Hi, I just recently joined this list, but there sure does seem to be a whole lot of arguing going on here alas. I know nothing about this Maharishi Mahesh Yogi feller, but in their own terms and words maybe they are talking about the same thing that I and others talk about and which we found by accident spontaneously without even seeking it. And they are all natural mystics with this gnosis or whatever you choose to call them, and they all talk about the same thing, albeit using different words and sometimes symbols. But it can also be spoken about in plain and simple language as is - AS IS found to be by experience. That is why the only thing I ever decided to join was the Asisian Knights and Ladies Fraternity for they do not beat about the bush in dialogue and they live their stuff, they walk the talk. And they give people that which exists to be found which religions do not mention and which science texts books do not give them - that eternal and ever lasting wisdom in the ground of our being.
So, my idea of a mystic is somebody who has hit that realm of consciousness beyond the levels of personality, memories, the potential to think; beyond the perception of Time and Space, and in which there is not even any memory of this world at all (or ever having been in it whilst there). And all one knows there is what they are, where they come from, why they exist, and what creation IS and why it is - hence a primordial explosion of love (passion really) and this innate eternal knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and the love of TO BE, and the love of that very mysterious (whatever) which many call 'No Created Thing'. And then of course they bring all that back to this place with them on their return here and live by what life itself has taught them in its ground of being - and to which it had spontaneously dragged them back for a few earthly hours. From Eternity for this purpose. Ab Aeterno Ad Hoc. In order to know their Self and to know what they are and what they are not. The knower and the known in a unitary reunion of passion and that peace which passes all understanding in the very bowel or womb of Eternity. But then again, that is just my use of the word of course. Dick. Order of The Asisian Knights.