Maharishi Mahesh Yogi original name Mahesh Prasad Varma (born 1917?, Jabalpur, India—died Feb. 5, 2008, Vlodrop, Neth.), was a well-known spiritual leader and the founder of Transcendental Meditation technique. He started public teachings of the transcendental meditation technique and commenced a world tour to popularize it among the westerners. After touring UK and USA, in order to spread the Spiritual Regeneration Movement, Maharishi returned to India and organized his first International Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh, which aimed at training the experienced practitioners of the Transcendental Meditation technique. Maharishi also established universities to combine Modern Science with Vedic Science.
Little is known of the Maharishi’s early life. He studied physics at the University of Allahābād and worked for a time in factories. He later left for the Himalayas, where for 13 years he studied under Guru Dev, the founder of TM. When Guru Dev died in 1952, the Maharishi organized a movement to spread the teachings of TM throughout the world; his first world tour took place in 1959 and brought him to the United States.
Maharishi continued with his lectures on meditation, usually using a local Presbyterian church as his venue. Then, one day, he opted for something cozier.
Theresa Olson says, “My mom came home from work one day, and asked where the lecture was going to be that day. Maharishi replied, “Come, I thought of something better for today!”, and he took us to our living room. The heavy furniture – the sofas, the piano – had been pushed back against the walls and rows of folding chairs set up instead.”
That was going to be an established configuration in the Olsons’ living room for many years to come.
The audience kept growing, comprising people from all walks of life – merchants, teachers, artists, full-time spiritual seekers…
The house at 433, Harvard Boulevard turned into Maharishi’s US headquarters. It was from this middle-class, clean-cut American entry gate that the ancient wisdom of meditation became available, eventually, to millions of people seeking enlightenment or proven health benefits.
Maharishi In US and UK
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi traveled to the United States in 1959, to establish his Spiritual Regeneration Movement there. It grew rapidly and became more appealing to the people in the United States, including celebrities of 1960s and 1970s. Some of the famous people who became students of Maharishi included the Beach Boys, singer-songwriter Donovan, Directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch, Comedian Andy Kaufman and magician Doug Henning. After popularizing the Spiritual Regeneration Movement in the United States, Maharishi Mahesh traveled to Europe to expand his teachings further.
Back To India
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi returned to India after expanding his teachings in the US and UK. He established a number of administrative centers in India, where he gave lectures and taught about the Transcendental Meditation technique. In this process, a number of practitioners became experts, trained to serve as teachers of this technique. Maharishi organized his first international Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh, in 1961, where a number of meditators, from countries including India, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Britain, Malaya, Norway, the United States, Australia, Greece, Italy and the West Indies, were present.
Maharishi’s Books
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s increasing interest in Vedic knowledge motivated him to translate and give commentary on the first six chapters of Bhagavad-Gita. Meanwhile, he worked on the audio-taped version of the text of ‘The Science of Being and Art of Living’. It was later transcribed and published in 1963.
The TM Movement
The in-residence courses and assemblies organized by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in various countries, for over 30 years, proved beneficial for the practitioners of Transcendental Meditation technique. The TM-Sidhi program designed by him is considered as an added advantage for experienced Transcendental Meditation technique practitioners. Group practice of this advanced program proves to be quite beneficial. The TM movement has become very popular. Many scientists have found physical and mental health benefits of the transcendental meditation technique. They accredit the technique with reducing stress-related ailments.
Death
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi breathed his last on February 5, 2008 at Vlodrop, Netherlands. During the years of his existence, he led humanity to a new era of peace and harmony. Today, there are more than 5 million followers of Maharishi, who seek to attain higher state of consciousness.
Awards And Recognitions
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was entitled to a number of awards and attained worldwide recognition during his lifetime. He was awarded the Man of Hope Award, by City of Hope - California, in 1970. Other awards and recognitions won by Maharishi include 'Golden Medal' of the City of Delphi - Greece; 'Key to the City of Houston' - Texas, USA; 'Key to the City of Los Angeles' - California, USA and 'Honorary Citizenship to the City of Winnipeg' - Canada.
