A saint? On a scale of transforming things spiritually one has spiritual authors, lecturers, teachers, sadhus, swamis, gurus, sat gurus, and jagad gurus ranging in each case from the inconsequential up to truly saintly in life transforming status. Sat gurus and jagad gurus seem to have higher levels of transformation in discourse, technique, and dharsan by virtue of their field of abiding spiritual experience. -Buck
Nablusoss1008 adds, I tried to make you see the transformative power of TM as witnessed in the progressive change of quality in his radiance over the years. It's really quite remarkable. At this point Bevan, it would seem, is keeping himself circumstantially at the lecturer-teacher level in his primary role to preserve and perpetuate Maharishi's teaching and movement as Bevan sees it and also is attending to help wrangle and secure Maharaja Adhiraj Rajaaraam Dr. Tony Nader in authority as head of all TM. Bevan has always been a strong leader that way for Maharishi, sort of like Joe Stalin was a strong leader. That is as legacy of his own and Maharishi's making and may be different than what is otherwise seen as spiritual, charismatic or saintliness. At a best Bevan seems a brave, formidable and loyal soldier. A dirty and ruthless fighter too. Classically there can be a lot to admire in the guy that way, -Buck Bevan? He is different than the other guys around him at that echelon, he seems sort of like an Australian version of Don Corleone. Bevan is a character extremely interesting in the TM story. Maharishi did not designate him 'Guru', everyone else at that level are administrators or 'Raja' though Bevan is 'Prime Minister' over it all. He is clearly the most powerful person and largest elephant in the room. Maharishi used him that way for 40 years. Bevan has presided over all that is TM with Maharishi as Maharishi's confidant and right hand for that long. As such he has also presided over the whole long decline from other times of height of what it once was as Bevan came in to control to some lows of what it is now. So, Bevan is not a 'guru', not an administrator like everyone else, he is Prime Minister, is he a saint? One should go back to the scholarly consideration of that. In what way is he spiritually transforming, or spiritually 'charismatic'? He is teacher-ly and in control but what is his 'field effect' that he carries with him? Fear or charisma on a scale of 'spiritual'? Spiritual-charisma? Defining Charismatic, spiritually: charismatic .. . "Weber, in an oft quoted passage, defined charisma as a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which [s/]he is set apart from ordinary [people] and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are such as are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader." 1 Introduction: “.. .New religions as first-generation religions, whether a new orthodox Christian movement such as eighteenth century Methodism or a new Hindu group built around a recently arrived guru, share many characteristics. During the first generation, the founder, whose new ideas led to the formation of the group, places a definitive stamp upon it. The first members are self-selected because of their initial confidence in the the leader and/or their agreement with the leader's program. The first generation is also a time of experimentation and rapid change. The leader must discover the right elements to combine in a workable program, generate solutions to unexpected obstacles, choose and train capable leaders, and elaborate upon the initial ideas or vision that motivated the founding of the group in order to create a more complete theology. The group formally or informally gives feed back in the form of approval or disapproval of the leader's actions. The most successful leaders are continually adjusting and reacting to the feedback.” When Prophets Die The Postcharismatic Fate of New Religious Movements Edited by Timothy Miller Introduction by J. Gordon Melton nablusoss1008 asks: Dear Buck, with your knowledge of inter-religions and insight into modern faiths and traditions, what great Saint, in your opinion, does our dear Bevan resemble as he blesses (with folded hands) the students upon the arrival for the ceremony ? Comedian Jim Carrey Funny, Heartfelt Commencement Address at Maharishi University http://www.soderetube.com/watch.php?vid=22ec9164c mjackson74 writes: Jabba the Hut, with about as much integrity.
