[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
Level 1 experiences are counted for percentages everyday in the dome, men, women, vedic city, special groups, etc. It is the experience of bliss becoming blissful. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Michael Jackson mjackson74@... wrote: I am not familiar with what Level 1 experiences mean - I haven't been to Fairfield since I was on staff at MIU in the 1980's From: jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@... To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 6:33 PM Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement  Thanks Michael. I will just keep going on doing what I do. I love my program, but I have never been financially dependent on anyone from the TMO. I feel I have the best of both worlds. I am grounded and enjoy my work. I contribute, and the knowledge, my experiences have always been fantastic. If I did not get anything from the technique I would not practice it a week. The truly devoted are the ones in the Dome who are part of the 50% who keep coming back and report daily no level 1 experiences. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Michael Jackson mjackson74@ wrote: Having read your ideas about the Movement it gives me a good feeling that there are people with common sense who want something that has been good for them to blossom and prosper. Even having left TM years ago, I do understand the feeling doing program gives one, I recently did my TMSP after years of not doing so and it felt good. I sincerely believe the only way for you to fulfill the desires you have for the Movement is to walk away from the TM Movement and create one of your own. Others have done so, thereby giving a fresh venue for teaching and promoting the technique that is so meaningful to you. The TM Movement has never really existed to do what you want it to do. I spent years wondering why something that felt so good to me and had such high goals and spoke about itself in such glowing terms could produce such unkind, unhelpful people who administered the Movement - how could the practice of the TM technique not create a group of individuals who administered the Movement intelligently, lovingly, and efficiently? As long as I believed that Maharishi was enlightened and somehow in some unknown way, the excesses and omissions of the people who ran the Movement were some sort of aberrant anomalies and that one day it would all balance out, the Movement would straighten itself out and people would actually be well taken care of in all phases and aspects of their dealings with the TMO, much of what Maharishi did and none of what the TMO did made any sense. When I realized that Maharishi was not enlightened, and used his Movement to further his desires to, in essence, be a big shot, gain wealth and have a revolving door of sex partners, it all fell into place. This means that the people who ran and still run the Movement learned at his feet and realize that anything they want to do is alright as long as they remain in charge and get paid. The idea that Bevan, Tony and the rest will ever give any authority to a Board of Directors is something that will never happen. They will not give up powerà- the TMO gives them everything. When is the last time any of them had to worry about paying rent? How to pay the utilities? When is the last time they had to wash their own clothes? Make their own meals? These guys live like princes and they won't give it up. They will never put others needs and desires above their own need to be in charge and keep getting paid, just like their former leader - and just like M putting these guys in charge, who do you think these guys will pick to follow them? The exact same energy will be passed on in the next generation of leadership. Get together with all the responsible teachers with common sense who feel the way you do, organize your own Movement and get out while the getting is good. I have mentioned once or twice before that Girish, and the Srivastavas brothers still run the Maharishi Group which I believe still owns all the property that MUM is occupying, both the land and buildings. If the day comes when they feel the revenue coming to them from MUM isn't satisfying them, they will sell off the university holdings in a heartbeat, and you will be without the Domes anyway. They have already begun this process in India, and I believe they are doing so because they know the Movement is running out of steam and won't give them the money they are used to. So create your own Movement - why continue to trust people and a Movement that have betrayed your trust for decades? From: jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@ To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 1, 2013 8:25 AM Subject
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
Thanks Buck! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote: Trowbridge, Someone sent me this e-mail on the side, seems it is pretty fair about the situation here: [paste] this is so well written he speaks for many - the majority in my mind. His insight on resolving conflict and misperceiving negativity is priceless. .. he obviously has a grip on the ball. And, I think Maharishi Foundation, even though suffering some, is run better than this, but this is a very accurate picture of MUM and the Dome. Regrettably it doesn't seem to change. Since it is a top down organization it does not seem to be a surprise with Bevan and Dougb still well entrenched. No change can thus be expected from them. There is a struggle going on and I do not think that they will let go easily or without casualties. They might sink the whole ship yet. Then it is up to us to carry on - which is what we are doing anyway. [end paste] --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@ wrote: Thanks for the connection, and thanks for the post. I appreciate it very much. Thanks again! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck wrote: Nice post Wayback, JTowbridge, I did send the link to your FFL letter earlier this morning directly over to Dr. John Hagelin right after you posted it on FFL. He responded back to me immediately too before I went to the Dome. I'm just in from the day's farm work now. The work is going long in the fields with spring upon us now. I stopped earlier and meditated along in time with the large group tonite while I was on my tractor. Frankly the New TM Movement is incorporating more over-sight and process within its workings. It's dynamic and changing. Things started changing from back before and around when Maharishi died. There are different elements within it still including some strict preservationists who obstruct change but things are also progressive. I would say from talking with folks inside that some yet are essentially afraid to be more transparent in process because they fear someone like MJ coming along and being negative. But in a direction of more transparency is coming. The strict preservationists have nothing to fear but fear itself. I think your paper is a good common-sense advocacy for better management practices that are actively being figured out more by committee process as J Hagelin has been setting about engaging people in that kind of process. They are also waiting for a few more people to die off as there is an active preparing of a younger set going on to take over. These are very exciting times within TM. It is in re-set. I agree, may the Unified Field save the group meditation. -Buck --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Susan wayback71@ wrote: I too really enjoyed your post, Mr Trowbridge. It was genuine and so right on. Loved your points about conflict. In the name of being positive, so much has been overlooked, not dealt with, and repressed. At every level. And for those whose very livelihood revolved around all this for some years, it took a real toll. The frustration of trying to get a problem dealt with was incredible - because the person was considered to be unstressing or negative. A really unhealthy system evolved. Anyway, you said it all so well and I thank you for that. I suspect that in posting it here on FFL, it will be read by the people you are talking to. My guess is that the big issue on the inside is whether to try and mimic exactly how MMY ran the TMO or whether to modify that so as to appeal to more people. Not modify the teaching, but the organization, how it is run, the way rules are enforced, how to handle conflict. I think a lot will depend on how that unfolds now and in the next decade as Bevan and John and the rajas begin to retire. Not that the TMO needs to become a corporate place, but it is all so very fuzzy and odd and seemingly going to end with our generation unless things change. Too much garbage being dragged along to interest the younger generation. But TM is pure gold for you? Lucky guy. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@ wrote: Thank you, a beautiful response, and I will carry on. I go by my own experiences. This has always been my guide, and my experiences daily have been magnificent. The program is pure gold. Thanks, --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: Thanks John, beautiful post in it's positivity. And unique on this forum because you are one of perhaps only 5 posters here
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
Thanks Michael. I will just keep going on doing what I do. I love my program, but I have never been financially dependent on anyone from the TMO. I feel I have the best of both worlds. I am grounded and enjoy my work. I contribute, and the knowledge, my experiences have always been fantastic. If I did not get anything from the technique I would not practice it a week. The truly devoted are the ones in the Dome who are part of the 50% who keep coming back and report daily no level 1 experiences. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Michael Jackson mjackson74@... wrote: Having read your ideas about the Movement it gives me a good feeling that there are people with common sense who want something that has been good for them to blossom and prosper. Even having left TM years ago, I do understand the feeling doing program gives one, I recently did my TMSP after years of not doing so and it felt good. I sincerely believe the only way for you to fulfill the desires you have for the Movement is to walk away from the TM Movement and create one of your own. Others have done so, thereby giving a fresh venue for teaching and promoting the technique that is so meaningful to you. The TM Movement has never really existed to do what you want it to do. I spent years wondering why something that felt so good to me and had such high goals and spoke about itself in such glowing terms could produce such unkind, unhelpful people who administered the Movement - how could the practice of the TM technique not create a group of individuals who administered the Movement intelligently, lovingly, and efficiently? As long as I believed that Maharishi was enlightened and somehow in some unknown way, the excesses and omissions of the people who ran the Movement were some sort of aberrant anomalies and that one day it would all balance out, the Movement would straighten itself out and people would actually be well taken care of in all phases and aspects of their dealings with the TMO, much of what Maharishi did and none of what the TMO did made any sense. When I realized that Maharishi was not enlightened, and used his Movement to further his desires to, in essence, be a big shot, gain wealth and have a revolving door of sex partners, it all fell into place. This means that the people who ran and still run the Movement learned at his feet and realize that anything they want to do is alright as long as they remain in charge and get paid. The idea that Bevan, Tony and the rest will ever give any authority to a Board of Directors is something that will never happen. They will not give up power - the TMO gives them everything. When is the last time any of them had to worry about paying rent? How to pay the utilities? When is the last time they had to wash their own clothes? Make their own meals? These guys live like princes and they won't give it up. They will never put others needs and desires above their own need to be in charge and keep getting paid, just like their former leader - and just like M putting these guys in charge, who do you think these guys will pick to follow them? The exact same energy will be passed on in the next generation of leadership. Get together with all the responsible teachers with common sense who feel the way you do, organize your own Movement and get out while the getting is good. I have mentioned once or twice before that Girish, and the Srivastavas brothers still run the Maharishi Group which I believe still owns all the property that MUM is occupying, both the land and buildings. If the day comes when they feel the revenue coming to them from MUM isn't satisfying them, they will sell off the university holdings in a heartbeat, and you will be without the Domes anyway. They have already begun this process in India, and I believe they are doing so because they know the Movement is running out of steam and won't give them the money they are used to. So create your own Movement - why continue to trust people and a Movement that have betrayed your trust for decades? From: jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@... To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 1, 2013 8:25 AM Subject: [FairfieldLife] Feedback to the TM Movement  I would like to give feedback from the perspective of one who loves TM, but not how the organization is run. I have wanted to do so for many years. I feel I have a unique perspective to do so. I am not angry. I am not dependent on TM other than my wonderful program I practice. I have no ax to grind other than a genuine desire to see the organization succeed. I wish to help this organization from the point of view of one who is a family man, a professional who sees the divinity of my practice, and the missteps of the organization. My TM program is the only time during the day that I know my
