Alan R. (USA)
Just as the experience that comes from practicing Knowledge cannot be imagined nor recalled, but can only be felt in the moment of practice, the feeling that comes from receiving Maharaji’s message, whether live, in video or print, can only be experienced in the moment of receiving it. The re-awakening it brings me is always a surprise, re-igniting my passion for the world of joy within me. Inspire is the most valuable e-mail I get, and always worth opening.
Alan R.
November 28, 2005 in Mauritius, United States of America | Permalink
Kelly M, USA
Thank you so much for your efforts. I love to listen and learn from Maharaji. This gift is the most important to me, and I am so grateful.
Kelly M., USA
October 14, 2004 in United States of America | Permalink
Mary K, USA
To feel this feeling, to be reminded of the preciousness of existence, just to be connected to hearing about this possibility at every corner of my life, is such a wonderful gift. Thank you so much, Maharaji, for continuing to reach out to us again and again.
With deepest gratitude,
Mary K, USA
October 10, 2004 in United States of America | Permalink
Will C, California, USA
I usually find Maharaji’s talks gratifying and am very happy that I get a chance to see a couple of minutes of his presentations in the highlights of his work made available via the Inspire newsletter. One excerpt, Shield of Hope, was particularly, well, inspiring. As he talked about this breath, the flower and the experience, I once again heard his voice reaffirming what is important in this life, and what is beautiful. Thank you, for reminding me, yet one more time!
Will C.
CA, USA
October 9, 2004 in United States of America | Permalink
Robin B. - Boston, USA
A number of years ago in the foothills of southern Texas, I attended a workshop with Maharaji (his real name is Prem Rawat). We were a few days into it when I found my hand raised, offering to role-play with him during a session. We sat in two chairs on the make shift stage and went at it. My role was to be completely obtuse, insisting that I understood what Knowledge was. He was cool, trying to get me to understand the process of learning and growing. I would hear none of it. It was amusing, but eventually it was clear he wanted to wrap it up so he asked me, still in role, “What can I do to help you understand?” “Let me sit with you at dinner tonight,” popped out of my mouth. I blushed at myself, but later when the group went into San Antonio for Mexican food, he invited me over and proceeded to be a completely gracious host. To me, this was quintessential Prem Rawat, an innovative teacher, an inspirational life-guide, and someone who knows how to make a wallflower feel like a princess.
—Robin B.
Boston, MA, USA
January 2, 2004 in United States of America | Permalink
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
December 29, 2003 in United States of America | Permalink
Lauren Evers - Burbank, CA, US
As the CEO of Intellikey Labs, a DVD testing service based in Burbank, California, Lauren Evers is at the center of a firm experiencing hipergrowth. In 1996 Lauren and her future husband, Darrell, both worked in Time-Warner’s quality assurance program, creating quality standards for computer and DVD applications. Time-Warner had doubts about the future of its testing business and closed the quality assurance department. Darrell and Lauren thought otherwise and set up a testing service. They were able to turn their contacts with Sony, Paramount, Warner Bros., Disney, and Universal into permanent customers. Demand for DVD players and the disc-testing methodologies they employ have been recession proof, a boon to Intellikey, which tests thousands of master discs every month. Virtually no DVD reaches a consumer’s hands in the United States without its check disc having been vetted by Intellikey. Evers believes receiving self-knowledge has afforded a different kind of quality assurance—more like quality of life. In 2001 her husband, the love of her life as well as her business partner, died. Having received self-knowledge in 1997, she reckons, allowed her to cope and find strength.
When I first met Darrell, we both worked for Time-Warner. I knew there was something different about him. One day he returned from Miami beaming about an experience he had listening to Maharaji. I asked him to explain it to me, and that’s when he told me about self-knowledge and how much Maharaji had helped him in this pursuit. I remember thinking: “Darrell must be weak. Why does he need to depend on this person for guidance?” I was puzzled, but also curious. A month later, Darrell invited me to hear Maharaji speak in California. That evening, I became fascinated. I started listening to tapes of Maharaji’s addresses several times a week and discovered he was addressing some of the most profound questions I ever had. I began having new insights into my life, seeing it as a gift that I had never fully appreciated. I also realized that I had, in reality, expected Darrell, now my husband, to be the source of my entire happiness when, in fact, happiness was first to be found within myself.
