Sampson T. - Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire

This Knowledge has brought me love, trust, understanding of myself, and contentment. It has changed my life in such a way that I know where to step and how. Through listening to Maharaji and practicing Knowledge, I have understood that every moment is very, very precious, and each moment we live is a seed that we sow.

What Knowledge continues to give to me is so wonderful and unbelievable. Now I can state that I live my life in peace, tranquility, and joy. How was my life without Knowledge? This is something I don’t even want to think of. It was such a mess that I wanted to get away from it. I was in need of inner contentment and happiness. What I had waited for so long had finally come.

It is so inspiring and even today it has become like a part of me, like my food. I can’t help listening to Maharaji talking. He has the way to win my heart. He has always been there to encourage me and to show me the way to myself and the importance of life.

— Sampson T.
Abidjan, Côte D'Ivoire

Eve B. - Adelaide, Australia

Life for me was moving along quite nicely. I was an executive of a large company; I filled up my weekends with friends and generally had a good time. I was at a dinner party one night where I met a happy looking couple, and we began talking. We got along well and they invited me to come to hear someone very inspiring. I went along and all I can say is that, while I did not understand everything that was said, I left feeling happy. It simply felt good to me. I came back to hear more and, in time, I was taught the techniques of Knowledge. Without a doubt, it was and is the greatest thing in my life. Twenty years on, I still love to hear what Maharaji has to say. After a busy, stressful day at work, listening to a video of Maharaji speaking puts life back into perspective for me. I love and treasure the times I am able to hear Maharaji speak live. Instead of moving forward in life inch by inch, he manages to move me mile by mile. I love the feeling I get when I sit in the boardroom at work and remember some little thing Maharaji has said or how it made me feel. It just puts a smile on me, inside. I still can't believe the great fortune I had when I found out about Maharaji by chance and then received Knowledge. Every day I feel such appreciation because nothing else has come near the joy that this gives me in this life.

— Eve B.
Adelaide, Australia

Michèle P. – France

Mon enfance heureuse et gaie s’est prolongée dans l’adolescence de façon plutôt droite et claire, avec les expériences qu’on peut avoir lorsqu’on est attiré par l’introspection. Je savais qu’il y avait quelque chose là. Après une expérience que je qualifiai d’ ‘‘idée à l’état pur’’ –avant les mots–, j’ai mis un nom sur ma recherche : la Connaissance par la perception directe. Ca correspondait. Un jour, j’ai trouvé un bouquin de yoga simple, adapté aux occidentaux. J’ai pratiqué et tout a grandi. Force, calme, équilibre, sentiment de sécurité…

Pourtant, bien des années plus tard, lorsque j’ai entendu parler de cette Connaissance, l’or s’était transformé en plomb, l’amour en haine, et intérieurement, j’étais dévastée. Mon pire ennemi, je le portais en moi et un simple incident de parcours avait donné à cette part sombre de moi-même, la place d’honneur. Bien téméraire est celui qui s’aventure seul dans cette recherche intérieure.

La première chose stupéfiante, quand j’ai reçu cette Connaissance, c’était de voir qu’une chose en moi était restée vivante, intacte comme au premier jour et que j’y avais accès, directement. C’était inimaginable. La pratique me donne une expérience qui me fait comprendre la valeur de la vie –sans besoin d’être confrontée à la mort–. J’ai appris à ne pas m’arrêter aux échecs, ni aux succès, et j’ai retrouvé mon autonomie. * Après trois décennies, je m’étonne de pouvoir retrouver et reconnaître cette sensation de paix incomparable en moi mais, plus encore, de pouvoir l’aimer ; je m’étonne que dans un tel désordre ait pu naître une harmonie.

Maharaji, que j’ai ignoré au début, est celui qui a été capable de me guider jusqu’ici sur la voie de la découverte et de l’appréciation avec une infinie patience, beaucoup d’inspiration, et tant de délicatesse. Son soutien m’a été extrêmement précieux dans les moments difficiles ; il est mon véritable ami.

Réconciliée avec moi-même, grâce à lui, je peux dire que c’est un Homme de Paix. Et je le remercie, du fond du cœur.