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
Thanks for the connection, and thanks for the post. I appreciate it very much. Thanks again! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote: Nice post Wayback, JTowbridge, I did send the link to your FFL letter earlier this morning directly over to Dr. John Hagelin right after you posted it on FFL. He responded back to me immediately too before I went to the Dome. I'm just in from the day's farm work now. The work is going long in the fields with spring upon us now. I stopped earlier and meditated along in time with the large group tonite while I was on my tractor. Frankly the New TM Movement is incorporating more over-sight and process within its workings. It's dynamic and changing. Things started changing from back before and around when Maharishi died. There are different elements within it still including some strict preservationists who obstruct change but things are also progressive. I would say from talking with folks inside that some yet are essentially afraid to be more transparent in process because they fear someone like MJ coming along and being negative. But in a direction of more transparency is coming. The strict preservationists have nothing to fear but fear itself. I think your paper is a good common-sense advocacy for better management practices that are actively being figured out more by committee process as J Hagelin has been setting about engaging people in that kind of process. They are also waiting for a few more people to die off as there is an active preparing of a younger set going on to take over. These are very exciting times within TM. It is in re-set. I agree, may the Unified Field save the group meditation. -Buck --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Susan wayback71@ wrote: I too really enjoyed your post, Mr Trowbridge. It was genuine and so right on. Loved your points about conflict. In the name of being positive, so much has been overlooked, not dealt with, and repressed. At every level. And for those whose very livelihood revolved around all this for some years, it took a real toll. The frustration of trying to get a problem dealt with was incredible - because the person was considered to be unstressing or negative. A really unhealthy system evolved. Anyway, you said it all so well and I thank you for that. I suspect that in posting it here on FFL, it will be read by the people you are talking to. My guess is that the big issue on the inside is whether to try and mimic exactly how MMY ran the TMO or whether to modify that so as to appeal to more people. Not modify the teaching, but the organization, how it is run, the way rules are enforced, how to handle conflict. I think a lot will depend on how that unfolds now and in the next decade as Bevan and John and the rajas begin to retire. Not that the TMO needs to become a corporate place, but it is all so very fuzzy and odd and seemingly going to end with our generation unless things change. Too much garbage being dragged along to interest the younger generation. But TM is pure gold for you? Lucky guy. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@ wrote: Thank you, a beautiful response, and I will carry on. I go by my own experiences. This has always been my guide, and my experiences daily have been magnificent. The program is pure gold. Thanks, --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: Thanks John, beautiful post in it's positivity. And unique on this forum because you are one of perhaps only 5 posters here altogether that does TM regularily and have a non-agressive take on the TMO. So your idea of sending it here was perhaps a bit too enthusiastic, it will unfortunately only fuel more vile attacs on the TMO from the regulars here, most of whom have not done TM in decades. Aside from that it is impossible to disagree with you on any point, except for perhaps the most important; your idea that the The goal of this organization is not to appeal to a particular leader or person, but to the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. and reach the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. This is the goal. This is what the TM organization is about. This is a widespread misunderstanding due largely to being stuck in Maharishi's old thinking or having been exposed only to this timeframe of Maharishi's philosophy on video, strategies that were perfect until about 1985. As the Age of Enlightenment grew and became an irreversible process the old thinking based on the individual
[FairfieldLife] Feedback to the TM Movement
I would like to give feedback from the perspective of one who loves TM, but not how the organization is run. I have wanted to do so for many years. I feel I have a unique perspective to do so. I am not angry. I am not dependent on TM other than my wonderful program I practice. I have no ax to grind other than a genuine desire to see the organization succeed. I wish to help this organization from the point of view of one who is a family man, a professional who sees the divinity of my practice, and the missteps of the organization. My TM program is the only time during the day that I know my activity is perfect. It is a perfect program. It is a perfect activity. It is perfect knowledge. I have recently obtained all of the advanced techniques. I have missed maybe five meditations in 40 years only because I enjoy it. There is no other reason. Not for health, not for enlightenment, such is the joy and power of my program. I have just finished 34 years as a public school teacher in North Carolina, and I am still teaching. I have been married 30 years. I have two children. My wife meditates. My two children have been initiated. From the beginning, I have provided support to the TM Movement through the use of my house for lectures, initiations, and whatever I have to offer all these years. I am your biggest fan. I started TM on November 13th, 1971 and got the sidhis in `80 or `81 at MUM. I practiced my program by myself over the decades until 5 years ago, when I went to MUM to fly in the dome for a 7-week visit. I have gone ever 2 years during the summer thereafter. I have never taken one dime of grant money. I mention specific names and impressions in this letter, not to target individuals, but to show relevant examples of what concerns me. I also want to describe what could be done differently, especially if you want to have credibility with Americans. The goal of this organization is not to appeal to a particular leader or person, but to the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. 