--- In [email protected], "at_man_and_brahman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
snip > I also question the ethics of any of the various > gurus who have set up outposts (or inposts) > in Fairfield. If they truly respected Maharishi, > I think they would discourage such > encroachment on the spiritual community > he founded. > > At the same time, I understand the laws of > supply and demand. Maharishi's community > is not immune to competition, and such is > inevitable. In the long run, perhaps this > competition will grow strong enough to > effect some serious improvement at MUM > and its environs and possibly put FFL > out of business. > > That is not to say that enlightened gurus > have to give in to the laws of supply and > demand so readily. I cannot imagine, for > all that Maharishi has been accused of, > that he would ever set up shop next to > some other guru's community just because > it could be a ready source of students. > > If his devotees tried to do such a thing, > I am certain he would condemn it, both > out of a sense of ethics and a desire to > protect the integrity of his own teaching, > which these other gurus don't seem to > care much about. > > Skewer away. @@@@@@@@ With pleasure. If that represents your true position, then you certainly must be sympathetic to the people of Christian affiliation in Fairfield who resent the presence of the TMO on THEIR turf. More to the point, this is out-and-out cult thinking, as contrasted with non-cult thinking, the difference being that only the cult thinker assumes the privileges that others would not. If I am not being clear enough, let me spell it out in greater detail. Damn democracy or not, freedom of association is guaranteed to all of us, thanks to the US Constitution. Despite this, TM enthusisasts through the years have portrayed all other gurus with local followings as cowardly predators. However, having witnessed almost the entire history of TM in Fairfield first hand, it is clear to me that the development of these local followings is logical, naturual, and a positive influence on the community as a whole. Many people have fallen away from the TMO over the years. Some from disinterest, some from distaste. Among them, many have chosen to stay in Fairfield, as is their right. Among those who continued their quest for knowledge and experience, it should be no surprise that they sought out other teachers. To re-iterate, the demand grew from the Fairfield side, at least in the case of Amma, Punditji, and some others. It is also known that purveyors of many kinds of snake-oil have passed through here, and all the popular seminars have mined this town as well. I just think it is inaccurate to lump all non-TM interests together. Your remark about putting FFL out of business is surprising. It seems to pretty clearly put you among those who believe that the chat group is just a cover for an insidious plot against "our dear movement". Believe me, I can understand how some of the stuff that is posted here could make TM enthuisasts uncomfortable. On the other hand, I think they have quite a lot that they can legitimately feel uncomfortable about, and it's time they stopped blaming others for their problems. L B S To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
