This is on EPO but I wanted to post it here because things
get lost in all the information available there.

The thread below about Knowledge Reviews led me to read this, and I was
reminded of one of my own relatives who was also rejected during a Knowlege
selection, and who never came back again. This relative told me that her heart
was broken and she couldn't believe that her sincerity was in question. Like
the author below, my relative had not been "seen and heard" doing
service and singing the praises of Rawat.



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The following was sent to the alt.support.ex-cult newsgroup on October
19, 1997. The author explains how she was rejected as a suitable Aspirant for
Maharaji's 'knowledge'.





It was an astonishing experience for me today to attend a Maharaji aspirant
meeting in order to request being granted the privilege of gaining
"knowledge".

I have had the satisfaction of attending meetings and watching Maharaji's
videos. No demands were ever made and I did find a new ability to calm my mind.
In the very beginning Maharaji said that what he has to offer is not a religion
and does not conflict with any religion. I had never felt any pressure -- only
a gentle promise.



That all changed today. Many hopeful aspirants had come long distances
(including airplane flights) to gain this wonderful offering. But we had to
endure moving from room to room as we were weeded out for not being dedicated
or deserving enough. I was told that "nobody" knew me -- which translates
into I had not been excited enough to talk to people and offer my time/effort.
While it *felt* like a demeaning and cruel experience, we were constantly
reassured that it is the "journey" that counts and not to take it as
"rejection," even though some people had spent hundreds of dollars on
airplane tickets and were clearly emotionally crushed.



Not rejection? Bull. More like CALCULATED rejection. What is interesting is
that I always wondered why ex-premies should be so angry. As for myself, I
found Maharaji's message of the heart being wise and providing fulfillment --
as opposed to the machinations of mind and a materialistic world -- extremely
valid. Especially so when Maharaji skillfully invites you to go within and find
your own brand of happiness which is like nobody elses. Ancient masters and
wise men have said it for ages, "Know thyself." It frees the heart.

Unfortunately, Maharaji's freedom lasts only until you realize that Maharaji's
real goal is that you give HIM total allegiance. The carrot he uses is granting
"knowledge." Although today his instructors were suddenly saying it's
a life-long process of which "knowledge" is only a part. Maharaji is
more important than knowledge they told us today. Personally, I have never thought
the messenger should be greater than the message, but that's exactly what you
must agree to in order to receive knowledge. Knowledge is the carrot of
freedom, except at the same time you're gaining freedom, you're also losing it.



In the meeting the instructor made an absolute point to have all of us
repeatedly insist that we had no other religion or spirituality - explaining
that that would conflict with our dedication to Maharaji. I found this to be a
very important lie, because obviously many people would not have been
interested if Maharaji had made it clear up front that he would accept no
competing religions or affiliations. In the beginning he claimed otherwise.



Frankly, while Maharaji has always said to listen to your heart and not your
mind, it wasn't my mind that objected today, but my heart. There was a distinct
feeling of betrayal. This truly looks like an insidious agenda to browbeat
people into a servile enough submission to "earn" the gift of
knowledge by promising nothing less than total service to Maharaji.

And to top it off, you are reminded that knowledge will not make the world a
better place, or give you happier relationships, or improve your health -- it
merely provides a wonderful experience. (Like alcohol or drugs without the side
effects)



There was other stuff I found objectionable, but I think this covers my
thoughts best.



Oh, by the way, my husband pointed out that I did, after all, get knowledge
today -- just not the kind I expected.