Summary

This essay, as a whole, explains the way in which the Vedic Science
of His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is the basis of indigenous
religions and mythologies throughout the world.  It also compares
flood myths from native cultures on all 5 continents, highlighting
their common and salient features and explaining how the information
they contain is complementary to Maharishi's work to replace the
current world of problems and suffering with the new world of heaven
on earth.


Dear readers,

Many people throughout the world have noticed that global events,
including natural phenomena and disasters, are causing widespread
suffering in human life.  There is, moreover, in no place an obvious
avenue to where people can turn for help.  For this reason, I am
writing to inform you about recent undertakings on the part of His
Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.  Although Maharishi has received a
great deal of attention lately in the mainstream press worldwide, for
those who may not know him, Maharishi is an Indian monk who began
traveling to all nations of the world in 1959.  At this time, and
ever since, Maharishi has explained that, "he had something that the
world needed," "something that has belonged to all the world's
cultures and all world religions, but sadly, had been largely lost
and forgotten in the long lapse of time."  He was referring to a
simple, natural mental technique, practiced for about 20 minutes
twice a day, in which the mind settles down to experience finer and
finer impulses of thought.  As part of this process, when the
faintest level of thought is experienced, even this stage is
transcended and the mind becomes awake in its own nature, pure,
unbounded consciousness.

Cultural and religious traditions throughout the world have had their
own names for this simple, effortless technique, but since the
practice itself had been mostly obscured, Maharishi needed to give it
a name.  In keeping with the scientific character of modern times,
Maharishi applied a scientific name: Transcendental Meditation, or
TM.  At present, some 6 million people worldwide have learned TM.
The technique is natural, automatic, and highly enjoyable, and is
equally at home in all of the world's cultures and faiths.  (For more
information, you may visit www.tm.org.)  Since the 1960s, also, some
600 scientific studies, conducted at 210 universities and research
institutions in 30 countries and published in leading scientific
journals, have verified that the practice of TM directly benefits all
aspects of physical and mental health and leads to the unfoldment of
higher states of consciousness, states in which full mental potential
is developed and suffering ceases to exist completely.  (To examine
scientific research documenting that the practice of TM leads to
cosmic consciousness, go to www.mum.edu, and search under "cosmic
consciousness.")

Maharishi's desire, nonetheless, in addition to improving the quality
of individual life, has always embraced the welfare of the whole
world.  For this reason, over 3 decades ago, he introduced his unique
plan to create peace and harmony in the collective consciousness of
any nation.  He explained that when a small fraction of a given
population practices the TM-Sidhi program (an advanced form of TM),
the quality of the collective consciousness in the surrounding area
becomes more orderly and coherent.  He added that since consciousness
is fundamental to all activity in life, the improvements in the
quality of the collective consciousness will be measurable in
objective parameters.  Since that time, Maharishi's hypothesis has
been verified in over 50 demonstrations and 23 scientific studies.
This research has been carefully scrutinized by independent scholars
and accepted for publication in top academic journals, including the
Journal of Conflict Resolution, the Journal of Crime and Justice,
Social Indicators Research, and the Journal of Mind and Behavior.
These experiments have shown that when the square root of one percent
of the population of a given area collectively practices the TM-Sidhi
program, the quality of life in the region as a whole improves
markedly.  Violent crime, hospital admissions, traffic accidents,
fetal deaths, infectious diseases, unemployment and inflation rates—
as well as terrorism and war—decline sharply.  At the same time,
positive events, such as progress toward the peaceful resolution of
conflicts and positive statements and actions on the part of
government leaders, increase sharply.  This positive environmental
influence has been termed the "Maharishi Effect" or "Super Radiance"
in the scientific literature.  (If you would like more information
about this phenomenon, there are 2 excellent web sites: the first,
www.permanentpeace.org, produced by a quantum physicist, provides a
detailed discussion of the theory and research, and includes comments
from independent scholars.  The other site provides an overview of
the most rigorous studies of the Super Radiance effect.  To reach
this overview, go to www.mum.edu.  At the left, click on "site map,"
then "yogic flying," and then in the text, click on "scientific
research.")

In reviewing this data as a whole, it is obvious that this program
will benefit any city, state or nation in a way that no other program
can.  All that is necessary is to train a group of people in these
technologies of consciousness, the knowledge of which has been
preserved in its entirety for thousands of years in the ancient Vedic
tradition of India, the oldest continuous tradition of knowledge on
earth.  The techniques themselves are simple, natural, easy, and very
enjoyable to do, and the group of TM-Sidhi practitioners may be
comprised of people from any segment of the population: students,
retired people, the wealthy, the unemployed, the military, or anyone
else who desires to create peace in their city, region or (if the
group is large enough) the entire nation.  According to the research
already performed, it is clear that as soon as these groups begin
doing their performances, all negative trends and events in the
surrounding area will diminish, and all positive trends and events
will increase.  Maharishi has made clear that the benefits of forming
these groups will include also the softening and elimination of
violent weather and natural disasters.  With regard to the effects
produced by a group of TM-Sidhi practitioners, no further research is
necessary.  The research already conducted proves unequivocally that
this program is effective.  No other technology known to man, in
fact, is as effective at reducing suffering in human life.  All that
is necessary is for people anywhere on earth to offer themselves to
be trained in these techniques.

The problems already facing people in many parts of the world have
already reached a critical level.  Natural disasters, drought, forest
and brush fires, warfare, terrorism and various diseases are posing
an increasing threat to human life everywhere.  The conventional
means of addressing these problems, moreover, are largely
ineffective.  Maharishi has explained that as soon as people begin
employing the groups of TM-Sidhi practitioners (also called yogic
flyers), they will see for themselves that they bring real relief to
the people in the area.  As a result, people will naturally support
the groups in increasing numbers, and once the groups become large
enough, the result will be, in a very natural and automatic way, the
creation of heaven on earth.

Nearly all cultural and religious traditions throughout the world
record knowledge about a human civilization, dating far back in
antiquity, in which people lived completely in accord with natural
law (or the will of God), and as a result, there was no suffering in
human life.  People lived perfection, "paradise," or "heaven" in
their daily lives.  The different world cultures record also that,
with the long lapse of time, the knowledge about how to live
perfection in life becomes obscured and lost.  As a result of this
loss of knowledge, suffering and problems increase until they become
unbearable.

Maharishi explains that the ancient Vedic civilization (which existed
in what is today India) is the earliest human culture, a culture that
enjoyed heaven on earth.  All of the world cultures, Maharishi
explains, are descended from the ancient Vedic culture, and all world
languages derive from Vedic Sanskrit, the earliest human language.
The Vedic Tradition of Masters, fortunately, has preserved the
knowledge for living perfection—complete freedom from suffering—in
human life.  Maharishi's work has been to restore this vast body of
knowledge in its entirety and make it available to everyone on earth.

The most important component of this Vedic knowledge is the technique
of Transcendental Meditation and the TM-Sidhi program performed in
groups.  This knowledge is recorded in the texts of all major world
religions.  A book, available in English and Spanish, explains how
these techniques are recorded in the Bible.  It is available free at
www.geocities.com/taustin_46637/.

Maharishi's stated goal is that of "creating heaven on earth."
Toward this end, in 2000, Maharishi founded the Global Country of
World Peace, a nation whose borders are said to encompass the whole
planet.  In the inaugural ceremony, Maharishi appointed a king of the
Global Country of World Peace, His Majesty Raja Raam, saying that the
most natural system of administration for a nation is rule by a
divinely ordained king, one playing a "paternal" role in the lives of
the people.  He stresses that life in this new nation will be
governed by the Constitution of the Universe, the will of God.  He
says the monarchical system itself is not the real issue, but rather,
that of rule by natural law as opposed to man-made law, which he says
is always full of human failures and weaknesses.  (More information
is available at www.globalcountry.org.)  In this ceremony, Maharishi
appointed ministers of government to oversee all aspects of public
life, including education, economic development, (non-military)
defense, health, agriculture and the environment.  All of the
ministers have doctorates, and in the inaugural ceremonies, each read
his resolutions, stating serious problems facing people worldwide and
offering concrete plans to resolve these problems.

Maharishi devised one plan, for example, that offers enormous benefit
to developing as well as wealthy nations.  Maharishi has noted that
in most poor countries, there is an abundance of fertile land that is
yet undeveloped.  He thus proposes that these nations utilize this
land in order to develop Vedic organic farms.  The produce grown, at
least in part, will be exported to wealthy countries where there is
an urgent need for healthy, organic food, and where people would
naturally pay a sizeable amount for food that is the healthiest
available.  The funds thus generated, in turn, will return to the
communities of origin—directly to the farmers themselves and to their
towns and villages, where they can be used to build homes, schools,
roads, health clinics, and whatever is needed to improve the quality
of life.  (More information about this program is available at
http://www.mvoai.org/.)

Maharishi proposes that the governments of the respective countries
issue coupons, an alternative currency to be used only for a
developmental project such as the Vedic organic farms.  With these
coupons, the farmer's current, inadequate wages can be immediately
doubled, and comfortable Vedic housing in accord with Natural Law can
be provided to the farmer and his family. The farmer, thus, will
immediately gain the benefit of wealth to experience the elimination
of poverty.  In the event that the government of a country is
unwilling to issue an alternative currency to fund such a project,
other means of procuring funds will be utilized.  The policy of
Maharishi's program for the removal of poverty worldwide states
that, "in countries where […] local arrangements may not be possible
or sufficient, the project will be financed by outside sources. Our
pious goal is to remove poverty as soon as possible. From where we
organize financing is not important; the important goal is to
eliminate poverty right from the start of the project." (For more
information about this plan, visit www.poverty-removal.org.  Another
site that provides insight into the philosophy behind this project is
at www.raambank.org.)

On this point, I realize that no government in the world will be
willing, probably, to issue an alternative currency in order to help
its people in a substantial and lasting way.  For this reason,
Maharishi has been saying for some time now that he has "given up on
talking to the governments.  A government," he explains, "does not
act independently of the collective consciousness of the nation.  The
government, rather, is an innocent mirror of the national collective
consciousness.  The only thing that is necessary to do is to raise
the quality of the collective consciousness by forming groups of
yogic flyers.  Then, as a result of the increased clarity in the
national consciousness, the government will naturally enact policies
that are truly evolutionary, truly helpful, for the people's lives."
The Global Country of World Peace offers concrete programs to improve
the quality of all aspects of life.  Maharishi's Vedic System of
Education, while continuing to offer all the objective knowledge that
is beneficial to life, adds the practice of TM and the TM-Sidhi
programs.  The practice of these techniques, as verified in the 600
studies mentioned above, directly improves students' physical and
mental health and fosters the growth of higher states of
consciousness.  No other educational system has been shown to
progressively increase students' IQ, while developing the personality
on scores of objective indices.  Students at Maharishi's educational
institutions typically win state, regional and national competitions
with unrivalled frequency in all academic disciplines and in
athletics, and despite the open admissions policies of these schools,
they commonly place in the top 1% of the nation on standardized
tests.  (If you would like more information about Maharishi's Vedic
Education, please visit
http://www.tm.org/explore/vedic_education/index.html.  For a summary
of student achievements at one of these schools, go to
http://www.tm.org/explore/vedic_education/msae.html.)

The existing systems of education, Maharishi explains, do not develop
the total potential of the mind.  The result of Vedic education is a
growing state of contentment, fullness and bliss.  As consciousness
develops, one gains the ability to fulfill all life-supporting
desires with minimal effort.  Life, therefore, is not found to be
lacking, because one is able to fulfill his own aspirations while
simultaneously meeting the needs of the whole society.  The result of
Vedic education is happiness and progress in life, and the
fulfillment of all desires.

"All suffering in human life," Maharishi adds, "arises as a result of
the violation of natural law."  The existing systems of education
worldwide do not train the people to live in accord with natural law,
and therefore, problems and suffering predominate in human life."
Maharishi's Vedic system of education trains students, in a
completely automatic way, to live in harmony with natural law, and
therefore it eliminates the ground for future suffering in life.

