RIP Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

[ksbluesfan]

I paid a 1 time fee of $40 in 1986 to learn the technique. I doubt you could be taught "regular" meditation as reasonably. I don't see much scamming going on. I haven't been around anyone affiliated with TM since, so I don't see a "need to belong" in my case. Most of my friends have no clue I practice TM.

There is no trick to learning how to meditate. There are hundreds of websites and books in the library that explain how to do it. Praying the Rosary will get you similar results. Listening to soothing music does too. There's nothing difficult about it.

Just because you don't see any scamming going on doesn't mean there isn't any. Doesn't it seem odd to you that TM, based on simple meditation, has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry?

[goon attack]

people just want to belong to something.
you saying every religious person is a sucker is like saying everybody who joins this message board community is a sucker.

I listed several scam artists and suggested that there are many more, but I never said every religious person is a sucker. Ruutu is right, you should work on your reading comprehension.

You have demonstrated a deranged hostility toward religion numerous times, no?

[ksbluesfan]

people just want to belong to something.
you saying every religious person is a sucker is like saying everybody who joins this message board community is a sucker.

I listed several scam artists and suggested that there are many more, but I never said every religious person is a sucker. Ruutu is right, you should work on your reading comprehension.

You have demonstrated a deranged hostility toward religion numerous times, no?

I think the world would be better off without religion, and I've stated my case for that in the past, but I do not believe all religious people are suckers. I believe some religions help people and have pure intentions. Others prey upon their followers, whether it's radical Islam sending suicide bombers on missions, or Pat Robertson who steals money from little old ladies. Does that sound deranged to you?

[Leedog]

I paid a 1 time fee of $40 in 1986 to learn the technique. I doubt you could be taught "regular" meditation as reasonably. I don't see much scamming going on. I haven't been around anyone affiliated with TM since, so I don't see a "need to belong" in my case. Most of my friends have no clue I practice TM.

There is no trick to learning how to meditate. There are hundreds of websites and books in the library that explain how to do it. Praying the Rosary will get you similar results. Listening to soothing music does too. There's nothing difficult about it.

Just because you don't see any scamming going on doesn't mean there isn't any. Doesn't it seem odd to you that TM, based on simple meditation, has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry?

You just proved you haven't a clue what meditation is. To meditate you use a mantra, or a word with no meaning in a certain way. People have to concentrate to say a rosary, and those words have great meaning to those people. You are a babbling douche and not worth me wasting any more time on. Ignorance is bliss.

[ksbluesfan]

I paid a 1 time fee of $40 in 1986 to learn the technique. I doubt you could be taught "regular" meditation as reasonably. I don't see much scamming going on. I haven't been around anyone affiliated with TM since, so I don't see a "need to belong" in my case. Most of my friends have no clue I practice TM.

There is no trick to learning how to meditate. There are hundreds of websites and books in the library that explain how to do it. Praying the Rosary will get you similar results. Listening to soothing music does too. There's nothing difficult about it.

Just because you don't see any scamming going on doesn't mean there isn't any. Doesn't it seem odd to you that TM, based on simple meditation, has turned into a multi-billion dollar industry?

You just proved you haven't a clue what meditation is. To meditate you use a mantra, or a word with no meaning in a certain way. People have to concentrate to say a rosary, and those words have great meaning to those people. You are a babbling douche and not worth me wasting any more time on. Ignorance is bliss.

Independent research backs my claims.

This mentions the meditative benefits of praying the rosary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation

This and the other link I provided mention the source of the funding and the scandals with TM.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendental_Meditation

I saved the best for last.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There's_a_ ... ery_minute

[Prngr44]

I have to admit I had no clue what TM was until this thread and bloused the Wiki article.

I learn towards skepticism with most things, but think any type of relaxation technique would probably produce the same "medical" results that TM claims to do for basically the same reason... reducing stress.

[rebelmusic]

'TM' is a lot more fun when you add an 'A' to the beginning.

[ksbluesfan]

Keep in mind that I have no problem with the type of meditation TM teaches. It has been proven to relieve stress. Studies have shown that other forms of rmeditation are equally effective. I also have no problem with the anti-drug policies of Scientology, though I believe there are more effective treatments.

My problem is with the organization and their leaders. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the TM organization made a lot of false claims. They have claimed that TM can teach you to levitate, cure diseases, and spread peace to the surrounding community. They produce scientific studies by setting out to prove that TM works, then work backwards to show that it does. Many people feel that TM is a cult.

So if you got a $40 lesson in meditation, great. I'm glad it works for you. But that doesn't legitimize the TM organization any more than Narconon validates Scientology.

[ksbluesfan]

One more thing. This is from James Randi.

http://www.randi.org/joom/content/view/160/1/

Guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who is believed to have been 91 years of age, died in his sleep at his home in the Netherlands. I note that the news items on this event start out – as might be expected – by providing what they see as the primary point of interest about this man, that he was credited with introducing the Beatles and other “stars” to ancient Hindu meditation methods.

Well, he – and his multi-million-dollar kingdom of sycophants – also caused the death of my friend Doug Henning, who dedicated himself to the Transcendental Meditation notion so deeply that he abandoned regular medical treatment for liver cancer, continued to pursue his diet of nuts and berries, and died of the disease.

While I believe that the Maharishi had the best of intentions when he began in 1959, it seems evident that his organization was taken over by the management he allowed to move in, and they literally took it from his control. See randi.org/joom/content/view/149/27/#i7.

I seem to recall that this man had hinted at immortality as a result of following his teachings.