On August 25th, Maharaji spoke to 355 people in Woodstock, NY. What follows are the comments of Ilfra Halley, a long-time Woodstock resident, seeing Maharaji for the first time that night.

"I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to attend Maharaji's presentation at the Bearsville Theater. It was an important and memorable experience that touched me deeply.

It began from the moment I entered the building where I was kindly and warmly welcomed by the staff. From that point onward, every single person I encountered was caring and helpful.

I was struck also by the sweetness and comradeship among Maharaji's students, many of whom had traveled distances to attend the evening. Clearly Maharaji's teachings have touched his students' core and resonate through their lives.

Indeed, Maharaji himself was the teaching.

There was no rhetoric, only the experience of his Being which was his invitation to us to be authentic, to manifest our true human inheritance of unconditional love and luminosity.

I know that I will carry this experience with me always with a deep smile of gratitude for this sublime inspiration."

-- Ilfra Halley

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Ron Brent was one of 220 guests who attended Maharaji's Woodstock event on 8/25. It was the first time Ron had seen Maharaji since 1971...

"I was very impressed by the seamlessness of the evening.

The staff appeared to be focused and relaxed (an ideal combo!), and that lead to all of us feeling very welcomed...

It's a little different presenting your Teacher than presenting an entertainment act. Whole different dynamic. I thought everybody was great!

The video was very powerful. The people in it came across as very real and authentic. And so easy to identify with.

What they shared addressed the fears that most of us harbor regarding our own mortality -- and the well-being of those we love.

Their ability to convey what these experiences are like when you have Grace in your life were delivered loud and clear!

After a while I get very suspicious of people giving testimonies that feel like sales pitches to convince me to follow their path. This video wasn't like that.

As for Maharaji, I really enjoyed being with him once again.

In 1971, I was able to spend a little time with him when he first came to this country. He was a 'mere boy' of 13 then, but I could see that he had something very special.

It was wonderful seeing him and hearing his beautiful and timeless words.

I loved that he sat in front of a microphone in a modest chair -- with no flowers, incense, photos, fancy rugs, or any other items that might distract us from hearing what he had to say.

He eliminated almost every item that we could possibly use to go off into our own worlds and not hear his message.

In his talk, I noticed references to quotations from some of the 'usual suspects' -- personalities and holy books -- but Maharaji delivered them from his own experience and with the confidence to take ownership of their truth.

His attire was elegant, professional and totally appropriate! No trappings! I'm very appreciative of his absorption of western culture and the simple 'no frills' approach to his presentation. You have to look very closely to see the roots of the ancient mystical tradition standing behind him.

Nothing compares to even a few minutes in the company of teachers like Maharaji. Nobody walks away without taking something of great value with them.

Maharaji reminded me once again what is really important in my life -- to tend the garden well, and see to it that only the best plants are allowed to grow there. And of course, to never lose sight of what's truly important within us.

I would say it was an evening very well spent!"

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Last night, Maharaji spoke to approximately 900 people at the Hilton Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal. What follows are selected excerpts of his talk -- my best approximation of what he said, scribed in the moment, not a word for word transcript. Enjoy!

"You should be fulfilled in such a manner that the fulfillment lasts you for the rest of your life."

"The only way your lamp can be lit is from another lamp that is lit."

"There are the ones who know and the ones who don't know. And there are the ones like me, trying to convince the ones who don't know to know."

"Being at peace does not mean sacrificing your emotions. Being at peace means you're in a place where your heart is full."

"Why is light important? Does it change anything? No. The only thing light does is illuminate what is there so you can choose."

"Find your way in this life. Find your niche where you need to be. The good news? That place is inside you."

"What do I do? I put people in touch with that place. I have a way. Don't worry about it. I have a way. I call it 'Knowledge.'"

"You are concerned about the well. I am concerned about the rope and the bucket. Get the rope and the bucket, then go to the well which will quench your thirst. That's it. That's the whole game. That's the whole nine yards of wisdom."

"There are those in the world who are very good at making us believe things. Then there are those who are very good at making us know things. Your choice."

"Not knowing something doesn't make you inferior."

"This body is the vessel to go across the ocean -- the ocean of ignorance, pain, suffering, and doubt... What we need is a Master with strong arms who can row this vessel across."

"I'm telling you the truth that comes from my heart. I'm trying to light lamps."

"Listen to this because this can save your life. Know the Divine is inside of you and be thankful."