The programs offered by the Global Country of World Peace are of
immense practical value, also, in maintaining health.  Maharishi
explains that the modern system of health care, with its incomplete
knowledge, actually promotes disease—on the one hand by its tendency
to downplay proven, preventive measures, and on the other, by relying
on the use of prescription drugs, which create imbalances in the
physiology that lead to disease.  Maharishi has called the modern
system of health care "a mere money-making operation."  By contrast,
some 600 studies establish that TM and its advanced techniques are
the most effective means known for improving physical and mental
health and preventing disease.  No other, single technique, for
example, has been shown to reverse the effects of arteriosclerosis,
substantially increase longevity, reverse the aging process, and, in
subjects over age 40, reduce the incidence of medical problems by
70%.  No other practice is as effective for reducing stress, either,
the effects of which are implicated in over ninety per cent of all
disease.  (To read a summary of the research documenting the benefits
to health, please go to
http://www.tm.org/discover/research/summary.html.)  The benefits that
arise from the practice of Transcendental Meditation are due,
apparently, to the regular experience of the fourth state of
consciousness, termed transcendental consciousness in the scientific
literature.

In addition, Maharishi has revived in its completeness the Vedic
Approach to Health, known as Ayurveda, the oldest and most complete
system of health care on earth.  "The Vedic Approach to health,"
Maharishi declares, "will offer total prevention and total
cure."  "Through the application of Maharishi Ayurveda, disease will
be prevented in the first place, and where it arises, it will be
cured.  In the Ancient Vedic Civilization, suffering belonged to no
one."

Maharishi explains, additionally, that that the Vedic literature
contains complete knowledge about architecture that is in accord with
all the laws of nature.  The ancient system of Vedic architecture,
termed Stapathya Ved, includes precise information about the
construction of homes, public buildings and cities that are laid out
in full accord with natural law.  Such buildings enhance the quality
of human life by reducing stress and promoting happiness, harmony and
orderly thinking in the occupants' awareness.  Maharishi has
launched, therefore, a plan to reconstruct all buildings on earth
according to the principles of Stapathya Ved.  This program, termed
the Global Reconstruction Project, includes also the plan to build
adequate homes for the poorest 25% of the world's population.

Maharishi emphasizes that the most important element of all his
programs is the formation of groups of Yogic flyers.  Therefore, an
excellent place for any city to begin is to build a Peace Palace, a
building specially designed to house the yogic flyers and offer
Maharishi's programs to the local population.  Naturally, any state,
province or nation may also build the Peace Palaces in or near the
larger cities.  The yogic flyers will create indomitable waves of
peace, harmony and coherence in the collective consciousness of the
region.  (To view some photos of Peace Palaces already built in
several cities, please visit
http://www.tminsocal.org/peacepalace.html.)

Another item that I believe is of great interest is Maharishi's
endeavor to revive all the indigenous cultural capitals of the world.
Maharishi has explained that in each geographic area, certain values
of natural law are particularly lively. The culture, lifestyles and
trends in each region, therefore, are unique, and these
particularities are reflected in the language that arises naturally
in that area. Working with scientists, Maharishi has identified a
total of 7,907 distinct language and dialectal regions in the world,
and he plans to restore each of these traditional cultures, languages
or dialects, and their native system of self-governance. He has
already prepared a world map outlining these linguistic divisions,
and joined them all in entities he calls the World Federation of
Traditional Kings and the Royal Union of 7,000 Cultural Capitals.
Very interestingly, heading this network is a group called the
Paramount Chiefs of Ghana.  Maharishi explains that the yogic flyers
in each of the world's 7,000 cultural capitals will accelerate the
rise of total natural law in their locales and, collectively,
worldwide. The yogic flyers will be housed in the Peace Palaces and
the Vedic schools, and Maharishi says they will bring about the
complete descent of Sat Yug, heaven on earth.

It is interesting to observe that at the present time, there are a
total of four governments in the world: the conventional ones, the
government of the Global Country of World Peace, the World Federation
of Traditional Kings, and the yogic flyers, whom Maharishi has often
insisted are the true directors of the trends of time—-those who
govern the world in peace and harmony.  By raising the collective
consciousness in their areas and their nations, Maharishi explains,
the yogic flyers will bring about the full sunshine of the Age of
Enlightenment for everyone on earth.  Simultaneously, through their
performances, they will "save" even "thousands" of other people from
perdition.   It will be fascinating to see, therefore, if one or a
few of these governing bodies will perhaps emerge triumphant in the
end.

We mentioned that the Vedic culture and the Vedic knowledge that
Maharishi has restored are the source of all world cultures and
traditions.  As such, this Vedic knowledge is equally at home in all
cultures of the world.  With this in mind, it is interesting to note
that virtually all cultural traditions worldwide contain a record of
knowledge--preserved in the form of myths--that are consistent with
the knowledge contained in Maharishi's Vedic Science.  Microsoft
Encarta Encyclopedia, for example, provides this generalization about
creation and historical myths worldwide:

Cosmogonic myths generally culminate in the creation of humankind,
after
which the mythic cosmos comes to resemble the world of human
experience.
In mythic history, the earliest era of the world is usually the
closest to
perfection—a Golden Age or Garden of Eden—with later phases showing
the progressive degeneration of the world as it grows more distant
from the
original creative impulse.  The earliest humans are often thought to
have
been much closer to the gods than are the humans of the present day
(1).

This synopsis is consistent with the knowledge contained in the Vedic
tradition.  Maharishi explains that the ancient Vedic civilization,
the oldest human culture for which there is a record, enjoyed, as we
said, perfection in life.  By applying the Vedic knowledge to all
areas of life (such as health, government, agriculture, education and
non-military defense), they enjoyed what Maharishi describes as
literally a life free of problems and suffering, heaven on earth.
Maharishi adds, however, that with the long lapse of time, certain
components of this Vedic knowledge were gradually obscured and
forgotten, and as a result, human life fell gradually out of accord
with natural law.  In turn, people began to suffer.  The subsequent
course of history, Maharishi explains, reflects the gradual
restriction of human consciousness.  Life came to be lived less and
less in accord with natural law, and consequently, problems and
suffering became increasingly predominant in human life.  When human
life reaches its lowest point of development, having 0% attunement
with natural law, then nature moves to restore balance.  "Mother
Nature," Maharishi explains, grows unable to withstand the cries of
suffering in human life, and therefore moves to restore the eternal
Vedic knowledge in its completeness.  He adds that whereas the
diminution of consciousness is a gradual process, the restoration of
balance happens "very quickly."

The religions native to different regions of the world may appear, at
first glance, quite diverse.  When one studies Maharishi's Vedic
Science, however, it is easy to see the way in which all of these
traditions derive from the ancient Vedic culture.  Knowledge about
the creation of the cosmos and of mankind, for example, is preserved
symbolically in the mythologies of cultures throughout the world.
These myths, by and large, are consistent with the knowledge
preserved in the Vedic tradition.

Many creation myths focus on the idea that primal elements were
separated
or made distinct from one another during the act of creation.  In
ancient
Egyptian mythology, creation began when a mound of land first
distinguished itself in the midst of the primal waters.  In the
biblical Genesis
story, Yahweh's creation of the world is described mainly in terms of
separating—for example, the separation of light from darkness, and of
sea
from land (2).

These myths contain the same knowledge as that imparted in
Maharishi's Vedic Science.  Maharishi has described in great detail
the mechanics whereby the physical cosmos comes into being.  He
explains that the eternal reality that underlies creation is a pure,
unbounded and unmanifest field of Being or pure consciousness.  This
field, awake in its own nature, knows itself as one undifferentiated
reality, the Totality.  This field, though purely singular in its
nature, contains the potential for all possible forms of expression,
and therefore, it naturally conceives of the different possibilities
that comprise its potentiality.  At some point in this process of
self-exploration—which is purely conceptual—a "mistake" occurs.  The
Totality, an infinite continuum of wholeness, "forgets," for a time,
its infinite and unmanifest nature and accepts as real the notion of
differentiation or separation.  The wholeness becomes identified with
the parts.  This process of forgetting is termed pragya paradh in
Sanskrit, and it occasions the generation of the cosmos—an illusion
that seems and feels real due to the effect of pragya paradh in
consciousness.  Although Maharishi elaborates upon this mechanics in
far greater detail, it is obvious that the fundamental knowledge
preserved in many creation myths throughout the world is identical.
In religious traditions worldwide, including the mythologies cited
above, water is a symbol for pure consciousness.  The knowledge
contained in these myths, therefore, is that the primary action
responsible for the generation of the cosmos is that of
consciousness "separating" and "distinguishing itself" from its own
potential forms.

When we examine in greater detail the creation mythologies belonging
to the different world cultures, it is only more apparent that they
have at their basis the same eternal knowledge contained in
Maharishi's Vedic Science.  Among the native cultures of North
America, for example,

There were several recurring types of creation myths. In the
widespread story of the earth diver, floods covered the primordial
landscape, requiring animals to dive into the depths to retrieve a
piece of earth from which to form the present earth.  Many failed
before one finally succeeded (3).

The idea that the creation of the world occurs as a result of the
activity of the "earth diver" has a close parallel in Maharishi's
Vedic Science.  Maharishi explains that in order to produce any
desired effect in the physical creation, it is only necessary to
transcend, to contact pure awareness, and entertain a desire from
that faintest level of creation, the junction point between the
relative and the Absolute.  The contact with pure consciousness
occurs during Transcendental Meditation, and Maharishi has always
compared this process to that of diving to the bottom of a pond.  He
has often used, also, the analogy of diving to the bottom of the
ocean and bringing the pearls to the surface.  In either analogy, the
knowledge conveyed is that in order to glorify any aspect of relative
life, and produce any desired result, it is necessary first to
transcend, to contact the field of infinite Being at the source of
existence.  Both the earth diver myth and Maharishi's Vedic Science,
thus, impart the knowledge that contact with pure consciousness at
the source of the mind is the basis for creating an entirely new
world.

In the lore of some native, North American tribes, human beings are
said to originate from an underground source:

In emergence stories, common throughout the Southwest [U.S.], humans
climbed up from the underworld, beset with problems of their own
making, in order to find a place on the surface of the earth. There
they received their languages, foods, and clan identities and
ultimately migrated to their traditional homelands (4).

An interesting feature of both of these myths, that of the earth
diver and that of emergence, is that human beings exist prior to the
creation of the present world.  The emergence stories, in particular,
recount that the "new" world is created as a reaction against
the "old" one; humans have created so many problems for themselves
that they simply abandon altogether their former world in favor of
one that is completely new and different.  These traditions suggest,
thus, that the creation, dissolution and recreation of the world is
an eternal process.  The Vedic tradition, also, preserves the same
knowledge, as do the Incan, Mayan and Aztec cultures.  And, regarding
the present time, the total recreation of the world is the goal of
all of Maharishi's programs.

Interestingly, among native African cultures, the act of creation is
commonly linked to the mouth or the spoken word:

A commonality between all of the [African] myths except "An African
Story of the Creation of Man" is that creation is by way of the mouth
or spoken word.  In "An African Cosmogony," Bumba, the creator,
brings forth all things in the world by vomiting them up; everything
first passes through Bumba's mouth before coming into existence.
Likewise, life is brought forth in the same fashion in "Egyptian
Cosmogony and Theology." This myth states, "Numerous are those who
became, who came out of my mouth." (Piankoff). "An African Story of
the Creation of Man" differs slightly from the others. Here man
himself does not directly come out of the mouth of the deity, but
words of creation are spoken while man receives the body parts
necessary to live on earth. The importance of "The Word" and the
ability to speak well are valued across many African ethnic groups
(5).

In these African myths, the action of the "Word" is considered the
primary cause of creation.  Maharishi explains, similarly, that the
Veda is the primary cause of creation.  The Veda, Maharishi explains,
are the unmanifest "sounds" that reverberate eternally in the field
of pure consciousness.  The Veda, he explains, is responsible for all
physical manifestation and all activity in the cosmos.  The sounds of
the Veda, similarly, create, structure and maintain all components of
the human body.  This is the knowledge contained in the creation
story above, in which "words of creation are spoken while man
receives the body parts necessary to live on earth."

Finally, in the Norse creation myth, we find another striking
parallel with Maharishi's Vedic Science.  This myth states:

In the beginning there was the void. And the void was called
Ginnungagap. What does Ginnungagap mean? Yawning gap, beginning gap,
gap with magical potential, mighty gap; these are a few of the
educated guesses (6).

