Prem Rawat's "Knowledge" aka Self Knowledge

In the Beginning … The three absolutely basic points that differentiate the Rawat Family business from their competitors is:

• The head of the family is the unique Perfect Master (Satguru) who is the only person/divine being who can teach and empower the 'Knowledge'
• The system of meditation (the Knowledge) the Rawat's teach when practiced according to the Perfect Master's instructions is the only method of true happiness and/or God realization available to human beings on this planet
• 'Knowledge' is meditation on the power that is creating and sustaining this whole universe, it is the Raja Yoga (Royal Yoga)

In the interests of survival, success and politeness these two basic points may be emphasised or not or spoken of in euphemisms. The Knowledge was absolutely useless to the family unless they could find people willing to try the product, like it and express their gratitude materially. So the most important activity possible was to Spread This Knowledge.

Knowledge is a Way of Life That Includes a System Of Meditation

From around 1990 Prem Rawat "de-emphasised" use of the term 'meditation' in respect to the "Techniques of Knowledge" that he 'reveals' in an attempt to distance himself further in public perception from other people teaching meditation. Prem Rawat claims to offer a way called 'Knowledge' of four practical techniques that enable a person to turn their attention inside to discover and experience the peace that resides within. Despite the vague language, there is no doubt that he does teach a form of meditation and that is how his "Knowledge" was presented for decades and how his father and predecessor also described it. Rawat never discusses just how these techniques can enable a person to turn their attention 'inside' or why using them could make you feel more peaceful than just relaxing. He says little or nothing specific about them and provides no rationale for them. In 1986 Maharaji's Meditation Techniques were given new names and the techniques were altered slightly but the four are basically the same as his father taught though he does not mention his parents and the controversial aspects of his past life.

Prem Rawat has altered the terminology he uses to describe himself and his teachings that he wishes his followers to use many times since 1970. However the basic, underlying tenets of his public teaching have remained unchanged.

• His Knowledge is a method to contact the source of life within each human being
• There are four physical methods of contacting this Élan Vital in this Knowledge
• He is the only person able to reveal and empower his Knowledge and as such he is unique
• There have been others who have had this unique power throughout human history and they include his father and Jesus Christ
• Despite their inherent capability, these techniques are useless without the student committing to Knowledge and maintaining a connection to him.
• The practice of this Knowledge results in Inner Peace and Joy independent of life's vicissitudes if a connection to him is maintained
• The appropriate mode of connection to him is worship and devotion

There are also some private teachings that are not given overtly but are learnt from other students indirectly or as events occur.

• Devotion to Prem Rawat is the most important and rewarding part of the practice of Knowledge
• Due to his position and the stress it causes Prem Rawat should have the greatest wealth and comfort and opulence possible
• Prem Rawat has the power to alter any of the preceding at any time

In 1987 in a series of meetings with his followers he even altered some of the physical techniques themselves and the description of the internal experiences during meditation even though this Knowledge is claimed to be the same knowledge and the same inner experience of the source of life within each person taught as far back as Jesus' time and further back to the time of Krishna and Ram.

The language used to discuss Knowledge has changed considerably during the tenure of Prem Rawat as Perfect Master. He is not even ordinarily referred to as a Perfect Master anymore. At times in the last 25 years his followers have called him: Guru Maharaj Ji, Maharaji, Balyogeshwar Param Sant Ji Maharaj as he has directed them. However while the words change the basis is the same. Maharaji's Meditation Techniques have new names and slightly different methods but there are still four of them.

In the 1970s and parts of the 80's, a Mahatma/Initiator/Instructor/Part Time Instructor explained how to do the four techniques of meditation and the rules for practising the Knowledge according to Prem Rawat. They would physically squeeze your eyeballs hard and painfully and you would then definitely see some light often in the form of the "Golden Donut". Now this teaching is done through the use of a DVD of Prem Rawat giving the instructions and there is no eyeball squeezing.

There were four activities involved in practising this Knowledge:

• Satsang: attending regular meetings of premies and proselytising for Maharaji
• Service: doing voluntary work for Divine Light Mission and donating money to Prem Rawat personally and the Mission
• Daily meditation using the techniques of Knowledge for two hours a day
• Darshan: seeing Prem Rawat in person whenever financially possible and lining up to kiss his feet and make a donation

A description of the current teachings of Prem Rawat are available here. Prem Rawat and his followers claim:

• anyone who listens to him to develop and sustain the right understanding
• who daily practices the techniques of Knowledge
• allows themselves to be transformed
• develops a relationship of trust with Prem Rawat
• and makes a commitment for a lifetime will undoubtedly experience the profound peace that resides within.

In the 1970's, before being shown the techniques, the people who were going to "receive Knowledge" would have to take vows to Guru Maharaj Ji:

• Never to reveal the meditation techniques
• To follow Maharaji's five commandments
• To practice satsang, service, and meditation

and repeat the following prayer:

'Oh my Guru Maharaj Ji, I dedicate myself to your lotus feet. I am weak and ignorant and am filled with the impurities of this world. Oh Guru Maharaj Ji, please take my mind and purge me of the impurities I possess. Reveal to me the Knowledge of all Knowledges. Strengthen me, uplift me and reveal the kingdom of heaven within inside of me. Bring me from hate to love, from darkness to light, death to immortality. I will OBEY you implicitly and will never reveal this knowledge to anyone for any reason. I will keep in contact with you through my DEVOTIONAL LOVE, satsang, meditation and service. Thank you my LORD for everything.'

In the 1970s they were given a "Knowledge Kit" containing a letter, a photo of Rawat, a copy of "You Are Disciples Now" and an embossed copy of the oath to Maharaji shown above or other goodies.

Since the 1990s, Maharaji asks for three promises prior to being initiated:

• to give the practice of Knowledge a fair chance;
• to keep in touch with him for inspiration and guidance;
• and not to reveal the techniques to anyone. (whoops)

The further you immerse yourself in the practise of Knowledge the more you will learn how these are basically identical. The earlier statements were simple and straightforward, the later ones vague and indefinite, the underlying reality, the same.

The Knowledge was discussed in the TVTV documentary "Lord of the Universe." Click Here to see the pertinent information about the lead-up to being initiated and what the techniques involved with first hand evidence from people in 1973 who had been initiated.

Prem Rawat continually states that his Knowledge is not a religion or spiritual path. His critics agree to a certain extent. They claim his Knowledge is a false religion and definitely not spiritual. Many of Rawat's followers believe they are on a spiritual path and are having the same experiences that the great saints and mystics had in prior times. They are not able to convince many others of this though.

Click Here for more indepth information about Prem Rawat's Knowledge