyers.”

Apparently within this special world created amidst Iowa farmland reality is a bit fuzzy. Could that be the result of living within a bubble created and controlled by one man? And will that bubble ever burst?

Well, probably not for the foreseeable future.

Expect to see more yogic flyers and other TM types landing in Iowa soon to take up residence within this strange domain and alternate reality.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi makes his own money and apparently it’s legal according to banking authorities in Europe, reports CNN.

That is, as long as the aging guru “doesn’t suggest that this is legal tender and it doesn’t resemble the euro,” said a European official.

CNN’s reporting seemed somewhat fatuous regarding claims made by Maharishi, which were quoted without qualification, such as his supposed “six million followers” and the benefits of the guru’s meditation techniques.

Some followers say they can “fly” by practicing Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation.

Right.

The old guru is perhaps the precursor of “Rael,” a.k.a. Claude Vorilhon, the leader of the Raelians, or so-called “clone cult.” Both men seem willing to do anything for attention and publicity.

In his new book Nothing Is Impossible, Christopher Reeve offers inspiration and hope, but the Hollywood icon also demonstrates his enduring sense of humor.

In a chapter titled Religion, Reeve tells the story of his involvement with Scientology during 1975.

The saga begins outside a supermarket where the actor runs into a Scientologist promoting a “free personality test.” Reeve obliges him and takes the test, curious to find out its results.

The next day in the “plush…inner sanctum of…[Scientology’s] headquarters…suitable for the president or CEO of a major corporation” he is told the bad news. Scientologists warn Reeve that he is carrying “heavy ‘baggage'” and suffers from a litany of personal problems.

But of course they can provide the needed “‘training'” to help him, which they say he should begin immediately.

So the future Superman takes Scientology courses hoping one day he will “go Clear,” which is Scientology jargon for reaching a supposed advanced state of consciousness made possible through their training.

Reeve writes about an exercise called “‘TRO’ (Training Routine Zero)” and explains, “The objective was to empty our minds of extraneous thoughts (‘clutter’)” And “whenever our own clutter tried to come back in, we were…to acknowledge its return and then command it to go away.”

Doesn’t this sound like “brainwashing“?

The actor tells readers that TRO only cost him “a few hundred dollars.” But after that came “auditing,” which he describes as “outrageously expensive.” And Reeve says Scientology wanted “$3,000 in advance” for that service, which was billed at a “$100 an hour in 1975.”

He explains that the “auditor” used an “E-Meter,” which is “a simple box with a window that contained a fluctuating needle and a card with numbers from one to ten. Two wires running out of the box…were attached to tin cans,” which he was asked to hold.

Apparently it didn’t take x-ray vision for Reeve to conclude that the “E-meter was basically a crude lie detector.”

What Reeve subsequently details sounds like an interrogation. The actor was asked to “recall the use of…illegal substances…painkillers…anything stronger than aspirin.” He says, “My drug rundown used up for or five sessions.”

But Reeve had “growing skepticism about Scientology.” So he decided to run his own test.

He told the auditor a long story supposedly about a past life, but he made it all up, based upon a Greek myth.

However, the auditor didn’t detect anything, even with the help of the trusty “E-Meter.”

It was then that the “Man of Steel” decided he was done with Scientology. Reeve writes, “The fact that I got away with a blatant fabrication completely devalued my belief in the process.”

Summing up a religious critique the actor says, “My problem has always been with religious dogma intended to manipulate behavior.”

Elsewhere in the book Reeve recounts exposure to Transcendental Meditation, a run-in with a devotee of Baba Muktanananda, an awareness weekend seminar, Deepak Chopra, “Harmonic Convergence” and “rebirthing.”

But Christopher Reeve never became another movie star devoted to some guru or “cult.” And it’s refreshing to find a celebrity that isn’t another annoying Hollywood cliché, constantly promoting some leader, special mentor or weird group.

Even after life dealt Reeve a tough hand in 1995 through a freak accident that paralyzed his body, he still didn’t grasp for some self-serving, comforting or convenient belief system.

Instead, the actor says God wants us to “do our best” and simply “discern the truth.” And Reeve cites a guiding principle espoused by the pragmatic Abraham Lincoln, “When I do good I feel good. When I do bad I feel bad. And that’s my religion.”

It seems Scientology has more to learn from Superman than he ever could have taken in from its endless courses and “auditing.”

Maybe this movie star should teach some Hollywood Scientologists like Tom Cruise and John Travolta?

Given his current circumstances many might think Christopher Reeve is bitter. But the actor centers much of his life and faith upon the value of hope.

