As has already been explained in the premier article to this blog, my voice was taken away at the TM-Free blog when I was banned from posting further comments. The irony in this is that it was TM-Free that gave me a voice in the first place, at least a voice with respect to all things TM movement-related.
When I began to question some of the things that the movement was doing, I searched for answers and found a few internet sites critical of all things Maharishi, his movement, and TM. Eventually, I found TM-Free blog that, from all outward appearances, offered something that the other sites could not - free expression of ideas and an opportunity for discussion.
I lurked for awhile, reading articles and comments, and was elated that others once involved in the movement (just as I was still) recognized the same shortcomings that I had begun to see. But the content of some articles I didn't agree with at all, but figured that it must be healing to the author to be able to write about it. When I felt comfortable with the contributors and commenters, I began to post my own comments when I felt that I had something to say, whether in support or critical of another's writings. Initially, it was cathartic for me to put into words my sheltered feelings about current happenings in the movement, and in return to receive the reactions and insights of others (not to mention the headiness of it all). This continued for some time until I began to notice patterns in the majority of writings at TM-Free, i.e. repetition, proselytization, close-mindedness, cultishness, etc., which caused me to reflect on and re-evaluate my participation there. (I will explore this in more depth in a future article that I'll be writing at my other blog, TM-Free Free.)
So what was accomplished by my participation at TM-Free? For me, clarification of doubts and crystallization of what I feel about Maharishi and the TMO in that it may not be as good as I once thought but it's far from being as bad as the critical sites portray. For others, well, that may yet to be decided by those who read, with an open mind, what I was trying to say.
I believe that when life closes one door that it opens another that is perhaps more evolutionary (in spirtual terms, that is). The door to TM-Free blog has been closed but the door to this blog has now been opened, and perhaps what I and others have to say here will be of benefit to you, the reader...or not. What I do know is that it is of significant benefit to me. See the point? Thanks for listening.
The Bird
The Bird
Yup. I see the point.
ReplyDeleteI started a blog for similar reasons. I no longer fit at an "anti" site for the group I had once been involved with. (Unlike you, I did not return to that group and I was a TB and loyal to that group for 28 years.)
I did find a forum that was helpful though. The forum seemed to attract folks who had similar experiences as I on an "anti" site...regardless if the "anti" site was of the same group.
When I had my "anti-anti" experience, I googled "Anti-cult cults" and found Bernie's site here:
http://bernie.cncfamily.com/ars.htm
Though I was never a Scientologist, the mindset was similar and my experience among certain anti-cult folks ended up with a similar black/white mindset.
Anyhoo, thus began my looking into both sides more deeply regarding the anti-cult/cult dance.
I do think the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) does some good research and it appears to be pretty open in endeavoring to understand the cultic mindset...even within the anti-cult type movements. At least that has been my limited experience with the ICSA.
Hey again LG...
ReplyDeleteAs I was about my day yesterday, I recalled something...regarding my voice and my entry into blogdom.
After my experiences on the anti-site I had been involved with and becoming 'anathema' to quite a few of the inner circle there, I was communicating with a person who also had once been quite active on that site. I mentioned to them that I felt I had no voice within the anti-community anymore. It bothered me a lot at the time.
The person responded: "You still have a voice; you have your blog. Does anyone read your blog?"
I responded, "Yes."
They responded, "See...your voice is there. And even if no one read it, you still have that voice."
Point being...my blog became an avenue for my voice. Even if no one ever reads it. [It's not read much, btw. ;D ]
Laughing Gull,
ReplyDeleteThe TMO and TMFree are the same thing, really. Two sides of the same coin. Both would fiercely, fiercely deny it, but they are. Both are fanatic, both stuck on their egos. It's the same thing. NSR, the same I think. The inner world that TM leads to is very labyrinthine, and very, very dangerous, the more so that everyone who enters feels that they alone see the right way. That in itself should be a "clue", a clue that they are lost. Each is a self-appoointed guru, full of revelations that any common person has thought about and known since they were kids.
The TMO is obviously obnoxious and power hungry, and also, irrational and crazy. Sudarsha's camp is just as narcissistic and irrational, leaving gaps in their logic big enough for Hannibal and his elephants to plow through, and nobody even comments on what would undermine and invalidate everything they say. Sud claims that he's never had good experiences with TM, so that somehow gives him the right to defame it to the rest of the world! If I don't like a brand of cookies, does it make sense that the rest of the world will not? He's not even been to Fairfield once in his life. These simple, obvious things, should discredit all that he says, but the malcontents feed upon his fake sophistication, feeding upon his journalistic wordsmithing. It's absurd. The other side: cold, intractable, heartless. No one just embraces the truth and goodness of the thing, and to me that is because they are not transcending, just hung up on ego and ideas.
Anyway, read your blog and appreciated it. It's good exercise for the mind, I guess, but remember, you'll never, never change the kind of ego-entrenched minds that are camped on both sides of you. Best, Muff the rough-and-tough Potter
mauriziocavialierri@yahoo.com