Regarding Maharishi Yagyas®

(Please note:  This website does not promote, encourage, approve of, recommend, or support the purchase of or the value of "Maharishi Yagyas."  This article is written solely for the purpose of education and discussion. - Laurie)


A friend of TM-Free Blog recently showed me an email he received on January 12, 2014 from one of the branches of the TM organization (TMO).  The email starts with the title "Maharishi Vedic Pandits Creating World Peace."  Excerpts from the email follow:

"We are delighted to...announc[e] a highly beneficial, affordable and exciting expansion to the Yagya program for individuals and families - the Maharishi Special Yagya Program."

My comment:  This seems to me like deceptive advertising.  Where is the proof that the yagyas are "highly beneficial"?  And why do they call these yagyas "affordable"?  I clicked around, and found that they cost from $1,000 to $10,000 apiece.

"Maharishi designed a beautiful series of Special Yagyas for important times in life: Birthdays, Weddings, Wedding Anniversaries, and for the Birth of a Child."

They say "Maharishi designed" them.  Well, Maharishi has been dead for several years, but they're only being advertised this year.  So did he design them after he died?  Or, if he designed them during his lifetime - for the benefit of humanity - why are they only being made available now?  Also, Maharishi freely admitted that he knew only a little Sanskrit.  If so, how could he design Sanskrit rituals?  So what's going on?  Personally, I believe that someone else designed them, but is attributing them to Maharishi because that gives them more credibility.  

The yagyas are called "beautiful," but since donors are not present when these rites are performed, we'll have to take the TMO's word for it.  Also, we'll have to take the TMO's word that these rituals are being performed at all.

"These Special Yagyas bring the blessings of Nature to individuals and families at transitional times when specific, supportive Laws of Nature are particularly lively and accessible...."

Here we have several unscientific and undefined phrases which however have strong emotional resonance.  This style of writing circumvents scientific inquiry, since science requires terms to be defined.  Evocative phrases include "blessings of Nature," "specific, supportive Laws of Nature" and "particularly lively and accessible."

"All funds from this program support the large group of Maharishi Vedic Pandits, which is bringing peace, affluence and harmony to our world...."

According to Wikipedia, in  January 2014 there were 41 armed conflicts on earth.  In 2012, there were 905 natural catastrophes  which resulted in approximately $200,000,000 USD worth of damage.  So to me it seems inaccurate to state that the Pandits are bringing "peace, affluence and harmony" to our world.

But to backtrack, you may be asking, "What is the Maharishi Yagya program?"  Here is the answer, from maharishiyagya.org.

 "...the remedial measures one can take to avert problems seen in the birth chart to be coming to the individual.  It is a practical means to help protect us from unwanted influences - such as illness, accidents or loss; and also to support positive influences.  Regular Maharishi Yagya performances help maintain life in balance.

..Maharishi Vedic Astrology expert has seen something in the birth chart; and it's destined for the person.  But some influence could be created to change that destiny - and that's the Maharishi Yagya program...." 

More evocative and undefined phrases.  The above quote sort of explains what a Maharishi Yagya supposedly does.  But it doesn't explain what a Maharishi Yagya is.  Other TMO sites explain that it is a TMO-style Sanskrit chant plus ceremony performed by one or more TMO-trained Indian men.  The many TMO websites are vague, but apparently each yagya takes one day or less. TMO literature clearly states that the more money you spend on your yagya, the more powerful its effect.  They also strongly urge the customer to buy the most expensive yagya one can afford.

How much money is the TMO earning from this program?  A TMO email from December 18, 2013 states that:

"...the National Yagya program is now averaging (i.e., receiving donations of - Laurie) $429,000 USD per month....The whole world is enjoying the blessings of the daily performance...."

That's $5,148,000 a year income for the "National Yagya program" alone.  (The TMO says that the National Yagya program -- that is, the 350 Indian men in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa who live in pre-fabricated, under-heated homes and earn $100-200/month apiece -- costs $600,000 a month to run.  I'm not sure why it should cost that much.  Anyone have any ideas?)  And there are many other "Maharishi Yagya" programs, which also bring in money for the TMO.

The announcement/advertisement for this new yagya program states that:

"the oral tradition of Vedic chanting has been declared an intangible heritage of humanity by UNESCO."  (United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization - Laurie).  