John M. - Miami Beach, FL, USA

Reflecting on the years I have worked closely with Maharaji, my overriding feeling is that he’s undoubtedly the most special person I’ve ever worked with. He brings a uniqueness and beauty to doing things. A lot of what he asks of me is not overly formulated and requires my own initiative and creativity, as well as great precision. Often with great kindness, he thanks me for doing something for him, and I just feel like saying with utmost sincerity, “Well, thank you.”

It’s beautiful to watch how sensitive and appreciative he is to each one. He’s a very hands on person and will often be right there doing the task along side of you. He’s not like a boss. He is sensitive to different cultures and to each individual. I’ve seen him be very directive at times and very receptive and sensitive at others. I’ve seen him get frustrated by things that would make me furious. He’s not judgmental of people’s capabilities. When a person doesn’t work out at a given task, if the sincerity is there, he finds another task that’s more suitable. I think he has more patience than anyone I know.

— John M. 
Miami Beach, FL, USA

Leonard S. - Capetown, South Africa

I first came across Maharaji's talks when I was twenty-one years old and completing my degree in social science at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. I was struck by the obviousness of what he was saying. Far from being boring, it was instead a refreshing reminder of a fundamental happiness. What really made a difference to me was that I actually felt good while listening to what he was saying. I later understood that listening to his talks would help me to become more familiar with this fundamental happiness that already existed within me.

At forty-two years old, I still enjoy listening and learning from Maharaji's talks and derive tremendous personal benefit from them. I can't really compare Maharaji's addresses to university lectures that engage my intellect, since what he speaks about doesn't appeal to my intellect. At the risk of sounding trite, his addresses appeal to my heart, the part of myself that feels rather than thinks. I have come to understand that there are two areas operating within me—an area of thinking and an area of feeling. I choose to explore and engage both. I have benefited from some very good lecturers and teachers who have stimulated my thinking. Maharaji has been invaluable to me in the area of feeling.

— Leonard S
Capetown, South Africa

JF - Spain

I was so inspired by reading the stories of so many people. So, I am giving it a try myself...

How can one begin to express so much? Whatever is in my heart only I know.

Almost 20 years have passed since that day when I heard from the mouth of a girl in front of a small audience about an experience that I had been looking for for so long. I had read so many books, looked everywhere for a love, a real love, and I was such a sceptic by then. Still, the recognition was instantaneous and yet I had to open up so much, had to let go of so much pain and disappointment so much pride and fear to be able to be free enough to accept Knowledge in my life.

For all my life until that day, I secretly knew that my life would be amazing. That something incredible was supposed to happen. I am sure that everybody will recognize that feeling: that you are special, one of a kind, and that somehow, sometime, something will reveal itself. And so it did...

That process that started so long ago is still unfolding. Through the ups and downs, successes and failures, joyful moments and terrifying ones, one thing has never changed: the thirst to know, to accept life, to be at peace, to be thankful.

Of all these feelings the one I cherish most is the recognition of the friend inside. So close, so real, so sincere, so much in my favor, so full of compassion and accepting me as I am. Always. For that feeling I am so grateful to Maharaji.

The seed that he planted has grown and the flowers and fruits of this small tree give me so much pleasure and fills me with thankfulness. What can I say?

I just pray to keep my self open enough to keep accepting, to keep going back to that feeling, and keep in touch with Maharaji so he can keep that feeling fresh, actual, real. He is such an inspiration.

In the last few years, the growth has been so beautiful. I know that I have still so much to accept and I look forward to the many opportunities that are opening up for me so I can get accept more. Accept more of this life, accept more from Maharaji.

At the end of the day, this is my journey and I am alone in it. Only what I know, I know. Only what I feel, I feel.

Thank you, Maharaji. You are the most wonderful friend and teacher.

Marie-Louise P. - Oman

I moved to a new area of England in 1986, and there a newly found friend invited me to hear a talk about an experience called Knowledge. A beautiful feeling of welcome and warmth greeted me as I learned for the first time about a man called Maharaji and the Knowledge that he offered. Ever since I received the techniques of Knowledge, practicing them has become a natural part of my day and also the source of my strength and my equilibrium.