In this myth, a "void" or "gap" is said to be the source of
creation.  Maharishi, similarly, has laid great emphasis upon the
importance of the "gap" in the creative process.  Speaking about the
Veda, he explains that between each unmanifest "sound" or word, there
exists a gap, a field of pure nothingness, pure silence.  Within the
gap, each Vedic "sound" transforms into the following sound.  The
gap, therefore, the field of pure nothingness, pure stillness, is the
place from which emerge all of the Vedic sounds that structure the
entire cosmos.  In Maharishi's Vedic Science, thus, the gap is
responsible for the whole creation.  It is thus, indeed, a "mighty
gap," a "gap with magical potential," as the Norse myth relates.
The creation myths from many world cultures contain, in symbolic
form, the same knowledge contained in Maharishi's Vedic Science.

The Aboriginal religion of Australia, for example, has at its basis
the concept of "the Dreaming" or "Dreamtime."  The
expression "Dreamtime" is most often used to refer to the "time
before time," or "the time of the creation of all things."  During
this period, the Aborigines recount that "Ancestor Spirits" created,
or changed into, the natural land formations such as rivers and
hills, and when their work was done, the Ancestor Spirits changed
again, into animals or stars, human beings, and other objects.  The
Ancestor Spirits and their powers have not gone; they are present in
the forms into which they changed at the end of the "Dreamtime"
or "Dreaming," as the stories tell (Paraphrase, 7).

In a similar way, Maharishi's Vedic Science describes in precise
detail the intricate mechanics in which the unmanifest, infinite
field of pure consciousness, through its own, self-referral dynamics,
creates the entire physical universe.  The Aboriginal religion
describes the same process in symbolic and personified form:
the "Dreaming" (as we will see more fully later) is another name for
pure consciousness.  As is common in sacred traditions everywhere,
the Aborigines make the abstract field of Being more concrete and
tangible by giving it the personal identity of Ancestor Spirits.  The
activity of the Ancestor Spirits' creating and changing into the
physical forms present in the world conveys the knowledge that pure
consciousness creates and becomes all physical matter in the cosmos.

Since the Aborigines hold that the Ancestor Spirits remain a part of
the natural objects they create, their religion is said to embrace
the doctrine of "animism," the belief that natural objects, natural
phenomena, and the universe itself possess souls.  This view, also,
is consistent with the Vedic tradition, which teaches that pure
consciousness is the sole essence of both the unmanifest and manifest
world.  The whole creation, in all its diversity, has in essence only
one constituent: pure consciousness.  "All is Brahm (pure
consciousness)"; "I am That, thou art That, and all this is That" are
two expressions from the Vedic literature.  The knowledge, put
another way, is that there is no real distinction between Creator and
created; both comprise the singular, eternal reality: pure
awareness.  Maharishi has expressed this idea, also, in more everyday
terms by saying, "Everything that has a physiology has
consciousness."  "Even a rock."  Additionally, since the Aborigines
believe that the Ancestor Spirits created human bodies, we should
mention the recent publication of an 800-page book, Human physiology:
expression of the Ved and Vedic literature.  In this text, Dr. Tony
Nader, M.D., Ph.D., shows in exhaustive detail the way in which pure
consciousness creates, sustains and constitutes the human body.
The knowledge that pure consciousness pervades equally all the
multifarious diversity of creation is embraced by other indigenous
cultures as well.  The indigenous tribes of North America, for
example, commonly believe in

A primary spirit, a great, animating force, that [pervades] all
existence […] According to indigenous beliefs, the Great Spirit [has]
many manifestations.  It [is] believed to be present in all things—
animals, plants, water, rocks and other natural phenomena, such as
the Sun, Moon, weather or sickness (8).  [Note: in the above quote,
in its original form, the past tense is used to describe Native
American culture.  The use of the past tense indicates that this
culture no longer exists.  Since this is inaccurate, since Native
American culture is still very much alive today, I have changed all
verbs to the present tense.  I do this also in some of the
descriptions of other indigenous cultures that follow, since it is
inaccurate to relegate them exclusively to the past.]

The terms "monotheism" and "polytheism" were first used by the
adherents of monotheistic religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam)
to describe the different native religions they encountered around
the world.  A great many world faiths, however, are in fact both
monotheistic and polytheistic in character.  This is to say, many
religions believe clearly in the existence of one supreme Being, or
God, while at the same time believing in a number of lesser,
subordinate deities.  Historically, the mindset of foreign invaders
has tended to take for granted that monotheism and polytheism are
incompatible doctrines.  Therefore, when newcomers encountered a
culture that paid homage to more than one deity, they labeled this
culture "polytheistic" even though it may well have embraced the
belief, also, in a single creative force or Supreme Being.  Such
cultures, viewed by foreigners, from outside, have been classified,
thus, as polytheistic when they are, in reality both monotheistic and
polytheistic at once.  This, dual character, in fact, is true of most
native religions worldwide.  It is a characteristic feature,
generally speaking, of the Indians of North, Central and South
America, as well as the native cultures of Polynesia and New Zealand,
Africa, Europe and Asia.  We said, for example, that the Indians of
North America typically worship a single, creative force that
pervades all of nature.  The different tribes refer to this Supreme
Being with names such as the "Great Spirit" or the "Great Mystery."
Similarly, the principal, native cultures of Mesoamerica, the Aztecs
and the Maya, revere the supreme gods Huitzilopochtli and Hunab Ku
respectively.  The Maori of New Zealand venerate Io as the Supreme
Being and, in like manner, nearly all native religions of Africa pay
homage to one supreme Creator (9).  Finally, many pagan religions of
Europe, as well as Buddhism and Hinduism, are also expressly
monotheistic.  For this reason, it is accurate to say that nearly all
indigenous cultures worldwide are monotheistic.

Equally common among the world's native cultures, nonetheless, is the
practice of performing rituals dedicated to a number of lesser gods.
These cultures, while believing that the universe is created by a
sole, supreme God, tend to hold that God remains remote from the
everyday affairs of His creation.  All of these cultures believe that
earthly and human affairs are administered by a group of lesser
deities.  In Mayan religion, for example,

Numerous […] deities—including the gods of rain, maize, war,
medicine, wind death, Moon and Sun--[are] thought to control the
specific affairs of humans.  These deities all [have] a dual aspect:
they [can] bring good things to humans, such as rain, a plentiful
harvest, or peace, but they [can] also bring harm, such as drought,
famine or war.  Many rituals and ceremonies performed by the Maya,
[thus] […][are] intended to secure favorable treatment from these
gods (10).

Native cultures the world over embrace a view similar to that of the
Maya.  In African faiths,

Religious rituals serve as strategies for reinforcing life, fertility
and power.  The principal vision shared by African religions is that
human beings must vigilantly maintain a harmonious relationship with
the divine powers in order to prosper.  African religions aim at
harnessing these powers and channeling them for the good of the
community, and ritual is the way to do so (11).

Finally, we clearly see that native, North Americans share the same
view, believing

That in order to survive as individuals and communities, it [is]
necessary to acknowledge these spiritual powers in every aspect of
their lives—by addressing the powers in prayer and song, offering
them gifts, [and] establishing ritual relationships with them (12).

When one studies Maharishi's Vedic Science, it is easy to see the way
in which, as Maharishi attests, all the world's cultures are
descended from the ancient Vedic civilization.  Maharishi's Vedic
Science, just as most cultures in the world, is equally monotheistic
and polytheistic in scope.  Maharishi explains clearly that there is
only one God, the name for which varies from culture to culture.
Each culture, similarly, may ascribe certain personal attributes to
God.  Some cultures conceive of God as a particular animal or force
in nature, while others picture Him with a human form and attribute
to Him certain personality traits.  Among dominant, Western cultures,
God is conceived to be male, and artists typically depict Him as an
old man with a long beard.  In the East, in contrast, God is often
held to be a female.  Because pure consciousness is the ultimate
abstraction, the symbolic representation of God as a concrete
phenomenon or a personage allows a population who lacks the direct
experience of God in their awareness to imagine this Reality.  In
such a population, thus, at least the idea of God exists when the
reality is unknown.

Maharishi explains that "God" is a term for transcendental
consciousness, the sole, eternal reality that underlies and upholds
the entire manifest creation.  The Vedic tradition contains many
names for God.  As an exponent of this tradition, Maharishi sometimes
refers to God as Atma, or Brahm, or the parame vyoman, or Shiva, for
instance.  All of these names denote the single, eternal unmanifest
Reality, pure consciousness or Being.  It might be helpful to
explain, also, that Maharishi displays great reverence and devotion
toward God.  His book, Love and God, is an impromptu love poem sung
to Him.  Maharishi's teaching, thus, is unmistakably monotheistic in
character.

Maharishi explains, nonetheless, that within the singular,
indivisible nature of transcendental consciousness, there resides a
number of "deities," or devatas, as they are called in Sanskrit.
Maharishi explains that the Vedic devata are the "administrators of
the universe," "the laws of nature that structure and govern the
infinitely-expanding universe and maintain it in perfect
order."  "The movement of the planets and stars," he explains, for
example, "is regulated with perfect order by the Vedic devata."
Maharishi teaches, similarly, that the Vedic devata preside over all
aspects of earthly and human life.  The Vedic tradition, therefore,
has preserved the knowledge of how to harness the potential of the
devatas in order to benefit all areas of life.  Specifically,
Maharishi has revived in its completeness the precise procedures and
performances that stimulate specific laws of nature at the
appropriate times, during for example certain seasons or days of the
year.  Maharishi has brought to light, also, the precise Vedic
performances that will benefit an individual during particular stages
of life, such as birth or puberty, and those that correspond to
important life events such as marriage or the launching of a
business.  This body of knowledge is extremely detailed and precise,
and is complemented by the science of Maharishi Jyotish, the ancient
system of Vedic astrology.  By utilizing Maharishi Jyotish, any
individual can anticipate future problems such as disease, injuries
or financial loss, and avoid these misfortunes by having the Vedic
pundits (i.e., priests) perform the corresponding rituals.  Even
though all misfortunes come to one as a result of his own wrong
actions in the past, it is, notwithstanding, entirely within the
capacity of the Vedic pundits to prevent any future problem from
arising in one's life.  Maharishi adds also that nations as well as
individuals bring about their own future problems when they violate
the laws of nature.  In light of the rash of natural disasters
occurring worldwide, it is very timely that the science of Maharishi
Jyotish is now available to aid any nation.

We mentioned earlier that all cultures represent the abstract reality
of God in some concrete form so that the people may relate
conceptually to the reality of transcendental consciousness.  I
should add, therefore, that all native world cultures do the same
thing with the abstract realities embodied in the devatas.  Maharishi
has explained that the Vedic devatas refer to specific qualities of
creative intelligence or transcendental consciousness.  The devatas
reside, he adds further, eternally within the unmanifest field of
Being.  We may say, thus, that the devatas constitute different
aspects or qualities of God's nature.  The devata are depicted
artistically in the Vedic tradition in particular, conventional ways,
usually as deities that resemble human beings in form.  The point to
remember is that the conventional drawings are merely symbols,
products of the imagination of artists, that seek to embody the
unmanifest, omnipresent qualities of pure consciousness.  The
devatas, in reality, are fundamental, universal laws of nature, and
as such, they have no particular physical form.  All polytheistic
cultures worldwide represent the devatas in their own unique ways and
in their own mythologies.  Again, these portrayals are simply meant
to allow people to relate to a reality that belongs only to the field
of transcendental consciousness and is therefore, for most, beyond
the scope of conscious awareness.  I make this point, in part,
because if anyone is offended by the personalized depictions of the
Vedic gods on the Maharishi Channel (Maharishi's global satellite
network), then she is offended by qualities of creative intelligence
or natural laws.

In the Vedic tradition, the forms ascribed to the devatas have
another, crucial significance, as well.  As noted above, Dr. Tony
Nader, M.D., Ph.D., recently published an 800-page book that explains
the way in which the devatas actually reside within the human body.
This is to say, the devatas correspond to specific aspects of
physiological function, and particular anatomical structures, in the
human body.  The "elephant god," Ganesh, for example, is a symbol for
the brain and spinal column as viewed from the rear.  The Vedic gods
who are drawn with eight arms represent the eight nerves that
protrude from the four holes on each side of the pelvis.  The goal of
all the programs in Maharishi's Vedic Science is to raise the
individual and collective consciousness to their highest level, a
level where there is no suffering.  And because the physiology and
consciousness are interdependent, the Vedic devata directly improve
the health of individuals.  The devata purify and normalize the
internal structures of the body, and improve all aspects of
physiological function.  It is for this reason that their particular
artistic representations are associated with the internal body.  The
action of the devatas in improving the structure and function of the
bodily organs, for example, improves the quality of individual
consciousness.

