Michael Dettmers, Former Personal Assistant to Prem Rawat Internet Revelations
Date: Sat, Feb 03, 2001 at 16:00:05 (GMT)
From: chr
Email: None
To: Michael Dettmers
Subject: Questions
Message:
Date: Sun, Feb 04, 2001 at 01:25:21 (GMT)
From: Postie
Email: None
To: Michael Dettmers
Subject: Michael - One more question
Message:
I think you must have participated in Instructor Trainings and the like as well as spending a lot of time with M.
Do you know whether M ever practiced Knowledge on a regular basis?
Thanks again for your continued forthrightness.
Date: Sun, Feb 04, 2001 at 14:48:29 (GMT)
From: Michael Dettmers
Email: dettmers@gylanix.com
To: Postie
Subject: One more answer
Message:
If you have finally recognized that devotion to Maharaji is the beginning and end of the so called 'knowledge' he offers, then Maharaji definately practices knowledge.
I say this because he is absolutely devoted to, and focused on, himself to the exclusion of anyone and anything else.
Date: Sun, Feb 04, 2001 at 19:22:32 (GMT)
From: Postie
Email: None
To: Michael Dettmers
Subject: Michael: Did M meditate?
Message:
Excellent point. That sums up 'knowledge' precisely and puts the M / K relationship in focus. Those few lines deserve a **best of** status.
More specifically though, did M ever meditate or otherwise use any 'yogic technique' to focus / relax or was he under the assumption that since he was the 'master' he didn't need to do that? I remember at Guru Puja Montrose in 1972 he said 'you don't meditate for me, you meditate for yourself, I am high enough, I'm already at that infinite state'. I also recall a post here that when Marolyn had her brain surgery M was very upset / agitated. When one of his doctors (Dr. John?) suggested he meditate his response was that he didn't need to do that. Lately I've wondered if he ever really meditated consistently to a point it could be relied upon as solid ground in a storm, so to speak. The more I write, the more rhetorical this sounds but I'm still curious what your observation was.
Date: Sun, Feb 04, 2001 at 19:46:32 (GMT)
From: Michael Dettmers
Email: dettmers@gylanix.com
To: Postie
Subject: Did M meditate?
Message:
Postie,
I mentioned in an earlier post that I never saw Maharaji seated in formal meditation. Since I didn't follow him into his bedroom I suppose it is possible that he meditated at that time except, of course, when he was in a drunken stupor and had to be carried to his bedroom.
You raise an interesting point about Maharaji's need or not to meditate. I think it is safe to say that anyone who has achieved mastery in some domain continues to practice diligently in order to sustain his or her mastery. The arts and sports worlds are replete with top performers who continue to practice diligently.
Judging by his depraved behavior, and the dismal results of his efforts to spread his knowledge, it would appear that Maharaji has long lost whatever mastery he claims to possess.
Michael
Date: Mon, Feb 05, 2001 at 00:35:43 (GMT)
From: Deputy Dog
Email: None
To: Michael Dettmers
Subject: Michael: r.e., meditation
Message:
Michael,
You stated many posts ago that you still practice Knowlege, and that you do another meditation. Would you mind telling us what it is.
And how do you feel about the four techniques of Knowledge? Do you think they work, i.e., make people happy and content?
Date: Mon, Feb 05, 2001 at 14:27:03 (GMT)
From: Michael Dettmers
Email: dettmers@gylanix.com
To: Deputy Dog
Subject: r.e., meditation
Message:
Hi Dog,
If I said I practiced knowledge, then I misspoke. As I said in my response to Postie above, expressing and experiencing devotion to M is ultimately what practicing knowledge is all about. If people understanding that the four techniques were not invented by M and that he has nothing whatsoever to do with any experience that may be derived from practicing them, then perhaps some people may find them useful.
I choose not to practice the four techniques for two reasons. First, there is simply too much baggage associated with them. Second, I have since adopted other "centering" practices that are more suited to my needs. I sit in formal meditation every day for 30 – 40 minutes using a breathing technique. I also work 3 or 4 times a week with a stick known as a "jo" in Aikido. This practice is very effective for focusing, aligning and extending my energy and intent in a specific direction. Finally, I periodically use a technology tool called Hemi-Sync. This practice helps me to visualize desired outcomes and also helps stimulate creativity.
All of these practices complement my desire to lead a meaningful and full life. I do not practice them so that I can escape from the world but rather so that I can engage more fully and effectively in the world. And their effectiveness is not dependent upon surrendering to anyone.
Hope this answers your question.
Michael
Date: Tues, Feb 06, 2001 at 06:37:01 (GMT)
From: Virgil
Email: Yeah Virgil
To: Michael Dettmers
Subject: r.e., meditation
Message:
So to me Mike , that is where you lost the plot.
Knowledge IS what it is all about. M? Well he is the teacher for scmucks like us. (ie; he's the one who showed us this thing) Go play with your stick Mike - you finally found what you were
looking for.
Date: Tues, Feb 06, 2001 at 14:03:36 (GMT)
From: Michael Dettmers
Email: dettmers@gylanix.com
To: Virgil
Subject: r.e., meditation
Message:
Virgil,
I lost the plot back in 1971 when I projected a Catholic upbringing into believing that I had found the Lord of the Universe in a 12 year old Indian boy who possessed the "Truth" and came into the world to spread his knowledge. At that time, nothing seemed more attractive to me than to be a part of that noble cause and I joined in enthusiastically.
It took me almost 20 years to finally accept that he is nothing more that a drunken fraud. My reasons for saying so are well documented on this site. The day I let him go is the day I took back my own life and once again regained my right to create my own plot. For better or worse, it is my plot and I'm no longer the "schmuck" who needs such a teacher.
By the way Virgil, saying that "Knowledge IS what it is all about" is a self-referencing statement that is meaningless. Are you the same Virgil I worked with for so many years while I was serving M? If you are then, as a lawyer, you should know better than to spout such platitudes. Anyway, we should get together, shoot some pool and rehash old and new times, just like the old days.
Michael