When Darrell was diagnosed and soon died of cancer, I was devastated; but these last years have been a rich time as so much good has taken place. Through my practice of self-knowledge, I was able to see what happened as a gift and to remain at peace. I remember how differently I once saw things. At Time-Warner and earlier at Commodore Computer, I was a workaholic and judged myself on the approval of colleagues and superiors. I have come to realize that life isn’t about your success or failure in business, and yet success keeps manifesting for me.
Having self-knowledge has helped me discern what’s really important for me and how to work for it. For that, I am grateful.
December 12, 2003 in A - Featured Posts, United States of America | Permalink
Neil Evans, Belleveue, WA, USA
Self-knowledge has given me a more objective point of view about the people and events in my life, observes Neil Evans, executive director of the National Workforce Centerfor Emerging Technologies, an affiliation of Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, WA. Prior to his work in technology education, Evans was the CIO (1983 to 1994) of Microsoft, wbere be was recognized for tbree years by CIO magazine as one of the nation’s leading 100 IT officers. He believes it has made a difference in his career. I am constantly asked to take a leadersbip role because others can sense my objectivity and clarity, he says.
In 1974, when I was 26, I had been investigating a variety of different ways of learning more about myself. I had practiced martial arts for several years. This certainly helped, but I wanted to apply this understanding to all aspects of my life. Maharaji’s self-knowledge has enabled me to have this understanding. Like martial arts, it takes constant practice and the results are cumulative.
The biggest obstacles that I have had to overcome are ones that I have created. As much as I pursue my dreams wholeheartedly, there is always a voice within that tells me to stop, to go slower, or practice tomorrow. I try not to listen to that voice. Maharaji provides guidance and leadership on this path, reminding me of the value of my life and the importance of consistent practice of the techniques of self-knowledge.
December 12, 2003 in A - Featured Posts, United States of America | Permalink
Dalit F. - Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
I received Knowledge twenty-two years ago. Back then I would talk about it much more than I do now, not because there is less to it, but because I have learned to appreciate and savor it as it is, just mine.
I know some people spend their youth, or even their entire lives searching—I did not. I kind of stumbled upon it as one does with life’s opportunities. And I liked what I heard, but more than this—I liked what I felt. Here was something that I was entrusted with to check and validate, all by myself. This was something for me, and even if I did wish to show how cool it was—there was nothing out there to bear witness, but me, to having a very happy and satisfied heart. It has become over the years such a part of my life that I do sometimes forget how profound it is. This is the stuff that great poems are made of, that words like “yearning,” “longing,” and “bliss” are meant for. And it’s not in my behavior; you wouldn’t see anything glowing above my messy hairdo—I’m far too busy doing mom and kids and other very mundane things. But I also find time to be with my heart. And it does make a difference—for me. This sweet, simple, loving feeling that I feel inside of me—words like “grateful” come to mind.
And Maharaji—he has been the most absolutely amazing friend. Refreshing the enthusiasm, helping me keep such a delicate commitment in this blizzard of life. I simply feel very, very fortunate.
— Dalit F.
Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
December 11, 2003 in United States of America | Permalink
Erica A. - Kingston, NY, USA
Almost thirty years ago, Maharaji showed me a simple, continuously available means of feeling joy within myself. Since then, he has consistently and lovingly reminded me that joy exists within me and has inspired me to take advantage of the opportunity to feel it.
There is another important reason that I am Maharaji’s student—one more subtle, yet equally powerful. Beyond the logic (I want to learn; he wants to teach; I trust him to do so), there is the relationship that has grown between us over the years. When someone really helps you, in any way, the natural impulse is to feel grateful. I feel enormously grateful to Maharaji; gratitude freely offered is a delight to both giver and receiver. Also, when two people relate as student and teacher, especially over a long period of time, a deep affection and trust tends to develop in each for the other. My relationship of affection and trust with Maharaji has become an intrinsic and lovely part of the process of Knowledge.
Because I cherish the gift he showed me and appreciate his support in taking advantage of it, I continue to accept his offer to be my teacher. From my point of view, my decision to be his student has paid tremendous dividends: I’ve found his gift, his help, and his presence in my life inexpressibly valuable.
— Erica A.
Kingston, NY, USA
December 11, 2003 in United States of America | Permalink
