Prem Rawat's Teachings about Constant Meditation - In His Own Words

Prem Rawat, or Maharaji ("Ultimate Ruler") as he likes to be addressed no longer gives commandments to his 'students.' However, for the first 15 years of his career in the West all newly initiated followers were given 5 'Holy' Commandments and made serious vows. The most important and the basic centrepiece of his teachings for over 20 years was to Constantly Meditate and Remember Holy Name or the Word (Naam, Satnam, Shabd, etc) ie through his 3rd technique of meditation, concentrating on your breath. This technique was even more important than the Divine Light technique that his and his father's organisation, Divine Light Mission (Divya Sandesh Parishad), was named after. He and his father and guru stressed that this was the only way to peace and salvation.

However most of his followers found it impossible even to do 2 formal, sitting hours of meditation a day, let alone constantly meditate and he dropped this instruction in 1988/89 when he lowered the daily meditation minimum to 1 hour.

Yogiraj Param Sant Satgurudev Shri Hans Ji Maharaj, June 1961, Prem Nagar, India
Having realized its true self, it can fix its mind on the divine light and by constant meditation acquire unity and tranquility, from which come untainted joy and eternal bliss, the inherent qualities of the soul. When the individual soul reaches this stage it is called salvation, which means deliverance from all miseries and sufferings. So salvation is only obtainable during human life, and salvation cannot be obtained without God realization, which is the only goal of human life.
There cannot be any liberation in a state of multiplicity. The state of complete oneness with God is the only goal to be aspired to, and towards which the entire creation is slowly moving. Happiness is dependent on peace, which is a sublime faculty of mind, and peace comes from evenmindedness. This is only achieved through devotion, achieved by submersion of the mind into the ever-existent divine light within oneself and by constant meditation on the holy Name of God. This Name cannot be written or spoken, yet it provides life-force to all movable and immovable beings. Realization of this divine light and Knowledge of the holy Name brings love for God-and from love for God will come selfless service to Him and obedience to His commands. Hence the prerequisites for sublime devotion are first, God realization; then, supreme love for Him; and lastly, submersion of the mind into His Name, which automatically leads to selfless service and complete obedience. God is both with form and without form. Butter still in milk can be said to be without form, and when it is churned out, with form. In the same way, the divine Light which is self-existent in all beings is God without physique, whereas the Satguru of the time, or the realized soul, is God with the physique. Submersion of the mind into the divine light; obedience and service to Satguru together with supreme love for Him; consecration of body, mind, and all activities to Him; together with a great anguish for the slightest forgetfulness of Him, constitute sublime devotion. Hence perpetual peace, eternal bliss and salvation within the lifetime are ensured. There is absolutely no other way to achieve them. This is universally substantiated and experienced by every saint, no matter where and when he lived. It is written in the scriptures, "One who desires to have happiness without Bhakti (devotion) is a great fool. To reach real happiness by other means is like trying to cross the ocean without a boat. Bhakti is a most precious diamond. One who has this diamond in his heart knows not even the slightest misery."
Who Is Guru Maharaj Ji?, 1973

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Westminster, London, 2nd November 1971
And you know the perfect meditation should be continuous. It, it shouldn't have a break in between. How I will be able to do that? So realize such a Word, brothers, that it may regularly go on. Never stop. There should be non-stop meditation. It should always going on in you. Realize who you are. Realize the aim of your human life.
Perfect Master Tape #004

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Hans Jayanti, New Delhi, India, 1971
In the same way, my dear aspirants, after taking this Knowledge, if a man doesn't meditate on this it is of no use to him. When the Western people are initiated they are told to meditate constantly. Then they say, "What is this business of meditation?" Because they are so lazy they have become ashamed of meditation. They can't do meditation. But those who are really eager for Knowledge, they do meditation.
Divine Times, November 1979, Volume 8, Number 6

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Prem Nagar Ashram, Haridwar, November 27 1971
In the Gita it has been written, clearly written, that this knowledge, this practice of knowledge is constant, regular. It is always going on. There is never a stop for a single second in this. It is absolutely constant. It is always going on. I will tell you. I am repeating "Gopal, Gopal, Gopal, Gopal," and the telephone rings, "Hello." My gopal is finished. My gopal is stopped. My meditation is stopped. It has to be constant meditation. In this case how am I going to do it constantly?
Reflections On An Indian Sunrise