When one examines the ways in which the different, world cultures
have rendered tribute to the deities, it is clear that these
ceremonial rites are derived from the ancient Vedic tradition.
Throughout the world, human societies have recognized the existence
of the Vedic devatas, even though the names, forms and attributes
ascribed to them have varied widely.  Despite this cultural
variation, the reasons for which people have sought help from the
gods have remained largely consistent over time: people perform
rituals to a particular god during important transitions in life such
as birth, puberty, marriage or death.  They seek the assistance of
the gods during times of spousal or family conflict, in times of
illness, injury, poverty, or other personal problems, or to win the
favor of the gods in business ventures, artistic projects, changes in
career, or journeys away from home.  Collectively, also, towns,
cities, states and nations have routinely appealed to the gods in
order to secure abundant harvests, gain advantage in warfare, and
prevent or stop drought, natural disasters and plagues.  The purpose
for all of these rituals, together with many others, corresponds
closely or exactly to those contained in Maharishi's Vedic Science.
We mentioned above, additionally, that in the Vedic tradition, many
performances are carried out on specific days of the year, according
to the Vedic calendar and to predictions made by the experts in
Jyotish.  This practice closely relates to the custom observed (at
least) by the Mayas, for whom "the prophecies provided by the
calendrical cycles governed the scheduling of rituals" (13).

Dr. Nader's book explains also the way in which the Vedic devata
correspond to particular celestial bodies.  He identifies a precise
correspondence between the individual planets, and the solar system
as a whole, and the structure and function of the internal body.  The
Vedic expression that summarizes this relationship states, "As is the
body, so is the universe."  I was struck, thus, to discover that the
same, Vedic knowledge has been carefully preserved in the native
traditions of Africa.  As reported in Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia:

African mythology and ritual commonly depict the cosmos as an entity
with human traits.  The human body is thought to be modeled on the
structure and dynamics of the larger cosmos, incorporating the same
essential elements and forces that make up the universe (14).

We mentioned that Maharishi explains that the Vedic devata reside
eternally within the unmanifest field of pure consciousness.  He
explains that the devata are one and inseparable from this
transcendental field.  It is in this sense, thus, that monotheism and
polytheism coexist harmoniously.  Both viewpoints are valid, because
God is One and God is many—while always remaining only One.  The same
knowledge is preserved in several of the world's indigenous cultural
traditions.  Anthropologists report, for instance, that in the native
African societies the "secondary divinities are sometimes portrayed
as children of the supreme god, but religious teachings also regard
them as refractions of a divine being" (15).  Among the Inca, Aztecs
and Maya, similarly, scholars surmise that "it is possible that […]
the various divine powers [are] seen as multiple facets of a single
supernatural force" (16).  Finally, in the native, North American
tribes, "even a supreme being [can] be conceptualized in more than
one way.  Among the Sioux, Wakan Tanka, Great Mystery, [is] pictured
both as a single entity and as an assemblage of deities—including
Sun, Winds, Earth and Rock" (17).  In examining the different native
religions worldwide, then, the generalization about the indigenous
pagan cultures of Europe often applies universally: these cultures
typically contain monotheistic, polytheistic, and animistic elements
together.

One may ask, `If the worldwide practice of paying homage to the
devatas is truly a successful practice, why has it fallen into
obscurity?  Why have people largely left behind these traditions if
they provide so many concrete benefits to life?'  The answer lies in
the course of history, which has included the gradual decline in the
collective consciousness in most parts of the world.  The narrowing
of individual and collective consciousness was precipitated by the
loss of the knowledge of how to transcend, how to contact and enliven
pure consciousness during TM.  As soon as populations lost the
ability to grow toward higher states of consciousness, individual and
collective life fell more and more out of attunement with natural
law, and all systems of knowledge became increasingly fragmented
(i.e., lacking the proper relationship to the wholeness of
knowledge).  As it regards the performances dedicated to the devatas,
the loss of the ability to experience transcendental consciousness
was the single most important factor that rendered these practices
ineffective.  Maharishi explains that the Vedic pundits, those who
perform the Vedic rituals as a profession, must practice TM and the
TM-Sidhi program as part of their daily routine, in addition to
leading healthy and pure lives.  When the pundits follow the proper
daily routine, their ritual performances are carried out from the
level of transcendental consciousness.  This is the only level from
which the Vedic procedures achieve their aim.  Therefore, even if a
culture had performed the correct rituals at the correct times, if
the practitioners were not enlivening pure awareness, their actions
would have little or no effect.  When we examine the course of
history, we see that indigenous cultures the world over have been
invaded, subjugated and exterminated by foreign powers.  We must,
therefore, recognize that the primary reason for this usurpation has
been the loss of TM.  Had any world culture retained the practice of
TM, especially in conjunction with the proper religious ceremonies,
the society would have been invincible in the face of any threat,
internal or external.

It is clear that in human history, the most sacred knowledge that has
been lost is that of TM.  When a populace loses the ability to
contact pure consciousness, it loses the ability to live in perfect
health, happiness, peace and abundance.  When people lose touch with
Being, they grow tense, fatigued and apathetic.  In a society that
does not cultivate higher states of consciousness, qualities such as
high-mindedness, creativity, originality, dynamism, intelligence,
inspiration, piety, virtue, love and compassion, especially in full
and sincere form, are rare.  The practice of TM is a simple, natural
way to bring about the flourishing of all the above qualities (for
example) in the individual and collective life.  It is, therefore,
the most sacred practice that exists.  It is natural, thus, that it
is the basis of all world religions.  All major religious texts, and
(at least) most of the world's oral and mythic traditions contain
multiple references to TM, be they symbolic or explicit.

In the Vedic tradition, the TM technique is never written down.  It
is, rather, taught to an initiate during a private session with a
trained teacher.  One reason for this custom is because in order for
the technique to be learned properly, it is important for the
initiate to be innocent about the practice at the time of learning.
Therefore, the technique itself is never described in writing, nor
discussed orally, except between the teacher and student.  In like
fashion, the TM technique is not explicitly described, either, in the
world's sacred traditions.  It is however, mentioned repeatedly, just
as here I am repeatedly mentioning it.

Within many of the world's religions, TM is mentioned in the context
of "sacrificing" or "death and rebirth."  These terms make perfect
sense when one considers the physiological changes that occur during
TM, and also the after-effects of the practice.  Many, published
scientific studies, for example, have documented that during TM,
periods of complete respiratory suspension are common.  During these
periods, which typically last between 20 seconds and one minute,
there is no inward or outward flow of the breath, and afterward,
there is no compensatory breathing, a fact that indicates that this
state is completely natural—i.e., during this time, the bodily cells
are not deprived of oxygen; they simply stop consuming it.  (If you
would like to view these studies, please go to www.mum.edu and search
under "respiratory suspension.")  As Maharishi explains, every state
of consciousness has a corresponding state of physiology, and the
fourth state, transcendental consciousness, has many dozens of unique
physiological characteristics, all of which have been documented and
published already in the scientific literature.  One of the
characteristics of the physiology of pure consciousness is that (when
experienced fully) there is no respiration.  Some meditators are
aware of the periods when they are not breathing, and others do not
remember them, even when scientific equipment records their
occurrence.  It is in this sense, in part, that TM is widely referred
to as a "sacrifice."  The meditator foregoes, or sacrifices, the
breath.  At the same time, he surrenders his normal state of being.
Waking state consciousness, the normal state, which is always
accompanied by respiration, is left behind.  In biblical terms,
the "mortal man," "Adam," the man governed by the "flesh"
is "sacrificed" and replaced by the "new" man "alive in the Spirit"
or "alive in Christ."  (A book, available free in English and
Spanish, explains in detail the way in which TM is the central theme
of the Bible.  It is available at www.geocities.com/taustin_46637/.
As we can see from this discussion, the principal theme, and
exhortation, in the New Testament, that of "dying to one's mortal
nature" in order to be "reborn in Christ;" that of "[offering]
yourselves as a living sacrifice to God" in order to
be "[transformed] inwardly" (Romans 12:1-2, TEV) is a description of
TM, the precise mechanics of which are never written down.  We
discussed earlier, also, the plethora of scientific evidence that
documents that the group practice of TM and (especially) the TM-Sidhi
program and yogic flying, produce dramatic benefits in the quality of
life in the surrounding populace.  Put simply, the practice of these
techniques in groups saves lives, reduces suffering, and enriches the
quality of life for people throughout the area or region.  It is in
this sense, thus, that we understand a biblical exhortation such
as, "offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God."  Christians are
instructed to offer their bodies as instruments for God's use; by
cultivating the psychophysiology of pure consciousness, God works
through them to bless the lives of scores of other people.  (The
Spanish translation of this verse is even more explicit, since it
reads, "Offer your bodies…"  Put simply, when we "die," when we
sacrifice waking state consciousness for transcendental
consciousness, God works through us to achieve His aims.  It is
apparent, thus, that if enough people offer themselves as yogic
flyers, now, at this time, God will give heaven to the earth.

As we've explained, the wholeness of knowledge contained in the
ancient Vedic civilization, over time, has been gradually obscured
and lost.  Each of the world's cultures, nonetheless, has retained
certain aspects and vestiges of this complete knowledge of life.
Interestingly, the most crucial knowledge, that of TM, has clearly
been preserved in the religious and mythic traditions around the
world.  In all these traditions, the actual experience (pure
consciousness) has been lost over time, and what remain are words,
rituals, symbols and stories, a central subject of which is TM.  The
different world cultures, thus, preserve the knowledge that the TM
technique exists and that it is the means to raise life to its
supreme level—even though the entire population may have no idea that
TM is in fact encapsulated in their own traditions.  (It is fortunate
that a culture will work quite diligently to preserve its sacred
myths, practices, rituals and texts even when the deeper subjects of
these are unknown.  People sense the sacred elements in their own
traditions even when this recognition may be very faint, purely
intuitive or unconscious.)

As an example, we may take the native (North) American ritual of the
sweat lodge.  Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia explains that

In the sweat lodge, a purification ritual that originated in the
polar regions […] water was poured over heated stones to create a hot
vapor bath.  The rites, or ceremonial acts, of the sweat lodge were
believed to wash away both moral and physical impurities.  Sweat
lodges were used for teaching, praying, and singing, often in
preparation for other ceremonies" (18).

This tradition, like most of the world's cultures, has meaning and
function on different levels simultaneously.  Performed as described
above, at face value, it certainly is useful for deepening social
bonds within the tribe and for enkindling the more refined,
devotional and celebratory feelings needed for the "other ceremonies"
that often followed.  In addition, the act of sweating does help to
remove physical impurities, and thereby helps to purify and clarify
consciousness to some degree.  The ritual itself, however, is
intended also to preserve symbolically the knowledge of TM and the TM-
Sidhi program, in order that a later age, whose consciousness is more
awake to the sacred, will perceive the deeper import of the knowledge
here preserved.  "Water" is a universal symbol for pure
consciousness.  Like pure consciousness, it is the source of all life
on earth, and it is the primary constituent of the human body.  And
like pure consciousness, it is essential for life and for health.  In
this ritual, the water is external, in the environment.  The action
of the hot vapor, however, causes the purification of the internal
body and, in some manner, the consciousness of the participants.  In
this way, this ritual symbolizes the effect produced by a group of TM-
Sidhi practitioners, who are also external to the surrounding
population, but whose activity also purifies the bodies and the
consciousness of those in the surrounding area.  (Published
scientific research has found, for example, that the yogic flyers
cause blood levels of serotonin, a hormone important for a sense of
well-being, to increase in the people in the vicinity of the group.
To review research relevant to this finding, go to www.mum.edu and
search under "serotonin TM-Sidhi.")  Of course, this ritual embodies
the knowledge of TM in an individual context as well, showing the way
that exposure to water, pure consciousness, removes, in Maharishi's
words, "chemical impurities […] from the body" and thereby expands
and purifies consciousness.  The practice of TM, certainly, is far
more powerful in its purifying effects, but the deepest, sacred value
of this ritual is to preserve this, most precious knowledge for the
benefit of a later (present) generation, so that the people will
recognize that the knowledge contained in Maharishi's Vedic Science
is in fact a vital component of their own culture.  Mythic and
religious traditions worldwide, in fact, utilize water as a symbol
for the individual and collective benefits of pure consciousness.
(In the Christian tradition, the individual benefits of TM are
symbolized in the ritual of baptism, in which the individual, in
order to be born anew and cleansed of sin, symbolically "dips in and
out" of (or receives) the water, just as during TM, one "dips in and
out" of (or receives) the Transcendent many times during each
meditation.  The collective benefits of the TM-Sidhi program are
symbolized, for example, by the "waters" that remove the evil from
the earth in the tale of Noah, among many other examples.)

