June 2000

Book Review: Historic Lecture Series

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

The six beautiful videotapes in this series are important records of Maharishi’s presentation of the supreme Vedic wisdom to the world over the past 43 years. The knowledge of how to unfold mankind’s unlimited creative potential and gain the support of Natural Law, which Maharishi presents in these lectures, is the motive force for the transformation of time that is now occurring on earth.

These films were produced between 1968 and 1974, a significant period in the history of Maharishi’s worldwide Transcendental Meditation movement. During this time, Maharishi formulated the World Plan to establish TM centers in every key city in the world, and created tens of thousands of teachers of the Transcendental Meditation program to implement that plan.

Maharishi also introduced the Science of Creative Intelligence, a stunning achievement whereby he took the essence of the Vedic knowledge and presented it to the world as an objective and verifiable science. This era also witnessed the publication of the first scientific research studies on the Transcendental Meditation technique, which conclusively demonstrated the profound benefits this science could provide for every area of life

In 1974, with the first study on the Maharishi Effect, it was shown that in cities where one percent of the population practiced the Transcendental Meditation technique, there was a dramatic decrease in the crime rates. On the basis of this research, in 1975 Maharishi proclaimed the Dawn of the Age of Enlightenment.

The film series begins with Maharishi at Lake Louise, arguably the best treatment of Maharishi and his teachings ever recorded by a national news organization (the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). This tape features rare and cherished footage of Maharishi explaining the nature of life and principles of the Transcendental Meditation program while walking through alpine meadows and alongside glacial lakes. It was first aired on the CBC TV program Telescope in 1968.

Later that year, Maharishi’s lecture at the Harvard Law Forum was filmed by local PBS station WGBH. Maharishi offers the audience "something which is so essential to life and that has been overlooked" during an Introductory Lecture filled with his characteristic humor, warmth, serenity, authority and insight.

In 1972 Maharishi gave "A Promise for the Family of Man," a memorable lecture on the Science of Creative Intelligence to an audience of 2,900 in Houston’s famous Jones Hall.

Maharishi’s Keynote Address at the Annual Convention of the American Association of Higher Education in March 1973 was attended by more than 3,000 prominent educators in Chicago. They were exploring the relationship of the quality of life to higher education. Maharishi gave one of the clearest, most systematic and comprehensive explanations to date of the significance of his teaching for education.

During this same visit to the United States, Maharishi held his historic meetings with the Governors and Legislatures of Illinois and Michigan. These meetings are captured in "Maharishi on Government," where he describes his philosophy of government in detail and takes questions from the Michigan Legislature.

The final tape in the series is the famous talk Maharishi gave in 1974, "Knowledge for Fulfillment of Life," at The Royal Albert Hall in London. This priceless lecture records an important milestone in Maharishi’s unprecedented endeavor to spiritually regenerate the world.

These videotapes can be purchased individually for $40 each (Lake Louise $45). The complete set of six tapes is available for $200. For information or to order, call Maharishi University of Management Press at 1-800-831-6523 or visit their web site at: www.mum.edu/press.