Customer Reviews

Lord of The Universe [VHS]

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What a fascinating glimpse into the past this video presents, revisiting the early days of Maharaji's emergence in the West. The cameras don't lie: they show it all -- from the innocent and unrestrained enthusiasm of Maharaji's early followers to the emotional and sometimes illogical extremes to which that enthusiasm can sometimes lead. Yep, I was there, and saw it unfold right before my very eyes. I had heard the buzz about Maharaji, and I attended the Millenium festival in Houston to investigate for myself. To say that the experience was fascinating and at times very confusing is an understatement, but the outcome of my attendance at that event was to strengthen my resolve to find out for myself what was at the bottom of all the commotion surrounding the message that Maharaji was presenting. Eventually, after returning back home to Boston from the event in Houston, I came to the point where I made the decision that I wanted to be shown the techniques for experiencing inner peace that Maharaji was offering, as that seemed really to be the ultimate test of the validity of his message. Years later, I still consider myself extremely fortunate that I happened to hear Maharaji's message way back then, and that I followed up on investigating it, as it has turned out that what he was speaking about is indeed real, and something that is incredibly useful and rewarding when I choose to take advantage of it.

What is a shame about this video is that, although it may present a valid record of events that did occur at one specific time in history, it doesn't go on to follow the story so we can see how it evolved from that point onward. Although what is presented in this video is something that seems to have all the trappings common of the many cult phenomena that were so prevalent in the post-hippie years of the seventies, we don't get the wider perspective of how things developed from that point onward. When Maharaji first came to the West, he was a very young boy, and the presentation of his message was largely managed and manipulated by his mother, who had a vested interest in keeping a personality cult live and healthy. It would have been great to have included an update to the original video, chronicling Maharaji's split with the elements of his family that had wanted to maintain a personality cult, his steady efforts to strip away all the traditional Indian religious trappings that had initially been obscuring and complicating the simplicity of the message and gift that he had to offer, his dissolution of the once prevalent ashram system that gave the misleading appearance that adoption of the tools which he offered required a parallel adoption of specific lifestyle constraints, and his efforts to make his message and the techniques for experiencing inner peace widely available to people via public access tools such as the internet free of charge so that people can investigate for themselves, at their own pace and without fear of any kind of "group pressure" phenomena to cloud their perception.

How is it that Maharaji has evolved from what once many would have considered a cult leader, to someone who is now invited to speak at forums as diverse as the United Nations, premier institutions of higher learning such as Harvard and Oxford Universities, audiences consisting of current and former members of governments around the world, gatherings of distinguished guests at events such as the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona Spain, and yet also continue to find tremendous enthusiasm among huge audiences of simple common folk around the world? Why is it that within the last year he has been presented with honors and recognition from prominent figures such as US governors, the mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami, the former President of the European Parliament and Prime minister of Italy? How has he gone from speaking before small informal groups gathered in living rooms and back yards when he first came to the West, to the point that weekly broadcasts of excerpts of his message delivered to live audiences, in the "Words of Peace" series, are broadcast around the world, and have earned recognition as diverse as the top award of the Brazilian Association of Community Television Channels, and ranking as the sixth most popular program on Bris 31 in Australia, after less than two years of being broadcast in either location?

Indeed, the snapshot of the past presented by this documentary is intriguing, but if it stirs your curiosity, I suggest you visit a web site such as www.ContactInfo.net to see where the story has evolved to from those unique beginnings many years ago and how you can find out more on your own. I suspect the best is yet to come, and checking it out for yourself may be better than any video ever could be. The way I originally looked at it those many years ago was that I had nothing to loose by investigating the situation, and possibly lots to gain. I think that still holds true for anyone today, and the "investigation" part has been made lots easier by electronic access media such as the internet. Let the adventure begin...

I was there. I had just begun hearing about and listening to what Maharaji had to say. And I had also attended meetings where Maharaji was not present. There did seem to be a possibility for something like groupthink (to adopt Irving Janis's term) in some of the situations where Maharaji was not present. As suggested by an old quote, we can be very political animals. But that doesn't excuse a person from being individually responsible and accountable.

Today, technology makes it a lot easier to hear what Prem Rawat actually has to say. In 1973, VCRs, DVDs, satellite broadcasts, CDs, iPods, web radio, and Quicktime movies on the web simply did not exist. Today, just as for any author or speaker, I can use these technologies to watch and listen in the privacy of my own home. In 1973, this was not feasible.

