2 - THE VALLEY INDEPENDENT, Saturday Feb 7, 1976
Religion in America

Guru disowned by mother because he liked to live it up

DENVER (UPI) - A spokesman for the Divine Light Mission says he thinks Guru Maharaj Ji may at least be rid of his mother for a while.

Last year the guru's mother Rajeshwari Devi disowned her son saying he had strayed from the spiritual path. She bolstered her conviction with a court suit for control of the mission, its assets and leadership of its 3.1 million followers.

"I think we've seen the last of her" said Robert Mishler, president of the DLM.

Mishler said the guru, 18 was now recognized as the mission's leader and said the youth had not spoken to his mother since last June.

His mother's complaint was that Guru Maharaj Ji had too many plush cars, fancy homes and other material comforts.

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.