You're right. It's truly amazing to watch how well the longtimers who started TM in the 60's are doing. They started and stuck to it, not wavering and being tossed about like a ball at the field like so many posters here. Several of those I know are above 100 years of age, fit as fiddles, driving cars and goes on vacation to other Continents when most of their non-meditating friends have kicked the bucket long time ago. What better testimony to the long-time effects to TM is there ?
---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <steve.sundur@...> wrote : Yes, one can selectively choose data that supports their beliefs, and ignore all the rest. I am thinking of the many people I know who have remained steady in their practice, and dedicated to the organization and it's founder. They are people who garner respect from society in general. Implying they are cult apologists speaks only about the person making the accusation than those they are accusing. That's what I think. (-: Thanks for your comments. (-: ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <sharelong60@...> wrote : Steve, since you asked me what I think (-: I think we all have apologist tendencies to some degree. Meaning that we all have parts of our brain that are still developing and maturing, are not yet fully developed. Based on my own experience and understanding, I think TM is excellent for giving deep rest to the whole individual; and that the TMSP is an excellent program for fully developing the brain and mind body coordination. OTOH none of us know 100% for sure whether TM is a good thing or a bad thing. Bottom line, each of us must come to our own conclusions about everything. And then live with the consequences of holding those conclusions. It seems to be a big part of being human. Go figure! On Monday, March 31, 2014 9:31 PM, "steve.sundur@..." <steve.sundur@...> wrote: should be, "you might be a cult apologist, if" ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <steve.sundur@...> wrote : Hi Share, I thought so too! But if you're having a discussion with someone who finds nefarious intent in any and every action of an organization he doesn't like, then I guess "you are cult apologist" If Michael writing skills are worth much, I'd like to see a piece along the lines of: You know you're a TM cult apologist if: (now conjecturing about what Michael might say) If you ever gave Maharishi a flower. If you ever sang puja, and had a good feeling afterward. If you ever said "Jai Guru Dev" twice in one day. If you ever gave someone a lift to the dome. If you dared to suggest on a public forum that someone who posts non stop comments about how bad an organization is, might be just a wee bit out a whack, then you are a cult follower. Whaddya think! ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <sharelong60@...> wrote : Steve, I really appreciate how common sensical (is that a valid phrase?) you are in what you say here. Especially the bit about why the TMO changed its approach. And of course, the directly relevant part about twenty minutes meditating being good for most people. On Monday, March 31, 2014 7:08 PM, "steve.sundur@..." <steve.sundur@...> wrote: ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <steve.sundur@...> wrote : Oh that's good Michael. At least a new name from the one I am usually called. Or actually, you are comparing me to something, rather than declaring I am such and such. At any rate, regarding this new approach, so what if they are - distancing themselves from the Hindu roots? Maybe they feel that has been off-putting for many people, and better to downplay it. But as has been pointed out, that is nothing different than has been done from the beginning. Maharishi started with a spiritual approach, and then shifted to a more scientific approach, because it would appeal to more people. You want to get people though the door. You want to get them to the introductory lecture. You want to outline the benefits. I happen to be able to observe some this new approach up close, and it seems to be having some results. That and a lower fee for learning. You are more comfortable making blanket (mostly all negative) statements about the TMO and Maharishi. But like many endeavors, you can choose to participate to whatever degree you like. Meditating for twenty minutes twice a day, would, I think, be a healthy activity for most people. ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <mjackson74@...> wrote : Come on Steve, be real - you know damn good and well they are distancing themselves from the Hindu roots and from Maharishi himself - if you can't see how disingenuous that is then you are a truly sheared TM sheep. -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 3/31/14, steve.sundur@... mailto:steve.sundur@... <steve.sundur@... mailto:steve.sundur@...> wrote: Subject: Re: [FairfieldLife] The Self Course Fairfield To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, March 31, 2014, 2:55 PM You''ve always got it figured out Michael. Doesn't matter how many twists and turns you have to make, the conclusion is always the same. So what if the TMO has adjusted their message, or their pitch? That's what organizations do. Maybe the problem you're having is that they seem to be having some success. Let's face it, that's wall galls you. And really, I don't think you're ashamed to admit it. ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <mjackson74@...> wrote : You are both full of it - the TMO is attempting to tap into a new tier of customers and they are doing it in part to distance themselves from the Old Goat because they know he has become a liability. I know what you are saying, as to M's references to the Self, but they have never done an ad campaign like this - everything they do is a calculated move to gain adherents, money and like the idiots they are, create a "vedic" society. -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 3/31/14, steve.sundur@... <steve.sundur@...> wrote: Subject: Re: [FairfieldLife] The Self Course Fairfield To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, March 31, 2014, 12:19 PM Now that was a "good catch" Judy. ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <authfriend@...> wrote : Er, Michael, more likely the New Age got "It's all the Self" from TM. The Self has always been a TM thing. It's what you're said to experience when you transcend, remember? Boy, you are really out in left field here. ---In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, <mjackson74@...> wrote : Oh my God! Its happening - pulling away from its Hindu and then "it's all science" roots and tapping into the vague New Age ""it's all the Self" hoodoo! These TM'ers are SHAMELESS in selling the nostrums. -------------------------------------------- On Mon, 3/31/14, nablusoss1008 <no_re...@yahoogroups.com mailto:no_re...@yahoogroups.com> wrote: Subject: [FairfieldLife] The Self Course Fairfield To: FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com mailto:FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com Date: Monday, March 31, 2014, 9:18 AM http://www.experiencetheself.org/ http://www.experiencetheself.org/