WORLD NEWS

Instructor Training

The focus for the first part of this year has been instructor training. Conferences in the United States, Europe and Australia have been attended by several hundred instructor candidates from throughout the world.

Following the instructor conference in Brisbane in March, Maharaji then went directly to Calcutta for a public programme attended by approximately 100,000 people. After returning briefly to the United States, he flew to Swaziland to conduct two Rejoice programmes attended by some 1000 people, mainly from South Africa.

At the last minute, prior to his departure from Swaziland, a special programme was arranged in Mauritius. This programme was held during a brief stopover for fuel at the island, and was attended by 1100 people.

The rest of the year

In late July, following the Festival in Miami, Maharaji is expected to leave for South America for programmes in Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. He will then be travelling on to the Ivory Coast in North Africa for the first programme in this area for several years.

Tours of North America and Europe are likely prior to the Hans Jayanti Festival which will be held in New Delhi, India, on the 7th, 8th and 9th November.

A limited number of spaces will he available at the Hans Jayanti Festival for people from other countries, including Australia. If you are interested in attending, please write to Elan Vital as soon as possible.

Australia

Maharaji's March visit for the Pacific Instructor Conference was his third visit to Australia in less than twelve months. The attention from Maharaji through the Rejoice and Contact programmes and the Instructor Conference has enabled Australia to develop strongly over this period.

In 1988 the focus was directed towards Maharaji's visits. The Rejoice and Contact programmes provided inspiration and enjoyment for many people. As 1989 unfolds, attention is now being given toward maintaining and developing ongoing and consistent quality programmes in all cities, offering enjoyment to people with Knowledge and those interested.

The development of these programmes over recent months has been possible because of the scheduling of two full-time instructors to Australia, Rosie Lee and Ira Woods. Ira toured Australia in 1975 and 1976 and his return was welcomed by the many who had listened to him in those years. Candidates who attended the instructor conference have been invited to speak. A selection of new videos of Maharaji's recent programmes has also provided variety.

A Festival of Knowledge
- Special Report

The next issue of NB will be a special edition covering the Festival. The following is a brief initial report from Miami.

The Miami Arena in downtown Miami was the location for the first international programme for many years on the weekend of 7th, 8th and 9th of July.

One Foundation, the band that played at many of Maharaji's programmes in earlier years, was reunited to perform a medley of old and new songs. Jeff Bridgford and Lindsay Field, both from Australia, were included in the band.

Speakers from several countries shared their stories and experience of their life with Knowledge.

A highlight of the final evening was the premiere showing of 'Windows in Time', a new video especially prepared by Maharaji for the Festival, which included footage never seen before from throughout Maharaji's life, and songs from One Foundation's earlier years.

The Festival was made up of five morning and evening sessions, with Maharaji speaking al each session. Similar Festivals may be held in other parts of the world to enable more people to enjoy what was most definitely a wonderful event.

A video of the Festival is expected to be released.

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Pacific Instructor Conference

The Instructor Conference held in Brisbane on 21st and 22nd March was a Pacific event, attended by candidates and guests from many countries, including Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Tahiti and New Zealand. The candidates from Australia came from cities throughout the country.

NB caught up with some of the overseas candidates and asked them how they fared:

Vijan Thanigasalam, Malaysia

It's not easy for Malaysians to make the trip to Australia. Financially it can be a heavy burden. But then everything seems to fall in its place because the yearning is so great that all these minor details just get washed away and you are there.

Balraj Rajkomar, Mauritius

NB: Has it been worth all the expense?
Oh I can tell you yes, yes, yes, yes! Yes indeed. It has been beyond my expectations … For me its just straight ahead, no turns, no doubts. I definitely know what I'm doing now.

Hema Gunawardane, Sri Lanka

NB: Was it easy to get here from Sri Lanka?
Actually there were no problems. The only thing is the financial problem. It is a lot of money to come here because in Sri Lanka financially we are not that well off so its a lot of savings to come here. But I thought, 'whatever the difficulties I must make it. So it happened.

And their impressions of Maharaji and the conference …

Lai Yin King, Hong Kong

NB: How do you feel about Maharaji?
How can one describe him? He's very lovely. He's so kind, so full of love and when he listens to people express themselves and ask questions, he is so attentive and he answers them in such a way that people understand and feel the love. He's very unique. I suppose he's the most unique person I will ever meet ever, ever meet - in my life.

