Guest guest Posted August 4, 2002 Report Share Posted August 4, 2002 I don't know any TMers who consider Maharishi their guru; he never presented himself in that way. Most people learn TM as a meditation technique to experience all different kinds of benefits - reduction of stress, improved health, energy etc. It's not really taught as something 'spiritual'. You do not have to believe in TM to practice it or adhere to any particular religion or philosophy. However Maharishi does say he learned the TM techniques from his guru and that they are based on knowledge from the Vedas. He also discusses higher state of consciousness, using the term cosmic consciousness for what others might call enlightenment, or the first stage of enlightenment. Especially in the West, he has emphasized physical, social and emotional benefits and many scientific studies have been performed to demonstrate these benefits - like a reduction in crime or in health care costs. Also in poorer countries TM costs a lot less and is sometimes taught for free. When I learned it cost $35! But there are also lectures he's given where he does talk a little about spirituality. Ammachi, Dianadevi@a... wrote: For the TMers who follow Amma on this list, I wonder, who is the Guru, Maharishi or Ammachi? I peaceably in the spirit of understanding, request your feelings about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2002 Report Share Posted August 4, 2002 Probably the vast majority who¹ve learned TM have done so for stress release, etc., as you say, and don¹t consider Maharishi their guru. But many of the tens of thousands who¹ve gotten more involved, trained as TM teachers, etc., have considered or do consider Maharishi their guru. He has reportedly said that¹s he¹s not a personal guru, and he certainly doesn¹t act like one except for a small inner circle, but it¹s natural to have and want a guru, so many consider him their guru even if he¹s not aware they exist. Aren¹t there people who consider Yogananda their guru, even though he died 45 years ago? > > "muyilusionada" <muyilusionada > > I don't know any TMers who consider Maharishi their guru; he never > presented himself in that way. Most people learn TM as a meditation > technique to experience all different kinds of benefits - reduction > of stress, improved health, energy etc. It's not really taught as > something 'spiritual'. You do not have to believe in TM to practice > it or adhere to any particular religion or philosophy. > > However Maharishi does say he learned the TM techniques from his guru > and that they are based on knowledge from the Vedas. He also > discusses higher state of consciousness, using the term cosmic > consciousness for what others might call enlightenment, or the first > stage of enlightenment. Especially in the West, he has emphasized > physical, social and emotional benefits and many scientific studies > have been performed to demonstrate these benefits - like a reduction > in crime or in health care costs. Also in poorer countries TM costs a > lot less and is sometimes taught for free. When I learned it cost $35! > > But there are also lectures he's given where he does talk a little > about spirituality. > > Ammachi, Dianadevi@a... wrote: > > For the TMers who follow Amma on this list, I wonder, who is the > Guru, Maharishi or Ammachi? I peaceably in the spirit of > understanding, request your feelings about this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Dear Rick, Hi! Well, as a long time SRFer (27 years before meeting Amma) I have to respond to this. Technically speaking, Yogananda entered mahasamadhi, rather than "dying" 50 rather than 45 years ago. At the end of his talk at the Biltmore Hotel he quoted these concluding lines from his poem, "My India." "Where Ganges, woods, Himalayan caves and men dream God, I am hallowed; my body touced that sod." The word sod became a long drawn-out sigh, he turned slightly to the right, then sank slowly to the floor, a beatific smile on his face. Quite an exit. Like Christ (and like our own beloved Amma will be some day) he remains an "ever-living" guru, the body not here, but still all-pervading. Okay, enough for that. I was surprised that on two occasions you mentioned that, in your experience, Amma devotees were nicer than TMers. I had rather the opposite experience, although there are many, many lovely Amma devotees. I love the SRF devotees and still go there whenever I can for the simple reason that it makes me feel happy. Their hearts seem soft and gentle to me. I think because SRF has been around a long time, they have been able to instill a group consciousness of kindness and love. At least that's how it is in Seattle. Now I consider Amma as my Guru, but She also told me that She and Yogananda are One, and that Yogananda led me to Her. The main difference I see in having a "living" versus a "non-living" guru is the horrendous blows to the ego that Amma is so capable of delivering. (My ego is still alive, unfortunatley, but definitely reeling from some of the blows. I now see surrender as the only way, and try to live by Amma's words, "Be like a dead body floating down the river of life." (not an exact quote.) Peace to all, Jyotsna --- Rick Archer <rick wrote: > Probably the vast majority who¹ve learned TM have > done so for stress > release, etc., as you say, and don¹t consider > Maharishi their guru. But many > of the tens of thousands who¹ve gotten more > involved, trained as TM > teachers, etc., have considered or do consider > Maharishi their guru. He has > reportedly said that¹s he¹s not a personal guru, and > he certainly doesn¹t > act like one except for a small inner circle, but > it¹s natural to have and > want a guru, so many consider him their guru even if > he¹s not aware they > exist. Aren¹t there people who consider Yogananda > their guru, even though he > died 45 years ago? > > > > "muyilusionada" <muyilusionada > > > > I don't know any TMers who consider Maharishi > their guru; he never > > presented himself in that way. Most people learn > TM as a meditation > > technique to experience all different kinds of > benefits - reduction > > of stress, improved health, energy etc. It's not > really taught as > > something 'spiritual'. You do not have to believe > in TM to practice > > it or adhere to any particular religion or > philosophy. > > > > However Maharishi does say he learned the TM > techniques from his guru > > and that they are based on knowledge from the > Vedas. He also > > discusses higher state of consciousness, using the > term cosmic > > consciousness for what others might call > enlightenment, or the first > > stage of enlightenment. Especially in the West, he > has emphasized > > physical, social and emotional benefits and many > scientific studies > > have been performed to demonstrate these benefits > - like a reduction > > in crime or in health care costs. Also in poorer > countries TM costs a > > lot less and is sometimes taught for free. When I > learned it cost $35! > > > > But there are also lectures he's given where he > does talk a little > > about spirituality. > > > > Ammachi, Dianadevi@a... wrote: > > > > For the TMers who follow Amma on this list, I > wonder, who is the > > Guru, Maharishi or Ammachi? I peaceably in the > spirit of > > understanding, request your feelings about this. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > Health - Feel better, live better http://health. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2002 Report Share Posted August 5, 2002 Ammachi, Ellen Lamb <jyotsna2> wrote: > Now I consider Amma as my Guru, but She also told > me that She and Yogananda are One, and that > Yogananda led me to Her. Love for Yoganada has lead many people to Amma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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