"I can't pull rabbits out of a hat -- I don't want to -- but one thing I can do, through the gift of Knowledge, is to put you in touch with what's inside you. I've done it for thousands and thousands of people. That's what I'm good at."

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I'm on my way to Montreal to see Maharaji. Yahoo!

Soon coming: Excerpts from Montreal, Boston, Baltimore, and maybe Toronto. Also, more guest responses from the fabulous Woodstock event.

In the meantime, here are some links from the archives. There are 522 postings on this blog -- so if you are new here or have only read a few things, there is still a lot to explore. Click and scroll...

Videos
Events and Maharaji
Master/Student
Poetry
Personal stories

It's two days after Maharaji spoke to 355 people at the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, NY and the stream of positive responses just keeps flowing. This one is from Deborah Cohen.

"I came to the event with the thought 'This probably isn't for me, but I love my friend, Joan, I love her space, and I am curious about what she would love about this'.

I knew my thoughts weren't a good test for reality, but nonetheless there they were! And yet, I was totally surprised and delighted by the event. The video moved me to tears. I thought, 'Yes, I want that!' That peace... it is what I have been seeking.

I loved Maharaji. He is delightful, charming, and penetrates to the essence. Six billion reasons for peace. That is my life.

The Keys he talks about seem to be compatible with any system, belief, or culture, I love that it is given freely.

I loved the warmth and love that was present. I loved that there is a simple system to follow at your own speed. I am already taking the steps to start the Keys process. Thank you!"

This just in from Mary Anne and Richard Erickson, long time Woodstock residents and owners of the fabulous Blue Mountain Bistro Catering Company right outside of town.

"What a treat to finally meet Maharaji after hearing about him for years!

We were moved by the joy and love that permeated the room even before he stepped on stage. So much love in our small community and eager faces, beings, waiting to hear his words -- experience his presence.

The introductory video was profoundly moving, sharing stories of those who have faced tremendous challenges and with his gift of 'Knowledge' were able to access the love inside -- and still shine.

Maharaji was a delight!

His simple presentation struck me as very direct and to the point: everything you seek 'out there' lives inside you now.

So yes, now I am curious -- to know more.

Thanks to those who worked diligently to bring Maharaji to Woodstock. May his visit bless the town and bring us more peace within and amongst ourselves."

Gratefully,
Mary Anne and Richard Erickson

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This just in from Mary Jane Fahey, a long-time friend and founder of FaheyDesign. Mary Jane saw Maharaji for the first time, last night, at the Woodstock event:

"I loved how simple and straightforward his message was.

I loved how joyful he was and how simply he delivered his message.

I wanted to have dinner with him. I suspect everyone in the room did.

I loved how of the moment he was. I responded to his NOWness -- the fact that he is very much a man of this century, of this moment, of this culture.

In fact, he is many cultures -- all wrapped up in 'modern man'".

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Maharaji gave his first public talk in Woodstock last night. It was, shall we say, "beyond words."

For those of you who have asked me to describe the event, I've decided to let my guests do the talking.

What follows is the first in a series of postings from friends of mine who attended the event -- all of whom were seeing Maharaji for the first time.

Here's one from Barbara Schacker, a long-time Woodstock resident and the co-founder of Stroke Family.

It was about 4:50 when I got there and saw so many people I knew that I started feeling more comfortable. Because I was alone and there were single seats inside the theater, I was given a ticket to be in the main room.

What can I say? He's got it. I love him! I could listen to him forever!

I felt quite healed when I left. Thank you so much for leading me to him.

He is the lighted candle that can light others. It was perfect for me. I wish Melissa, my daughter, could have been there.

I want to pursue his teaching more. He is the best teacher I have ever encountered."

PART 2
"OK. So it is a couple of hours later and I still have no cold symptoms. Zero. Zip! I guess it is just a little tap on my shoulder to let me know that something profound really did just happen with Maharaji. It goes beyond just being there and having him teach.

He reminds me of the little smiling Buddha statue -- with a touch of attitude.

I am laughing to myself about this real magic and feeling really good! I have to keep realizing this doesn't have to go away -- that this is real.

PART 3
"I am not a joiner. I am not even much of a 'follower'. I don't care for religion -- even good ones. And having almost lost a family member to a cult years ago, I am wary of 'teachers'.

But this man really has a gift for communicating and connecting on a spiritual level, with absolutely no pretense, no ego, no hidden agenda, no mysterious 'secret', no formula, no 'joining' anything, no contributions needed.

