BTW, Share, navashok isn't a newbie, he's just using a new handle. He's a supporter of yours. Or at least was the last time he was here.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Share Long wrote: > > I appreciate everything you say here. It makes me think. And also I'm > remembering: I worked on MIU staff for 1 year and that credit paid for > eight weeks of TMSP prep courses in 1977; I worked on MIU staff for 3 years > and that credit paid for an 11 month graduate program, MA in SCI; I received > a full scholarship for 3 years to earn an MS in Psychology; I currently go to > the Dome twice a day every day completely free of charge. I understand that > others have had a different experience. But I must honor my own experience > and it is that the TMO via MIU has been very generous towards me. > > Regarding the school children and the energy exchange: perhaps they are > encouraged to offer a week's allowance or something like that. If not, I'm > sure Beingness understands (-: > > > As for the people responsible for high prices now: if they are doing > something that is good on some level we cannot now see, then I'm happy for > their good karma; if they are doing something harmful, then I wish for them a > thorough and compassionate burning off of this bad karma. Perhaps I'm being > too simple. > > > I agree that it is all quite absurd and complicated. And yet to be a human > is an amazing thing even with complications and absurdities.   > > > ________________________________ > From: navashok > To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com > Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 11:20 AM > Subject: [FairfieldLife] Re: Speaking of puja > > >  > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Share Long wrote: > > > > I've heard that in the beginning Maharishi wanted to teach TM for free. > > I have heard that too! > > > à But the Westerners told him that people would not value it if it did > > not cost money.à > > I know the logic, but it is over-extended here IMO. Now it's just all about > money. And it is simply not true that people can not value something that is > free, of course they can, lot's of rich people donate for free things. Think > about Ammachi, she does not charge anything, and yet her ashram must be one > of the richest in India. Same with Sai Baba (whatever you may think of him), > access to him was always free, and yet he gathered billions in donations. > > There are also many people who think that true spirituality shouldn't cost > anything. You may not agree, but money puts an extra layer in at any > spiritual movement, and it complicates things. IMO the essential teaching of > any movement or religious organization should be either free or low cost and > affordable. There can be always 'add ons' spiritual articles that are not > essential for which you can charge, and which people like to have, like CD's, > books, Ayurvedic products etc. I am just here at an ashram in India, where > everything is either free or very low-cost, even books. I rent a room for 3$, > I eat in the dining hall for not even a dollar a day. Yes it is India, but it > is still very reduced even subsidized by the Ashram. > > > When I began in 1975, the cost was one week's salary.à Also, I know some > > New Age teachers who say that there must be an exchange of energy in order > > for what they impart to be effective.à > > Yes, I know, but that 'exchange' should be based on free will, on ones own > insight and appreciation, it shouldn't be forced onto people. Also the > economic situation of people may vary over time. Take as an example advanced > technique, they are highly recommended by the movement, and yet, for a very > small addition, you have to spend the same amount as for basic TM, which is > already overcharged. In this case you get clearly people, who surely > appreciate the technique, they have been practicing, but they can't go on to > a longer mantra, as they may just not have the money at hand. Here certainly > the logic doesn't hold true anymore. > > Also, people don't just value something, because it is overpriced. It always > depends on the competition, if you can get the same thing for free or for > much cheaper. Take the case of the iphone. In the beginning it had a > monopoly, it was the latest thing in town and a must have. Now the > competition is getting stronger, with Android phones being cheaper and also > getting better, the market share of the iphone is reduced, they either have > to introduce some new innovation or reduce the price to be more competitive. > > I know nobody outside of the TM movement who understands the price policy of > TM. Everybody I meet in the spiritual scene thinks that TM is just about > money making, and therefore don't take it serious. > > And what do you think, when school kids get sponsored by other people to > learn TM? How does this relate to the 'exchange energy', as THEY aren't > giving back, it's some rich TM donor. Well, if you think about it, it's all > quite absurd.