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Patna, Bihar, India, December 25, 1971
Therefore, my dear aspirants, what is that Word? Know that. If you have got the Knowledge of that Word, then meditate constantly. Do service under the Lotus Feet of your Lord, and listen to satsang patiently. It is written in the Ramayana that when a man is very fortunate, only then does he find satsang, and when he finds satsang and attends it, he is liberated without any effort.
Now receive the knowledge; completed, perfect. Now action changes. Now meditation. And meditation--no action completed. No action changed. You go on, then you become constant; then you become perfect. You reach the state of perfection, that is the only thing which you are doing; meditation, meditation, meditation. You are not changing your aims or destinations anymore. Understood? When you have received the knowledge then you won't change your actions or aims. You have to promise now. You have been constant, you have been completely lost in meditation, now you cannot change your action.
Elan Vital, Autumn 1977, Volume I, Issue 1

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

1971 / 1972?

  • 1. Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today
  • 2. Constantly meditate and remember Holy Name
  • 3. Leave no room for doubt in your mind
  • 4. Always ... have faith in God
  • 5. Never delay... in attending Satsang

Satguru Maharaj Ji booklet

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Johannesburg, South Africa, 29th April, 1972
It is said in the Vedas, the Indian scriptures, that when the dark age comes the only thing that can save man is constant meditation on the Holy Name. So we are so lucky to know that holy Word and to have got it at a discount. I am prepared to reveal this Knowledge at any time so it is up to you to take this golden opportunity. If you don't seem to make progress with this Knowledge do not blame Guru Maharaj Ji. You have it in your power to conquer the egos and doubts in the mind. These are the thorns, but the Knowledge is the rose.
The Golden Age, July 1979, Number 54 and Who Is Guru Maharaj Ji?

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Johannesburg, Colorado, 29th April, 1972
What I have is a constant LSD. It's not LSD, it's like a built-in LSD which God provided you with when you were born. When you get into it, you're always blissed out. There's no need to come down from it. You can do all your daily activities. This Knowledge is so beautiful that you can walk and still meditate on it. You can do anything and still meditate on it.
And It Is Divine magazine, Volume I, Number 8, June 1973

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Ashram Code, 197?
Part Three: Rules and Regulations
A. Personal Conduct
9. Members must lead a disciplined life of service, satsang, and meditation, and must adhere to the five Holy Commandments:

Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today.
Constantly meditate ... and remember the Name
Leave no room for doubt in your mind.
Never delay in attending satsang.
Always have faith in God.

Ashram Code

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Jhumri Taliaya, Bihar, India, on 15 April 1975
In the same way, this Knowledge has always been here on this earth, but until a person receives Knowledge, he continues in darkness, he does not experience that peace. But when he realises this Knowledge and begins to meditate on it, and practises meditation constantly, then he is benefited by it. So ultimately, we are left with just one thing to be said, and that is that after we receive Knowledge, we should meditate on it.
The Golden Age Number 21, June, 1975

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Guru Puja Festival, Miami Beach, Florida July 29, 1977
It's like when a whole IDP candidate bunch was in Malibu, one question was, "How do you achieve that point where you can always do meditation, when that meditation always flows through you?" And at that time I gave an answer. But then when I went back, I started to think about that. And it was like, "Wow! I bet a lot of premies probably wonder that: "What do you do to get to the point where you can meditate constantly?" And I said, "Wow! They're making a great mistake Because what they are pursuing in their lives is to meditate constantly. Not for anything else just to meditate constantly. And it's not the desire to meditate constantly that is going to bring you constant meditation.'
Elan Vital, Summer 1977, Volume IV, Issue 2

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Knowledge Kit, 1970s/1980s

  • Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today
  • Constantly meditate and remember Holy Name
  • Leave no room for doubt in your mind
  • Always have faith in God
  • Never delay in attending Satsang

Knowledge Kit

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

A book published in Australia in 1975 edited by and with contributions from followers of Prem Rawat or Guru Maharaj Ji as he then called himself claimed astonishing physical results for constant meditation using Rawat's 'Knowledge'. These results were pure fantasy as were the claims of "constant meditation":

1975
Some followers of Guru Maharaj Ji report that they need less food and sleep when they meditate constantly. Work by Garcia-Swain3 records profound changes in pulse rate, respiration and blood pressure in those meditating on Guru Maharaj Ji's Knowledge (see illustration). The ability of the meditation to harness energy and to convert it into a form which is accessible to all human beings remains unmatched by any technological invention or therapy.
The Way Out

