Transcendental Meditation: Which Video Doesn't Belong?

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1. Transcendental Meditation "Raja" John Hagelin as he speaks to TM faithful in a monthly Governor's chat, May 24 2009; edited and posted December 15, 2009.
2. Heaven's Gate leader "Do" introducing prospective members to his group. Talk prior to 1998; posted June 13, 2008.
3. Two Transcendental Meditation members testifying to its effects in their lives; shinedmdigitaltv interview, October 02, 2009.
4. Two Heaven's Gate members discussing their impending mass suicide; taped ~1998, posted August 15, 2009.
5. "Sri Sri" Ravi Shankar speaking to Art of Living members. Date of talk unknown; posted September 19, 2007.
6. Art of Living insider and Miss Universe Canada 2009, Ketevan Chigogidze, testifying to Ravi Shankar's effect on her life; recorded ~2009, posted May 09, 2009.
7. "Quantum Physicist," President, David Lynch Foundation, and TM "Raja" John Hagelin speaking about TM to the public. Posted by meditationchannel May 09, 2009.

Taking the Fire to "Sri Sri" Ravi Shankar

Many readers may be aware that the self-styled "Sri Sri" Ravi Shankar started the Art of Living in the 80s -- as a spin off from Transcendental Meditation. The Maharishi and the TM movement roundly rejected him -- including a letter to all TM centers in 1990.

To those unaware of him, but involved with TM, the basic outlines of the story will sound eerily familiar: He claims to be the favorite disciple of his guru (the Maharishi); he claims to have rediscovered ancient Yogic techniques that will release stress and bring peace; he reveals his teachings and techniques through a series of expensive courses; he's founded a worldwide, largely volunteer organization to bring peace through these techniques; he flagrantly courts wealthy and influential devotees; and, the true cream of the jest, he took the name of his organization from the Maharishi's first book -- The Science of Being and Art of Living.

If you aren't seeing enough parallels with the Transcendental Meditation Org yet, I highly recommend reading a new blog, Confessions of a Guruholic, by an anonymous Art of Living insider.

Sounds a lot like my good old TM daze. What do you think?

J.