Win a holiday

Enter our Snapshots of Summer photography competition

Navigation - link to other main sections from here

From The Times

February 7, 2008

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi dies a recluse

Jeremy Page in Delhi and Ben Hoyle

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the guru to the Beatles who introduced the West to Transcendental Meditation and yogic flying and became a counterculture icon, has died at his Dutch retreat. He was thought to be 91.

Born in central India, the Maharishi began studying meditation after completing a degree in physics in 1942 and started to teach his techniques around the world in 1959, starting with the United States.

It was his relationship with the Beatles that propelled him to fame and, later, notoriety. George Harrison’s wife, Patti, heard about the Maharishi while her husband was studying the sitar with Ravi Shankar in Bombay in 1966.

The following year, when the guru arrived in Britain to teach, the Beatles, who had been overwhelmed by the scale of their success, were ready for his message. Dressed in the flowing Eastern robes of the flower power movement and sporting moustaches, they joined him in a first-class train carriage travelling from London to Bangor. Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull were also there.

The Maharishi was hosting a meditation course at the Normal College, now part of the University of North Wales. The Beatles intended to stay for a week but cut short their visit when news broke that Brian Epstein, their visionary manager, had died.

The following year the group visited the Maharishi at his fortified ashram in Rishikesh in the foothills of the Himalayas. They were filmed, sitting cross-legged and wearing garlands of flowers, learning his Transcendental Meditation techniques. They were followed by other celebrities including Mike Love, of the Beach Boys, Donovan and Mia Farrow.

Ringo Starr was the first to leave, complaining that he missed egg and chips. The Maharishi — “great sage” in Hindi — fell out with many of the rock stars after rumours emerged that he had made inappropriate advances towards Ms Farrow, inspiring John Lennon to write the song Sexy Sadie, about a charlatan who “made a fool of everyone”.

By the 1970s the Maharishi was said to have more than five million people practising Transcendental Meditation, or TM. Practitioners spend 20 minutes every morning and evening reciting a single sound, or mantra, to help them to reduce stress and improve concentration. The Maharishi also taught “yogic flying” — or bouncing in the air in the lotus position.

By the 1980s he had set up schools across the world, founded the Natural Law Party and built a multimillion-pound business empire including a property dealership and a company selling Ayurvedic medicine and cosmetics. Most were financed by donations and a $2,500 fee to learn TM.

In 1990 he moved his headquarters to a former Franciscan monastery in the southern Dutch village of Vlodrop, from where he controlled his Global Country of World Peace movement. There he lived as a recluse in a pavilion and communicated by video link.

The Maharishi was widely ridiculed in 2002 when he announced that he could combat terrorism and war if he could raise $1 billion to train 40,000 expert meditators. Sceptics also scoffed at his plan to raise $10 trillion to end poverty by sponsoring organic farming in the poorest countries.

A spokesman said that a memorial service would be held in Vlodrop today before his body was flown back to India for a funeral by the Ganges.

“Maharishi’s work is complete,” his movement said in a statement. “He has done what he set out to do in 1957 — to lay the foundation for a peaceful world. Now Maharishi is being welcomed with open arms into heaven.”

Maharishi was truly a beacon of truth in a world of conflicting ideas. It was the simpicity of the message borne out of the simplicity of the reality that he knew that cut through the darkness and brought a light so brilliant and powerful that once it touched your heart, it would become its very nature: its core. He is a permanent reality in my own heart and although a part of me - that part that glorifies the parts over the whole - misses him so deeply, I am being very consciously reminded by the wonderful legacy we have in his spiritual develpomemt programmes that I am that unbounded, ocean-like awareness that knows each wave as a motion within itself, so am never seperate from either Maharishi, my revered teacher, nor from the 'maharishi' - great seer - that I am in my own essential nature. The knowledge that duality is essentially unity means that the starting point and the end point are one and the same: the 'journey' is actually what's experienced as we awake in our consciousness

Ged, London, England

I have been practicng T.M. for 33 years and can truly say that Maharishi gave me what we are all searching for - inner peace and knowledge of myself as pure being, pure love. As a result of leaning T.M. my life, although challenging ,has blossomed and flourished along with all my family. Maharishi devoted his entire life to the spiritual regeneration of the world and people should do their own research into his achievements before believing what they read in the press and on the internet. I am overwhealmed with grattitude to him. It is a tribute to his teachings and organization that the world will continue to benefit from his great knowledge of cosmic law, and the T.M. organization will continue to grow , and offer its significant experience and knowledge to all who want to have it.

