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Growing Up With Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

Mallika Chopra - February 06, 2008

I learned transcendental meditation when I was 9. I think I met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi for the first time when I was 13, and for the next decade he was a major influence in my life. I remember sitting for endless hours with Maharishi -- sometimes in crowds of thousands of people, others times just with my parents and brother. Because of my father’s (Deepak Chopra) relationship with him, Maharishi was someone we knew, rather than someone we idolized.

When you were with Maharishi, it truly was like time did not exist. There was a sense of connection to something deeper. Maharishi was a visionary. He always spoke in grand, universal, mythic terms. Numbers were always infinite, possibilities endless, nothing too difficult to accomplish. He would talk about changing the world in sweeping terms, and then suddenly, focus on some minute detail. Since people from so many walks of life came to Maharishi, those endless hours were full of individuals who did different things, who came from every corner of the earth. Maharishi spoke a universal language that resonated with all of them. His language touched people’s souls. You could tune in and out of what he said, and still feel like you were experiencing something truly monumental.

As a young girl, I did not understand most of what was talked about, but I wanted to be there. I felt inspired, energetic, motivated and at peace. When we left him, I would run and shyly give him a rose, and he would give me a smile that always made me laugh.

Maharashi would talk with his sweet voice and then giggle – a giggle that then erupted into a wave of laughter that tickled those in his presence at their very souls. I will always remember the laughter around Maharishi. Around him, I felt happy and free and timeless. Even though I was shy, I could laugh with abandon – a laughter that was so uplifting.

I remember very clearly the evening my mother called me to tell me that she and my father had left Maharishi – for good. I was a senior at Brown University, and to me it was quite devastating because his presence had, in many ways, formed my identity. But, upon reflection, it was the natural step in a mythical relationship between a guru (Maharishi) and his disciple (my father). The comic books that my brother and I had read growing up had the same theme over and over again. At some time, the guru says good-bye, and the disciple moves on.

That evening, I went and got a red rose and headed to the local TM Center in Providence. The people there had always welcomed me as a daughter, and it had proved to be a quiet haven for me throughout college. I sat in the meditation room, the rose in my hand, and meditated for over an hour. When I came out of my meditation, I felt a tremendous sense of strength and peace.

I realized in that moment the wonderful gift that Maharishi had given me – the ability to connect to myself, to love myself, to laugh and feel connected to something universal.

Yesterday, when my father called to say that Maharishi had left, I felt that peace again. It has been more than 10 years since I last saw him, but his gift is still with me. When my father taught my elder daughter to meditate last summer, Maharishi’s gift was passed on to her.

Today, I plan to spread rose petals around my house with my two little girls. To honor Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, we will meditate and cuddle and play. And, most importantly, we will smile and laugh and celebrate.

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Posted by Mallika Chopra at February 6, 2008 10:20 AM

Comments

Lovely. Thank you for sharing.

love, H

1. Posted by hgquinn on February 6, 2008 10:31 AM

Mallika,

Thank you for sharing your story on Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Since Deepak's posting, I have been trying to understand how he took Mahasamadhi, so I'm learning some new things on the intranet, as well as from DK's post and others.

Love, Char

2. Posted by Char4 on February 6, 2008 11:27 AM

Dear Mallika.. that is the magic of eternal life; it is passed on.. and the rose-petals placed around you home, with your daughters, will be splendid, cherished moments. Humble condolences at the loss of a powerful physical presence in your lives; and it is nice to see it already passed on to your eldest, through His disciple... : )

I suppose, with a guru and desciple; it is like a parent to a child..where the child becomes adult, and must walk away; to grow further.

Love is United,
North

3. Posted by North on February 6, 2008 11:27 AM

What a beautiful way to celebrate the spirit of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Mallika.

4. Posted by Bonnie on February 6, 2008 11:40 AM

Jai Guru Deva...
Thanks Mallika for sharing your beautiful story. I am touched and had a lump in my throat reading it and feel connected at the same time. All night and morning, the song of the Beatles "Across the Universe" played in my head. (I grew up with the Beatles.) I woke up unusually early this morning and tried to meditate and then fell asleep again...
My condolences...love and warm regards, M:)

5. Posted by MarthaD on February 6, 2008 11:42 AM

I learned the TM-Sidhiprogram in 1992 here in Sweden, and talked briefly with Maharishi on the phone.

I am sure many here agree with me when I say that Maharishi is the one of the most important wise masters ever.

http://www.tm.org/maharishi/index.html
http://www.tm.org/
http://www.globalcountry.org/EasyWeb.asp?pcpid=60

6. Posted by Stefan on February 6, 2008 01:04 PM

Dear Mallika,
Thank you for sharing your remembrances of Maharishi and the special connection that has indeed passed on to your children:

"his gift is still with me. When my father taught my elder daughter to meditate last summer, Maharishi’s gift was passed on to her."

Love & Blessings,
~ Kate

7. Posted by Kate... on February 6, 2008 03:47 PM

Dear Mallika,

Thank you for sharing this beautiful account of how Maharishi affected your life. I particularly like these three passages:

"He always spoke in grand, universal, mythic terms. Numbers were always infinite, possibilities endless, nothing too difficult to accomplish."

"Maharashi would talk with his sweet voice and then giggle – a giggle that then erupted into a wave of laughter that tickled those in his presence at their very souls. I will always remember the laughter around Maharishi. Around him, I felt happy and free and timeless. Even though I was shy, I could laugh with abandon – a laughter that was so uplifting."

"I realized in that moment the wonderful gift that Maharishi had given me – the ability to connect to myself, to love myself, to laugh and feel connected to something universal."

This is how I feel about him and how I imagine he was like. I'm very grateful for having learnt TM and for having had had the opportunity to witness his peaceful aura through videos. He was a truly remarkable man. It's great that your brother and father have written about him as well - it has given me very interesting and slightly different perspectives.

I remember from his videos and tapes that he liked to joke. I remember listening to a tape on which he described Pranayama as 'superfuel' for meditation and this made everyone laugh. It was not just the words he used but the way he said them and his laugther that made people laugh I think. Like you wrote, his laughter "tickled those in his presence at their very souls.

Thank your for you insightful and moving remembrances of Maharishi.

8. Posted by Free on February 7, 2008 07:05 AM

I am deeply touched by your views. Mallika, you and your family indeed very fortunate to have a blessings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
I heard and read lots about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Being a resident of Dehradun, I quite often visit Rishikesh the Karam Bhumi of Maharishi Yogi. Being there to his place and ashrams which are in depilated condition still soothes my heart and soul. I feel that place still has His aura & charm. Aesthetically made dome like structure meant for meditation are now covered with trees and creepers and become a paradise for unsocial elements.

I request all the disciples of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi to come forward and maintain the losing legacy of Maharishi Yogi.

May His blessings & presence remains with us.

9. Posted by Sanjay on February 9, 2008 07:03 AM

Mallika,

Thank you for sharing your personal story and including us in your sweet spreading of rose petals. Please consider sharing more stories with us.

Trish~~

10. Posted by Trish on February 9, 2008 06:38 PM

This is a great story...Thank you!

11. Posted by Manny Otto on June 16, 2008 04:40 PM

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