2007: This incident exemplifies so many of the elements of what is wrong with how the TM organization is managed. When I came 5 years ago, I was in the dome for the IA course for just a few days when the men's group had to move because workmen were replacing the roof. We moved to a flying hall near the swimming pool. Unfortunately, a mistake had been made in preparing the new hall. The floor and walls had been painted with a toxic, oil-based paint, and the odor was awful, awful. The air in the new hall was extremely noxious. Fans in the eaves of the building were run night and day. Sidhas pleaded with Dr. Doug Birx not to move us into this situation. He said it could not be helped. I spent one day in the new hall experiencing bliss with an underlying headache. I never have headaches. I walked and hitchhiked to Vedic City to do program for most of the week instead of going to this toxic hall. Once I was picked up by a Board of Trustees member. I don't remember his name. In casual conversation, told him I had not come from North Carolina to huff paint fumes. The next day, thinking the fumes would be better, I went to fly in the newly painted hall. It was better, but still not good. During the 10 a.m. experience time, Dr. Bevan Morris asked Dr. Doug Birx an introductory question, Is there a problem with the hall? I assumed that the trustee I had talked to called Dr. Morris. Dr. Birx stated no. Who could question the bliss emanating from this hall? he asked. He added that there were some problems, but they had been worked out. He completely dismissed the issue. Who knows why Dr. Birx moved us into a hall that could have sickened the whole men's flying group, but the result was they were exposed to toxic fumes for a week due to his decision. And when he was questioned about this, he did not admit a mistake had been made and remedy the situation by moving the sidhas to a safe space. Systemic Issues: The TM movement employs managers who are brilliant and well versed in the Vedas or special knowledge. However, this does not make them skilled managers. The problems that allowed this one example to unfold are systemic in the organization. People are good, and when good people make wrong decisions, it is usually due to responding to the stressors and structure of the system that is in place. I blame the systems under which they are managing, and the environment of not recognizing issues that should be addressed when they emerge. This one example reveals a lot about the dynamics of how the organization is managed. This dynamic is repeated a thousand fold up and down the organization, resulting in less than stellar results. No one holds the leadership accountable. And there is no mechanism in place for the rank and file to report problems, concerns, or issues. There is no mechanism for addressing problems. There is no
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
Thanks Buck! --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Buck dhamiltony2k5@... wrote: Beautiful. Thanks for taking the time and having the courage to post this here. -Buck in the Dome --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@ wrote: I would like to give feedback from the perspective of one who loves TM, but not how the organization is run. I have wanted to do so for many years. I feel I have a unique perspective to do so. I am not angry. I am not dependent on TM other than my wonderful program I practice. I have no ax to grind other than a genuine desire to see the organization succeed. I wish to help this organization from the point of view of one who is a family man, a professional who sees the divinity of my practice, and the missteps of the organization. My TM program is the only time during the day that I know my activity is perfect. It is a perfect program. It is a perfect activity. It is perfect knowledge. I have recently obtained all of the advanced techniques. I have missed maybe five meditations in 40 years only because I enjoy it. There is no other reason. Not for health, not for enlightenment, such is the joy and power of my program. I have just finished 34 years as a public school teacher in North Carolina, and I am still teaching. I have been married 30 years. I have two children. My wife meditates. My two children have been initiated. From the beginning, I have provided support to the TM Movement through the use of my house for lectures, initiations, and whatever I have to offer all these years. I am your biggest fan. I started TM on November 13th, 1971 and got the sidhis in `80 or `81 at MUM. I practiced my program by myself over the decades until 5 years ago, when I went to MUM to fly in the dome for a 7-week visit. I have gone ever 2 years during the summer thereafter. I have never taken one dime of grant money. I mention specific names and impressions in this letter, not to target individuals, but to show relevant examples of what concerns me. I also want to describe what could be done differently, especially if you want to have credibility with Americans. The goal of this organization is not to appeal to a particular leader or person, but to the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. 