As a painter I've always been interested in the small changes in the visual presentations and habits of Maharishi and, of course, Guru Dev. For instance, why Guru Dev let his hair and beard grow uncut once he was installed as Shankaracharya when, from the photographic record it appears that he had been in the habit of keeping both cropped short (even more atypical inasmuch as the Shankaracharyas from the other Maths have short hair and beards -- only those in the Jyotir Math lineages have long hair). Or why Maharishi used to wear a rudraksha mala and a coral mala when he first came out to teach, and then for a long time only wore the coral one, and in the last so many years is wearing both again. Just typical "fan" behavior, certainly; a psychology not fundamentally different, I'm sure, from those who follow Michael Jackson's antics and tribulations. Or maybe something akin to the "Kremlinologists" during the Cold War period who attempted to divine the "meanings" behind the order of politburo memebers on the reviewing stands for the May Day military parades.
In that regard, however, I happened to watch Maharishi for the first time in many months on the MOU satellite feed, prompted by Mr. Brigante's notice about the 15-min. video on Guru Dev (which I missed in any case). And I was curious to notice that Maharishi is wrapping the shawl of his dhoti opposite to the way he's always worn it in the past. "Always" here means for the 50 years or so of photographs and videos of him that are available (as well as my personal recollection of those times I've spent with him). He "had" always wrapped it with the top tucked in at his right side but on yesterday's video conference it was tucked in at his left side (which was Guru Dev's habit). Now that probably doesn't seem like a big deal but it would be like putting your belt on opposite -- threading it through your belt loops the other way around -- or crossing your arms with the arm that's normally on top now on the bottom. These types of highly personal body habits are deeply ingrained and do not normally change except as the result of some sort of injury or illness. If you try and change these basic behaviors on your own it just doesn't feel comfortable or correct at all and you will quickly revert to the "right" way. In the video conference, however, Maharishi looked physically fine and animated, using both hands equally and frequently, and there was nothing to indicate that he was anything other than a relatively healthy octogenarian with no signs of a stroke or other apparent neurological deficits. I'm just curious as to the change and would appreciate any insight or suggestions anyone might have -- if any. Marek (part-time dhotiologist) 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/