The length of this video is about as long as Prem Rawat speaks at most venues. However, the majority of the video comprises-- not him speaking-- but others speaking. This is somewhat like a video about a composer, a musician, a poet, or an author that presents very little of the author's work, but instead presents the opinions of literary critics (those who speak against, as well as those who try to speak for, the author). It would be one thing to see this kind of video, while it would be quite another to see a video of the author's actual work. Certainly, there will always be different kinds of audiences. Some might prefer to hear only the critics. Others might want to hear both the critics and the author. While yet others might want to hear only the author. I guess I'm one of those who mainly wants to hear, for himself, what the author has to say.

It's obvious that the producers of this documentary went out of their way to paint a portrait of Maharaji in the worst possible light. I received his Knowledge in 1982 after most of the Indian concepts and rituals were removed. All I can say is that if you truly want to experience inner peace, this man can help.

His message continues today and around the world, millions of his students respect and love him. The disgruntled ones who howl into the wind calling him a fraud, con artist, etc., are simply not credible. Many of them got swept up into the excitement and magic of those early years and they had agendas and concepts that they carry with them now. They are bitter and angry because Maharaji has not lived up to their concepts.

Maharaji AKA Prem Rawat has attempted to simplify his message and present it so that thirsty souls around the world won't have to buy into the Indian trappings and rituals which were around when he first came to the West in 1971 at 13 years old.

For those who truly want to connect with their inner essence, the gift of Knowledge enables that to occur. Peace is possible and to those interested in experiencing it, an impartial and sincere investigation will not go unrewarded.

I urge those who want to know the underlying reality of existence to not be dissuaded from learning more about this teacher and his Knowledge as a result of this slanted video. This is not a cult. It is one man sharing his method of experiencing inner peace to those who want to know it. Knowlege works. It's practical, simple and most enjoyable. Maharaji is offering something supremely valuable to those who want to know how to turn within and feel the life force within them.

To find out more about Maharaji and Knowledge, go to www.contact-info.net or www.tprf.org.

Dear Readers/viewers,

"Lord Of The Universe" video documentary of the event which took place in the November 1973 is a Fantastic Piece of History.

Mr. Prem Rawat, also widely known by the affectionate and honarary title, Maharaji by many touched by his message of Peace, Inner Contentment and Hope. I am one of the fortunate ones who have received his gift of the Four Techniques of Knowledge or Self-Knowledge back in 1988, when all these old Indian traditional "Terminologies" and "Methods" were thankfully brought to an end by Maharaji. Having heard different stories from his early arrival in the West from various sources including the People who were there around that time, including my wife, Mahatmas or instructors including Charan Anand, who is now 76 and read many magazine articles, having even watched some film/video footages from the events from the early 70's through to the mid eighties, gave me some real insights.

Having judged from my own feelings and understandings of what this was really all about, I decided to persue it and eventually received the Gift Of the 4 techniques described not only in this documentary but in many ancient scriptures, as these were always imparted by the specially gifted people, it doesn't matter what people have called them or are even calling them today, e.g. Satguru, Perfect Master, Guru Maharaj ji or simply the Master of their Times as Mr. Rawat is doing now.

This video is like the Window in that time. Looking at the buzz, enthusiasm of the people wanting to spread the word, message of Peace, hope and telling people that there is now somebody giving the way to feel that inner joy, supreme bliss on this planet and has arrived in the West, the USA. Sharing their enthusiasm has inspired thousands like me to look into this, explore further.

No matter what anyone have said in their reviews either negative things or reacted to the negative comments made by some who have decided to exploit people's fears and ignorance, the basic message of Peace has been conveyed. The definitions of terminologies like Darshan, Mahatma, etc. are on the spot and even people of now can benefit from this.

The ONLY thing I would like to have edited out is when someone is demonstrating the 4 Techniques and describing them and the experiences expected from them. This is because the names and the order of the techniques were updated by their rightfull owner and giver, Maharaji back in the late 80's when he decided to impart them personally. There were a lot of flaws in the methods Mahatmas were using in imparting these techniques. As shown and described on this video, will give false expectations to the people aspiring to receive them from Maharaji and do them immense Dis-Service. That's why one of the three promises Maharaji asks before showing the techniques (even Mahatmas went through this in those days) is, "Please don't show these techniques to someone else. Let them take their own journey towards their own heart and coming from that sincere place asking for this gift, they too will also be able to receive." There is nothing secretive about anything. People coming from their own understanding will be able to accept the feeling coming from their own core of being and enjoy it to the fullest for the rest of their lives.

I love this video and have recommended to other like minded individuals to purchase it.