I feel so much gratitude and love for Maharaji. He has given me the very thing I value most in my life. He is right when he says this Knowledge is priceless. I can take it with me wherever I go and know that I can practice whenever that space inside me is asking for the soft, peaceful, engulfing feeling of fulfillment.

I am now living in the Middle East. Thanks to modern technology, I am able to keep in contact with Maharaji (also known by his given name, Prem Rawat) via the internet and his satellite broadcasts. It is always special when I am able go to an event where he will speak. For me, Knowledge is my “satisfaction guaranteed.”

— Marie-Louise P.
Oman

Marian R. - Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Life is not for the faint-hearted and neither is the challenge of discovering the self. I sometimes think I might have bitten off more than I could chew when I came across Maharaji. Trouble was, there was something about what he said that, when coupled with the know-how that seemed to underpin it, made it hard to walk away. (Plus, he has a wicked sense of humor and razor sharp perception!)

I came to Maharaji looking for a little bit of peace in my life. What I got was a lot more than I bargained for, in the best and kindest possible way.

I have utmost respect for Maharaji as a person and a teacher. My life has had ups and downs, taken twists and turns. But the opportunity I have (and I wouldn’t change this for anything) is the possibility, through what Maharaji has shown me, of experiencing something indescribable—out of this world, yet totally familiar—whilst living the average twenty-first century life with its cares, concerns, and pressures. It is a challenge to have this juxtaposition, but no more perhaps than it has ever been for people on this path. And with a teacher as persistent and patient as Maharaji, faint-hearted or not, it can all be possible.

— Marian R.
Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Ihanb, B. - Cairo, Egypt

When in the summer of 1978, I first heard about Knowledge and Prem Rawat, I felt something, but it did not quite register. A year later, when I met someone else who told me more about Knowledge, I again felt something, and this time it was much clearer. I did not understand what I was feeling, but I had such a clear desire to hear more that I went back to talk to this person. After that, I kept listening to Prem Rawat’s addresses on a regular basis.

At that time, Egypt seemed so cut off from the West, but I was able to travel to an event in the United States where I heard Prem Rawat in person for the first time. I felt free and extremely happy from all the inspiration that was being bestowed upon me. I asked for Knowledge, and when I was shown the techniques, the experience was wonderful and transforming.

It is not easy living in the Middle East today with all the conflicts going on. I must admit that the only thing that keeps me happy, sane, and feeling safe and sound is Knowledge. It is my oasis in the middle of the desert. I am grateful for being alive, for this resource, and for Prem Rawat’s help. Thanks to him, I realize that this life is most precious and that I can enjoy it instead of wasting the time that I have.

— Ihab B.
Cairo, Egypt

Anastasi P. - Cyprus

As a young child, I lived in a small village, and I clearly remember the days of watching airplanes flying by low on the horizon. Sometimes at sunset, they would meet the sun's path, and I was fascinated that they always flew in front of the sun and never behind it! The hope and excitement that one day a jet would be temporarily hidden behind this big, red circle made it a beautiful game—to sit, watch, and wait. Of course, that day never came.

As time went by, this, as well as many other childhood experiences, became irrelevant. Another kind of hope, just as strong, just as innocent, began to manifest within me—the hope to be fulfilled. That’s all. I had everything, but it meant little. Eventually, I allowed this feeling of hope to drive me.

I abandoned everything I had and left the island to search for something more in my life. In November 1994 in Athens, I saw a video of Maharaji, and I felt a slight change in me just from that first video. Soon, I started attending video presentations regularly. In July 1995, I received the gift of Knowledge. From that day, metaphorically, I've been riding in the aircraft that has finally flown behind the sun. There I was, experiencing something that I never thought was reachable—a simple feeling inside to be enjoyed every day and profound enough to make my life truly worth living. It has been, and continues to be, a beautiful journey, even through the bumpy bits, and I will always be grateful to Maharaji.

— Anastasi P.
Cyprus