In his summation of the various opinions about Guru Maharaj ji, Ted Morgan ("Oz in the Astrodome," Dec. 9) states: "To premie parents, he was a rehabilitator of prodigal sons and daughters."
This view is not shared by all of these parents. What about those children of 14 or 15, too young to have been dropouts of the counter-culture in '71, sensitive youngsters with fine minds, who deserted family and school to follow their god? What about the heartbreak of their families, and the destruction of their hopes for the future of these children? And what of the children themselves -- dropouts from society, mindless robots who do only what their "Lord" and his retinue command?
Please consider the anguished parents as well as the satisfied ones.
A PREMIE'S PARENTS.
Bronx, N. Y.
Copyright The New York Times
Originally published December 30, 1973
Prem Rawat's "Knowledge" has three parts: regularly listening to his speeches, doing voluntary work for organisations serving him or donating money and daily meditation correctly practicing the four techniques he recommends. The techniques are so simple it's hard to see how they could be practiced incorrectly. First technique ("Divine Light") involves sticking your thumb and middle finger on your eyeballs (NB: with eyes closed) and your index finger between your eyebrows. Second technique: ("Heavenly Music") poking your thumbs into your ears and listening. Third technique: ("Holy Name") thinking about your breathing (NB: continue to breathe). Fourth technique: ("Nectar") curling your tongue backwards and tasting. Rawat's father taught slightly different techniques but either way it's difficult to see how these could produce the benefits claimed for them especially as Rawat claims His Knowledge is the only method of attaining real happiness and love in this life.