User:Andries/Prem Rawat/word count

Here is a word count from the draft that I started. Lead section is exluded. It that Derks, Melton, Kranenborg, Haan, Hummel, Van der Lans do not have disproportionate amount of space. And in the case of Melton and Derks & Van Der Lans, user:Momento himself gave them more space. Hunt has the most word i.e. 404, then follows Geaves with 308 and then Downton with 305.

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Prem_Rawat/Bio_proposal_nr2&oldid=131944277

• Barrett (short article in book about many religious groups,) words:172
• Collier, (memoirs of a follower, possibly written while being an ex-follower

(greatly and repeatedly expanded by user:Momento 262

• George D. Chryssides religious scholar 33
• Derks & Van der Lans and psychologists of religion, from lengthy article based on their research of the Dutch branch of the DLM, somewhat expanded by user:Momento 116
• Downton (from sociological book about the DLM, based on his research of the American branch of the DLM) 305
• Geaves religious scholar and follower) 308
• Haan, (lengthy article in official university magazine about religious movements, based on involvement during two years with the DLM) 62
• Hadden and Elliot 72
• Hummel religious scholar 27
• Hunt from a sociological book about many religious movements 414
• Kranenborg religious scholar from a lengthy article plus encyclopedia 170
• Lans psychologist of religion in a book written on request for Catholic organization 76
• Levine article in a book by Galanter report of the APA 87
• Melton (religious scholar, encyclopedist) significantly lengthened by user:Momento 194
• Messer (article from sociological book, follower) 111

The author David V. Barrett (short article in book about many religious groups,)

words:172

"the flamboyant and definitively Eastern-inspired Divine Light Mission" has matured into something new, changing its name to reflect a current emphasis as well as to distance itself from the past. Barrett asserts that the fact that Rawat came from a lineage of 'Perfect Masters' is no longer relevant, as that is not where the authority comes from, nor from the recognition of Rawat as the master by his student; rather, this comes from "the nature of the teachings and its benefit to the individual."

the Divine Light movement used to be criticized for the devotion given to Maharaji, who was thought to live a life of luxury on the donations of his followers" but a spokesperson "clearly conscious of past criticism, is emphatic that Maharaji has never earned anything from Elan Vital or any other movement promoting his teachings."

"the experience is an individual, subjective experience rather than on a body of dogma, and in its Divine Light days the movement was sometimes criticized for this stressing of emotional experience over intellect."

Sophia Collier, (memoirs of a follower, possibly written while being an ex-follower)

262

"Premies who believe that Guru Maharaj Ji is the Lord have at least some actual basis for their belief. Through the Knowledge, most premies were experiencing an unusually great degree of happiness and peace of mind. Given my own experiences in Knowledge, if I were a religious person, I might easily have thought Guru Maharaj Ji was the Lord. After all, through the Knowledge he had taught me to do something I had wanted to do all my life and had never been able to. He taught me to consciously unlock the kingdom of energy, power, and love inside myself, to get bacl; inside of the East Hampton wave on a permanent basis. Now from all signs, that deepest want in me was satisfied. At any time I wanted to, I could meditate and be right there. For a religious person this could easily seem like adequate proof for identifying a divinity..In the Divine Light Mission there are two groups of people. there are those who sincerely believe that Guru Maharaj Ji is the Lord of Creation here in the flesh to save the world. And then there are those who know him a little better than that. They relate to him in a more human way [..] to them he is more of a teacher, a guide, a co-conspirator in their personal pursuit of a more heavenly way of life.", and that he though he has never made a definitive statement on his own opinion of his own divinity, generally encourages whatever view is held by the people he is with."

==George D. Chryssides==

33 Knowledge was based on self-understanding, providing the practitioner with calmness, peace, and contentment, as the inner-self is identical with the divine, and that Maharaji emphasizes that Knowledge is universal, not Indian, in nature.

Derks & Jan van der Lans and psychologists of religion, from lengthy article based on their research of the Dutch branch of the DLM

112

before 1975 it was sufficient to have a desperate longing for "Knowledge", but that after 1975 prospective members of the DLM "had to accept Guru Maharaj Ji as a personal saviour

"participation (in DLM) involves rejection of previous habits and lifestyle" and "...getting free from evil by eliminating the binding forces from one’s life".

according to Maharaj Ji, "all evil should be attributed to the mind... the obstacle of freeing oneself from former bonds" "DLM’s concept of mind refers primarily to a state of consciousness characterized by everything but passive, nonrational confidence and trust".

compared to the educational level of the general Dutch population, high academic levels are overrepresented in Rawat's students

James V. Downton (from sociological book about the DLM, based on his research of the American branch of the DLM)

