2020-01-08 Wed

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was a Hindu religious leader who introduced the practice of transcendental meditation to the West. Yogi was born on the 12th of January 1917 in India. After completing a master’s degree in Physics from Allahabad University in 1940 he increasingly attracted to the spiritual life. He started rigorous yoga and meditation practice as a disciple of a highly revered yogi, Guru Dev.

He later left for the Himalayas, where for 13 years he studied under Guru Dev, the founder of TM. When Guru Dev died in 1952, the Maharishi organized a movement to spread the teachings of TM throughout the world; his first world tour took place in 1959 and brought him to the United States. He declared 1959 ‘the year of global awakening’.

The Maharishi, his family and close associates created charitable organizations and for-profit businesses including health clinics, mail-order health supplements and organic farms. His initiatives include schools and universities with campuses in several countries including India, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

To honor him India Postal Department has issued a commemorative postage stamp in 2019.

Image Source: wikipedia.org