Biography

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi

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Indian founder transcendental meditation, born in Allahabad, UP, India in 1917. He abandoned his scientific studies to become a follower of Guru Dev. He founded the science of creative intelligence and, as an exponent of the relaxation technique called transcendental meditation, he became one of the first Eastern gurus to attract a Western following. He first introduced his meditation technique, based on a literal interpretation of yoga concepts and the use of mantras, to the West in 1958, and went on to found the Spiritual Regeneration movement, aimed at saving the world through meditation. He taught that 'life is bliss'. This concept has developed into a worldwide network of meditation centers with an estimated four million practitioners. The Beatles were among his 'celebrity' disciples.
- IMDb mini biography by: Sujit R. Varma

Began his career as a physicist; became interested in mantras through the physical energy produced through the sound vibrations of spoken syllables.
Died on the same day that NASA beamed the Beatles' song "Across the Universe" into space. The song, written by John Lennon while studying with the Maharishi in India in 1968, contains the lyrics "jai guru deva" which is the traditional greeting of the Maharishi's organization.
Beatles manager Brian Epstein died while The Beatles were on a weekend retreat with the Maharishi in Wales; he tried to console the band, telling them happy thoughts would help Brian's spirit (and their own) the most.
Early in their time together, The Beatles considered making a documentary film about the Maharishi and his career; he startled the band by knowing more than they did about budgeting and distribution. (They'd thought of him as a humble, unworldly kind of bearded prophet, not the savvy businessman he turned out to be).
The Beach Boys singer Mike Love studied with the Maharishi in India at the same time as The Beatles, Donovan, and actress Mia Farrow, and continued to promote him through the 1980s. Another supporter was magician Doug Henning, who campaigned to open a theme park called Vedaland, dedicated to the Maharishi's teachings.