Believing Critic: "No Place" for the Unfit in TM's Perfect World

I would characterize self-proclaimed "satisfied TM customer" Bob Brigante as a "believing critic" of Transcendental Meditation. As I understand it, he criticizes the TM Org for some policies, but believes the meditation has good effects for the individual and the world. His viewpoint appears to be well-respected in some circles, such as online TM-only listserv communities.

A TMFB reader emailed me today about a recent post Brigante made to his website regarding the apparent current failure of the "Maharishi Effect." For those not familiar with this particular Maharishi teaching, the "Maharishi Effect" states that when the square root of 1% of a country's population "flies" together, there will be an Ideal Society. When a square root of 1% of the world's population flies together, the golden age, Sat Yuga, will descend on earth ("Heaven on Earth").

The number of people "flying" together in Fairfield, Iowa is currently very near this magic number, yet the US is experiencing a difficult financial climate, combined with a number of natural disasters. Brigante gives two reasons why the US continues to suffer despite the supposed "Maharishi Effect."

First, because the Maharishi died in February 2008, he states: "With the departure of this great saint, maybe we just need to create much larger groups of Yogic Fliers and Pundits meditating together in order to compensate for this."

I've got quibbles with this line of thinking, since the Maharishi never mentioned his departure from the scene would have disastrous effects in his original postulation of the "Maharishi Effect."

But his second suggestion verges on the edge of downright scary.

Maharishi: "Nonexistence of the unfit has been the law of nature." So if this second way of looking at the situation is correct, then we should not be surprised to see an increase in disaster and dislocation along with the rise of bliss-creating forces in the world, and if the unfit don't come along there will be no place for them." [Emphasis added.]

I can think of more commonsense reasons for the failure of the "Maharishi Effect."

For instance, it's poppycock. Time and again, events have shown the "Maharishi Effect" just doesn't work.

But am I the only one who sees this sort of "spiritual Darwinism" as thinly veiled "spiritual ethnic cleansing"?

It's to be sincerely hoped this is Brigante's idiosyncratic thinking and that this uncompassionate, hateful thinking is not widespread throughout the TM Org.

J.

It's science, I tell ya!

I recently got this notice from the TMO, soliciting for health care pros to join an organization and get trained in Ayurveda hoo ha. For a small fee, I assume. :) Here is part of the solicitation:

"A new initiative is being launched to re-enliven our National Association of Health Professionals Practicing the Transcendental Meditation Program. This Association will offer exciting new opportunities for the personal and professional enrichment of meditating health professionals--including a national inaugural conference planned at Maharishi University of Management in Iowa in September, training courses in Ayurvedic medicine (Maharishi Ayurveda), and web-based educational programs. The goal is to support our meditating physicians and other health professionals and keep them up-to-date on the latest knowledge regarding our programs.



If it was convenient, I would be half tempted to go to the conference and see what is up and what their sales pitch would be.

"Larry King Live!" July 31st interviews Juliana Buhring of 'Children of God'/ 'The Family'

Keep your eyes peeled for "Larry King Live" on July 31st! (I hope Larry King doesn't change the program's date)

Juliana is young, beautiful, intelligent and a dynamic speaker! This interview undoubtedly will be wrenching and enlightening for American viewers!

Her memoir with her sisters "Not Without My Sister" was a 2007 & 2008 bestseller in UK and Australia; their publisher, Harper Collins, did not promote the book well in the USA.

Juliana and her siblings were raised around the world in the cult 'Children of God'/'The Family', the ultimate Bible-based free love group, which included ample 'sharing love' with everyone including children, i.e. pedophilia as religious practice.

The 'Children of God' organization now officially denies these teachings. Their leadership remains in hiding.

Juliana unrelentingly publicizes damage wrought to children raised within destructive groups, and works to create international codes for child protection, including removal of statutes of limitations which protect perpetrators.

Juliana is driven by concern for her younger siblings still within the group, and for others who live with crippling psychosis or who've needlessly died.

You won't want to miss this one!

Juliana's engaging, heartfelt stories, matter of fact humor, and poise are a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit.