If what Mike Finch says is true, that Rawat honestly believes in his transcendental nature, then maybe that's why Rawat harbors such contempt for his followers, meaning, nothing can be perfect enough for his perfect master almighty.

On the other hand, in one event I attended in Miami, Rawat reminisced, in a very human way, about his trepidation prior to speaking in front of a packed crowd in India. Rawat seemed to be conscientiously portraying himself in a self-deprecating, humble tone as he conveyed his fear in "poking his wide eyes through the curtain" to face such an enormous audience.

So, one wonders: does Rawat consider himself a mere performer who plays the sat-guru role 24/7; or, does he consider himself the other-worldly being that occassionally dons human traits, to acquiesce his followers?

Either one is sick, but I would put money on the former. My understanding is limited, but Rawat seems like the eternal showman, always performing, always selling, always camera-ready.

Rawat's method of selling spirituality on television is not too different from the real estate tycoon Carleton Sheets whose paid television advertisements market overpriced get-rich-through-realty kits to cash-poor insomniacs.

To me, Rawatism smacks of showboat salesmanship. But, my perception might be different because my involvement began later than most people here. I did not "grow up" with Rawat, so my historical lens is limited. And, being a cash-poor insomniac myself, sometimes while watching television late at night, it's hard to see any difference at all between Maharaji, The Burger King, and Carleton "infomercial-billionare" Sheets.