In 1969 one of Maharaji's chief followers, a Mahatma, came to England and started teaching people Maharaji's meditation techniques (called the 'Knowledge'), including myself, and so a following started in England.

In 1971 Maharaji himself arrived in England at the age of 13, then went to USA, and from then until now has been living in the West spreading his message.

For most other people, including ex-premies (like myself), Maharaji is the head of a cult, who teaches platitudes and fluff, and lives off the gullibility and credulity of his followers.

One thing is undeniable - Maharaji is now very wealthy indeed. Apologists claim that his followers support him for giving them such a wonderful gift, and they are only providing him with the comfortable life-style that he deserves. Detractors say that he has milked his followers through manipulation, though opinion differs on whether he is an actual con-artist, deliberately deceiving people, or whether he himself believes that he is indeed the satguru of this age and that he is as deluded as his followers (my own belief is the latter).

Throughout his 30+ years in the West, he has constantly re-invented himself to the public - for instance, he is currently an 'inspirational speaker' - but to the serious premie he is still the satguru, true guru or Lord, by whose grace alone will the steadfast and devoted premie reach the ultimate.