This sounds impressive, but by now I always double-check anything the TMO says.  So I researched the "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" UNESCO project.  Their website states that their list of intangible cultural heritages is made up of those "elements that help demonstrate the diversity of this heritage and raise awareness about its importance."  From 2008-2013, 282 intangible heritages were listed by UNESCO.  Aside from yagyas, other examples of "intangible heritages" included woodcrafting in Madagascar, textile art of Peru, ox-herding traditions of Costa Rica, and Sardinian pastoral songs of Italy.
  
By the way, payment for these yagyas is legally designated as a "donation," and donations are tax deductible for U.S. tax payers.  All U.S. non-profits must make public their finances, and the financial audit can be found at www.vedicpandits.org/pdf/BSF-Audited-Financial Statement-12-31-2011.pdf.

How much does TM cost? (including the "extras")

One of our readers recently asked in the "comments" section of this blog how much the entire TM program ultimately costs.  I thought that was an important question, and decided to devote a post to answering it.

In some places I have just had to give educated guesses on costs.  That's because some of the TM-sponsored websites describe the product or service but don't give a price.  Also, some of the websites are old and the prices have changed.  Also, sometimes policies change.  Where I had to guess the price, I have guessed on the lower end rather than the higher end.  If you have more accurate pricing information, please share it in the "Comments" section below.

TM-Free Blog and the author of this post do not offer, sell, teach, endorse, recommend, believe in, encourage the purchase of (etc., etc.) any of the products and services mentioned in this post.  Neither do we non-endorse, non-recommend, discourage, etc. them.  Rather, the purposes of this post are: to cast a light on the actual cost of living life the TM way, as opposed to the impression the TM organization (TMO) tries to give about the cost.  Also to examine if the TMO, which bills itself as a secular educational movement, is actually trying to disseminate a type of  Hinduism.   Also to look at how ethical the TMO is in its advertising and in where the money goes, and how central to the TMO mission is their raising of money.

Please note that some of these costs are one-time only fees (such as cost for learning TM).  Other costs can be repeated over and over.  OK, here goes.  All quotations are from TM-sponsored websites.

1.  Cost of personal instruction in TM:  $1,500 (?)

2.  First Advanced Technique:  $1,500 (?)

3.  Second Advanced Technique:  $1,500 (?)

4.  Third Advanced Technique:  $1,500 (?)

5.  Fourth Advanced Technique:  $1,500 (?)

6.  TM-Sidhis Program:  $5,000 (?)

7.  Fee to practice TM-Sidhis program at a TM Center: $20?/month, or $240?/year

8.  Weekend retreats:  $250?/weekend.  Recommended on their website as the most valuable thing you can do for your evolution.  Recommended: at least 4 a year = $1,000?/year.  "These beautiful advanced programs are the golden key to living the full potential of life in higher states of consciousness - Enlightenment - bringing perfect health, happiness, and the fulfillment of desires." - Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  (From "Advanced Programs for Meditators" at http:/www.advanced.tm.org/).

9.  Comprehensive Life Kundali (in depth study for self):  $400

10.  Maharishi Jyotish Consultation (provides answers to questions or gives predictions): $150 for 15 minutes,  $450 for 45 minutes.

11.  Maharishi Yagya(SM) Performances "to create life-supporting effects and help avoid...unwanted...before it manifests."  The larger (more expensive) yagyas are said to produce more effective results.  Size should be "on basis of intensity of problems or speed of achieving objective."  The principle to apply is, "Do not perform yagyas below one's financial capacity."  (From www.maharishiyagya.org/apply/index.html.)  No prices are given.  Personal communications with author have stated that yagyas have been performed for $3,000,  $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000.  "Donations are used to support Maharishi Yagya performances and to promote education and training programs in Maharishi Vedic Science and Technologies(SM)....It is wise to enhance...influence[s] through Maharishi Yagya performances year after year, and even month after month...."

12.  Muhurta (selection of favorable moment for beginning a new activity):  $300.

13.  Compatibility Analysis (marriage, business partnerships):  $300

14.  Ascertaining correct birth time (if you don't know a birth time, for TMO astrology services):  $600

15.  Nam Karan (provides first syllable for new baby or company):  $200

16.  Additions to a Comprehensive Life Kundali (adding relatives):  $300 per relative.  "It is vital...to have one's Comprehensive Life Kundali examined regularly...in order to determine what the future may bring...."

