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December
1998
Maharishi
Open University:
Opening Ourselves to the Flow of Total Knowledge
by
Rolf Erickson
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For more than 43 years, the most profound knowledge of life has been flowing from Maharishi to sincere students around the world. Beginning in 1955 with the first seven lectures that Maharishi gave in Trivandrum, southern India, the wisdom of the Veda—and its practical benefits for modern life—has been shared continuously by Maharishi.
In 1959, at the home of Helen and Roland Olsen in Los Angeles, Maharishi met night after night with old and new Meditators, going deeply into their experiences and answering their questions. In the 1960’s, Meditators gathered with Maharishi on Santa Catalina Island in California, and in Canada at Parksville, Emerald Lake, and Lake Louise. North America’s first Teacher Training Course was held in Estes Park, Colorado in 1970. In the early 1970’s, thousands attended summer courses with Maharishi in Amherst, Massachusetts, and Humboldt, California.
In 1972, Maharishi brought out the Science of Creative Intelligence during a Teacher Training Course in Fiuggi, Italy. And all those who attended the 1980 International Vedic Science Course in New Delhi, India will never forget the joy of watching Maharishi unfold one branch of Vedic Science after another, just as nature unfolds a beautiful rose one petal at a time. In 1984, Maharishi joined 7,000 Yogic Flyers in Fairfield, Iowa to give the world its "First Taste of
Utopia. "Each new wave of knowledge from Maharishi has built upon, and contained within it, the essence of all previous unfoldments of wisdom. Maharishi’s themes are eternally the same, yet the expressions of this profound knowledge have been steadily expanded and enriched as our ability to comprehend has grown, and as world consciousness has risen.
Now, in 1998, Maharishi is prepared to give Total Knowledge to everyone throughout the world. On August 2, Maharishi inaugurated Maharishi Open University, a global university whose courses will be transmitted to all continents via a network of eight satellites. During a remarkable three-hour lecture on November 4th, Maharishi gave a rich and satisfying introduction to the structure and range of Total Knowledge, and the results of gaining it through both understanding and direct experience. On December 3rd, the first Maharishi Open University classes will begin.
What is Total Knowledge?
Total Knowledge is Self-knowledge, the discovery that each of us has the total administering intelligence of the universe hidden in the structure of our own brain. It is the understanding and the experience that we are truly cosmic. This is our birthright, to enliven this cosmic potential within our own brain, so that we are able to enjoy the fruit of all knowledge—the ability to know anything, do anything, and accomplish anything we want—every day of our life.
How can we enjoy the "fruit of all knowledge" without first gaining all knowledge?
Just as it is not necessary to intellectually understand the chemical composition of an apple in order to enjoy and be nourished by it, we can gain the support of Natural Law in our life without understanding all the Laws of Nature that govern the universe. This is because the managing intelligence of Nature is already present in our brain physiology.
What is necessary is to wake up this inner intelligence of Natural Law, and to develop the spontaneous ability to think and act in a way that is most progressive and nourishing to life. The word "spontaneous" is especially important here. With Total Knowledge supporting our every thought and action, we are not required to intellectually analyze each step. Living in harmony with the natural flow of life, we can achieve what we want without strain or mistakes, with complete success.
What is the advantage of Consciousness-Based Education?
Consciousness is the most fundamental field of everyone's life. It is the source of all creativity and intelligence within ourselves, and within the whole universe. Present-day education focuses on what is "known," such as facts, figures, events and ideas, but ignores the "knower." Who is the knower? The knower is our own consciousness, our own intelligence.
Since it is the quality of our consciousness that determines success in learning and in life, education that fails to develop the knower has no foundation. Consciousness-Based Education, on the other hand, is complete. It nourishes all aspects of knowledge—knower, process of knowing, and known—and provides Total Knowledge for total development of the brain.
Why is it important to develop the total brain?
The President of Maharishi Open University, Professor Tony Nader, M.D., Ph.D., has explained in detail how partial development of the brain, caused by prolonged study of fragmented fields of knowledge, can create lifelong imbalances. The connections within our brain are fundamental to the experience of our world and ourselves. Imbalances in our "brain wiring" can even restrict our openness to, and comprehension of, new ideas and knowledge.
