FW: [.. “..Increasingly throughout his life, Maharishi became more and more interested in yogic flying compared to meditation.
And by yogic flying, Maharishi was repeatedly emphatic. It was about lifting off, not just sitting. At least three times during the IAA period, it came to Maharishi's attention that someone was not lifting off. He made it completely clear that this is not acceptable, should not be considered acceptable or successful practice. He wanted to see observable lift off. He said that is what creates the benefit for the individual, and that is what creates benefit for society. Whenever it came to his attention that someone was not lifting off, he would immediately tell them, no, no, you should see the Checker / Master Checker. Who else is in this category? Who else is not lifting off? Raise the hands? What is the count? Get together and see the Master Checker, let me know, make sure and do this," etc. That is always how he was about it. He wanted success. The analogy I use for myself is that 'practicing' Yogic Flying without lifting off is like sitting at the piano without touching the keys and saying (and thinking), "I'm practicing playing the piano." The evolutionary difference between lifting off and not lifting off is immense. It might be said (or might not) that if one is not lifting off, that one is not being successful in the practice. This is why Howard Settle made a very crystal clear requirement, and established this, that people must be lifting off to be paid on the grant. Although he did not say how that would or should be accomplished, he was firm about this, and this was in line with Maharishi's thinking and actions. My wife tells me there is not one woman in the Womens' Dome not lifting off, at least who are rounding on the IAAssembly. And my impression is that most women lift off a lot. The men are so different - very little lifting off. Just look around during flying. Maharishi Foundation has developed a thinking to not use the term 'flying' because we are not flying through the air. They are doing this partly or mainly bec to avoid public criticism. But they are taking it so far as to come across to me as wanting to abandon the term 'flying' inside the Movement. This is not evolutionary, and it is also due to the need for more experience. Anyone with more experience (from lifting off, and from longer program) that there is a continuum of experience between hopping and flying, it is not a black and white difference. There is an energy that can come and lift one up that is entirely non-muscular. To the extent this happens, it is actually flying, not just 'hopping.' It is the experience and inner experience of flying. Promoting to say it is not flying is spiritually dull, and also dulling to the experience and progress. Saying to not use the word 'flying' inside the Movement is to reduce the power and evolutionary effect of yogic flying, to dampen the program, to reduce the purity and power of the practice. Not to use the word 'flying' in public is one thing, and I can see the practicality of that. But to say not to use it inside the Movement, especially among Sidhas, is spiritually dulling, and reflects the need to do more hopping, and longer flying time. Thanks for listening,”
