I for one would have been satisfied if he had simply carried through on Mishler's advice back in the early '70s. Acknowledge that he isn't God in a Bod, the Lord, Perfect Master.No more Perfect Master - no need to ponder the incongruities of his having a bleeding ulcer, a drinking problem, marital affairs, etc. No screaming at us to surrender. No "Oh Maharaji, please, please teach me devotion". No lengthy ashram placements. No darshan and arti. No celibacy. No dropping out of university. No looking down on human relationships. No separation from family, friends and career. No donation of inheritances. No giving of huge sums of dosh that ultimately went to supporting his lifestyle instead of "spreading knowledge". And for people such as yourself no working in that slave labour camp known as DECA.
I suppose that he could have had one of those famous audio broadcasts that Mishler and Patterson used to do, whereby he would explain his uneasiness with his presentation of himself as the Lord, Perfect Master, etc., and explain that it was a mistake. A carry-over from the old country. That he inherited these concepts from his Daddy "Shri Hans" who in turn imported them from his guru, ad infinitum and that they had probably gotten it from every corner sadhu and snake charmer in the land. Change the title of "And it is Divine" to "And it is Just Fine" and carry on Prem Pal Singh Rawat.
That would have spared me from making the kinds of sacrifices I did based upon what he was saying and demanding at the time. Ironically, if he had come clean way back then his presentation of himself might be remarkably similar to what is currently in place today: a humanitarian leader bringing a message and method of peace to mankind. And he certainly would not have the legion of detractors that he has today raining on his charade.