Only the experience of unboundedness utilizes the total brain. Without the practice of the TM technique, the full brain is never enlivened. When only some areas of the brain are used, then over time, the unused parts lose their ability to experience.
Fortunately, Maharishi has provided Vedic technologies—the Transcendental Meditation and TM-Sidhi programs, including Yogic Flying—to give the experience of unboundedness and enliven the field of total intelligence within the brain. These universal procedures open our awareness directly to Total Knowledge, in our own settled state of mind, on a daily basis.
The Global Classroom
If you’ve been hoping to attend the next big international course, or have always dreamed of joining an assembly taught by Maharishi, you don’t need to wait any longer. Just sign up now, and the course will come to you. The steps to enroll are simple: register on-line, by fax or mail; get the proper satellite dish and receiver; and make your course payment
Already more than 10,000 people worldwide have expressed their interest in joining Maharishi Open University. They represent 109 countries—from Algeria to Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan to New Guinea, Argentina to Reunion Island. By utilizing modern satellite technology, Maharishi is transforming the world into one great global classroom.
Opening to the Flow of Knowledge
According to Maharishi, knowledge can never be given, it can only be received. Only when a sincere student approaches the teacher can the knowledge begin to flow. The Vedic tradition of giving and gaining knowledge is based upon this relationship between teacher and student. The first step is always the readiness of the student to receive knowledge from the teacher.
Maharishi’s analogy is that the knowledge of the teacher is like a lake, and each student brings a pipeline to draw water from the lake. The size of the pipeline represents the readiness of the student to learn. The bigger the pipe, the faster the water flows. And the more receptive the student, the more freely the knowledge flows.
Now, Maharishi has made it clear that he is prepared to give Total Knowledge to everyone—those who have been meditating for many years, to the very newest Meditators, to the public at large—everyone who is seeking more knowledge in life.
It is not necessary to go to India, the land of the Veda, in order to gain Vedic wisdom. Nor must you quit your job, interrupt your studies, or wait until your children are grown. If you are retired, it’s not too late to gain that knowledge of the inner Self—knowledge of Atma—which brings satisfaction and fulfillment to the deepest purpose of everyone’s life.
As always, Maharishi is ready to give us knowledge. Now is a fortunate time for us once again to receive it.
|
Old and New
Principles of Education |
Old
Principles:
Segmented Educational Approach of the 1,000 Year-Old System of
University Education Develops Only Part of the Brain
|
New
Principles:
Consciousness-Based Education Offered by Maharishi Open University
Offers Total Knowledge for Total Development of the Brain |
| 1.
The individual is limited—a small and isolated part of the vast
universe. |
1.
The individual is cosmic—the total
managing intelligence of the universe is hidden in the human brain
physiology.
|
2.
All knowledge resides in one
campus—fragmented knowledge resides within the university’s
buildings and libraries. |
2.
All knowledge resides in one
brain—Total Knowledge is enlivened
within the consciousness of each student.
|
| 3.
The segmented approach to education provides partial and imbalanced
development of the brain, creating chaos and problems for the
individual and society. |
3.
The Consciousness-Based approach develops the total brain
physiology, providing Total Knowledge of Natural Law—the managing
intelligence of nature which governs the entire universe in order
and harmony.
|
4.
Even the "best" education in any
country does not bring fulfillment—an
"educated" person from any university
makes as many mistakes in life as an
uneducated person does. |
4.
The fruit of all knowledge is
delivered to each student—life
supported by Natural Law, with the
ability to know anything, and do
everything spontaneously right.
|
5.
Education is based on modern
science—which is experimental,
intellect-predominant, logic-predominant,
analysis-predominant, scientific
experiment-predominant.
|
5.
Education is based on Vedic
Science—which is complete, holistic,
Self-predominant, universal, satisfying, integrating, fulfilling. |
6.
Total knowledge is the sum of all
books and articles that exist in all
libraries.
|
6. Total
Knowledge is the total
intelligence of Nature, which is found
within the Self of everyone. |
7.
Students learn more and more about
less and less, and end life wondering
what it was all about. |
7. Students
gain Total Knowledge and come to know the reality of life,
bringing fulfillment and organizing power throughout their lives.
|
8.
University teachers attempt to limit
the number of students in their class to a
level that they can comfortably manage. |
8.