2007: This incident exemplifies so many of the elements of what is wrong with how the TM organization is managed. When I came 5 years ago, I was in the dome for the IA course for just a few days when the men's group had to move because workmen were replacing the roof. We moved to a flying hall near the swimming pool. Unfortunately, a mistake had been made in preparing the new hall. The floor and walls had been painted with a toxic, oil-based paint, and the odor was awful, awful. The air in the new hall was extremely noxious. Fans in the eaves of the building were run night and day. Sidhas pleaded with Dr. Doug Birx not to move us into this situation. He said it could not be helped. I spent one day in the new hall experiencing bliss with an underlying headache. I never have headaches. I walked and hitchhiked to Vedic City to do program for most of the week instead of going to this toxic hall. Once I was picked up by a Board of Trustees member. I don't remember his name. In casual conversation, told him I had not come from North Carolina to huff paint fumes. The next day, thinking the fumes would be better, I went to fly in the newly painted hall. It was better, but still not good. During the 10 a.m. experience time, Dr. Bevan Morris asked Dr. Doug Birx an introductory question, Is there a problem with the hall? I assumed that the trustee I had talked to called Dr. Morris. Dr. Birx stated no. Who could question the bliss emanating from this hall? he asked. He added that there were some problems, but they had been worked out. He completely dismissed the issue. Who knows why Dr. Birx moved us into a hall that could have sickened the whole men's flying group, but the result was they were exposed to toxic fumes for a week due to his decision. And when he was questioned about this, he did not admit a mistake had been made and remedy the situation by moving the sidhas to a safe space. Systemic Issues: The TM movement employs managers who are brilliant and well versed in the Vedas or special knowledge. However, this does not make them skilled managers. The problems that allowed this one example to unfold are systemic in the organization. People are good, and when good people make wrong decisions, it is usually due to responding to the stressors and structure of the system that is in place. I blame the systems under which they are managing, and the environment of not recognizing issues that should be addressed when
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
I sent this as an email to Dr. Hagelin, and have never heard a word. I forgot I wrote it, and thought maybe with a few people on this site it would ring a bell. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, feste37 feste37@... wrote: That's brilliantly put. I am wondering if you have sent this to anyone in the organization, since the wording of it suggests you are writing direct to the organization, not to the people in this Yahoo group. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@ wrote: I would like to give feedback from the perspective of one who loves TM, but not how the organization is run. I have wanted to do so for many years. I feel I have a unique perspective to do so. I am not angry. I am not dependent on TM other than my wonderful program I practice. I have no ax to grind other than a genuine desire to see the organization succeed. I wish to help this organization from the point of view of one who is a family man, a professional who sees the divinity of my practice, and the missteps of the organization. My TM program is the only time during the day that I know my activity is perfect. It is a perfect program. It is a perfect activity. It is perfect knowledge. I have recently obtained all of the advanced techniques. I have missed maybe five meditations in 40 years only because I enjoy it. There is no other reason. Not for health, not for enlightenment, such is the joy and power of my program. I have just finished 34 years as a public school teacher in North Carolina, and I am still teaching. I have been married 30 years. I have two children. My wife meditates. My two children have been initiated. From the beginning, I have provided support to the TM Movement through the use of my house for lectures, initiations, and whatever I have to offer all these years. I am your biggest fan. I started TM on November 13th, 1971 and got the sidhis in `80 or `81 at MUM. I practiced my program by myself over the decades until 5 years ago, when I went to MUM to fly in the dome for a 7-week visit. I have gone ever 2 years during the summer thereafter. I have never taken one dime of grant money. I mention specific names and impressions in this letter, not to target individuals, but to show relevant examples of what concerns me. I also want to describe what could be done differently, especially if you want to have credibility with Americans. The goal of this organization is not to appeal to a particular leader or person, but to the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. 2007: This incident exemplifies so many of the elements of what is wrong with how the TM organization is managed. When I came 5 years ago, I was in the dome for the IA course for just a few days when the men's group had to move because workmen were replacing the roof. We moved to a flying hall near the swimming pool. Unfortunately, a mistake had been made in preparing the new hall. The floor and walls had been painted with a toxic, oil-based paint, and the odor was awful, awful. The air in the new hall was extremely noxious. Fans in the eaves of the building were run night and day. Sidhas pleaded with Dr. Doug Birx not to move us into this situation. He said it could not be helped. I spent one day in the new hall experiencing bliss with an underlying headache. I never have headaches. I walked and hitchhiked to Vedic City to do program for most of the week instead of going to this toxic hall. Once I was picked up by a Board of Trustees member. I don't remember his name. In casual conversation, told him I had not come from North Carolina to huff paint fumes. The next day, thinking the fumes would be better, I went to fly in the newly painted hall. It was better, but still not good. During the 10 a.m. experience time, Dr. Bevan Morris asked Dr. Doug Birx an introductory question, Is there a problem with the hall? I assumed that the trustee I had talked to called Dr. Morris. Dr. Birx stated no. Who could question the bliss emanating from this hall? he asked. He added that there were some problems, but they had been worked out. He completely dismissed the issue. Who knows why Dr. Birx moved us into a hall that could have sickened the whole men's flying group, but the result was they were exposed to toxic fumes for a week due to his decision. And when he was questioned about this, he did not admit a mistake had been made and remedy the situation by moving the sidhas to a safe space. Systemic Issues: The TM movement employs managers who are brilliant and well versed in the Vedas or special knowledge. However, this does not make them skilled managers. The problems that allowed this one example to unfold are systemic in the organization. People are good, and when good people
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