We explained above that the action of transcendence is represented
almost universally, also, in terms of "sacrifice."  Among native,
African cultures, "blood sacrifice"—the offering of a sacrificial
animal—is the most important ritual, expressing the reciprocal bond
between divinity and devotee" (19).  The knowledge preserved herein
is symbolic; the body of the animal represents the human body.
During TM, the body, or physiology, that correlates to waking state
consciousness, which is animalistic in nature, is "sacrificed" in
favor of the spiritual body of transcendental consciousness.  This
ritual, thus, "[expresses] the reciprocal bond between divinity and
devotee," since in the state of transcendental consciousness, the
devotee comes to the Spirit and the Spirit comes to the devotee.  In
this state, the two are united as one.  Another African rite further
symbolizes this sublime state of union, as we see:

The most dramatic and intimate contact between human being and
divinity occurs in the ritual of trance, during which a divine spirit
is believed to take possession of the worshiper.  In most cases,
rhythmic chanting, drumming, dance and other techniques are used to
facilitate an altered state of consciousness.  Sometimes, only the
priest is susceptible to possession, but in other cases, as in the
Vodun religion of Benin, others also serve as receptacles.  Under the
direction of a specialist in the ritual, the possessing spirits enter
the participants, who submit to the spirits' control (20).

For those who have learned TM, it is easy to see the way in which the
ritual above symbolizes this technique.  The means in which
the "altered state of consciousness" is brought about is that of a
repeating "rhythm," such as chanting, drumming or dance.  This
ritual, thus, preserves symbolically the knowledge that TM is the
means to unite with the Divine.  As a result of practicing TM,
Maharishi points out, "the thought, speech and behavior of the
individual come to be more and more in accord with total natural law,
the will of God."  This is the knowledge conveyed by the
participants' "[submitting]" to the spirits' control.  As Maharishi
has quoted from the Vedic literature, "For those  who regularly
cultivate the state of transcendental consciousness, Brahm [God]
becomes the charioteer of all their actions."

"Among the Bambara people of Mali, the dugutigi, who serves as head
of the village, also performs sacrifices before the first rains of
the season or after the first harvest" (21).  This custom preserves
the knowledge that in order to remain in harmony with all the laws of
nature, and gain their support for all areas of life, it is necessary
to "sacrifice" the mortal body.  Maharishi has explained that when
enough people in a community or a nation are practicing TM and the TM-
Sidhi program, "the seasons and the rains will come on time, and
harvests will be abundant."

In terms of the growth to higher states of consciousness, we see that
the knowledge contained in these rites is that in order for the "new"
man to be born into higher states of consciousness, the "old" man of
lower states must first "die."  As Paul says, "put to death your
members which are on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-5, NKJV).  These
words describe the process that occurs during TM.  When pure
consciousness is experienced completely, respiration ceases, and this
state thus resembles death.  It is, however, the most revitalizing
experience known for the body, mind and emotions.  This is the sense,
therefore, of the Christian declaration, "in dying we are reborn."
Similarly, the same knowledge is preserved among the Australian
Aborigines:

Young Aborigines [learn] stories of the Dreaming through initiation
ceremonies and in gatherings of secret initiation cults.  Initiates
[go] through a ritual death, and in this state encounter the
Dreaming.  Prospective Shamans (spiritual healers) [go] through a
similar initiation by their peers (22).

As this rite shows, the way to contact the psychophysiology of
the "Dreaming," pure consciousness, is to "die" to the
psychophysiology of waking state consciousness.  Just as in the Vedic
tradition, Aborigines are inducted into this sacred knowledge at a
young age, since it is useful for all later phases of life.  Those
who learn this knowledge, also, gain the ability to "[heal]
[others]," as Shamans, just as the TM-Sidhi practitioners serve
as "spiritual healers" or Shamans for the whole society.  The result
of regularly practicing Maharishi's Technologies of Consciousness, as
documented in the scientific research, is to improve all aspects of
physiological functioning.  No other technique is as rejuvenating to
all bodily organs and systems, and the result of creating this,
optimized state of physiology is the attainment of higher states of
consciousness.  The knowledge that improving the condition of the
internal body gives rise to higher states of consciousness is also
contained in the initiation rites performed for the Shamans, in
which "their peers […] symbolically [replace] the body organs of the
initiate to give him special powers in his new life" (23).

The knowledge of transcendence is preserved, as we are seeing, in
terms of the symbols of "sacrifice" and "death and rebirth" in
cultures throughout all five continents.  To cite another example, in
Mayan culture, "the most solemn ceremonies were reenactments of the
death and rebirth of the gods.  In these rituals, a ruler or noble
[…] was dressed as a god and then killed as a sacrificial offering"
(24).  While this example is morbid, it derived, I believe, from the
ancient knowledge that the sacrifice of the body is the key to all
glory in life.  I hypothesize that after the TM technique was lost,
religious rituals lost their effectiveness.  In an attempt to regain
the great power these rites once had, some societies resorted to
sacrificing their most precious possession: human beings.  Human
sacrifice, thus, a practice most frequent among the Aztecs, was a
horribly ironic twisting of sacred knowledge.  In most cultures, the
knowledge that the sacrifice of the body is holy was preserved,
thankfully, in parabolic form.  To continue listing and explicating
examples would be redundant, but to conclude, we may just briefly
cite a few more cases.  We will discuss below the diluvian (flood)
myths from the different world cultures, but here we may mention a
few examples of the same symbolism of sacrifice in the flood myths.
In the Sumerian tale, after the flood, Utnapishtim makes
a "sacrifice" to the gods, and as a result, he and his wife are
given "immortality" (25).  Maharishi has explained, similarly, that
the ultimate result of practicing his technologies of consciousness
is the attainment of unity consciousness, a state in which one
is "immortal," able to "decide" the time in which he will leave the
body, even if one "chooses to live for a thousand years."  Finally,
in the flood myth of the Palau islands, Milathk dies and is then
reborn, and in so doing, she is the only survivor of the flood (26).
Even among the Australian Aborigines and the Inca of South America,
for whom ancestor worship is a key feature of religion, we find the
knowledge, seminally, that the sacred is found in the death of the
mortal body.

Ritual sacrifice was a common practice in the pagan cultures of
Europe, and also among the Jews.  Animal sacrifice was a mainstay of
the religious ceremonies prescribed in the Old Testament.  For
Christians, the teaching of Christ constitutes the evolution of the
custom of animal sacrifice.  The Jews, who would offer, for example,
a lamb to God for the expiation of their sins, were given in Christ
the example of offering their own bodies as a sacrifice to God for
the expiation of their sins.  Christ used his own body as the example
of this practice, and Paul, in turn, urged Christians to follow the
same example, offering themselves (or their bodies) as a living
sacrifice to God in order to be purified of their sins and glorify
His creation.  Maharishi teaches that human life is essentially
evolutionary, or progressive, in nature, passing through steps of
greater knowledge and greater achievement as time advances.  It is,
therefore, very interesting to observe the stages of progress in the
Judeo-Christian tradition.  In these religions, the practice of
sacrifice exists first as an external symbol: animal sacrifice
symbolizes the sacrifice of the animal aspect of human nature.  And
Christ appears in order to advance this knowledge, teaching that a
far more sacred practice is that of sacrificing the human body, the
result of which is one's being born again into eternal life in heaven
(i.e., awakening in higher states of consciousness.)  As explained
fully in the book at www.geocities.com/taustin_46637/, the complete
teaching of Christ, the technique of Transcendental Meditation as the
means to die and be reborn, was given only to the disciples, as
Christ acknowledged in Matthew 13:11, and not to all people.  At the
present time, this most sacred knowledge of life is taking its final
stage of progression, as the knowledge of TM and the TM-Sidhi program
(the subject of all the world's sacred traditions) is being offered
to all people on earth.

Indeed, it is fascinating to view the progression of knowledge
throughout history.  In the beginning, the ancient Vedic civilization
possessed complete knowledge: the practice of Maharishi's
Technologies of Consciousness together with full knowledge of the
Veda, including the correct performances to the devata.  As time
elapsed, and world cultures dispersed, the knowledge of how to
contact pure consciousness was lost, eventually, everywhere.
Nonetheless, the practice of rendering tribute to the gods continued,
even to the present day.  As part of God's progresive plan for human
life, a few divine personages, such as Christ, have appeared in order
to impart the knowledge of TM, directly to a few people, and
symbolically to the masses.  Now, at this time, the fullness of
knowledge has been restored at last: the knowledge of TM and the TM-
Sidhi program, and complete knowledge of the Veda, is available to
everyone on earth.  Equally important, the proper performances to the
Vedic devata have been revived.  In combining these three components
of sacred knowledge, Maharishi has made heaven available to everyone
on earth.

In all societies, music is an important and cherished component of
life.  In indigenous cultures, music is typically an integral part of
religious ceremonies.  Native cultures worldwide have utilized music,
not only to stimulate specific feelings in the listeners' hearts, but
also for the purpose of producing good fortune in many aspects of
human life.  This practice has its origin in the knowledge of
Maharishi Gandharva Veda, the science of how to use melodies in order
to generate particular, positive influences in the environment and in
the awareness of those in the area.  The knowledge of Gandharva Veda
has its origin in the ancient Vedic tradition.  It is a precise
science that lays out the particular notes and melodies that match
the rhythms of nature during particular times of day.  As Maharishi
explains,

Thousands of years ago in India, great Rishis or sages cognized
within their own consciousness the subtle rhythms and melodies of the
Veda, which is pure knowledge at the basis of Nature.  As part of the
Veda, Gandharva Veda is part of the musical performance that
replicates the vibrations of Nature at different times of day or
night.

Maharishi continues:

Every level of creation is a frequency.  One frequency melts into the
other, and this is how the process of evolution takes place.  The
night comes to an end and the dawn begins.  At dawn, when the
darkness and dullness of the night is over, some inspiring freshness
comes and there is a different frequency in the whole atmosphere.  At
midday, there is another big change in frequency; at evening, a
different frequency; at midnight, a different frequency.  This cycle
of change is perpetual, and because everything is a frequency there
is sound at every stage.  If you could hear the frequencies of
Nature, you would hear the sounds of Gandharva Veda music.

Under the guidance of Maharishi, many of India's most renowned
musicians have joined in a worldwide revival of this eternal music of
Nature to give its profound benefits to all mankind.  Each of the
melodies (Ragas) traces the vibrations and pattern of a particular
time of day.  When one plays a melody during the specified time
period, it creates a natural balance and harmony in one's awareness
and in the environment, and through the particular quality (Rasa) of
each Raga, characteristics such as greater courage, self-confidence,
wisdom and happiness are enlivened.

Maharishi Gandharva Veda music, the pure and simple coherent flow of
sound, is able to infuse coherence into any situation.  These
melodies have such a powerful integrating and harmonizing influence
that they are able to create balance and peace in the atmosphere and
neutralize stress.  When the Raga is played at the correct time, the
physiology of the individual listener and his environment can be
brought into alliance with the Natural Laws that govern life and
maintain its progress and evolution.

The effects produced by each Raga are different, and include those
produced in the listener's awareness, such as love, compassion,
creativity, or joy; those produced in the body and the mind together:
greater energy, restful sleep, health and rejuvenation, etc.; and
those produced in the environment, such as the promotion of success
and achievements in life.  Maharishi emphasizes, however, that all of
the Ragas, played at the proper time, produce harmony and peace in
the surrounding area.  (If you would like more information about
Maharishi Gandharva Veda, please visit www.tm.org.  At the top right,
click on "site map."  Scroll down to the heading, "Explore related
programs," and click on "Maharishi Gandharva Veda Music.")

Native cultures the world over have recognized that music allows
human beings to connect with the fundamental, causal level of
creation, the unified field of pure consciousness.  For Australian
Aborigines, for example,

In sacred ceremonies, songs serve as the vital link to the realm of
Aboriginal spirits called Dreamtime.  The Aborigines believe that,
long ago, the Dreamtime spirits sang songs that created all living
things on Earth.  Today these songs are sung in sacred ceremonies to
ensure the survival and propagation of all plant and animal life
(27).

