--- In [email protected], taskcentered <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In [email protected], "authfriend" <jstein@> wrote: > > > > --- In [email protected], taskcentered <no_reply@> wrote: <snip> > > > I have to say, though that it's hard to think of the > > > Maharishi as egoless when he has named everything from > > > food supplements to universities after himself. To me > > > it seems every aspect of the TM Org is a testament to > > > the man's world-class, narcissistic ego. > > > > A much more likely explanation is that using > > his name and picture is a branding strategy. > > But that wouldn't reflect quite as badly on > > him, so of course you wouldn't mention it. > > As to branding, he could have followed the practice of other > Indian teachers and named everything after his teacher, Guru > Dev.
And if he had, he'd have been even more violently attacked for associating his teacher with a commercial enterprise, when Guru Dev was known for not even taking donations. Plus which--another obvious point that you have carefully overlooked--if he puts his name on things, he also has to take the responsibility if they don't work out. Yet you think he should have arranged it so Guru Dev got the blame. Get real. > Also, I could point out that he began his incessant > naming of everything "Maharishi" after the TM fad of the > 1970s had largely passed. With the exception of MIU, the > brand name he promoted up until that point was Transcendental > Meditation itself. If anything he diluted his branding when > he switched to naming things after himself. You conveniently forget that this was also around the time when disaffected TM teachers were publicizing the mantra lists and telling folks there was nothing unique about TM, and the imitators really got going. Plus which, Benson had come out with his Relaxation Response. Obviously, MMY didn't *need* branding until then. Branding is what you do when you have competitors. > The guy's just not egoless. Did you imagine that I said he was egoless? > It appears, rather, that you are making excuses for him. That's a crock, John. That's your threadbare mantra when anybody points out that your accusations are over the top.
