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It was an astonishing experience for me today to attend a
Maharaji aspirant meeting in order to request being granted
the privilege of gaining "knowledge".
I have had the satisfaction of attending meetings and
watching Maharaji's videos. No demands were ever made and I
did find a new ability to calm my mind. In the very
beginning Maharaji said that what he has to offer is not a
religion and does not conflict with any religion. I had
never felt any pressure -- only a gentle promise.
That all changed today. Many hopeful aspirants had come long
distances (including airplane flights) to gain this
wonderful offering. But we had to endure moving from room to
room as we were weeded out for not being dedicated or
deserving enough. I was told that "nobody" knew me -- which
translates into I had not been excited enough to talk to
people and offer my time/effort. While it *felt* like a
demeaning and cruel experience, we were constantly reassured
that it is the "journey" that counts and not to take it as
"rejection," even though some people had spent hundreds of
dollars on airplane tickets and were clearly emotionally
crushed.
Not rejection? Bull. More like CALCULATED rejection. What is
interesting is that I always wondered why ex-premies should
be so angry. As for myself, I found Maharaji's message of
the heart being wise and providing fulfillment -- as opposed
to the machinations of mind and a materialistic world --
extremely valid. Especially so when Maharaji skillfully
invites you to go within and find your own brand of
happiness which is like nobody elses. Ancient masters and
wise men have said it for ages, "Know thyself." It frees the
heart.
Unfortunately, Maharaji's freedom lasts only until you
realize that Maharaji's real goal is that you give HIM total
allegiance. The carrot he uses is granting "knowledge."
Although today his instructors were suddenly saying it's a
life-long process of which "knowledge" is only a part.
Maharaji is more important than knowledge they told us
today. Personally, I have never thought the messenger should
be greater than the message, but that's exactly what you
must agree to in order to receive knowledge. Knowledge is
the carrot of freedom, except at the same time you're
gaining freedom, you're also losing it.
In the meeting the instructor made an absolute point to have
all of us repeatedly insist that we had no other religion or
spirituality - explaining that that would conflict with our
dedication to Maharaji. I found this to be a very important
lie, because obviously many people would not have been
interested if Maharaji had made it clear up front that he
would accept no competing religions or affiliations. In the
beginning he claimed otherwise.
Frankly, while Maharaji has always said to listen to your
heart and not your mind, it wasn't my mind that objected
today, but my heart. There was a distinct feeling of
betrayal. This truly looks like an insidious agenda to
browbeat people into a servile enough submission to "earn"
the gift of knowledge by promising nothing less than total
service to Maharaji.
And to top it off, you are reminded that knowledge will not
make the world a better place, or give you happier
relationships, or improve your health -- it merely provides
a wonderful experience. (Like alcohol or drugs without the
side effects)
There was other stuff I found objectionable, but I think
this covers my thoughts best.
Oh, by the way, my husband pointed out that I did, after
all, get knowledge today -- just not the kind I
expected.
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