Maharishi has explained that sound, or vibration, is the most basic
activity in nature.  The impulses of the Veda, the fine
reverberations of consciousness that exist eternally in the
unmanifest Absolute, are responsible for creating the physical
universe and maintaining all its activity.  The sounds of the Veda,
thus, transcendental to the physical creation, are the primary causes
of all forms and phenomena.  The same knowledge is preserved in
Aboriginal societies, in a slightly more picturesque
form.  "Dreamtime" is another word for the unified field, pure
awareness, and the Dreamtime spirits equate with the Vedic devatas.
The songs sung by the Dreamtime spirits are the eternal impulses of
the Veda, which "[create] all living things on Earth."  The
replication of the Vedic sounds, for example in Maharishi Gandharva
Veda, stimulates these fundamental values of natural law for the
great benefit of human life.  Maharishi has emphasized that in order
for life to be lived in all its positive and beautiful values, it is
vitally important that the pundits reproduce the Vedic sounds for the
good of the whole society.  The Vedic performances, he stresses, are
essential in order to uphold the harmonious and evolutionary flow of
all aspects of life.  Aboriginal culture has preserved the sense that
the replication of these, primordial melodies is sacred, and
indispensable for the well being of all life on earth.  Aboriginal
societies sing these songs "in sacred ceremonies to ensure the
survival and propagation of all plant and animal life."

We explained that many Ragas in Maharishi Gandharva Veda promote
particular qualities in the consciousness of the listeners.  The
knowledge that specific rhythms or melodies exert an influence upon
consciousness is retained also in native African cultures, who
use "rhythmic chanting, drumming [and] dance […] to facilitate an
altered state of consciousness (28).

The knowledge about how to use music in order to connect with the
basic, causal level of creation is maintained, in some form, by
indigenous cultures everywhere.  We see, for instance,
that "Throughout the Southwestern United States, ceremonial music
[is] a significant part of Navajo life.  Very often the most common
daily activities assume a cosmic significance for the Navajo through
song" (29).  The Navajo, like many world cultures, also used music in
order to produce specific benefits to life.  In Navajo
society, "Rituals, prayers and songs of a personal nature might be
sung for good luck, trading, horses, more sheep and the planting of
corn (30).

We have seen that the practice of the Transcendental Meditation and
TM-Sidhi program, and knowledge of the Veda, are principal components
in the sacred traditions of cultures throughout the world.  The same
three elements, similarly, are the principal components of
Maharishi's Vedic Science.  Therefore, it is easy to see the way in
which all world traditions derive, as Maharishi explains, from the
ancient Vedic civilization, the earliest culture known to have
existed on earth.  At its height, the Vedic civilization lived, in
all respects, in perfect attunement with natural law, the will of
God, due to its application of all the knowledge and programs
contained in the Veda.  As Maharishi explains, the Veda is not
created by man.  It is, rather, eternal and unchangeable, existing at
all times and at all places within the self-referral state of pure,
transcendental consciousness.  The Veda, therefore, is available to
any man anywhere on earth, in the silent, unmanifest field of his own
self-referral consciousness, the field contacted in a simple, natural
way during Transcendental Meditation.  The ancient, Vedic
civilization, by applying the knowledge present in the Veda to all
areas of individual and public life, enjoyed life in fullness and
perfection, heaven on earth, life completely free from suffering.

Maharishi explains that with the long lapse of time, certain aspects
of the Vedic knowledge were gradually confused and forgotten, and
over time, even the most important aspect, the technique of
Transcendental Meditation, was lost to the public.  As a result, with
no means to contact and enliven pure consciousness, all areas of
human life began to suffer, and simultaneously, to fall more and more
out of accord with natural law.  In the present age, when the
violation of natural law everywhere has grown rampant, and suffering
has become the norm in daily life, nature has moved to restore
balance at long last.  The technique of Transcendental Meditation,
and the complete knowledge of the Veda, very quietly, has been
preserved for thousands of years by the tradition of Vedic masters in
India.  And it is now, at this time, that the knowledge of how to
live perfection in human life is being offered to all mankind.

In order for the new world of heaven on earth to arise, the old world
of problems and suffering must be eliminated.  Very interestingly,
mythic traditions worldwide include a wealth of information about
the "end of the world."  In nearly all of these mythologies--
throughout all five continents—the agent that brings about the end of
the world is a flood.  A very interesting web site, at
http://www.dreamscape.com/morgana/titania.htm#AUS, details the flood
myths belonging to 49 different world cultures.  (All references to
specific flood myths below are taken from this site.)  In reading
these stories, one is struck by the similarities between them.  As
the author of this web site observes, many of these tales contain
elements in common:

•  Humans are guilty of transgression.
•  A god sends a flood as punishment.
•  Instructions are sent to an individual to build a craft.
•  The instructions include ensuring the survival of all species.
•  The flood destroys the old race.
•  After the flood, a new, less sinful race emerges to repopulate the
earth.

It is interesting to add that some of the world's cultures have also
identified other natural phenomena that accompany the end of the
world.  The Cheyenne, for example, a culture native to the central
and western U.S., report that earthquakes and volcanic eruptions
accompany this period.  The Potawatomi of the upper Midwestern U.S.
include a "fire" that destroys everything, and the Hopi of the
Southwest U.S. mention both "fire" and "cold."  It goes without
saying, of course, that these tales of natural disasters coincide
with Jesus' prophecies about the end of the world.  Overall, the
myths from most world cultures include a "savior figure," one with
advance knowledge of the flood received from a divine source, and
knowledge about how people can be saved. In nearly all the myths,
however, virtually all humans die.  Either they cannot hear or
receive the instructions about survival (as in Australia's Wiranggu
myth), or, being wicked, they are simply destined to vanish.  It is
worth noting, also, that in the Pima and Jicarilla (Apache) myths,
the people ignore even repeated warnings and therefore perish.  Thus,
almost universally, only one or a handful of people survive to
repopulate the next world.

As early as 1959, when Maharishi launched his Spiritual Regeneration
Movement, his stated goal was "to eliminate suffering in human life
in this generation," and ever since, all of his programs have been
designed to raise all aspects of human life to their highest dignity,
a level of "perfection."  It is important to mention, also, that
beginning in 2002, His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi has been giving
a press conference every Wednesday without fail directed at the media
in all countries.  (All of the press conferences are archived at
www.mou.org.)  In these discussions, as early as 2002, Maharishi has
been alluding to the end of the present world and the beginning of
the new one.  One of his remarks, made to the honorable Dr. Robert
Wynn, mayor of Maharishi Vedic City, in Iowa, was, "It is not that
the whole world is going to end.  There will be a few people left."
In recent years, many churches and Christian organizations in many
countries including the U.S. have been declaring openly that we are
now living in the period described in the Bible as "the end times"
or "the last days."  None of these organizations, however (to my
knowledge), were making such direct and insightful statements as
early as Maharishi.  Regularly throughout the press conferences,
Maharishi has been using symbols and metaphors related to water.  He
has said, for example, that his programs to create "heaven on earth"
will succeed in the same way that the rain succeeds in watering the
land: "drop by drop."  And, in encouraging people to learn his Vedic
Science and adopt the programs offered by the Global Country of World
Peace, he has said, more than once, "Step onto the boat of life."
Very interestingly, also, he has described the benefit of
Transcendental Meditation and the TM-Sidhi program in terms
of "salvation."  In the press conference from April 21, 2004, when
Dr. Hagelin asked Maharishi how the yogic flyers will create peace,
Maharishi answered, "They will save their own self-referral
consciousness from destruction."  Maharishi has clearly stated, also,
that the daily performances on the part of the yogic flyers is the
only activity that will save other people, as well.  He has said, for
example, "[They] are the only hope for [their] nation, for [their]
city, for [their] family."  "They will control their own destiny and
the destiny of others."  "They will keep thousands of people
afloat."  "The yogic flyers will control the supreme power in the
universe."  His message, thus, is clear: the practitioners of the TM-
Sidhi program will save themselves and save others.

Maharishi has attracted a great deal of attention from the global
press due to his inauguration of the Global Country of World Peace.
Nonetheless, Maharishi has been very clear in assuring the world
press that the peace governments will not compete with the existing
governments in any way.  "All the Peace Governments are," he has
explained, "is the group of yogic flyers."  Following are a few more
statements Maharishi has made regarding the Peace Governments, the
branches of the Global Country of World Peace in each country.
(Unless otherwise noted, all quotes below are from Maharishi's global
press conferences, viewable at www.mou.org.)

When the governments are able to prevent crime, no one will change
them.  The effect of peace and harmony will occur through the groups
in the Peace Palaces at the city, state and national levels.  Once
they begin doing their performances, everyone will be on the right
side of life.

Administration will be worthy of the name which will harmonize the
infinite ability of the children with the most advanced, experienced
viewpoints of the elderly people (October 1, 2003).

[To the press:] You should give this message to the religious leaders
all over the world (March 26, 2003).

The coherence-creating groups will pray.  Peace is not in
congregations, no, it is in silent prayer, from the heart.  The time
calls, here is a call to the followers of all religions to teach
people in large groups to pray in a manner in which the prayer will
be heard (April 2, 2003).

Yogic flying is a gift from God.  And if one does not use God's gift,
what is he using?  (October 8, 2003).

Money is needed now [in order to endow the coherence-creating
groups].  One to two groups of students could perpetually produce the
effect for the whole world.  It is up to the wealthy people to
donate.  We are not asking people to collect money.  We are asking
them to save their money, because if they don't donate money it will
be looted out by those who know how to loot.  Thus we are asking them
to donate money in order to keep their money.  If they don't
understand now, they will realize, in many different ways in the
future, they will realize that they should have done it (October 8,
2003).

Today you may think, `to give or not to give?'  Tomorrow you won't be
there to think.  Tell the people like that—that vigorously (In
conversation with the honorable Dr. Robert Wynn, mayor of Maharishi
Vedic City, Iowa, early November, 2003).

We mentioned above that nearly all of the flood myths include the
construction of a "vessel" that provides salvation to those few who
enter therein.  In some of the myths, the vessel is a boat, ark or
canoe, and in others, the place of salvation is a mountain top, an
underground refuge, or a hollowed-out reed, tree or gourd.  All of
these places of salvation, I believe, are symbols for pure
consciousness.  During his press conferences, Maharishi has
emphasized that in order for people to be protected from the
destructive forces now active in the world, it is necessary for their
bodies to be "pure."  The scientific research outlined above
establishes clearly that the regular contact with pure consciousness
eliminates stress (chemical impurities and structural abnormalities)
from the body.  The regular practice of TM and the TM-Sidhi program,
thus, produces greater and greater purity in the physical system and
consequently in consciousness.  Maharishi insists that this purity is
the only source of protection available to people now in the world.
It is, in his words, "the only salvation."  In most of the flood
myths, those that include a "vessel" that enables people to survive,
I believe the "vessel" is a symbol for a pure "body," one infused
with the value of pure consciousness.  Similarly, Maharishi often
emphasizes that one of the qualities of pure awareness is that
of "invincibility."  The course in which people learn Maharishi's TM-
Sidhi course is titled, "Center Invincibility Course."  And, as some
of the other flood myths reveal, the Sidhas (yogic flyers) will be as
invincible as those on a "mountain top," or "underground" during the
flood.

In even more striking ways, as well, the analogies Maharishi has used
to describe pure consciousness are consistent with the symbols found
in the different flood myths.  The idea of people finding salvation
inside a hollowed-out reed or tree, for example, resonates with
Maharishi's constant likening of pure awareness to the "sap" inside a
tree.  Maharishi has often said, also, that when a person rises in
higher states of consciousness as a result of practicing TM and the
TM-Sidhi program, she "rises to be  beyond the reach of all problems
and difficulties in life."  This description is consistent with the
idea of rising to a mountain top, or floating in a vessel, beyond the
reach of flood waters.  Maharishi has compared the knowledge
contained in his Vedic Science, also, to a "flood light."

