Maharishi Mahesh Yogi - A Living Saint for the New Millennium

by Theresa Olson

About this publication

Forty years ago, in May of 1959, His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi first visited the United States of America. It seems only fitting to bring out a commemorative edition of the book written by my mother in 1967 wherein she described the adventures of Maharishi's first summer in this country. It is a book so like Maharishi, a tender story told simply about a great man with a superhuman goal.

During these forty years, I have had the opportunity to quietly witness this great man going about the manifestation of a phenomenal vision-a vision based on the principle that everyone should naturally and innocently live 200 percent of life: one hundred percent inner spiritual joy along with one hundred percent outer material satisfaction.

Maharishi wanted to bring humankind out of suffering and restore to us our rightful human dignity. He envisioned a world in which its citizens could enjoy a life free from problems - an ideal life based in good, useful and virtuous thoughts, words and actions; where we could enjoy the blessings of spontaneous good health, excellent and effective systems of education for our children, increased economic prosperity, and improved social well-being on all levels of society; where the spiritual ideals of all religions could be realized and lived in daily life; and, most importantly, where we could live in lasting world peace and real friend-ship with one another.

And Maharishi offered a simple, powerful solution for realizing that goal-an easy, natural, mental technique that he called Transcendental Meditation, which allows anyone to develop his or her full potential while simultaneously nourishing the surrounding environment....

Reviews

"In the summer of 1959, a remarkable guest came to stay at 433 Harvard Boulevard - the Los Angeles home of Helena and Roland Olsen and their four daughters. His name was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He brought the simple message that "Life is Bliss" and that living the full potential of life (both inner and outer) is the natural birthright of every human being. This book describes those early days as this holy man from India became a part of the daily life of a typical American family and how he began to teach his simple technique of Transcendental Meditation "TM" to friends and family in their own living room. Forty years later, TM is a household name throughout the world, universally recognized as an effective means of removing stress and developing human potential."

"A most useful book for all who want to live a fulfilling life - Whether or not you are practising Transcendental Meditation I deem this book very useful. It covers all important subjects of Maharishis great vedic teachings with trustworthy language, charm and simplicity. For longtime meditators it may be of real help to get better results, besides the personal checking. For those interested in meditation, but sceptical maybe for reasons of religion it shows in many ways how easy a fullfilling life can be lived with without neglecting responsibility in family and profession." TMichael

"I am fortunate to be a practitioner of the basic TM Technique - Over the past 30+ years i have devoured books written by Teachers of other Traditions and attended various seminars and training sessions as well. None have compared to the clear and direct instruction of Transcendental Meditation. This book about Maharishi's early days in the USA was delightful. It seemed almost magical how everything just came together. Sadly, i am very biased and regard this book as a MUST READ for anyone practicing or interested in Transcendental Meditation." Edward T. Papson

"Delightful and Inspiring - Helena Olson's book is a personable and delightful book that gives deep insights into the first activities in the west of one of the great saints from India, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. The book is written very well, and carries the reader smoothly from beginning to end. One gains a personal feeling for the life around such great men. It is written in a series of sequentially unfolding events around Maharishi's first few trips to the United States to teach his scientifically proven Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique. One immediately sees the masterful way that Maharishi lectures on the value of the technique and the way he orchestrates the growth of his world-wide Movement to bring inner peace and enlightenment to the world. This book is delightful for people in all walks of life and it is inspiring to those who do not practice TM as well as those who have been long-term practitioners. His integration of a wide range of philosophies and religions into the understanding of the value of the practice is astounding and profound. It is a great gift for young and old, for people of all walks of life." David Shapiro