It's a free ticket back to ourselves, back to here and now, back to Heaven.

I recall a picture of me when I was about 3 years old.

I am standing on a picnic table in my backyard wearing nothing but ruffled panties and my dad's old cowboy boots. My curly blond locks are uncombed and tumbled. I have my hands on my hips and my feet set apart in a very strong and natural stance -- my smile, my eyes, my face -- a radiant light.

This was before all the things that happened to me.

Before the educational system and the church. Before almost dying five times. Before my father's stroke. Before my lost loves, my lost friends. Before my husband's brain trauma and all the challenges I face now.

Maharaji inspired me last night and brought me back to feeling like that child again.

It was a realization that all of the stuff that happened to me is just "zero" and that I am still "1" -- that what's happened to me is past and passing, but I am still here -- whole -- always.

Why should the world continue to struggle in the dark? I will keep my candle lit so I can see my way.

I will share the light until all is illuminated -- until we all "know".

It's another day in Heaven."

-- Barbara Schacker

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"I am here to distract you from your distractions." - Maharaji

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Lots of people talk about a phenomenon known as "free floating anxiety" -- a known medical disorder characterized by worry and doubt that seem to come from nowhere. Well, there is also another phenomenon -- which you won't find in the medical literature -- which I call "free floating contentment" -- the feeling of being happy for no apparent reason. And yes, it's possible to experience.

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So there are these three yogis meditating in a cave. They've been there ten years -- in silence the entire time. Then one day, in the tenth year of their retreat, an albino mountain lion makes his way to the mouth of the cave and lets out an earth-shattering roar.

Five years pass.

The first yogi says "WOW!"

Another five years pass.

The second yogi, says, "Yeah, I know what you mean, brother."

Five more years pass.

"HEY! If you guys don't shut up," the third yogi shouts, "I'm moving to another cave."

"What is the difference
between your experience of existence
and that of a saint?

The saint knows
that the spiritual path
is a sublime chess game with God
and that the Beloved
has just made such a fantastic move
that the saint is now continually
tripping over joy
and bursting out in laughter
and saying, "I surrender!"

Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think
you have a thousand serious moves."

- Hafiz (from I Heard God Laughing)

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There is a beautiful kind of sadness -- one most people think they shouldn't feel -- that needs to be celebrated. Or, if not celebrated, then at least welcomed like the evening's last beggar at your door.

This sadness is divine, the experience of what most people consider to be an absence, but in reality is the presence of the awareness of the primal longing for the Beloved.

It would be easy to conclude that this feeling is a sign of disconnection from joy, an unfortunate happening that would make an easy target for well-meaning givers of advice to quote from their favorite scripture.

But I am not talking about this garden variety form of sadness.

I am talking about another kind -- a holy melancholy that sculpts, deepens, and refines from within.

Yes, it is darker. But so what? Isn't it the darkness that allows the stars to shine?

When a human being is in the presence of their Beloved, it is easy to feel joy. Like leaving your home in the middle of a thunderstorm, it is easy to get wet there.

But when the Beloved departs (ah, the paradox, the late night debates -- does the Beloved ever depart?), an uncomfortable feeling sometimes rises.

The moon is full, but you are empty -- thirsty for something to fill you again, but the only thing left to drink is a bucket of tears and you cannot find the handle.

Off in the distance you hear the sound of cello.

Is it sad or beautiful?

The One for whom you breathe has taken his leave and is playing hide and seek.

Drawn by the music of this sweet sadness, you follow, feeling your way like a blind man, singing quiet songs of praise and wondering if what you hear is the sound of your own voice or your name being called.

You know, and have always known, that the Beloved has left the world behind as a gift.

But you do not want the gift. You want the Giver.

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"Once a man came to me and spoke for hours about 'His great visions of God,' he felt he was having.

He asked me for confirmation, saying 'Are these wondrous dreams true?'

I replied, 'How many goats do you have?'

He looked surprised and said, 'I am speaking of sublime visions and you ask about goats?'

And I spoke again, saying, 'Yes brother -- how many do you have?'

'Well, Hafiz, I have sixty two.'

'And how many wives?'

'How many rose bushes in your garden? How many children? Are your parents still alive? Do you feed the birds in winter?'

And to all he answered.

Then I said, 'You asked me if I thought your visions were true. I would say that they were if they made you become more human, more kind to every creature and plant that you know.'"

-- Hafiz
The Gift
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This man has helped me become more human.