Jina Gunawardane, Sri Lanka

I feel that I'm growing more and more and the cup that is inside me is expanding and getting filled more and more. It's a very happy moment in my life.. . Maharaji's beautiful. He loves everybody and he showers that help that he extends to everybody from the day they receive Knowledge, right along. Even at this program I felt his help and assistance are there for everybody.

Hema Gunawardane, Sri Lanka

For me, Maharaji is somebody 1 can look up to and I am really proud of him. I'm proud that I have such a teacher, because I feel he's the only one who will accept me with all my faults.

Nai Chang Kuo, Taiwan

I feel that Maharaji's very close to me. The special relationship between the teacher and the student I experience as something like a bridge, and when I see him something touches my heart so deeply that I know what! I just really enjoy the feeling inside me.

Shafique Jamani, U.K.

What can you say about Maharaji? When you see him he really inspires you, he inspires you to go deeper within. I know, I really find it hard to say anything about him. I just think he's really great, a really excellent person.

Rajeshwar (full-time instructor) Mauritius

Maharaji is just the most incredible teacher that I have ever seen in my life. I have two degrees from universities, a post-graduate degree and a law degree, and I have gone through so many worldly teachers - but Maharaji is incomparable.

He's so wonderful. He's taking us deeper and deeper in our consciousness. I have had Knowledge for thirty years. I received it in 1958 from Shri Maharaji and since then, by the grace, I've been practising it. … Maharaji's just preparing us, you know. He's flying - and we are really very fortunate to be with him.

Jerry Smith, Brisbane

When I first went into the conference, Maharaji was a teacher, a master if you like. But I just really feel he's more like a friend. I just really feel close to him, and it seems to be the way a lot of people feel … Just that opportunity to be with him, it's much more personal than it was before.

Ray Belcher, Melbourne

There's no time like being with Maharaji, and he's done such a trick on me here. I feel like my heart's exploded and I've just learned so much. He's such an incredible teacher. He's amazing. His patience, his timing, his consideration for everyone that was here. I know, for me it was a very personal thing because he pushed me to discover new depths in my own feelings about Knowledge and that personally was very rewarding. It's just a beautiful experience being with him.

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Maharaji: Gold Coast Rejoice 1988-06-12 or 13

In 1988 Maharaji visited Australia twice. In June the 'Rejoice' programmes were held in Adelaide and the Gold Coast. The following extracts have been taken from Maharaji's opening address on the Gold Coast, when Maharaji spoke about the endeavour of Knowledge …

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Maharaji: Blue Mountains Contact 1988-11-10

In November Maharaji returned for the Contact programmes held in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The Sydney programme was held at the Fairmont Resort in the Blue Mountains. The following extract is from his opening address …

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Thank you, Rosie

Rosie Lee has been in Australia for most of the past year, travelling to many cities to speak about Knowledge.

Rosie's enthusiasm and inspiration was very much appreciated by all those who worked with her and enjoyed the high quality events she organised.

On the eve of her return to the United States, NB asked Rosie to share her perspective on developments here over the past months.

In March this year Maharaji took four days of his time and spent it in Brisbane training candidates from Australia and the rest of the Pacific Region in both speaking and preparation of the aspirants. It was a wonderful opportunity for all those who were involved, including those who were able to go to the evening programmes. Since then, there has been a noticeable improvement in the quality of the programmes.

More and more people are coming to hear about Knowledge and Maharaji, as the message coming across is an inspirational one, valuable to everyone As newly interested people begin to develop a feeling for what Knowledge is all about, the excitement of discovering more about the possibility of Knowledge grows.

It is in this discovery, that the foundation of understanding Knowledge begins. In learning to accept and trust in the beauty of life within us, the process of preparing for Knowledge continues, and the enjoyment of the practice of Knowledge can flourish.

Learning about Knowledge and Maharaji is a truly unique experience. It is one that requires an openness to a part of one's self that is often overlooked

Maharaji is a remarkable teacher in that he is able to inspire a person to explore that dimension in himself, his life, to find that fulfilment is there. With proper comprehension and commitment Maharaji can help guide that aspiration to fruition.

The structures and systems surrounding the presentation of Knowledge will evolve as Maharaji's guidance moves it in the direction of greater quality and deeper understanding. It continues to be important for people to hear about Knowledge and come to find for themselves that it exists within and is the source of real enjoyment.

Everyone, regardless of whether they have Knowledge or not is welcome to all of the programs. It is in this environment that the need for inspiration can be uncovered and nourished

I have been in Australia for the better part of a year and have seen Maharaji reach out to many people through his frequent visits here. The impact Maharaji can have on a person is often quietly profound. Time with him can prompt a person to respond in a way that will enliven and enrich their experiences of life.

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Since the Instructor Conference in March, programmes have been happening on a regular basis in Brisbane. At a recent programme, NB asked a few people for their comments:

'The programmes have been great - I enjoy the variety of speakers - it's refreshing' - Larry.

'I enjoy having more programmes to go to' - John.

'What is said at the programmes is applicable to everyone. I find it a necessary part of my practice of Knowledge' - Ian.

it just feel good to come and listen' - Kim.

Around Australia, many interested people have been coming to the programmes to find out more about Knowledge. NB spoke to two people from Melbourne and Sydney who have been attending the programmes for some months:

NB: How have you enjoyed the programmes?

George (from Sydney): I enjoy coming. Sometimes there are swings and frustrations, but basically l recognise an incredible beauty there. It's an empty beauty, with nothing to satisfy my intellect. Yet there is something which l can't put my finger on. And it's in that something which I can't put my finger on that I recognise the experience which l come for.

Basil (from Melbourne): My main discovery was that I really needed the programmes. Without them, it seems that it's easy to slip away and I need that regular reminder.

NB: How has it been recently preparing for Knowledge?

George: The changes have been interesting. I feel like I'm out in the open, and wherever I look there's no-one but myself in relation to Knowledge. I feel that I'm accepting myself a little hit more, rather than looking at the structure, the group that was involved in the process before. I recognise an openness, a beauty.

Basil: People have been worried that there are these people who have been around for a long time without receiving Knowledge, but actually it doesn't worry me. I know I'll get it and when doesn't seem to matter as much as it used to. I am gaining trust and confidence in what Maharaji says and in what's going on here.

Surprise programmes

As an integral part of the Instructor Conference in Brisbane in March, evening programmes were held on the first three nights, attracting a large audience from the surrounding area. At these programmes, a variety of candidates spoke, and Maharaji gave a brief presentation at the end of each evening, much to the surprise and delight of the audience.

NB invited a few of the people who attended the evening programmes for their comments.

Trudi McN.

The evenings were a delight. Instructor candidates from throughout the Pacific area spoke about their experiences of Knowledge and their relationship with Maharaji. It was an immense pleasure to hear and see so many enthusiastic people talk. I would not have wished to have been doing anything else except listening to them speak.

Larry D.

It never ceases to amaze me how easily and strongly I become centred with the feeling of Knowledge simply by listening to people express their feelings and experiences. Maharaji was superb - entertaining, inspiring, provoking, teaching reminding and simply loving us.

John G.

When I saw the video of the recent Indian programme, I cried - not because I was sad, although there was also sadness there - but because he was there, still, a source of love that, in the years I have had Knowledge and have known and loved Maharaji, has proved to be the one true connection or experience that has seen me through.

Dallas R.

The first night there were a lot of rumours that Maharaji might attend the evening programmes as he had in America … I was wanting so much to see him and I couldn't believe the rumour as it hurt when they aren't true. Then it was the last speaker's turn and the MC. said, 'I now introduce Maharaji'. We just went wild. There he was, smiling and welcoming us to the evening.

The second night was the same, but that night he just knocked my socks off. It was great. The stillness inside was so incredible. I didn't want to talk. By the third evening - three nights in a row - it became a festival without the hype. Thank you from the bottom of my toes Maharaji.

John H.

On the first evening I was very surprised when Maharaji came out and stood at the microphone that everyone else had used, not behind his lectern. This sudden succession from a string of candidates to Maharaji himself was very revealing. I saw, in a way I had not seen before, how different Maharaji is from the rest of us. There's something completely different in the way he speaks, in the 'place he's coming from', and in the depth of his understanding.

Astrid T.

I really enjoyed hearing the candidates speak at the evening programmes, and felt that Maharaji's talks were very personal. The story of the 'pot of gold' was so appropriate for me at the time, for definitely something very precious was being offered to me and I was almost missing it. Just that simple message of learning how to enjoy our lives, and not keep looking for 'mile-markers', but simply to walk … To let that 'cup of love' inside me be filled up naturally each day, and to enjoy it.

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