Dear Bhairatu
You write of your background for saying "TM is nothing but . . .". Good.
But I cannot help noting that you still don't give real examples to
document your stand.
For example, you write:
"I also like to refer to Sivananda's "Mind Its Mysteries and Control" . .
> . to point out the method of meditation TM uses with the mantras is nothing
> new either as that work was first published in 1936."
I took the trouble to search through Sivananda's book, but if it contains
anything specific about the TM system, I missed it.
The Smartist mantras and the main criteria for selecting from among them
are not specified there, not as far as I could see after a quick search.
Nor are Guru Dev's warning that OM (which is often found in Sivananda's
writings) is not a proper mantra for householders.
You write
"mantras were published in the west before Maharishi".
Yes, but a mass of syllables is not the TM system either. Many sounds and
words of the language - Long, Fine, and so on - may in fact be used as
mantras.
Then you suggest something about seed sounds:
"TM uses beej mantras because they don't need any empowerment."
You also say that the TM initiation ceremony helps, and that other ways may
help too.
"The puja helps but Indian astrologers and ayurvedic practitioners hand
> them out to clients without any elaborate initiation."
In Guru Dev's discourses one finds a similar view in choosing the mantras.
One gets a suitable mantra either by the guru or in some other way. Paul
Mason has gathered, translated and published several books with ideas of
Guru Dev.
"where the beej mantras came from . . lost in antiquity and undoubtedly
> commonly in use even at the time of Shankara."
This seems to be speculation.
"TM is really just "yoga lite". -
I should say your proofs are lite too. Good, specific documentation is the
thing called for.
ROUNDING OFF
There are some sources outside TM, sources that reveal the settings and
transmission to Maharishi when he was trained by Guru Dev, benefited by his
company, and was asked to bring swift and deep meditation to the masses.
Elsa Dragemark presents Dr. Raj Varma:
"Doctor Varma came to Guru Dev six months before Maharishi and knows more
> about Guru Dev and Maharishi than any other person I have met. [p. 240]
Dr. Raj Varma tells (in Elsa Dragemark. The Way to Maharishi's Himalayas.
Stockholm: E. Dragemark, 1972):
........................................
Maharishi loyally followed in his master's footsteps. . . .
> Maharishi stayed with Guru Dev until the day his master left his body. It
> was in Calcutta, the 20th of May, 1953.
> Guru Dev then called Maharishi and asked him to sit down. Guru Dev said:
> — My time is up. It is time to leave, but still one thing remains. There
> was something else I should have done, but I did not have the time to carry
> it out. It is the usual custom that the work remaining for a guru is
> completed by his disciples. It is a tradition that the father's task is
> completed by his son and what now remains you shall complete by yourself.
> — Master, Maharishi said, by your lotus feet, what remains? Your wish is
> my command. What do you wish, tell me, so that I can fulfil it. Guru Dev
> said:
> — Look around. Many people are dejected. There is a lack of energy in
> their minds. Their minds are not strong enough. What I {p. 261] have taught
> you also contains the knowledge of the technique for the householder, which
> has been misinterpreted and forgotten during the centuries. This should now
> be perfected into a simple method suitable for everyone. Ask the people to
> sit and meditate after this method a few moments every morning and evening.
> Teach them to enjoy life. . . .
........................................
Accordingly, basic TM is meant to be a well simplified and streamlined
mantra meditation for others than monks. It is mantra meditation, yes, but
there is a system beneath also (it seems to be Smartism), and Guru Dev's
teaching that OM is to be avoided among householders, but not necessarily
by monks and nuns.
Thus, there are mantras you won't find in TM. I should say it is
specialised mantra lore, with some elements in common with other mantra
teachings, as you suggest, but with a few decisive characteristics of its
own too.
If other mantra methods eventually come up with research documentation that
is as good as the better TM documentation,
I won't say TM stands out a lot.
Till then . . .
Regards,
--
T. Kinnes
