On September 30, 1967, I started Transcendental Meditation, 47 years ago today in Montreal, Canada. I would meet TM founder Maharishi Mahesh Yogi nine months later on a course at Chateau Lake Louise. The CBC were there making a documentary film, The Guru, for their TV series, Telescope, the first show to broadcast in color the year before. Watch the 1968 film of Maharishi at Lake Louise
Richard Day, a friend I would later meet, said he had been working on the hotel staff of Chateau Lake Louise at the time we were there and the film was being made. The staff was given an introductory lecture on Transcendental Meditation and a number of them learned, my friend-to-be included. He said “Maharishi met with those of us who had been instructed. What a great time that was.” He said he remembered bringing his parents downstairs in Toronto that September to watch Telescope’s first program of the new season: The Guru. Same with me and my family in Montreal.
Richard shared a story he had heard many years later about the director of the film, Colin Smith, who told Maharishi that he wanted to film him saying something that would encapsulate all his teachings. Maharishi said, “I’ll walk by the lake, you walk with me, and I’ll tell you everything about spiritual development.” He did it in one take! That’s the part I had transcribed and posted in Maharishi describes the nature of inner life: bondage and liberation, and gaining bliss consciousness through Transcendental Meditation.
Most of you may not know it but I’ve retired from MUM since the summer and have been enjoying the freedom of not having to work. It’s been a very fulfilling career for me, especially being a part of the Media Team with Bob Roth. We accomplished amazing publicity together, and I continued on my own, globally publicizing our MUM researchers and their TM studies, among other things. Will continue to keep you posted on TM news and other things as they become available. There are some exciting new projects coming up!
The Uncarved Blog 
September 30, 2014 at 10:31 pm |
Congratulations Ken on both your TM anniversary and upon retiring from your media position. Well done Ken!!
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October 1, 2014 at 1:17 am |
Thanks, Steve! It feels good. Looking forward to one day reading your next book. Loved “The Best of All Possible Worlds.” Thank you for writing it!
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October 2, 2014 at 8:37 am |
Love your updates and your 108 line poem..so wonderfully extols Maharishi’s many accomplishments. Jai Guru Dev
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October 2, 2014 at 10:51 pm |
Thank you, Carla! Jai Guru Dev … Jai Maharishi-Ji.
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November 9, 2014 at 3:37 pm |
Hi Ken
I found your blog through the blog of Brian Koppelman
I have heard many good things regarding TM
At the same time, from the “reviews” I have read online, people say that you have to pay a couple of thousands of dollars or a few hundred and just be told a unique word (mantra). and thats it
In fact, there are many websites online who have listed the various words or mantras that we would be given at a TM course.
If this is the case and since TM is so beneficial. Why put such a high price on it?
I know that people don’t value things when its free, but why do i have to pay so much
I am located on the east coast of Canada and the TM course was expensive and out of my budget.
Does TM work because of being present or because of the mantra?
Please help
Thanks
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November 9, 2014 at 10:05 pm |
Hi Lisa,
Where in Canada do you live? If around Halifax, I can recommend an excellent teacher, Peter Cameron, who is an old friend of mine.
I understand your concern. I don’t know how things are back in Canada, but the course fee has been dropping significantly over the years, and a payment plan is also in place to make it even more affordable. If, after you’ve heard the introductory and preparatory talks, and you sincerely want to learn but finances are still a problem, discuss it with the TM teacher. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. 🙂
As far as being present, all you have to do is sign up, show up, and follow the step-by-step instructions. It works every time. I can explain how and why but better to find out for yourself.
Best wishes,
Ken
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September 26, 2018 at 12:52 pm |
[…] September 30, 2014 I had posted how I learned #TMmeditation 47 years ago today. In there I share more information about the making of the CBC Telescope film The Guru of Maharishi […]
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September 26, 2018 at 12:55 pm |
[…] September 30, 2014 I had posted how I learned #TMmeditation 47 years ago today. In there I share more information about the making of the CBC Telescope film, The Guru, of […]
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