Regarding the price, it costs Â£1200.00 for a course of instruction, the teachers pay thousands to take their teacher training. It costs about the same as a good holiday.

Lynd Somerville, Plymouth,

Maharishi confirmed to me what I knew about myself. His Grace as truly a Light To The World. We are in a time that we desperately need to follow the principle of Love.
Blog Talk Radio
The Charn Parker Show

Charn, Arlington, Virginia

i was a high school student and mowed the grass and did yard cleaning to pay for my instruction. I became very close to my teacher and she told me once that Maharishi said americans like to buy and own something. If he had passed it out free, no one would have owned it. they needed to earn it some how. It works. actually it works to well, that's why people quit or don't do it. It will change you and the enviroment around you

greg andrews, mobile, USA , alabama

Why something as good as the MT technique, cannot be given freely to people. Should only an elite learn, most of the worldâ€™s population cannot afford $2,500. If the technique is so powerful why not share itâ€¦.Or do you Do you need to have a superior consciences to understand why $2.500???

Phil, Paris, France

Thank you Maharishi for bringing TM to the West. Learning to meditate was the most important thing I have done in my life. After seeing you on a talk show spreading your message of peace, harmony and love in 1975, I convinced my loving father to enroll the family in the TM Meditation Course. My life was completely transformed with the initiation of the mantra. Thank you Maharishi for your selfless service to humankind and for bringing this knowledge to the West. Love, Anne

Anne Foote, Lake Zurich, IL

Maharishi was one of the most beautiful beings to every step foot on the planet. His contribution to real lasting world peace is immeasurable. He was light years ahead of his time. And, one of his most brilliant and loving accomplishments was to bring the rest of us along with him to the brink of a new era of world peace via his revolutionary inner technology of peace and happiness. Those of us who have meditated through the decades know what he meant with his last public words when he said: "The future of the world is bright, and that is my delight." Thank you Maharishi for the gift of your life.

Blaze Bradley Compton, Dayton, OR

Thank you Maharishi !

Gunter Taube, Ithaca, NY

The one whose body stops while being in cosmic consciousness will not have to come back as he has and will never leave

Gerard, Paris,

Maharishi has done something that all people also in the future will benefit from. Only few in the World have really recognized who Maharishi is and what he did till now. Maharishi didn't die on 05.02.2008. He has only left his body, his last limitation and from now on, Maharishi will be even more available for everyone, everywhere, at any time.
I have never seen Maharishi even for a moment, but that was not important at all to learn from him, make a better person from myself, love him and work constantly on his vision to make Heaven on Earth.
Be blessed to look for Maharishi and to learn from Maharishiâ€™s work and wisdom. Now, everyone have only to continue to learn and make the World a better place for everyone. Maharishi will always support each one.
As Maharishi always said, he did what he planned for his teacher Guru Dev.
All Glory to Guru Dev and Maharishi.
Boris Sorsa

Boris Sorsa, Hamburg,

Some of us learn it by default in India, but do not realize how great Meditation, Shavasana and other techniques are for vital health.
Waiting to hear Deepak Chopra on the Maharishi! They were together so long.
Srinivas Venkat

S.Venkat, Norcross, GA

"Life is here to enjoy, tell everyone, no one has to suffer anymore." That was your heart cry for a crying world. You also said, "The angels reach down and gather every drop of love."
You were loved. Go softly to God. I wish you home.

Liz Porterfield, el paso, TX USA

Maharishi one of the greatest saints I pray everyday.Iam proud to be a Tm-sidhi meditator,a follower of maharishi,through one of his direct and an ardent diciple Mr.T.C.Perumal(guruji).
"world is a family"said maharishi.
After hearing the sad news swami satyananda,diciple of maharishi went in tears and even tried to cast himself but suddenly he heard a voice(shri gurudev's)
stating that "oh! satyananda now iam out of my body now i can come any where easily.Now after its not you to struggle to meet me but its me at your place anytime,so live with the gnana(spiritual knowledge) given to you."
I consider this news to all the lovers of the great saint of our time H.H.satguru shri shri maharishi mahesh yogi.
JAI GURUDEV
JAI MAHARISHI

DINESH KANNAN, perambur/chennai, india/tamilnadu

Maharishi was a great good God for all to see.

lubo, south australia, auastralia

I will always cherish the gift given to me and so many others by this great saint. Maharishi lives in our hearts, and his work will continue through us, if we can but follow his instruction to live life in happiness and preserve the simplicity and purity of his teaching.

Tom Makeig, Fairfield, Iowa, USA

A day prior to his death, NASA beams the beautiful Beatles song "Across the Universe" into space, in the direction to the Polestar. Once having completed his mission inspired by his teacher Guru Dev, Maharishi once more teaches the meaning of the word "transcendence".

"..Limitless undying love which
shines around me like a million suns
It calls me on and on across the universe

Jai guru deva om
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Nothing's gonna change my world
Jai guru deva
Jai guru deva"

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/universe/features/across_universe.html

Ã–rn SigurÃ°sson, Reykjavik, Iceland

Thank you Maharishi for the time you spent
on the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment, Mother Divine, Parusha, Vedic Atom teams, World Peace Assemblies, Creating Coherence Courses and the World Congress Association.

You were the most powerful Spiritual Leader of everal generations. You will be missed but fortunately we have your books and video tapes to maitain the purity of your teachings for generation after generation.

Reverend Thabiti, Superior, CO. USA

Rever Thabiti, Superior, Colorado

What a wonderful life, for a person to want and work for peace, as their whole way of life. To ridicule someone for wanting to meditate and feed people shows why we are so ill informed and caught up in this greedy world of corporats. We must all work harder to make a change. Thank you Maharishi for; being with us on this planet for so long. A loving admirer: Susan Sunshine-Earth Poet

Susan R. McDonald, Oak Park, U.S.A. Michigan

What more can be said about a man who's goals for mankind where Peace, Love, Harmony, Happiness, and Fulfillment...and it will be.
I am proud to be a TM'r for over 30 years... Jai Guru Dev

Rich Kopec, Upper Montclair, USA, New Jersey

The last Indian Guru who worked tirelessly for uniting the entire humanity is no more. This void will never be filled. His smiling face will always remain with me.

Sreekumar, Bangalore , India

Jai Guru Dev,

I was the student of Maharshi Vidya Mandir at Pithoragarh India. I had my glorious 10 years in that school where I not only learned the various subjects but also the skills of life. TM was the base of every thing that I know which I got from there. My gratitude to Maharishi ji as a teacher and a great personality.His teachings will always be with me...

Manoj Matwal

India

Manoj Matwal, Aligarh, India

Jai Guru Deva Mahesh Varma Ji. You are beautiful and back home/ with us again already. Happiness runs across the universe.
Mike Dolan

Mikechef1@msn.com, Greystone, NY

With the passing away of Maharishi, tens of millions of TMers have lost something deep and personal. He made "Meditation" respectable in the west when it was considered to be a mystic eastern idea. He made the world learn that meditation is not simply a religious phenomena, but a scientific phenomena.He taught us that silence, serinity and staying calm is Beautiful and devine. He taught us tools to fight stress in both physical and mental spheres and to maintain a health body and soul. But most importantly he taught millions how to find oneself deep within and be spiritual without being a religious fanatic. Thank you Maharishi,you will always be a part of our life and our soul- ALWAYS.

Ryan Kamath, Toronto, Canada

Oh I love Mahariishi too. He touched so many of us and the world is blessed by his life and perhaps more blessed by his merging with the infinite. The world was his family and he gave so much. Thank you Great Sage...

Allen, Atlanta, GA

JAI GURU DEV. We are pretty sure the world would not even be here if Maharishi had not been with us for the last 50 years...Will he ever be understood for the great Vedic seer that he is?Our love for Maharishi is eternal,Jai Guru Dev, Gregg & Thom Brattleboro,Vt.

thom dahlin, brattleboro, vermont

The most influential Being in my life. Thank you for opening my eyes to That which is real.

Jai Guru Dev

JAL, Planet Earth, Universe

I learned Transcendental Meditation when I was 16. Today, I'm 42. I consider learning to meditate to be one of the most valuable things I've ever learned. My gratitude to Maharishi, a great teacher, a great seer, whose influence on the world will be felt forever. It is through the TM movement the majority of reseach (needed for us Westerners) has been conducted on meditation - I'm very grateful for that. It's quite funny to say that Maharishi died a "recluse" as he touched every corner of the world with his teachings & through the TM organization. Jai Guru Dev, Jai Guru Maharishi. Lisa Guyman

lisa, Denver, Colorado

Life is a journey through a dark and confusing place; Maharishi gave me a torch.

