Rejoice 88 - Maharaji's Australian tour

Maharaji has been touring the world conducting 'Rejoice' programmes for people with Knowledge. The purpose of these programmes is to inspire people in the practice of Knowledge by pointing out the beauty and simplicity of the experience. Australians had a taste of 'Rejoice' in May and June of this year.

Maharaji's Rejoice 88 tour of Australia began in Brisbane on May 28 and 29 with a refresher conference for 61 Knowledge instructors from throughout the Pacific region, along with instructors from other countries, including South America and Europe, and another 47 guests from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific (see story, page 6).

From there Maharaji went on to his first Australian Rejoice programme for people with Knowledge at the Adelaide Convention Centre on May 31 and June 1.

To an audience of approximately 800, including some 100 from Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia, Maharaji explained and demonstrated the simplicity of practising Knowledge. After his initial address, the audience dispersed into three rooms, where aspects of practising Knowledge were dealt with by Maharaji visiting each room in turn, with audio-visual links to other rooms.

On June 2 at the Townhouse Hotel, Melbourne, as part of the new direct involvement in his work, Maharaji met with 50 instructors and 50 people interested in receiving Knowledge. Most of these aspirants were from Melbourne, with some travelling from Hobart and Canberra.

Maharaji's Australian tour was broken on June 7 and 8 by a visit to the Sheraton Hotel, Auckland, where 600 people attended a Rejoice programme.

On his return to Australia Maharaji held another aspirant meeting, attended by 45 instructors and 39 aspirants from Sydney, Melbourne and throughout Queensland, at the Riverside Centre, Brisbane, on June 11.

The last of the Australian Rejoice 88 programmes was held on June 12 and 13 at the Conrad International Hotel on the Gold Coast, Queensland.

Following the success of an experiment at the Rejoice programme in Auckland, in which Maharaji addressed the participants in one room rather than breaking the meeting into smaller groups, he decided to act as 'room monitor' to the 1,000 strong Gold Coast audience for the two days.

Throughout his tour Maharaji presented a brilliant mix of information, entertainment and humour and, judging by partic 'Pants' reactions, greatly clarified the means to experience Knowledge and, in doing so, inspired a greater enthusiasm for its practice.

Adelaide Rejoice reflections

Rejoice in Adelaide was a chance for people in Adelaide to respond to Maharaji's work in a very practical way. Never before had there been that chance to he involved on such a large scale. People responded with great enthusiasm and commitment.

Preparations began early in an attempt to provide a high quality event.

Catherine G. asked a few people who were involved in the Rejoice preparations what it was like for them. The following are some of their comments.

'For me it got rid of some old ideas I had about who could and could not be involved at the centre of Maharaji's work. It showed me that there was no "big high guy" directing the show - just a collection of people who had put themselves forward to help because they had a feeling to do that.

'I realised that I did have something to offer and that I could help in a very practical way. At first I thought I had no time but eventually I saw that I was making time and thoroughly enjoying being in volved. Participating in Rejoice 88 also changed my feeling towards ongoing support. I realised that once I had made that time to help Maharaji that I could use that time to participate in an ongoing way whether he was in Australia or not. There was always something I could do. I felt an eagerness I hadn't felt before.'

'In the beginning it felt like I was grinding an old car into action - I felt a resistance but once I was involved that feeling that I had always experienced from being involved with Maharaji came back. I began to really enjoy the challenge of doing something with real quality. Working with a whole variety of different people challenged me to be flexible and open. We definitely had our moments as a team but I felt a real growth in myself and a willingness to learn that I hadn't felt for years.'

'For me the impulse to be there, to get close to where things are happening is very strong. I don't know exactly where it comes from. To be actively involved though, has always been very enjoyable. I've done lots of different things and at Rejoice I was involved in a couple of areas. But to me the feeling is the same - a deep sense of being in the right place. Being actively involved is my expression of appreciation - a time to enjoy, to grow and to learn.

The learnt a lot about bringing quality and clarity to the things I do for Maharaji. I now look forward to those opportunities to participate.'

7