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

Some of the magazine articles about Rawat (Guru Maharaj Ji) and the Divine Light Mission published in 1973 and 74 reported the Five (Holy) Commandments accurately:

July 1973
The premies have but five commandments to follow: 1. Never put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today. 2. Never delay in attending satsang. 3. Always have faith in God. 4. Constantly meditate and remember the Name. (The Name is something revealed in the Knowledge session.) 5. Never keep any doubt in the mind.
Ramparts magazine

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

March 14, 1974
and on the walls hang more pictures of Maharaj Ji as well as a printed list of the organization's Five Commandments:
1. NEVER PUT OFF UNTIL TOMORROW WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY
2. ALWAYS MEDITATE AND REMEMBER THE HOLY NAME
3. ALWAYS HAVE FAITH IN GOD
4. NEVER LEAVE ROOM IN YOUR MIND FOR DOUBT
5. NEVER DELAY IN ATTENDING 'SATSANG' (i.e., a discussion of truth, usually the Guru's brand)
Rolling Stone magazine

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

August, 1974
There are five written ones: "Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Never delay in attending satsang (an Indian version of old-fashioned testimonial giving). Always have faith in God. Constantly meditate and remember the name. Never have any doubt in your mind."
Argosy magazine

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation

In his excellent short book, The World of Gurus published in 1987, Vishal Mangalwadi gives a very good description of the initiation process in Divine Light Mission and the techniques of meditation in which he states that samadhi through constant meditation is the purpose of life according to Divine Light Mission.

The World Of Gurus
The main thing a mahatma generally looks for is the intensity of one's desire to receive the knowledge. Often people fall on their hands and knees before the mahatmas to beg for knowledge. They may be refused even after such prayers.
After some people have been selected for initiation, they are taken into a closed room where the mahatma explains to them the importance of the knowledge, satsang, and the sadguru. The would-be initiates make an open profession that they will follow no other guru or saint except their own and that they will worship and serve the sadguru with all their hearts, strength, wealth, and talents. Serving the sadguru in practice means obeying the orders of the mahatma and propagating the knowledge.
After making the vows, one by one the initiates bow before the picture of the sadguru and worship it. Then the mahatma gives the knowledge or the techniques of meditation.
In order to show the divine light, the mahatma asks the initiates to close their eyes. Then he places his middle finger and thumb on their eyes and starting from the corner of the eyeballs he presses the eyeballs up from the bottom so that if the eyelids were open the center of the pupils would be looking at the "third eye." If the initiate concentrates on this point, he may see a light; some others see a psychedelic movie of moving patterns and brilliant colors, while some don't see anything at all.
The technique of hearing the music or the sound is simple. The initiate is asked to block his ears with his thumbs so that he does not hear any external sounds. When he listens long enough to his inner silence, he can even hear some noises. To some people this sounds like celestial music, while others think they are hearing their favorite tune played on some heavenly instrument.
The technique of tasting nectar is a very difficult yogic exercise. Usually it is experienced after much practice. The initiate has to try and curl his tongue to come up to the back of the throat and then has to swallow the tongue in such a way that it points upwards. Here the tongue is supposed to hit a point and make contact with the nectar that is constantly flowing through one's body. It is claimed that this nectar is indescribably tasty and that it is the "living water" of which Jesus spoke. Some of the devotees also describe it as the "bread of life" and claim that after making contact with the ever-flowing stream of nectar you can live without food or water but no one has as yet come forward to demonstrate these claims.
Hearing the word is the main meditation. In fact, it is often regarded as the knowledge. It is simply a breathing exercise in which one sits in a lotus position, if possible, with both hands on the knees, and concentrates on breathing in and out, in and out. Through concentrating on this, one supposedly tunes into that "primordial vibration," the word or logos which has created the universe and sustains it. By constant meditation, one is supposed to reach samadhi or the expanded state of consciousness, which according to the DLM is the purpose of life. You know that you have reached samadhi by the light. At the initiation, the light seen may be only a small point. But as you meditate the light gets brighter. Eventually the light overtakes you, and you become literally full of this light. Once you feel or perceive that you have become the light, you are assured that you have reached samadhi, or have merged into God. You will never be reborn.
PART V, THE AUDIO-LUMINOUS GURUS, Chapter Ten, The Divine Light Mission

Prem Rawat (Maharaji) Teaching Constant Meditation


























See  Site Policy  for statement regarding copyright.

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.