Yes, We Are No Religion, part 2013

The TM organization (TMO) continues to insist that the TM technique is not a religion.  This may or may not be true of the technique itself.  However, if a TM meditator learns the advanced TMO technique known as the "TM-Sidhis program," the TMO calls him/her a "Sidha," and may send them emails like the one below.  From the following email, I conclude that the TMO is trying to propagate a Hindu-like religion.  What do you think?

The TMO sent this email to a TM-Free reader, who was kind enough to forward it to TMF.  Thank you!  Readers are invited to send us anything which may be of interest to other TMF readers.  I have edited the email for brevity:
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From:  [one of the TM organizations - ed.]
To: xxxxxxx
Sent:  Nov 10, 2012
Subject: Nov 11-13 Broadcast Times for Global Celebrations

The Transcendental Meditation Program
NATIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICE

Global Celebration Broadcast Times for

Dhanvantari Jayanti, Hanuman Jayanti, and Mahalakshmi

Dear Governors and Sidhas,

It is a pleasure to invite you to enjoy the global broadcasts on Maharishi Channel 3 on each of these beautiful Vedic Festival days taking place November 11th, 12th, and 13th.... 

You can connect each day on the Internet on Maharishi Channel 3:http://maharishichannel.in/....                   

Sunday, November 11, 5:55 pm (EST)—Dhanvantari(1) Jayanti:                                                                    
Celebrating the Birthday of Lord Dhanvantari, the eternal custodian of Ayur-Veda, the Science of Life, for living and enjoying the lively field of Immortality—the field of perfect health—in the midst of change. On this day of Dhanvantari, the tradition of the complete knowledge of Ayur-Veda is enlivened in human awareness and we can take advantage of this opportunity to imbibe in our consciousness the elements of perfect balance, perfect health, and immortality to help create a disease-free society.

Monday, November 12, 5:50 pm (EST)—Hanuman(2) Jayanti:
Enlivening Nature’s infinite organizing power for enjoying every wave of life in the fullness of bliss, in perfection, health, and happiness. The day of Hanuman enlivens those impulses of creative intelligence that help maintain the flow of evolution in an uninterrupted way and help remove obstacles on the way to enlightenment, thereby promoting Natural Law-based administration, Raam Raj, where society is free from problems and suffering.

Tuesday, November 13, 7:25 pm (EST)—Mahalakshmi(3) Celebration; Deepavali, the Festival of Lights:
Enlivening the qualities of prosperity, affluence, fullness, and fulfillment, and the glorification of all aspects of life—inner and outer—in every corner of the globe. The day of Mahalakshmi is one of the most important days in the Vedic calendar, enlivening all good everywhere and Heavenly Life on Earth. The Sanskrit word Mahalakshmi means “great wealth.” On this auspicious day we enliven the specific values of creative intelligence in nature that bestow prosperity, growth, wealth, and affluence; and eliminate poverty and remove obstacles and weaknesses in individual and collective consciousness.

Jai Guru Dev                                                                          

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 According to Wikipedia:
(1)  Dhavantari is an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu
(2) Hanuman is a Hindu monkey-god
(3) Mahalakshmi is a Hindu goddess

Do you think the TMO is misleading the public?  If yes, do you think it is doing so intentionally or unintentionally?  Why do you think it is doing that?  How do you feel about that?

Is it a religion, or a dessert topping?

One of the more stupefying features of TM is its vague claim of not being a religion: "The Transcendental Meditation technique is not a religion or philosophy." But an overview of everything connected with TM practice - the organization and the people who teach TM - suggests something completely different. Religious aspects are woven throughout this entire enterprise that claims to be "scientific" in nature. In fact, the core doctrine of the organization which teaches TM is that of a religion. This religious organization holds that Transcendental Meditation and other practices in the program have an effect on the individual and society through means that can only be described as religious. The TM organization's stated goals of global transformation have many similarities to those of other religious faiths.

The TM movement's denial of its own obvious religiosity is absurd. As my title suggests, it brings to mind this great Saturday Night Live sketch. "New Shimmer's a floor wax and a dessert topping!"

"Shimmer Floor Wax", Saturday Night Live, January 10, 1976

"Tastes terrific... and just look at that shine!" But, as with Chevy Chase's rendition of the somewhat sleazy pitchman selling a surrealistic, self-contradictory product, something doesn't add up when it comes to the TM teacher's standard pitch concerning the relationship between TM and religious belief.

Critics over the years have pointed out that the religious nature of TM was proven by the decision in a Federal court case, Malnak v. Yogi, decades ago (1977). Yet promoters continue to insist that Transcendental Meditation is not a religious activity and may be implemented in public schools.

The following essay analyzes how the words and behaviors of the people and organizations promoting Transcendental Meditation mark it as a religious program. This is clearly demonstrated by current websites and online videos produced by the TM movement.