He concludes at the end of his book, “When we have hope, we discover powers, within ourselves we may have never known—the power to make sacrifices, to endure, to heal, and to love. Once we choose hope, everything is possible.”

Octogenarian guru and holdover from the sixties Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, now has what seems like his own megalomania-money called the “Raam,” reports the Indian Times.

The founder of “Transcendental Meditation” (TM) was once guru to the Beatles, until they dumped him. But that rejection didn’t stop him. He kept on working and created a financial empire some say is worth more than a billion dollars.

Maharishi’s spiritual kingdom now includes both a “Vedic City” and University in Iowa.

But what’s an empire without its own money?

Now comes the Indian guru’s own “Raam,” which is worth ten Euros when presented at one bank. The Raam is also used in the US. That is, to buy goods within Vedic City, though it doesn’t seem to be worth much outside of the guru’s domain.

Public announcements about the Raam are part of a new grandiose global plan proposed by Maharishi that includes “peace palaces” and other “developmental projects.”

However, the Dallas Daily News observed that Maharishi’s “big plans often come to little ends.” They listed many of his past failures, despite their initial fanfare and intense promotion.

Maharishi’s TM devotees seem to live an odd life in Iowa, based upon a report by the DesMoines Register. Their lifestyle includes ingesting herbal concoctions, measuring fences for “cosmic forces” and gargling with sesame oil daily. Their guru suggests this, and Maharishi’s suggestions are typically followed religiously by his followers. There are 3,000 TMers now living in Iowa.

The guru’s Iowa devotees often pay $150.00 per month to meditate at his domed facility in Vedic City. They must shell out a minimum architectural consultation fee of $7,500.00 to begin construction on a home there and then 3% of the total cost upon completion. Homes at Vedic City range from $200,00 to $800,000, which is quite steep by Iowa standards. And then there is School tuition–$10,000 annually.

One Des Moines Area Community College physics professor researched Maharishi and his claims. Professor Frank Trumpy concluded, “I think it’s nonsense. It’s religion masquerading as science. They are selling the program because they make money off it.”

Is Iowa the prototype of what the old guru has in mind when he touts “global development”? It sounds more like a moneymaking scheme than a spiritual pursuit to save the planet.

Why would such a rich man near the end of his life need or want more money? Well, one rather obvious answer sadly doesn’t reflect the profound enlightenment Maharishi supposedly possesses through decades of meditation and spiritual development—GREED and EGO.

Apparently, the Beatles once sang cryptically and somewhat tellingly about Maharishi in their song “Fool on the Hill.” However, in the current scenario it seems the saying, “there’s no fool like an old fool,” has been turned on its head.

If Maharishi is a “fool,” he is one that has grown richer with age, through what appears to be the foolishness of others.

Aging 60s guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi makes his own money, reports the Des Moines Register.

Iowa is the home of “Maharishi University” and nearby is “Vedic City,” a new town created by the guru’s devotees. In an interesting development, residents, students and tourists can trade dollars for the new “Raam.”

The currency is accepted by some businesses selling souvenirs, services and snacks in and around Transcendental Meditation’s new hometown, but many Iowa residents reject it.

The scheme to create the new currency is not surprising, Maharishi is an old pro at the guru game and can coax his followers to do almost anything. And he seems willing to do almost anything for a buck, or is that a “Raam”? It would be surprising if the guru converted his personal assets into this funny money.

The Raam appears to be backed by little more than an ego, which suffers from a long history of inflation.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was famous in the 1960s as the Beatles’ guru. But after the Beatles dumped him he kept going on and on, something like that little erstwhile Eveready battery bunny. Today in his eighties he’s still beating his drum, most recently about a proposed “peace plan,” reports the Washington Post.

But please understand that the Maharishi’s plan is not free. Like most of his other ventures, this plan has a price tag too. The guru apparently wants everyone to buy his new “Global Country of World Peace” bonds. Hey, he even pays interest, though how this will be accomplished seems vague. You might be better off picking up Iraqi peace bonds instead.

The guru’s plan involves building thousands of “peace palaces” for his followers to hop around in—or as he prefers to call it “yogic flying,” an advanced form of “Transcendental Meditation.” He says that all this frenetic hopping will somehow generate world peace. Paul and Ringo are you listening?

By the way Maharishi, like most cult leaders, doesn’t see democracy as a good thing and it certainly isn’t part of his peace plan. The guru said, “I call it ‘damn democracy,'” quoting himself. Of course his country is a dictatorship and he is its ruler. Interestingly though, despite this Maharishi inspired “The Natural Law Party” founded by his followers, which is now suing Kansas to get on that State’s ballot, according to Associated Press.

The Beatles may have sang “all you need is love,” but Maharishi seems to think what he needs is power and cash.