Maharishi Open University is
prepared to teach everyone in the
world—students, professionals,
business leaders, mothers raising a
family, and retired people.
|
9.
After many years of studying
fragmented knowledge, the imbalanced
development of the student’s brain
brings problems in life rather than
success and happiness. |
9. Benefits
start from the first
lesson—students begin immediately to enjoy more inner happiness,
harmony in relationships, clarity of mind, and calm in the midst of
dynamic activity.
|
Total Knowledge to Everyone
Maharishi Open University benefits everyone. Each and every course
awakens the participant's inner intelligence through the unique
combination of knowledge and experience of the total potential of Natural
Law. So with every course one takes, one's total inner intelligence is
increasingly expressed in all aspects of daily life.
For Students: Students will find a great relief and joy
in the Consciousness-Based approach of Maharishi Open University, in which
no strain or imbalance of the brain is created by memorization and partial
development of the brain. When the total brain is enlivened by Total
Knowledge of Natural Law, students gain the most practical preparation for
success in any profession and in personal life.
For Professionals and Business Leaders: By developing the
ability to totally use the brain, professionals in every area of society
will learn to manage all aspects of their life in harmony with Natural
Law. Harnessing the infinite organizing power of Natural Law brings
freedom from mistakes, maximum values of creativity and intelligence, and
right decisions—the basis for real effectiveness and success in all
professions.
For Mothers Raising a Family: The progress and vitality
of the nation depend ultimately on the knowledge and values imparted in
the home. For the coming generations to be powerful and free from stress,
the children should be given from the very beginning of life that
knowledge and experience that leads to spontaneously right thinking and
behavior. The responsibility for this lies primarily with the mother. As
the center of the family, mothers are responsible for providing the love,
nourishment, guidance, and wisdom for the physical and mental well being
of the coming generation.
For Retired People: This is the time of life for
fulfillment. Total Knowledge means development of fullness, development of
higher states of consciousness. Every retired person can enjoy growing
bliss and Enlightenment through Total Knowledge.
Comments of Students Enrolling in Maharishi Open
University
More than 10,000 people have enrolled in Maharishi Open
University after viewing the Maharishi Channel in Asia, or watching the
Sunday Broadcasts on other continents.
"Right from the first news about Maharishi Open University there was
no doubt—this is what my heart has always wanted and what my mind has
always sought." —S. G., U.S.A
"I am a seventeen year-old girl from Turkey. I watched your program
today for the first time. I learned that this is for all students, in all
countries, and decided to write. Could you please send more information
about your Open University to me as I am eager to learn more." —A.E.,
Turkey
"I am very much impressed by viewing your daily TV broadcast on TM
and Vedic programs of knowledge. I am a retired person from active
engineering services and wish to fully devote my remaining life to
undertake studies in TM, Vedic Literature, and Vedic Science and
Technology, and to propagate this knowledge as a full-time worker."
—V. L. D., India
"I caught your advertisement in the International Herald Tribune,
dated on Tuesday, October 6th, 1998. The ad touched the bottom of my
heart. I love it. I long for discovering the Unified Field of Natural Law
from the courses which Maharishi Open University offers. I am especially
interested in your courses in Maharishi Jyotish, Vedic Health Management,
and Business Management." —V.T.S., Vietnam
"I am a student, 20 years old, studying law. I am greatly impressed
by the enlightening knowledge imparted by the honorable Maharishi through
the Maharishi Channel. My heartfelt gratitude for his highly commendable
service to humanity. I am very interested in acquiring education based on
consciousness. I request you to kindly inform me about the courses offered
by Maharishi Open University and all details pertaining. —H. F., India
"Maharishi, it is a great joy to see you at home on our TV. It is a
great happiness to receive the Vedic knowledge, it is the miracle of our
time, it is a great moment for mankind. At home, we are impatiently
waiting for Sunday morning for our magic meeting. I apply for Maharishi
Open University." —S.M., Mauritius
For more information on courses offered or to
enroll visit the Maharishi Open University Web site at: www.mou.org.
or e-mail: Maharishi.Open.University@IBM.net.
or write to: Maharishi Open University, Station 24, 6063 NP Vlodrop, The
Netherlands. |