In order to see, further, the way in which Maharishi is fulfilling
the prophecies contained in the various indigenous cultures
worldwide, it might be interesting to examine more closely the flood
myth from the Hopi, a tribe native to the southwest U.S.:

The people repeatedly became distant from Sotuknang, the creator.
Twice he destroyed the world (by fire and by cold) and recreated it
while the few people who still lived by the laws of creation took
shelter underground with the ants. When people became corrupt and
warlike a third time, Sotuknang guided them to Spider Woman, who cut
down giant reeds and sheltered the people in the hollow stems.
Sotuknang caused a great flood, and the people floated in their reeds
for a long time. They emerged after coming to rest on a small piece
of land. They still had as much food as they started with. Guided by
their inner wisdom (which comes from Sotuknang through the door at
the top of their head), the people traveled on, using the reeds as
canoes. They went northeast, finding progressively larger islands,
until they came to the Fourth World. When they reached it, they saw
the islands sink into the ocean.

This tale, perhaps more poignantly than the others, suggests strongly
that the true agent responsible for people's salvation is pure
consciousness.  There are many close parallels to Maharishi's Vedic
Science. First, the eradication of mankind occurs as a result of his
alienation from Natural Law or the Creator.  Second, the "few" people
who survive the world's destruction are those who, conversely, "still
live by the laws of creation."  These people take
refuge "underground," a likely symbol for pure consciousness, since
the ground is the source and sustainer of all plant and (by
extension) animal and human life.  (Since the Hopi and other tribes
of the Southwest U.S. recount that their tribe emerged originally
from underground, it is even more obvious that "underground" is a
symbol for pure consciousness, the ultimate source of all physical
manifestations and all life.  The underground element in Native
American myths of this sort is also called "the mystical cave of
emergence.")  Just as pure consciousness is the only source of
invincible protection amid the torrents of relative life, being
hidden inside Mother Earth affords comparable protection against even
the apocalyptic events above ground that will leave no survivors.

During the destruction of the third world, the virtuous people take
shelter "inside the stems of hollow reeds."  This hiding place,
again, appears to represent pure consciousness, whose nature, as we
said, Maharishi often compares to the sap in a tree.  In addition,
the fact that the people "still have as much food as they started out
with," even after floating for "a long time" strongly suggests that
they are being sustained by pure consciousness itself.  As the Vedic
tradition records, long and deep periods of Samadhi (pure awareness)
are so revitalizing to the entire system that the need for food is
eliminated. This myth goes on to reveal that these people are "guided
by their inner wisdom," a clear reference to higher states of
consciousness, and adds that this wisdom comes directly
from "Sotuknang, the creator" (pure consciousness).  The channel
through which this knowledge comes is said to be "the door at the top
of their head," an obvious reference to the crown chakra (the "crown
of life" in Revelation), the opening of which occasions the highest
stage of enlightenment, Brahman consciousness.

Another, particularly evocative flood myth comes from the Malorotare
culture, also from North America:

The Star people listened to Jaguar and killed and ate a woman.
Kuamachi wanted to punish them, but they were too many and too
powerful.  He invited them to help in picking dewaka fruit.  They
came, and while they were eating fruit, Kuamachi dropped one fruit.
Water came out of it, spread, and caused a flood.  Kuamachi and his
grandfather stayed in a canoe; they got bows and arrows and shot the
people who were helpless in the trees.  The people fell down into the
water below, which was infested with dangerous animals.  Kuamachi and
his grandfather ran out of arrows before shooting Wlaha, the leader
of the Star people.  He had caught seven arrows.  He shot them into
heaven, making a ladder which he, the surviving Star people, and
finally Kuamachi ascended to become stars.

In this myth, the only means of surviving the god's punishment is
by "catching seven arrows"—apparently an allusion to
enlightenment//the seven states of consciousness/ "seven stars"
and "seven seals" in Revelation.  Maharishi has said that in the
highest state of consciousness, Brahman, one lives the full value of
all seven states simultaneously.  And in this tale, the individual
who possesses the "seven arrows" is the only one who triumphs against
all odds.  Maharishi teaches that in enlightenment, one receives the
total support of natural law in all circumstances.  He adds that in
this state, nature works to fulfill one's desires "even before they
arise."  In this tale, we see that this principle is at work: natural
law anticipates Wlaha's need, and acts in his interest: Kuamachi and
his grandfather run out of arrows before shooting him.  Maharishi
explains further that in the seventh state of consciousness
(Brahman), one is able to fulfill any desire whatsoever that he has.
He stresses that there are no limits herein; "any desire means
precisely that; any desire whatsoever," since pure consciousness is a
field of all possibilities.  In this tale, Wlaha certainly
demonstrates his limitless and supernatural powers, escaping all harm
by shooting the arrows into heaven and making a ladder upon which to
escape.  As mentioned above, Maharishi has indicated that the Sidhas
will be able to save themselves and also other people.  Similarly, in
this myth, Wlaha saves several other people, all of whom ascend to
heaven and become stars.  "Heaven" represents Brahman consciousness,
the state in which there is no suffering, only bliss, at all times.

We said that the "seven arrows" represent the seven states of
consciousness, or more precisely, the seventh state itself, since in
Brahman consciousness the full value of all seven states is lived at
the same time.  A similar symbolism is found in the Sumerian flood
myth, which is considered to be the basis for the tale of Noah in the
Old Testament.  In the Sumerian myth, the ark in which all people and
animals are saved contains "seven decks."  The knowledge preserved,
thus, symbolically, is that the people save themselves by rising to
the seventh state of consciousness.

It is important to discuss, at this point, the relationship between
higher states of consciousness and the spinal cord.  The energy that
exists at the base of the spinal column is the source of the
animalistic qualities that comprise man's nature.  This energy gives
rise to sexual appetite, the craving for sensory pleasures, and
egocentric, base emotions of all kinds.  Put simply, the aspect of
man's nature which is a "beast," an animal, derives from the energy
that enters the body at this, lowest cerebrospinal center, near the
reproductive organs.  When viewed in neurophysiological terms, the
process of rising to one's higher, spiritual nature is brought about
by raising this, primal energy upward along the spinal cord.  This is
naturally a gradual process that occurs over time, and as the energy
rises, it becomes increasingly refined and spiritual (pure) in
nature.  Fundamentally, this is the mechanics whereby man frees
himself of his animal attributes and awakens in his true, spiritual
nature.  When he succeeds in raising this energy permanently to the
higher centers in the brain, he achieves enlightenment or union with
God.  He awakens in his real, pure nature as a "son of God" (I John
3:1, John 1:12, Ephesians 4:13), a "[child] of the Most High" (Psalm
82:6, John 10:34), "as perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect"
(John 10:34; Matthew 5:48).  Maharishi explains that in
enlightenment, one's nature is morally perfect, free of all sin.
Moreover, he is immune to all forms of physical and mental suffering,
experiencing only bliss at all times.  Enlightenment, Maharishi adds,
is a state of perfect health and immortality, a state in which one is
able to realize "any desire whatsoever" by mere intention.  This
state is the birth right, and the eternal aspiration, of all
mankind.  And even though heaven exists beyond the physical body, as
well, this is the state of heaven on earth.  The raising of the
cerebrospinal energy along the spinal cord is the result of all of
Maharishi's Technologies of consciousness, including yogic flying, in
which the repeated lifting of the body induces this process.  We
should point out, also, that in order for man to enter heaven after
death, he must enter it while on earth first (Matthew 5:48, Matthew
5:20, Matthew 11:11).

The process of raising energy upward along the spinal cord is
fundamental to man's rising to higher states of consciousness.  The
spinal cord, therefore, is represented symbolically in spiritual and
mythic traditions throughout the world.  Commonly, the symbol
employed is a tree.  When one observes a tree in its entirety, one
sees a pole or column, the trunk, below which extend the roots and
above which extend the branches.  This is an apt symbol, because when
one observes the central nervous system, one sees a similar
configuration: a pole or column (the spinal cord), below which
radiate a network of nerves and above which radiate a network of
nerves inside the brain.  The spinal cord, with its extending webs of
nerves, thus, roughly resembles a tree in configuration, and for this
reason cultures worldwide use a tree to symbolize the central nervous
system.  Furthermore, the energy that exists at the base of the spine
(the "animal energy") is represented commonly as a snake or serpent.
Again, this is a fitting symbol, since this energy occasions man's
bestial, and also evil qualities.  It is the part of human nature
that is fearsome and deceitful in its sheer egocentrism.  In waking
state consciousness, the condition of nearly all people alive today,
this is the energy that predominates—surreptitiously, like a snake
lurking in the tall grass.  Figuratively speaking, then, in order for
man to rise to enlightenment, we could say that the "snake must be
raised upward to the top of the pole."  This is the sense in which
Jesus declared, "As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the
desert, in the same way the Son of Man must be lifted up" (John 3:14,
TEV).  Christ was describing the process by which Moses rose to
enlightenment: by raising the crude, animalistic energy from the base
of the spinal column to the top of the spine, to the brain.  It is,
of course, logical to assume that Moses achieved enlightenment, since
his impeccable moral character is legendary, and since he is reported
to have lived for 1,000 years.  Jesus' words here, however, are
intended not only to describe what Moses achieved in his lifetime.
Christ is highlighting the mechanics whereby every man can attain the
same status of perfection; by raising the sexual energy to its
highest level, the "son of man" transforms into a "son of God."
Jesus is presenting his followers, thus, with universal knowledge.

The story of Adam and Eve employs the same metaphor to describe the
opposite phenomenon: man's original fall from grace.  In this tale,
the first humans are created as spiritually pure beings who know no
sin.  They live in paradise, in Brahman consciousness, united with
God.  The culprit in this story, of course, is a serpent that tempts
Eve to sample the fruit on the tree.  Paramahansa Yogananda, another
great exponent of the Vedic wisdom, points out that the fruit here
represents the sexual energy (31).  In their state of purity, Adam
and Eve were free of sexual desire.  The "serpent," however, the
latent capacity for sexual pleasure and the curiosity about
experiencing it, "tempts" Eve to sample this fruit.  As a result, the
spiritual energy moves downward.  As Adam and Eve indulge in animal
procreation, they fall from enlightenment, as the spiritual energy
moves from the brain to the base of the spine.  With the
cerebrospinal energy seated in this, lowest position, the first
humans fall from Brahman to waking state consciousness, awakening in
all the shameful thoughts and tendencies inherent in this state.
Waking state consciousness, the state characterized by problems and
suffering, has been the lot of human beings ever since.  Christ
foretells that this condition will be reversed during his second
coming, when he will give his followers "the right to eat the fruit
of the tree of life that grows in the garden of God" (Revelation,
2:7, TEV).  The teaching is that while it is not in man's own best
interest to eat the fruit in its base, sexual form (i.e., to indulge
unnecessarily in sexual activity, since this impedes the raising of
this energy), Christ will allow people to eat this fruit in its
sublime form, as bliss, during his return.

This interpretation is further supported as Christ describes the Holy
City, the New Jerusalem: "The angel also showed me the river of the
water of life, sparkling like crystal, and coming from the throne of
God and of the Lamb and flowing down the middle of the city's
street.  On each side of the river was the tree of life, which bears
fruit twelve times a year, once each month; and its leaves are for
the healing of the nations" (Revelation, 22:1-2, TEV).  These lines
strongly imply a relationship between the tree of life/spinal column,
sexual energy and health.  This tree bears fruit "twelve times a
year, once each month," following the same rhythm as the menstrual
cycle.  In the Eastern view, the sublimation of sexual energy in
enlightenment leads to perfect health.  This idea is supported by
Christ's statement that the leaves of the tree of life "are for the
healing of the nations."

We said that one of the results of raising the sexual energy to its
highest level is the attainment of perfect health and immortality.
This, fundamental knowledge was obviously recognized by the ancients
in the West.  The ancient Greek symbol for perfect health is a snake
that has climbed to the top of a pole.  This, today, is also the
official emblem of the American Medical Association.  In the Bible,
Paul alludes to the fact that during Christ's second coming, people
will obtain immortality when he says, for example, "the last enemy
that shall be destroyed is death" (I Corinthians 15:26, TEV).

