| An-Yi: | Do you think Maharishi was an awakened sage or skilled charlatan? |
| Bhäraté: | Why think of this as an "either-or" scenario? Couldn't he be both enlightened in some sense yet also engaged in a charade? |
| An-Yi: | Yeah, even if one is sincere, it seems often a bit of showmanship is necessary to get anywhere in this world. |
| Bhäraté: | That's precisely it: meditation should not be about getting anywhere in this world – but in transcending it. |
Maharishi Mahesh YogiTransmuting inconsistency into shibboleth he trademarked "enlightenment" selling mantras like burgers in market-efficient ways. Sitting on a deer-skin throne surrounded by white silken sheets He learned how godlike it was to market "reality". Twisting Shiva's dance into pseudo-science he saw spiritual aspirants as business clients. While videos rolled and devotees sat mesmerized he spoke of an ancient maya to a large global franchise |
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