Thanks Sharelong60. I feel very strong about the beauty of the TM practice, and the widespread agreement among so many meditators, and TM teachers of weaknesses in the organization. Thanks. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Share Long sharelong60@... wrote: Mr. Trowbridge, it's always a pleasure to read such clear and reasonable and impassioned writing. Thank you for posting this here. I am sorry for your experience in 2007 and appreciate how you're attempting to bring good from it. I also LOVE the concept of a sentence or phrase that is used to guide every decision such as was used at Black Mountain Center. Will let my brain percolate on that with reference to contemporary TMO. I tend to think of negativity and or conflict like a cut on the finger. Good to give it as much attention as it needed to set up the conditions needed for healing. Then live life. The attention and healing conditions needed for a paper cut will probably be vastly different than that required for a finger caught in a car door and dangling by a tendon. From your last 2 paragraphs it sounds like, but I could be making a connection you do not intend, that the larger issue is such that it could be remedied by what you call a separation of Church and state. First, I'd be very interested to hear what you think the larger, hidden issues are. I think you are onto something here and have my own opinions, but welcome hearing ideas enriched as they would be by your unique and qualified perspective. And from at least one poster on FFL, I get the impression that there is a bit of the separation you suggest. At least as far as teaching TM is concerned. I'm not a TM teacher so cannot speak from experience about how this fairly recent set up is working. It sounds like one TMO leader is focused on purity of the teaching and another is focused getting the TM message out. Thanks again and I hope you will continue posting here. All the best, Share From: jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@... To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Sent: Monday, April 1, 2013 7:25 AM Subject: [FairfieldLife] Feedback to the TM Movement  I would like to give feedback from the perspective of one who loves TM, but not how the organization is run. I have wanted to do so for many years. I feel I have a unique perspective to do so. I am not angry. I am not dependent on TM other than my wonderful program I practice. I have no ax to grind other than a genuine desire to see the organization succeed. I wish to help this organization from the point of view of one who is a family man, a professional who sees the divinity of my practice, and the missteps of the organization. My TM program is the only time during the day that I know my activity is perfect. It is a perfect program. It is a perfect activity. It is perfect knowledge. I have recently obtained all of the advanced techniques. I have missed maybe five meditations in 40 years only because I enjoy it. There is no other reason. Not for health, not for enlightenment, such is the joy and power of my program. I have just finished 34 years as a public school teacher in North Carolina, and I am still teaching. I have been married 30 years. I have two children. My wife meditates. My two children have been initiated. From the beginning, I have provided support to the TM Movement through the use of my house for lectures, initiations, and whatever I have to offer all these years. I am your biggest fan. I started TM on November 13th, 1971 and got the sidhis in `80 or `81 at MUM. I practiced my program by myself over the decades until 5 years ago, when I went to MUM to fly in the dome for a 7-week visit. I have gone ever 2 years during the summer thereafter. I have never taken one dime of grant money. I mention specific names and impressions in this letter, not to target individuals, but to show relevant examples of what concerns me. I also want to describe what could be done differently, especially if you want to have credibility with Americans. The goal of this organization is not to appeal to a particular leader or person, but to the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. 2007: This incident exemplifies so many of the elements of what is wrong with how the TM organization is managed. When I came 5 years ago, I was in the dome for the IA course for just a few days when the men's group had to move because workmen were replacing the roof. We moved to a flying hall near the swimming pool. Unfortunately, a mistake had been made in preparing the new hall. The floor and walls had been painted with a toxic, oil-based paint, and the odor was awful, awful. The air in the new hall was extremely noxious. Fans in the eaves of the building were run night and day. Sidhas
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
Thank you, a beautiful response, and I will carry on. I go by my own experiences. This has always been my guide, and my experiences daily have been magnificent. The program is pure gold. Thanks, --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@... wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, nablusoss1008 no_reply@ wrote: Thanks John, beautiful post in it's positivity. And unique on this forum because you are one of perhaps only 5 posters here altogether that does TM regularily and have a non-agressive take on the TMO. So your idea of sending it here was perhaps a bit too enthusiastic, it will unfortunately only fuel more vile attacs on the TMO from the regulars here, most of whom have not done TM in decades. Aside from that it is impossible to disagree with you on any point, except for perhaps the most important; your idea that the The goal of this organization is not to appeal to a particular leader or person, but to the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. and reach the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. This is the goal. This is what the TM organization is about. This is a widespread misunderstanding due largely to being stuck in Maharishi's old thinking or having been exposed only to this timeframe of Maharishi's philosophy on video, strategies that were perfect until about 1985. As the Age of Enlightenment grew and became an irreversible process the old thinking based on the individual was replaced with the concern for groups, and ultimately the whole world. Already in 1980, after having prevented the WWII during the winther of 1979, Maharishi said From today no more meditators are necessary. Thus Maharishi's focus shifted and the TMO as we know it became in many ways obsolete, left unattended also by it's own Founder simply because