Symbols that denote the seven states of consciousness occur elsewhere
in the Bible as well.  In Exodus, God gives the Jewish people very
precise instructions about how they should design their temple.
Included in these instructions (25:31 forward) is a detailed
description of a lamp stand to be placed on the altar of God.  God
requests that the lamp stand be made "of pure gold," and that "seven
lamps" also be constructed and placed on the stand "so that they
light the space in front of it."  I believe that the seven lamps
represent the seven states of consciousness, and that Jesus
elucidates this meaning when he says, "No one lights a lamp and puts
it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he
puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light"
(Luke 11:33).  The lamp stand, in both metaphors, represents the
spinal cord, and Jesus is alluding to the process of moving the
sexual energy upward along the spine.  He points out here how silly
it is for a human being to have his spiritual energy stationed at the
base of the spine, like the animals—as silly as lighting a lamp and
then putting it "in a place where it will be hidden, or under a
bowl."  The energy contained at the base of the spine, if raised to
higher forms, affords a human being the most glorious gifts possible:
an eternal life in heaven and the fulfillment of all desires.  If,
however (as is the case with nearly all people today) the energy
remains positioned at its lowest level, it is, by comparison, an
utter waste of the inborn human potential—as futile and ridiculous as
putting a lighted lamp "under a bowl."  It is clear, also, that the
lamp symbolizes the sexual energy because Jesus mentions putting it
in "a hidden place," a reference to the sex organs, which are
normally hidden from view, and also to the shameful, lustful thoughts
that arise from this level, thoughts that people keep "hidden" from
others.  Jesus teaches also in these verses (parabolically, as he so
often does) that having the sexual energy stationed at the lowest
level leads to death; the life force is extinguished just as a lamp
is extinguished by placing it "under a bowl."  Christ exhorts people,
instead, to place their lamp "on its stand," at higher levels along
the spine.  The energy at these higher centers is useful and
beautiful; other people will "see the light" that exudes from one
whose consciousness is raised in this way.

Native cultures in other parts of the world record the same,
fundamental knowledge as well.  Mayan mythology, for example,
recounts that "the entire universe [is] linked by a green ceiba tree
that [stands] at the center of the world, its branches extending into
the heavens and its roots into the underworld" (32).  The position of
this tree "at the center of the world" conveys the importance of the
information here embodied; it is the single most important knowledge
available to man, the knowledge that his nature is dualistic.  When
his energy is stationed at the roots of this tree, he lives in
the "underworld," the world of suffering, and when his energy is
raised to the tree's "branches" (the brain) he lives in heaven.  The
Mayan tradition links this knowledge to the seven states of
consciousness, as well.  In Mayan mythology, the highest level of
heaven is the seventh level (33).

Throughout Mesoamerica, the land of perhaps the most advanced Native
American cultures, those of the Olmecs, Toltecs, Maya and Aztecs, for
example, one mythological figure is prominent: Quetzalcoatl.  The
most grandiose temples and pyramids in Mexico and Central America are
adorned with sculptures and paintings depicting Quetzalcoatl, the god
of goodness and virtue, and of the "right path" in human life.  Very
interestingly, the name Quetzalcoatl translates as "feathered
serpent," and he is represented as a snake with feathers.  His form,
thus, represents the knowledge that is most sacred for human life:
the "snake," the base, animal energy, is capable of taking flight
into the branches of the "tree," the brain, and living in heaven.
Mesoamerican mythology relates also that Quetzalcoatl was a real
historical figure who, in his lifetime, rose to become a god.  He was
defeated, however, by deceit, by the god of evil, and was forced to
flee the Americas.  He promised, however, to return.  This myth,
thus, conveys the same knowledge as that recorded in the Bible: that
although man did fall, in the past, from enlightenment to waking
state consciousness, he will nonetheless rise again to heaven.

Finally, we can mention the use of a tree to symbolize the spinal
cord in one more myth.  The following is part of the flood myth from
the Potawatomi Indian culture of the upper Midwestern U.S.:

[...] the Manitou caused a big flood to try to kill Wi'saka.  Wi'saka
found a huge mountain and tried to climb it, but he eventually
started to run out of mountain, so he started climbing a huge pine
tree that was at the top of the mountain.  Miraculously, there was a
canoe at the top of the pine tree so Wi'saka got into the canoe.

In this tale, Wi'saka survives the flood waters by "climbing to the
top of the pine tree."  In other words, he survives the end of the
world by raising his sexual energy to the top of the spine—by
becoming enlightened.  And, once enlightened, nature takes care of
his needs—even, as here, in miraculous ways, by providing him with a
canoe in the most unlikely of places.

As a final note, we can mention that the symbol that Maharishi chose
to represent Vedic education, the official emblem of all of
Maharishi's educational institutions worldwide, is a tree, one whose
roots and branches are clearly visible.

It is of interest to mention that the Mayan calendar predicts that
the present world will end on December 21, 2012.  Time will tell
regarding the accuracy of this prediction, but it is indeed
remarkable that the Maya, in identifying the end date of the world,
accurately predicted the day of the winter solstice some 2300 years
into the future.  The Jicarilla (Apache) of the Southwest U.S. also
predict that the present world will end "around the turn of the
millennium."

For anyone who is at all observant of the events now occurring in the
world—from illness to violence to the weather, to name a few, it is
apparent that times are ominous, and only expected to worsen.  Twenty
years ago, the cancer rate for men in the U.S was 1 in 4.  Today, it
is 1 in 2.  John Walsh, director of the Center for Global Change and
Arctic System Research at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks,
speaking about future climactic events, spoke words that are relevant
to the state of affairs in the world overall: "What you really want
to say is: `You can't go on like this.  We can't go on like this."
Gerald Meehl, a senior scientist at the National Center for
Atmospheric Research, adds: "It's a train that's going downhill; that
is something that people don't understand."  Robert Corell, a top
scientist in charge of an eight-nation research program into Arctic
problems caused by global warming, states that, "the individual
effort is damn important, but you're not going to make much
difference.  That requires group or governmental action."
Interestingly, Maharishi has remarked, "Let not the other nations
forge for themselves the same destiny as the United States."

As one examines the flood myths from the different indigenous
cultures, one notices a striking overlap between this, native lore,
the Bible, and Maharishi's Vedic Science.  It is clear, in fact, that
all of these world traditions are presenting, in symbolic form, the
knowledge of higher states of consciousness, the knowledge about how
man may rise above his animal, mortal nature, and reclaim his eternal
dignity as "sons of the Most High," stars immortal in the kingdom of
heaven.  Maharishi's call to all those who will have a life in
paradise is sung by the Bantu tribe of central and south Africa.  The
Bantu predict: "a new tribe made up of all cultures will step up to
the front lines as a united family of Peace Warriors."

it all sounds so tempting but i'm gonna stick with the tried and true guru maharaji

I bet they don't have as cool kirtans as in ISKCON.

"Oh , just look at their bodily features , they have almost escaped the birth in a monkey body

Maharishi's stated goal is that of "creating heaven on earth."
Toward this end, in 2000, Maharishi founded the Global Country of
World Peace, a nation whose borders are said to encompass the whole
planet.  In the inaugural ceremony, Maharishi appointed a king of the
Global Country of World Peace, His Majesty Raja Raam, saying that the
most natural system of administration for a nation is rule by a
divinely ordained king, one playing a "paternal" role in the lives of
the people.  He stresses that life in this new nation will be
governed by the Constitution of the Universe, the will of God.  He
says the monarchical system itself is not the real issue, but rather,
that of rule by natural law as opposed to man-made law, which he says
is always full of human failures and weaknesses.  (More information
is available at www.globalcountry.org.)  In this ceremony, Maharishi
appointed ministers of government to oversee all aspects of public
life, including education, economic development, (non-military)
defense, health, agriculture and the environment.  All of the
ministers have doctorates, and in the inaugural ceremonies, each read
his resolutions, stating serious problems facing people worldwide and
offering concrete plans to resolve these problems.

I am so glad that I was not the only who wore silly clothes.  His crown should have been obligatory for all the TP:s in Iskcon.  It would have been cool to stroll into the templeroom with a crown on my head. 

Not to mention the always evolving aspect of the TM program, the advanced mantra techniques one was encouraged to take, the TM Ayurveda program in which practitioners were asked to take part in seasonally, but cost a few thousand dollars a season. Then they had their own Aruvedic products to buy and consume in order to evolve faster and gain higher consciousness more quickly, plus new programs concerning TM branded Vedic astrology and Vatsu consultations and new things out there that I am not aware of since I dropped out so many years ago.

Overall, the TM meditation technique works,

I had no idea that I now lived in the new Global Country of World Peace!!! That the leader appointed for me and all the worlds population was His Majesty Raja Raam, a divinely ordained king who plays a paternal role in all our lives. That this nation is governed by the Constitution of the Universe, the Will of God! The rest of the government we live in is headed by appointed ministers chosen by the Maharishi.

Some ladies looked darn good in saris and plain awful in regular clothes.  Sometimes the opposite happened.  I do not know how I looked, but the underwear I did not like.  Especially on sankirtana on a hot day they were most uncomfortable.

Still, not so many on this planet can say "been there done it".  We can.

If you ever watched Eddie Murphy in his SNL days, he pretty much proved that actually white people resemble monkeys more closely. Hmmmmm...

BTW, from what I read I gather that Maharishi is still alive. Is he?

Kalisurfer, thank you very much for telling about your involvement with TM and your observations about the organization. It's quite interesting that you left them out of disappointment and found solace in ISKCON. BTW, from what I read I gather that Maharishi is still alive. Is he?

This kinda reminded me of when I was a "freshie" Vaishnava; I was once arguing with a Maharishi follower in the newsgroups, replicating Prabhupada's strategy of criticising the method of asking money for mantras.

The guy, although sincere, had a basically conceited attitude: "If he can't afford it, he probably doesn't deserve a mantra."

This thing about whether it is wrong or right to charge money for mantras...I am not so decided upon. I want to play devil's advocate for a moment and call it not always wrong.

The chap that Brainiac was conversing with could have possibly explained his position with some harsh and direct wording. He could have really meant, "If a person doesn't have money to pay for a mantra, the Lord may not have granted him that wealth for a reason."

It might seem like a stretch because what the chap said seems so clear. But for instance in Buddhism, when we are born without a lot of money, it means we lack the merit to be born wealthy and we need to create causes for wealth in this lifetime if we want money for spiritual practices. The same idea is their in Hindu religions where the poor person is suffering from such kind of karma.

One antidote to the problem of a devotee not having money is to give mantras freely, or another option is to advise the person to create some punya to be in the position to buy a mantra.

While the Hare Krishna mantra may be free, you have to pay in so many other ways

This kinda reminded me of when I was a "freshie" Vaishnava; I was once arguing with a Maharishi follower in the newsgroups, replicating Prabhupada's strategy of criticising the method of asking money for mantras.

The guy, although sincere, had a basically conceited attitude: "If he can't afford it, he probably doesn't deserve a mantra."

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, when TM was big on college campuses and gained most of its core membership and practitioners, it cost 25 to 35 dollars to learn, which was very low cost and affordable by the economic standards of the time.

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, when TM was big on college campuses and gained most of its core membership and practitioners, it cost 25 to 35 dollars to learn, which was very low cost and affordable by the economic standards of the time.

In many circles it is frowned upon to ask money for spiritual matters; they are supposed to be free. In Christianity I think they are the clearest about this, they call it simonism after NT, Acts 8:


18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
20 But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

This is interesting! I had always thought that current 'throwaway' prices were quite hefty sums in older days. Just like £5 was quite a lot of money even in the 60s but is 'nothing' today, you can get a nice bag of chicken thighs for even £3. I still remember when you could get a good portion of chips for 50p!

So it is interesting when you say that $25-35 was quite affordable. Of course the issue of whether one should pay for spiritual enlightenment is another matter, as Gerard has nicely shown.

I also remember as a young TM meditator running into devotees on the streets of Detroit in the early 70's, whom would proceed to denounce my involvement and make fun of my meditation practice..

I always wondered about some things concerning TM. I hope you, Kali, can shed some light on this. Didn't you feel ripped off (if only $25) when you found out that your `personal secret mantra` was shared by everybody born in the same year as you? And probably more people, my impression is that most people received the mantra `ram`.

And about the way you were allowed to sit, with blanket and slumping on a coach. Did that not bother you, or make you question the method, as most other practices prescibe sitting with a straight back?

So I was and still am grateful for the simple meditation technique that has helped me in my health and creativity over the years, something I do not practice now as it was taught me, but the basis has stayed and I can go to that quiet state when needed and let go of thoughts and worries when they become too heavy, and for that reason, it was the best 35 dollars I have ever spent in my life so far.

I just ran accidentally into this funny outgrowth of TM, paperback at only $ 450,--

Click to view attachment

...though I wonder what David Lynch thinks of all this when he travels the globe hawking the merits of being a TMer?