Lawson, Compared to the general American public, TMers can be considered as brahmins, or twice born, since all of us have gone through the initiation to the meditation tradition of Gurudev. But there are those TMers who have relinquished this title by words and actions.
Also, by reason, those who have earned to become a brahmin should be considered as such. But not all persons born to the brahmin caste are qualified to be considered as one if they don't act accordingly. IMO, that's where the present caste system in India has failed to recognize.. ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <LEnglish5@...> wrote: Maharishi's take on these things was often exactly what he heard from Gurudev. I've read comments from famous gurus/spiritual leaders in India who knew Gurudev and then heard Maharishi speak, and they basiclly said he did a good job of channeling his guru. And really, that is all he ever claimed he was doing for most of the history of the TM organization. He made it clear where he changed things: he chose to use "householder" mantras, and he simplified things as much as he possibly could with respect to teaching TM, and may have simplified the practice itself. But he never explained in detail the changes or what Gurudev taught him exactly. But, my friend Anoop Chandola had a chance to meet the successor to Gurudev named in the will, and asked the question: "What about this Maharishi who is with the Beatles? Is he legitimate?" The answer was: "Let me put it this way: he would be my first as my successor, but they won't allow it due to the caste laws." So... whatever Maharishi said about such things, it was probably similar to what Gurudev said. L