it had no more function other than being the safekeeper of the purity of the teaching. No small task, but the real job of securing permanent world peace was given to the Rajas and the Vedic Pundits, a responsebility that remains theirs to this day. So my advice to you would be to stay calm and carry on. Continue with your beautiful programme, knowing that some obstacles like bad smell or bad food or whatever will be thown into the mix at regular intervals, they don't matter much. Forget about the mismanagement of the TMO, it is irrelevant for you. Forget that the TMO must become in better shape to save the world, they won't and their task isn't. Let them do their bit as you do yours, life is too short to waste on such small things. One last thing; please see as many as possible of Maharishi's newest tapes that are available on youtube and are available here: http://www.youtube.com/user/maharishichannel Perhaps what I've stated above will be clearer. Thank you again for your well-meaning post. Jai Guru Dev
[FairfieldLife] Re: Feedback to the TM Movement
I would be most pleased if I thought Raja Hagelin just read my letter. I read the other day that someone said if one door closes then another door opens, or just open the closed door because that's how doors work. TMO can maximize all fronts all doors to get this amazing knowledge out. I was hoping by my post to attract some attention by someone who could help at least broach some of the questions. Nonetheless I am happy with my program, and continue to support the TMO. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, srijau@... no_reply@... wrote: Thank-you for your taking the time to address these thoughts to Raja Hagelin. --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, jwtrowbridge johnwtrowbridge@ wrote: I would like to give feedback from the perspective of one who loves TM, but not how the organization is run. I have wanted to do so for many years. I feel I have a unique perspective to do so. I am not angry. I am not dependent on TM other than my wonderful program I practice. I have no ax to grind other than a genuine desire to see the organization succeed. I wish to help this organization from the point of view of one who is a family man, a professional who sees the divinity of my practice, and the missteps of the organization. My TM program is the only time during the day that I know my activity is perfect. It is a perfect program. It is a perfect activity. It is perfect knowledge. I have recently obtained all of the advanced techniques. I have missed maybe five meditations in 40 years only because I enjoy it. There is no other reason. Not for health, not for enlightenment, such is the joy and power of my program. I have just finished 34 years as a public school teacher in North Carolina, and I am still teaching. I have been married 30 years. I have two children. My wife meditates. My two children have been initiated. From the beginning, I have provided support to the TM Movement through the use of my house for lectures, initiations, and whatever I have to offer all these years. I am your biggest fan. I started TM on November 13th, 1971 and got the sidhis in `80 or `81 at MUM. I practiced my program by myself over the decades until 5 years ago, when I went to MUM to fly in the dome for a 7-week visit. I have gone ever 2 years during the summer thereafter. I have never taken one dime of grant money. I mention specific names and impressions in this letter, not to target individuals, but to show relevant examples of what concerns me. I also want to describe what could be done differently, especially if you want to have credibility with Americans. The goal of this organization is not to appeal to a particular leader or person, but to the widest possible audience who will appreciate and practice the TM program in its purity. 2007: This incident exemplifies so many of the elements of what is wrong with how the TM organization is managed. When I came 5 years ago, I was in the dome for the IA course for just a few days when the men's group had to move because workmen were replacing the roof. We moved to a flying hall near the swimming pool. Unfortunately, a mistake had been made in preparing the new hall. The floor and walls had been painted with a toxic, oil-based paint, and the odor was awful, awful. The air in the new hall was extremely noxious. Fans in the eaves of the building were run night and day. Sidhas pleaded with Dr. Doug Birx not to move us into this situation. He said it could not be helped. I spent one day in the new hall experiencing bliss with an underlying headache. I never have headaches. I walked and hitchhiked to Vedic City to do program for most of the week instead of going to this toxic hall. Once I was picked up by a Board of Trustees member. I don't remember his name. In casual conversation, told him I had not come from North Carolina to huff paint fumes. The next day, thinking the fumes would be better, I went to fly in the newly painted hall. It was better, but still not good. During the 10 a.m. experience time, Dr. Bevan Morris asked Dr. Doug Birx an introductory question, Is there a problem with the hall? I assumed that the trustee I had talked to called Dr. Morris. Dr. Birx stated no. Who could question the bliss emanating from this hall? he asked. He added that there were some problems, but they had been worked out. He completely dismissed the issue. Who knows why Dr. Birx moved us into a hall that could have sickened the whole men's flying group, but the result was they were exposed to toxic fumes for a week due to his decision. And when he was questioned about this, he did not admit a mistake had been made and remedy the situation by moving the sidhas to a safe space. Systemic Issues: The TM movement employs managers who are brilliant and well versed in the Vedas or special
[FairfieldLife] hello
[FairfieldLife] a poem post
http://hellopoetry.com/poem/i-was-stillness-surrounded-by-thunder/
[FairfieldLife] Poem
I would like to share a poem I wrote called, How to become a buddha. I have been writing for years under the name robert martin. It's been a long time since I have tried to read, and post with this group. So hello. Robert http://hellopoetry.com/poem/how-to-become-a-buddha-1/
[FairfieldLife] Poem
I would like to share a poem. http://hellopoetry.com/poem/how-to-become-a-buddha-1/ Thanks, Steve
[FairfieldLife] The Angel of Maintenance
I thought this guna needed a little attention.There is a lot of poetry written on the Angel of Death. Forget him. Steve http://hellopoetry.com/poem/the-angel-of-maintenance/
[FairfieldLife] Re: The Most Dangerous Dogma ?
