I know plenty of premies (mainly premies who have been around since the 1970s) who have NOT AT ALL been discouraged from THINKING that Maharaji is "Lord", but who would only make references to this in certain company (e.g. in the company of other practicing premies who have been around since the 1970s) and would be careful not to refer to it in the company of some "newer" premies, or aspirants, or people who are being introduced to Knowledge and Maharaji. It's just a question of being sensitive as to what may or may not be helpful and wise to say to other people.

So if EV is trying to "discourage that kind of thinking", they are not being too successful! I would take great exception to anyone trying to control how I think. I am an individual, and I think for myself, and I do not know any premie, or anyone, who thinks exactly the same way as I do. Maharaji does not try to control how I think. He makes suggestions about certain things - which I can choose to accept or reject, or come to my own conclusions and interpretations. Maharaji sometimes says things which I do not entirely agree with. When that happens, it makes me think, it makes me think twice, but it does not automatically make me change my opinion. My own opinions are based on my own experiences - not on what someone else might try to tell me I should think. Maharaji does not tell me what I should think. If EV ever tried to tell me what I should THINK, they would not be successful. But to encourage premies to SAY the right thing (note the word is ENCOURAGE, not tell, not demand) in order to be sensitive to what's best for other people, to be aware of how not to confuse other people - that's just good sense.