Harris and Arlene just spent $16 million an indulgence and, of course, expect quid pro quo for the money: the favor of the Guru. And it's already paid off: Arlene got a title (Woman or Mother of the Movement or some such thing) and they both get to stick around MMY real close...at least for the time being. No one is going to throw them out of Vladivostock or whatever that place in Holland where the cult is emcamped is called.
But the problem I foresee is this: MMY is about 50% senile at this point and, quite frankly, his short-term memory isn't what it used to be. This fact coupled with the realpolitik of Guru-disciple life (i.e. the whim of the Guru must be obeyed by the peons around him without question) means that one day MMY is going to be sitting on his throne and a secretary will come up and say: the Kaplans request an audience with you, Maharishi. Like millions of other old men around the world, Maharishi will slumber out of nap time in more of a fog than reality, say "huh?", ask the secretary to repeat the name and, upon hearing "Kaplan" think that Earl and David have come back to Holland to haunt him. Maharishi will immediately decree: "Send them away! Tell them I never want to see them again!" And the secretary, shaking like that guy who ushered Dorothy and the gang in to see the Wizard, will summon up all the wee courage he has and say: "But, Maharishi, these are two very loyal meditators...and they just gave $16 million to the Movement". At this point Maharishi will be VERY confused, thinking that Earl and David are back in the fold or something and are trying to buy their way back into his good graces. Having to go to the bathroom -- again, like millions of other old fogies his age around the world (strategizing bathroom breaks and regularity takes up about 80% of this demographic group's time and attention) -- he'll say: "Tell them Jai Guru Dev and that it is my desire that they go teach in Russia for 5 years!" And that will be the last we'll hear of Harris and Arlene for a very, very long time. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> See what's inside the new Yahoo! Groups email. http://us.click.yahoo.com/2pRQfA/bOaOAA/yQLSAA/UlWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> 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/
