10 Great Things to Know about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi


 

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was an Indian spiritual leader who became a global topic in the twentieth century. He is credited for discovering the Transcendental Meditation technique which has been adopted throughout the world by other spiritual leaders and his staunch followers. Maharishi’s meditation technique and spiritual teachings have continued to inspire people around the world. He taught about focusing on oneself to discover inner peace and consciousness. Despite having the original idea of helping close friends and followers, his teachings have influenced people in the world, including popular culture, and changed the way people perceived education. He also helped people to find personal peace which would translate to community peace and eventually global peace. Therefore, this article is for the staunch followers of Maharishi’s teachings and the general population who would want to learn about the Indian spiritual master.

The following are some of the ten great things to know about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi:

1. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was Born in 1918 and Named Mahesh Prasad Varma

Ben Merk (ANEFO), CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Although his early life was not well brought to people’s knowledge, Maharishi was born in 1918 and name Mahesh Prasad Varma. Other reports suggest that he was given the name Mahesh Srivastava. Nonetheless, the master of meditation changed his name while growing up becoming a spiritual leader. His name, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi means “Great Seer”, which he chose after realizing his abilities. His name went viral globally during the 1900s until he died in the early 2000s.

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2. He was Known for Being the Spiritual Leader and Advisor 

Maharishi has had an impact on famous people globally including the England-based music band known as the Beatles. He was the group’s spiritual advisor for more than a year in the late 1960s. Their short period together with their spiritual advisor had an important impact on their musical and personal life. The band produced an album as a result of their time with the Indian-based spiritual master. He also helped several other Western musicians and celebrities in managing stress and meditation. However, his time with the Beatles is well documented.

3. Maharishi Became a Controversial Conversation in India and Globally

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As a spiritual leader, maharishi had a gentle voice, was always soft-spoken, and would not get upset easily. He also assumed the kindest appearance, seating on his crossed legs which presented him as a humble person. Several reports emerged on whether the spiritual leader had good intentions toward his followers. Western reporters arranged meetings with Maharishi to question him on his spiritual life and the fact that he suggested he could fly. Regardless of his intentions, he brought meditation to the world.

4. He Was a Graduate With a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics

One would imagine that Maharishi might have failed in education before choosing to become a spiritual teacher. He was a graduate of the University of Allahabad where he studied physics. He switched careers after graduating to pursue his passion for being a spiritual teacher who would bring peace to the world through transcendent meditation. Maharishi was a learned person.

5. Maharishi Studied Foreign Languages including Sankrit

Ben Merk / Anefo, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

While at the University of Allahabad, maharishi studied Sanskrit which was taught by one of the spiritual leaders, Swami Brahmanada. Swani was a known spiritual master in India who specialized in teaching people foreign languages and self-care through meditation. Maharishi became Swain’s assistant while he was a college student creating a strong friendship. When Swani died in 1953, Maharishi assumed the position and went on to teach meditation, rebranding it to Transcendent meditation.

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6. He Had a Global Organization Named the International Meditation Society 

Maharishi did not just popularize his meditation technique in India but moved to Europe and the United States of America. In 1959, he founded his international organization and ensured there was headquarter in Europe. He had offices in Switzerland where there was also the headquarter. He also had branches in the United Kingdom where he had a massive followership and finally went on to San Francisco in America. His organization became popular in 1960, gaining over a million followers in a short period.

7. Maharishi Founded the Maharishi University of Management in 1971

Keithbob at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Apart from his international organization in Europe, maharishi also founded a university in America. The main aim of Maharishi International University, or the Maharishi University of Management was to help people learn to master inner peace through meditation. Transcendent meditation. The school helped people achieve a happy and successful life through the development of consciousness.

8. The Transcendental Meditation Technique Used by Maharishi 

Maharishi taught transcendental meditation which was the use of sounds or mantras while seating in a relaxing position. The technique would help people attain a state of relaxation by repeating the sound softly. Maharishi explained that the mantra was chosen depending on people’s age, gender, and other social status to suit the person’s inner character. The person seats in a relaxing position, with closed eyes, and repeats the mantra for several minutes or even hours.

9. He Invited the Beatles to His Home Town to Spend Three Months

EMI., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Beatles’ trip to Delhi in 1968 to spend three months with Maharishi attracted media attention some people questioned the agenda of the visit. However, maharishi invited the musicians to help them grow spiritually and discover themselves deeply. The three months were significant in the musicians’ lives helping some of them to overcome drug addiction such as John Lennon. The rest of the band says that they managed to overcome depression.

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10. Maharishi Died in February 2008 at the Age of 90 in Netherlands

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi passed on February 5, 2008, at his home in the Netherlands through natural causes. He died at ninety years in a secluded location in Vlodrop. He had retired from teaching meditation when he met his death. Millions of his followers mourned his death throughout the world.

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was an Indian-based spiritual leader and teacher whose teachings influenced several people around the world. He focused on the transcendental meditation technique which helped people manage stress and achieve happiness and success in life. Despite passing on in the early morning of February 5, 2008, maharishi’s teachings have continued to inspire people around the world to manage depression.

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