I would encourage anyone who is truly interested in the truth to attend an event personally before listening to the bitter resentment of people who feel they have been conned out of something. Make whatever choices you feel- but I at least want people to have the same chance as I did to make a personal decision. The organisation is non profit and you will not be asked or even encouraged to do anything other than listen to his message and ask questions if you wish

This film is, and always has been, a juvenile attempt to discredit a teacher who has done much for millions around the world. The organizations that support Maharaji's work are not controlled by him and do not provide financial support for him. Nothing about him or his work fits the definition of a "cult".

Only juveniles with little or no imagination would find this film interesting.

Anyone wanting to know the truth about Maharaji or The Prem Rawat Foundation should see him in person and hear what he has to say or visit www.tprf.org. Anyone interested in the truth about Elan Vital should visit www.elanvital.org.

False and libelous statements will never prevent the truth from reaching those who want to know it.

It does not matter who or what you think about Maharaji. The reality is that he can do what he says he can do-reveal to us an experience of peace already within us but at some point in human existence we lost the ability to contact. He just opens the door back up and when he does, you know it if you are sincere in your desire to go within. If your not, it can look like a sham I guess because techniques and the experience are so simple and yet so incredibly profound.

I received Knowledge in 1974 and have been practicing ever since. At first I could not relate to Maharaji and that was OK. I knew Knowledge was true, but I really did not know how to relate to him. Then the more I practiced, the more my life changed (my inner life)and I felt peace like I had never felt it before, happiness I had never felt before and I started feeling so much gratitude towards him for showing me such an incredible gift and then I just fell in love with him as a person for his warmth, his persistence, his passion, his guidance, his determination to spread this possibility to as many people as possible. I don't know who or what Maharaji is or even what to call him-"my teacher" I guess. But it no longer matters-what matters is my own inner experience and if it were not a true experience I am not the kind of person to make time every day for over 30 years to practice if it was not real. I now practice (or meditate) an hour and a half in the morning and it seems like 15 minutes. It changes my day and changes my attitude towards life. I am not always choosing peace, sometimes I get caught up in the drama of life-but I always know where home is and how to get back. That is the pure beauty of it. All you have to do is just stop and go inside and it all changes. The word grateful does not even cut it. There are no words. Maharaji always says try it and if you like it fine-if you don't fine. I had good friends who stopped practicing for years and now I see them all coming back. Maharaji judges no one and lets everyone have their own journey in their own time. This is a process-not a quick fix. I thought 30 years ago I would be "enlightened" by now, but I still have the struggles of being a human being and that's okay because I always have the choice to go inside and experience something so soothing and so contentful and loving. It does not get any better than that. It does not matter if you agree or disagree with him or believe in him or whatever. Maharaji does not care because what he is revealing speaks for itself.

Naturally, former cult members will take particular pleasure in watching the tubby, teen-age Lord of the Universe make a fool of himself at the Houston Astrodome. And current cult members will cringe in discomfort if they ever summon the courage to watch it. And Maharaji (modern spelling)? Well he should pick up a copy too. After all, it's all just a bit of fun, eh?

The two brothers fought over the coffers of the cult a couple of months after the 1973 Houston event and haven't talked since. The dour mother in the video, Mata Ji, sided with Satpal and never reconciled with junior before her death. The ridiculous Las Vegas act brother, who we worshipped then as the Lord of Music is in India, I think, also with Satpal.

Really, this video is hilarious! Take my word for it.

This video is both hilarious and tragic at the same time. It shows the amazing gullibility and sincerity of young people in the 70s who wanted to find truth, and the willingness of a charlatan Guru to take advantage of that sincerity. For those who used to be members of the Guru Maharaj Ji cult but have been freed from it, which continues to this day, it is a powerful reminder of the power of cults and mind control. The video uses interviews, music, and a kind of wandering camera to give wonderful insights into the 1973 Astrodome event at which the Guru was supposed to reveal his plan for world peace. Rennie Davis and Abbie Hoffman provide wonderful contrasts of perspectives on the cult.

As I was there in the Astrodome for this "program" I really enjoyed viewing this excellent and incisive film. I laughed and cried, cringed and burned as I felt the full extent of the painful realization that I had indeed been duped by the fraud of the universe, Prem Rawat.

My favorite parts of the film include Abby Hoffman's ascerbic and accurate remark at the end, seeing the "GOD" sign behind Maharaji's throne and the devotee at the end saying he'd like to "slit the throat" of the reporter who "pied" Maharaji in Detroit. (The reporter was almost killed by Mahatma Fakiranand, one of Maharaji's henchmen in the cult, and ended up with brain damage from being struck in the head with a hammer.)

A fun watch for sure, but don't drink the Kool-Aid.