DLM/EV History: 1977 |
Re-dedication: The Devotional Period |
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The 1976 liberalization was short-lived. As larger
numbers of premies left the ashrams or left Maharaji
entirely, DLM's finances, and the money that had supported
Maharaji's extremely lavish lifestyle, began to dry up.
According to Bob Mishler, Maharaji became concerned about
the reduction in donations, and felt that unless the premies
viewed him as the lord, as a perfect master, and as "the
supreme power in person," they would not continue to
dedicate their lives, and their earnings, to him. |
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Afterwards, Maharaji returned to North America and held a program in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in December of 1976. It was sparsely attended, but he again wore his Krishna costume, held traditional darshan, and spoke of the need for every premie to be devoted and to surrender to him. In 1977, he began holding a new program in North America every 22 days. Many premies lost jobs so they could attend as many of these programs as possible. However, according to Maharaji, this was right and proper: "I mean it's like, I think to sum it all up it comes down into one simple thing. If I were a premie and I had a job the only reason why I would work and save up some money is to be able to go to festivals. I mean that really sums it up". (Maharaji speaking in Rome, 1977) Although many of the premies who had left in 1976 began coming back to the fold, many did not. Despite his own involvement in the changes in 1976, Maharaji repeatedly blamed the premies for what he saw as the debacle of 1976. For years to come, the year "1976" stated among premies was synonymous with "spaced out." |
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Prev Page: 1975 - 1976 - Maharaji plays Krishna, then "Humanitarian Leader" |
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