17.  Maharishi Yagya(SM) performance for the nation, "to enliven total Natural Law for each nation....A new set of Maharishi Yagya performances for the nation will begin...approximately every 2 weeks...Many large contributions are needed...Catagory A donations are $1,000,000 (USD). ...Category J are $1,250....With a contribution of $1,250 or more, your name will be acknowledged in the Maharishi Yagya performance...The first priority is to have your personal Maharish Yagya performances on a regular basis...."  You may pledge to donate for a Maharish Yagya performance for the nation anywhere from one time to "monthly forever."

18.  Maharishi Vedic Vibration Technology - for health.  Prices range from $187/session for serious health conditions, and take 12 sessions for a total of $2250; or $450 for a Standard session, or $900 for an "enhanced consultation."  Sessions are 40 to 60 minutes.  "The fees listed are RESEARCH FEES (emphasis in original) offered for those agreeing to participate in our Research Program by completing a short self-evaluation form after each session and periodic follow-up self-evaluations over the course of one year.  For those unwilling to participate in the Research, the fee is US $4,000 per disorder for 3 sessions."  (i.e. $1,333/session).

19.  Maharishi Gemstones.  Primary gem cost:  ?

20.  Maharishi Gemstones.  Secondary gem cost:  ?

21.  Maharishi Ayurveda consultations:  Cost ?  Some components of the consultation are #22, 23 and 24:

22.  Recommended Maharishi herbal food supplements.  Cost: ?

23.  Detoxification program.  Cost: ?

24.  Educational follow-up.  Cost: ?

25.  Maharishi Vastu Architecture.  Services include:  predesigned homes, custom design, consulting with developers.     Cost: ?  From 2010 website:  "Over $400,000,000 (four hundred million dollars U.S.) in Fortune-Creating(R) homes and other buildings, and a score of communities have been built worldwide...."

26.  - or - buying or renting a MaharishiVastu Architecture home.  Cost:  ?

27.  Regular requests for donations from the David Lynch Foundation, special appeals after tsunamis,  requests for donations to transport TMers to group meditations, etc.  Cost ???

28.  The Raj (health spa):  from $533 a day to $1,150 a day.  Stay is from 3 days to 30 days.  Repeat as desired.

29.  TM Teacher Training:  approx. $15,000 

How much does that come to?  Have I left anything out?  What have been your experiences with the TMO and money?  How much money have you given to the TMO?  How much money have people you know given to the TMO?  Have you found yourself spending more money for TMO products and services than you had anticipated?  Have you found your TMO products and services to be worth the price?  Have you ever been pressured or guilt-tripped into spending more?  Other musings welcome!

Scientifically validated. Except when it's not.

Promoters of the Transcendental Meditation program, including the David Lynch Foundation, always work to place scientific studies of the introductory practice of TM in the forefront of any media coverage of the subject. These often uncritical stories in media, sometimes written and placed by TM teachers themselves, are a tiny part of the whole story. TM is only the initial product offered by the global TM movement; there are many other things related to TM, sold by the same organization, offered as enhancements to TM practice, that they claim will improve one's life. The details of such additional practices and products are generally not discussed in any detail, if at all, during the initial process of offering and teaching TM; almost all of them are supported by zero recognizable scientific evidence, and in fact, some of them are completely ridiculous when viewed from a rational, skeptical perspective.

One such set of products is "Maharishi Vedic Astrology." Yes, you read that right. The same organization that promotes the allegedly scientifically validated Transcendental Meditation sells astrology. This form of astrology, which is, as with all things sold by the TM movement, is claimed to be part of the religious, Vedic traditions of India, and thus should be accepted without question as being safe, effective, and of course, better than any other form of astrology that might be offered, say, by your friendly neighborhood storefront psychic.

But as with all things related to TM, there is a price tag, and unlike your neighborhood storefront psychic, "Maharishi Jyotish" consultations, which claim to offer predictions of future events after determination of a horoscope, are billed at the rate of ten dollars per minute, in fifteen-minute increments.