305 pre-existing millennial beliefs during 1971 "were developed in part by the carryover of millennial thinking from the counterculture; by the psychological trappings of surrender and idealization; by the guru's mother, whose satsang was full of references to his divine nature; and partly by the guru, himself, for letting others cast him in the role of the Lord

the end of 1973 saw Rawat breaking away from his mother and moving away from Indian cultural traditions to a more secular and westernized direction

in 1976 the majority of premies saw Rawat primarily as their "spiritual teacher, guide, and inspiration", and quit imputing great powers to him, assuming more responsibility for their own personal growth. He asserts that, since the beginning, Rawat appealed to his followers to give up beliefs and concepts, so that they could experience the Knowledge more fully, but that it did not prevent followers from adopting a "a fairly rigid set of ideas about his divinity and the coming of a new age."[80]

Rawat's appearance at an event on December 20th, 1976 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in a Krishna costume he had not worn since 1975, signaled a change in beliefs and practices. Rawat was elevated to a much greater place in the practice of Knowledge, many people returned to ashram life and there was a shift from secular tendencies towards ritual and 

"the classic struggle between the bureaucratic and charismatic forces in history, which Max Weber considered the dynamic of social change. As a type of authority, bureaucracy leans toward order and efficiency, while charisma introduces creative disorder through heroic leaders who demand the personal loyalty of their followers in order to expand their potential to change the world. It was this conflict between the tendencies of order and disorder which Weber saw as the source of fundamental change in society"

Ralph Larkin with Daniel A. Foss The sociologist

The DLM "emphasized formal structure without substantive content."

Geaves religious scholar and follower

308 the rift was caused by Rawat’s increasing desire “to manifest his own vision of development and growth.”

states that Rawat has chosen to perpetually let the organizational structures that surround him evolve in such a manner that these structures are created, utilized and then dissolved as needs evolve, providing in this way the necessary flexibility to address changing operational and social needs and attitudes, as well as keeping his students focused on his core message, rather than on administering organizations

Rawat does not lay claim to any special powers, does not heal and has stated sardonically that the last thing he would want is access to anyone else’s mind and he encourages would-be students to think for themselves, delaying formal teaching of the four techniques for at least five months during which time they should listen and resolve any questions messianic beliefs and practices

accused them of bias, pointing to the number of students that were attracted to the DLM.[67]

scholars have placed Rawat's teachings in the Sant Mat revival, best represented by the Radhasoami movement, or related to Surat Shabd yoga movements, but states that Rawat's history is actually linked to the lineage of Advait Mat, a north Indian cluster of movements which perceive themselves as originating from Totapuri, the teacher of Ramakrishna, and that Rawat has referred to this lineage as his own on his website.[70] His paper Globalization, charisma, innovation, and tradition (2006), describes Prem Rawat as having affinities with the medieval nirguna bhakti tradition of Northern India, more commonly known as the Sants, emphasizing universalism, equality, direct experience, lack blind allegiance to religious ritual and dogma, and tendencies towards syncretism. He further writes that Rawat's renewal of a seemingly Sant idiom led many academics to mistake Divine Light Mission for an offshoot of the Radhasoami movement. Relating to the aspects of charisma, Geaves asserts that Rawat does not consider himself to be a charismatic figure, preferring rather to refer to his teachings on the experience of the individual as the basis of his authority, and that although followers in both east and west have asserted that he is either an avatar of the supreme being or one of the avatars of Vishnu, especially Krishna, he has gone to great lengths to assert his humanity and deconstruct the hagiography that has developed around his life

, Reinhart Hummel religious scholar

27 Rawat's satsangs are different from Hindu satsangs, by the demand for faith and the portrayal of himself as as the reincarnation of the eternal "Guru Maharaj Ji".

]==Jeffrey K. Hadden and Elliot== 72 "Knowledge is a way to be able to take all your senses that have been going outside all your life, turn them around and put them inside to feel and to actually experience you... What you are looking for is inside of you."

The four meditation techniques, called Knowledge that Rawat teaches are the same as taught by his father, Hans Ji Maharaj, who in turn learned them from Swarupanand, his teacher

Haan, (lengthy article in official university magazine about religious movements, based on involvement during two years with the DLM)

62 the battle against the mind sometimes degenerated into complete irrationality, that sometimes premies branded every critical and objective approach as "mind", and that they often avoided discussions with outsiders because these discussions could possibly stimulate the mind.

the word "mind" was defined in the premie-community as "being conditioned" that is all alienating influences that made man stray off from his true nature.

