Again, my last program with Maharaji was Long Beach 1997.  So, although I'm getting in the ballpark of almost (a stretch) 10 years of Guru Maharaji Free Zone, it still seems like yesterday and when I read these blow-by-blow descriptions of a 'program' I shudder.

The description is trite and banal, as is Maharaji.  Yet, as a full-blown cult member it's just so beautiful, you know?

There seems to be so much emphasis on laughing and smiling in the cult.  It seems like a give-away that they do think Maharaji is Divine and they are all so relieved that their tin God is not an angry God and can laugh and joke with the best of them.  Actually, Maharaji isn't that funny, but having a 'captive' and completely devoted audience certainly helps any 4th rate comedian.

I went to a fair number of programs in the 1990's although I never went all the way to places like India and Amaroo like my more dedicated  friends did.  As if they could actually afford to go to those places!  They couldn't!

But for me that programs became more and more scripted and redundant.  It was like some Hollywood production that was overly produced.  And for me Maharaji was flat.  What he said was totally pointless.  And even though I did 'feel' something I realized I felt something because I expected to feel something.  It was Pavlovian.  And it was a wind up of myself by myself and everyone else who was there.

But, step back for one moment and stop, look, and listen  and I mean really listen and it doesn't take long to realize that Maharaji is just manipulating the good intentions and naiivety of good people.

Awk!  I'm so grateful to my Guru Maharaji for setting me free!