paul, eastbourne, GB

Good on him for bringing meditation to the west. The good news is people don't have to pay thousands anymore to learn this simple stress reducing technique with free online meditation training such as project meditation. Perhaps Maharishis vision will eventually come to fruition.

www.project-meditation.org

Mr Hayman

Grant Hayman, Chester, UK

It is very rare that a saint is recognized in his time, and unfortunately this is the case again. The press seems to be stuck in the 60's, reports that were false then and now, instead of focusing on Maharishi's lifetime of focusing on a better world for all of humanity. A movement needs finances to move, and the whole point is to redistribute the wealth, that poverty is no longer a concern and people can be responsible for their own farming and wealth. Maharishi is great saint that had the welfare of the whole world in mind...those that deny that could not comprehend the vastness of this task. The principle is simple; by improving the individual, we improve the world. My life is what it is today because of this precious gift of meditation that Maharishi has given us.

Caterina Titus, Farifield, IA

I began meditating in 1972, attended teacher training in France in 1974, joined the Associates 108 Great Wall of China project in 1975, became National Leader of Hong Kong in 1976, attended MIU in the MA Administration program in 1977, was Business Services Director at MIU until 1978, all of which set the foundation for my success in life and work. I now run a multi-million dollar retail and web based business that I can operate with my eyes closed. Thank you Maharishi.
Jai Guru Dev

Gary, Houston, TX

Along with my parents, wife & kids, Maharishi has been the most influential in my life. I am grateful, thankful to have met him. My life is so much more rewarding because of his influence in ways that have become part of my nature. Because of him the world is a better place.

Randy Stambaugh, San Diego, CA

I have practised transcendental meditation for almost thirty-five years, and have found that the technique has enhanced my life immeasurably.
Thank you, Maharishi, for bringing this technique to the West, and for teaching with such humour and guileless charm. You still had much to give, so I mourn your departure.

Bernard Winchester, London, UK

How come it costs $2,500 to learn transcendental meditation. When I learned, in 1960, it cost a week's wages, which for me was Â£6. There were no other costs, except you were invited to bring a piece of fruit and a flower.

Alastair Crompton, Bournemouth, UK

We will have to spread his messages to each and every individual of this world.

roshan ranjan, varanasi, india

I started meditating since i was 17 yrs old and i am now 43. I have always been meditating twice a day eversince and wount go back,

I am a network engineer with so much qualifications and experience under my belt, i think i have been very successfuly in life thanks to TM.

TM gave me such a success that my firends and relatives adores my career path.

If only the rest of the work can meditate through TM..................

Alfred Aberdeen, Berkshire, United kingdom

We love you and will miss you, Maharishi! JAI GURU DEV
JAI MAHARISH

Dr. Roy Smardon, Victoria, B.C. Canada

Roy , victoria, Canada

Maharishi was a great saint who spent over 50 years bringing his message of peace to the world. He will be missed, but his legacy will live on.

Jon Muller, New Zealand

Jon Muller, Lowe, New Zealand

In 1973 I learned to become a TM teacher In Ethiopia. Maharishi taught about 100 of us from the bay area, LA, New York, etc. I've been meditaing ever since those times I sat with Maharishi. My three sons were innitiated by me...and when I became a teacher of TM, Maharishi asked me..." Will you teach all of the people?" I've been so blessed to have discovered TM...it has kept me calm and peaceful over the last 30 years of my life. Thank You Maharishi....I'll always love you.
Sandra McGee
Oakland, CA

Sandra, Oakland, CA

This news brought me a lot of sorrow.Maharishi was a great man who did a lot in bringing the message of the vedas and TM.Hope all the TM practitioners will carry on his work for global peace.

I'm lucky to have spent a few years at the Maharishi Nagar in Noida.

Jai Guru Dev

Shikha Honawar

Shikha(Kapoor)Honawar, League City, TX 77573

This news brings us both sorrow and joy. Sorrow because we will miss him and joy because we had the priviledge of meeting him and serving his desire to make TM available to all who seek peace and enlightenment in their lives and the world, JAI GURU DEV

John&Nancy Houlihan, Orange, Ca, USA

The best thing I've done in my life is learning the TM technique. Maharishi is a great man. I will miss him.

Brian Reed, Berkeley,

Maharishi has been a true blessing and inspiration to millions, including myself. God Bless him and I believe that he was welcomed into Heaven with open arms. May he rest in peace.

Cheryl, New York, New York