Thanks, quirky.  I think the Keys and the new era is a fascinating topic.

My take on the Keys is that it is almost Maharaji throwing in the towel on the West.  For years there has been no success and no real game plan when it comes to "Spreading Knowledge" in the West.  Well, there is a game plan now and it seems to involve going after young people ala Cool Chill and the really cool hot dog cart/trailer they've got in the UK (kidding.)

But it is about the younger people (YPs).  I think that it is common knowledge in the cult that most of the vintage 1970's premies refuse to tell any of their friends and coworkers about Maharaji anymore.  Heck, Raja Ji said as much.

So, I see the Keys as a casting of seeds in the West where if they take great and if they don't the expense of developing and producing the Keys was minimal since there was the excess capacity already existed and DVD are cheap compared to renting halls and flying Maharaji and his entourage of his little toy poodle and what-not.

And by having the Keys Maharaji is able to satisfy Western donors need to believe that something is happening towards fulfilling the promise that their money is being well spent.

Finally, I believe and I've said it over and over again that Maharaji will see the "Light" and see how much more profitable and hassle-free it is for him to grow his cult in India and in Asia for that matter.  And, yes, there is a rising middle class in India.  India is on the move.  It's funny because Maharaji used to make fun of how backwards Indians were.  Well, I bet he's changed his tune.  Sure, India is still filled with filth and despair, but time will tell.

And I believe that it is important for Maharaji to put on the big show in India because that's what sells.  People love the big show there.  And, quirky, you're right that here in the West the attendance has been anything but mierable with the last big event being the 25th Annniversary in Miami in what 1996?  I left in 1997 and I saw how the Long Beach events were getting smaller and smaller to the point where they don't even go there anymore.  I believe that Maharaji loves the crowds and he'll go to and stay in India.

I think it's clear that the aging vintage premies in the West, especially the U.S. are no longer willing to travel across the country to see Maharaji on a week's notice.

As far as money getting stuck in India.  Well, maybe it doesn't matter to Maharaji.  I'm sure that there's plenty of really nice places that he could buy up and live like a Maharaja there.