Hunt from a sociological book about many religious movements

414 Rawat transformed his initial teachings in order to appeal to a Western context. He came to recognize that the Indian influences on his followers in the West were a hindrance to the wider acceptance of his teachings. He therefore changed the style of his message and relinquished the Hindu tradition, beliefs, and most of its original eastern religious practices. Hence, today the teachings do not concern themselves with reincarnation, heaven, or life after death. The movement now focuses entirely on "Knowledge", which is a set of simple instructions on how adherents should live. This Westernization of an essentially eastern message is not seen as a dilemma or contradiction. Once viewed by followers as Satguru or Perfect Master, he also appears to have surrendered his almost divine status as a guru. Now, the notion of spiritual growth is not derived, as with other gurus, from his personal charisma, but from the nature of his teachings and its benefit to the individual adherents to his movement. The major focus of Rawat is on stillness, peace, and contentment within the individual, and his 'Knowledge' consists of the techniques to obtain them. Knowledge, roughly translated, means the happiness of the true self-understanding. Each individual should seek to comprehend his or her true self. In turn, this brings a sense of well-being, joy, and harmony as one comes in contact with one's "own nature." The process of reaching the true self within can only be achieved by the individual, but with the guidance and help of a teacher. Hence, the movement seems to embrace aspects of world-rejection and world-affirmation. The tens of thousands of followers in the West do not see themselves as members of a religion, but the adherents of a system of teachings that extol the goal of enjoying life to the full. The emphasis is on individual, subjective experience, rather than on a body of dogma. The teachings provide a kind of practical mysticism. Rawat speaks not of God, but of the god or divinity within, the power that gives existence. He has occasionally referred to the existence of the two gods—the one created by humankind and the one which creates humankind. Although such references apparently suggest an acceptance of a creative, loving power, he distances himself and his teachings from any concept of religion. It is not clear whether it is possible to receive Knowledge from anyone other than Rawat. He claims only to encourage people to "experience the present reality of life now

Kranenborg religious scholar

170 "in Maharaj ji's satsangs one can notice a speaking style that resembles very much some Christian evangelization campaigns: a pressing request, an emphasis on the last possibility to choose before it is too late and a terminology in which one is requested to surrender to the Lord, in this case Maharaj ji himself."

techniques of Knowledge are also known as kriyas and that they originated from the Surat Shabda Yoga or Sant Mat, the Path of the Sound Current.[

Jos Lammers, whom he labelled as an "ex-premie", made similar comments as van der Lans about Maharaji's lifestyle in his interview with the Dutch magazine Haagse Post.

when Christians get into dialogue with premies that the lifestyle of the guru is of great importance.

satguru who drives an expensive car and owns a big yacht may not be a problem for premies, but it is a problem for Christians and that they should ask premies why Maharaj ji does not live what Kranenborg considers to be a normal and simple life

Lans psychologist of religion in a book written on request for Catholic organization

76 Maharaji is an example of a guru who has become a charlatan leading a double life. On the one hand, he tried to remain loyal to the role in which he was forced and to the expectations of his students, yet on the other hand, his private life was one of idleness and pleasure, which was only known to small circle of insiders. one could consider him either a fraud or a victim of his surroundings.

Levine article in a book by Galanter report of the APA

87

Divine Light Mission, the Hare Krishna, the Unification Church, and the Children of God are seen as cults held in low esteem and that families' perceptions "that their children are being financially exploited" is one of the most pernicious and malevolent aspects of these groups, where "the leaders live in ostentation and offensive opulence." He also wrote that "[...] in the Divine Light Mission, members are expected to turn over all material possessions and earnings to the religion and to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, meat, and sex".

Melton (religious scholar, encyclopedist)

194 "Maharaj Ji, who frequently acted like the teenager that he was in public, was seen as immature and hence unfit to be a religious leader Elan Vital is derived from the Sant Mat (literally, the way of the saints), a variation of the Sikh religion which draws significant elements from Hinduism. It is based on a series of spiritual masters... Hans Maharaj Ji claimed a Sant Mat succession which he passed to Maharaj Ji. Maharaj Ji, as do many of the other Sant Mat leaders, claims to be a Perfect Master, an embodiment of God on earth and hence a fitting object of worship and veneration." in the mid-1970s several ex-members became vocal critics. Some of the criticism leveled at Rawat derives from Robert Mishler, former President of DLM ( who died in 1979).

Mishler's complaints that the ideals of the group had become impossible to fulfill and that money was increasingly diverted to Maharaji's personal use found little support and did not affect the progress of the Mission.[119].

Rawat personally renounced the trappings of Indian culture and religion, and disbanded the DLM, to make his teachings independent of culture, religious beliefs, and lifestyles.[13]

Jeanne Messer (article from sociological book, follower)

111

"Westerners approaching Eastern teachers from any school are confronted with constant reiteration that the mind is the barrier to enlightenment, whether enlightenment is described as complete nothingness or as perfect bliss or as knowledge of God. Needless to say, that truth could not be accessible to the mind. Westerners are generally accustomed to identifying themselves with the boundaries of their bodies, the thoughts in their minds, and with their emotions, such as depression or ecstasy; to be told that their identity is essentially different is to be informed of nothing. Rawat's devotees claim, however, that it is possible to experience that fact, whether or not the mind is willing to acquiesce.

Excluded ther scholars, such as Kranenborg, George D. Chryssides and Ron Geaves also described a departure from divine connotations