You label it dogma and with the word, the label somhow feel you have already proven your point and it is dismissed, negated, and diminished. Your argument, your point is your bias. It of course is not a new TM concept that the enlighted are acting from the laws of nature and therefore acting without sin, but applicable to any path that will take you to unity. You try to diminish all paths. It has been said it takes a thief to catch a thief. Maybe you should wait until you are a thief to properly judge. Steve --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, TurquoiseB [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: It seems to me, watching the tales of Neil Patterson and Andy Rhymer appear again (not to mention the casual aside to Sai Baba, a Class-A pedophile in his own right), together with the ongoing exercises in solipsism that grace our FFL screens, that maybe it's time to examine a fundamental piece of TM dogma, the one that I personally think is most off, and one of the prime sources of all of these sad stories. It's not just a TM phenomenon, of course. This dogma mouldie oldie permeates many of the trad- itions of the East and their New Age offshoots. I've seen it be equally destructive in all of them, as have many other people, and yet no one ever seems to speak up about the dogma itself. The dogma in question is that the enlightened are perfectly in accord with the laws of nature, and thus can do no wrong. Their actions are *by definition* life-supporting. Think about the implications of accepting this dogma without question. It means that there is an end point to having to be concerned that one's own actions are right or wrong, a point at which one no longer has to even *think* about whether what they do or say is right or life-supporting. That's for lesser beings, the ones who haven't graduated to enlightened states of mind the way that they have. Once one is enlightened, they are so in tune with the laws of nature that they *never again* have to be concerned with their own actions and the effects of them. Those actions are *by definition* correct, and life-supporting. Once this piece of dogma sets its hooks in seekers, they seem willing to overlook ANYTHING in the people they consider enlightened. They can form the most amazing rationalizations for why the teacher they revere is really doing the right thing when he or she does things they would organize a mob to combat if other people did them. We've seen people on this forum excuse lying, illegal acts, extortion and worse when they were done by people they believe to be enlightened. And we've seen those who claim to be enlightened excuse their *own* actions with equal certainty. They don't even have to *listen* to feedback from others that these actions might be less than perfect, because they know that those actions cannot possibly be imperfect. They have subjective experiences that convince them that they are enlightened, and *by definition* the enlightened can do no wrong, so all these critics MUST *by def- inition* be incorrect. Since they are enlightened (or believe that they are), *anything* they do is *by definition* right. I think the problem is in the dogma. I think it's about time that this particular the enlightened are perfect and no longer have to worry about whether their actions are appropriate or not piece of dogma was flushed down the toilet forever. As far as I can tell (and as many traditions that I respect believe and teach), one NEVER achieves an end point in their self discovery where they no longer have to be concerned with whether their actions are correct or not. If anything, once they take upon themselves the mantle of I'm enlightened, they have to be *more* watchful of their own words and actions, and *more* aware of their possible repercussions. I'm a big fan of Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. I don't believe that *anything* changes for the enlightened being, other than the realization of what had always already been present anyway. The act of chopping wood after enlightenment requires the same care in not chopping off one's own (or someone else's) fingers as it did before enlightenment. I guess that I'm proposing that we put this *assumption* that the actions of the enlightened are different -- and should be judged differently -- on the table for discussion here on Fairfield Life. Who here still believes that enlightenment confers perfection on the one who claims to have realized (or who actually *has* realized) enlightenment? Who here believes that the actions of the enlightened are *by definition* in accord with the laws of nature and thus are *always* life supporting? And who thinks that this piece of dogma is a self- serving and often-abused piece of...uh...ignorance that deserves to be flushed down the commode once and for all?
[FairfieldLife] Re: TM-TB'ers on FFL
I am a TB of my experiences of TM and have made many posts under my real name to find to my horror you could Google me and read my most intimate posts--Egads I became a bit parnoid on many fronts. My job and future jobs. Yes most of the posts seem to be anti TM rants that are painful to read sometimes but I find FFL useful, dynamic, and has some of the most amazing uncensored pro TM stuff I can't seem to find anywhere. If you read long enough you will find the person behind the names--some long time TM teachers well respected among the TMO and otherwise. I began to use this name so a Google search will not pop up with my name on it. I am proud to be on my path. Reading FFL I have come to the conclusion that knowledge without experience just pisses people off. This site is just a natural outlet for those who have an abundance of knowledge without great experiences with the TM program and because of over control and censureship by TMO. And I must say And all those other wonderful fulfulling paths that lead us to God that are not TM. There is not another site that can match the dynamics, volume of posts, knowledge, variety, and depth of FFL on those who are spiritual seekers of divinity and consciousness through various paths. The variety of positions and sometimes brutal directness of the posts is what is so shocking, so unsettling to those of us who practice TM and consider our practice a sacred one. FFL is a great name because it reflects life--the good and ugly of our ways. Steve --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, off_world_beings [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, dhamiltony2k5 dhamiltony2k5@ wrote: --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, sandiego108 sandiego108@ wrote: I am responding to clarify these few points and not because of any preprogrammed response. Haven't seen a TM TB on here yet. Perhaps you would care to name them? Personally I find Vaj far more of a TB than anyone else on here, and it has nothing to do with the fact that he follows Buddhism. Yeah LB Shriver, he is a TB-TM'er but he don't post to FFL no more. Mark Meredith is a TM-TB'er and he don't post no more either. Rick, he is an old TM TB'er still posting here. Dick Mays is. I am. Though i am thinking of leaving soon. Might just be only Rick and Dick Mays or George Deforest as TB-TM'ers who post signing their names. There are some TM defenders of the faith who visit occassionally who seem mostly don't have guts enough to sign posts Perhaps many of us just don't want crazy movement people trying to get in touch with us and camp in our garden anymore, since they all think they are your BEST friend, and they need job. Especially since it is mostly the loser drunks or previously TM control freaks, personality deficient, lost in space types that want to turn up. Nope, your judgement about why people don't put their name is way off the mark. Perhaps only crazy control freaks that think they are changing the world by posting here put their real names? :) OffWorld hold up to the light of day they leave. The real hardcore TM- Jihadists though tend to be, lurkers. We are mostly too busy giving our lives to TM or to Maharishi when he was around. Jai Guru Dev, -Doug in FF
[FairfieldLife] Video of TM Residence Course at the Outer Banks of NC
Howdy, Here is a link to a residence course at the Outer Banks of NC. My wife and I were cooks. The video is from the cooks point of view. Steve http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2185415/6917737
