Canadian Broadcasting Corp reporter on "the Maitreya story"
Tecumseh
by Shelley Russell Solmes
Shelley Solmes, a documentary reporter for Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation, spent three weeks in London in August researching "the
Maitreya story" in Brick Lane and in a Transmission Meditation with
Benjamin Creme's group. In the November issue of Share International
we printed a review of Shelley Solmes' radio programme resulting from
her research. In the following article she relates her London
experiences.
As a thinking Christian, I have long felt that it is time to move from
the quest for the historical Jesus to the quest for the Cosmic Christ.
And so I was happily intrigued when assigned by one of the Canadian
Broadcasting Corporations's most prestigious producers, Max Allen, to
do a two hour documentary radio programme about Maitreya, for CBC
Radio's Ideas series. I did quite a lot of groundwork here in Ottawa
at St Paul's University. It has the largest theological library in
Canada and sure enough there was an entire and rather dusty esoteric
section containing the complete (and in some cases first edition)
works of Madame Blavatsky, Alice Bailey, Leadbeater, Besant and even
Benjamin Creme's Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom.
Diana Holland of Tara in Vancouver sent me everything else including
videos and audio cassettes of Benjamin Creme. I must say that without
her help I would not have got very far. Of course, London journalist
Patricia Pitchon was an enormous help with contacts and I was so sorry
not to be able to meet up with her in London.
Silver wire
I arrived in London in August. My first experience, with no warm-up,
was to attend a Transmission Meditation session at Benjamin Creme's
house. It was the hottest day of the year and I sat in the pitch
black, holding onto the silver wire attached to the tetrahedron in his
studio* at the bottom of the garden.
The things I do for the CBC, I thought, as I put down the wire and
took up the hands of people I had not even been introduced to. I hear
an enormous 'clunk'overhead. "Don't worry," says a disembodied and
very cheerful Scots voice, "It's not Maitreya!" I'm relieved and
disappointed at the same moment, as Creme tells us it's only a ripened
pear from his tree, falling onto the studio roof. Laughter all round!
Laughter still figures large in my memory of the people I met.
Benjamin Creme and I laughed a lot over the next few days, especially
over the endless stories of the remarkable people who have come to his
door over the years claiming to be Maitreya. But we also got down to
business. Needless to say, Ben is a very gratifying person to
interview; he always has heaps to say and it's never dull
-exasperating at times, but never dull! I've never met anyone who
works as hard at giving a good interview.
Devotion is the other quality that sticks in my memory. I will never
forget the face of Joan Foubister telling me about the moment when she
knew that Maitreya was finally here. She absolutely glowed with the
memory of that feeling. And again the kindness and good humour of
people like Idina Le Geyt and Jacqueline Allen will not be forgotten.
Mr Patel, Maitreya's close associate, proved to be a most fascinating
interviewee. He gives no quarter to Western journalists and does not
suffer fools gladly. Since I come under both categories much of the
time, it was a remarkable if bumpy ride. His interview was interwoven
with tales, personal stories, myths, good advice and disconcerting
statements. He turned much of what I had learned inside out,
completely on its head, and I had the feeling that he was playing with
me, in a good-humoured way, testing my patience and sincerity.
We laughed a lot and I enjoyed his elliptical way with answers. I can
see why many journalists who come from a news/current affairs
background go away tearing their hair. Luckily, I like things to
unfold as they will. Because of Mr Patel, I shall be covering the
festivities surrounding the birthday of Sathya Sai Baba in India in
November.
The journalists I met in London are all as flummoxed as I am about the
story. One disillusioned reporter from the BBC had given up in total
frustration. Others still keep tabs on the story from a distance.
Response to the network programme on CBC has been brisk and can be
divided into a number of camps; other media wanting more information;
those wanting transcripts; those who liked the show; those claiming to
be Maitreya; those claiming Maitreya is the Anti-Christ and those
claiming that I am Satan himself! I hadn't counted on the last
observation from an American listener in Michigan. I realize that
those who believe in the reality of Maitreya will be very disappointed
in the documentary. Unfortunately, as a journalist, it was impossible
to be more positive without some sort of empirical experience of
Maitreya's existence. And I left London without any feeling that a
wonderful being like Maitreya really existed - no matter how much I
had hoped it might be so.
Remarkable group of people
What does exist however, is a remarkable group of people whose belief
in Maitreya is unfaltering and unshakeable. As it is, the documentary
is really made up of people ranging from total disbelievers to
disciples, witnessing, giving their own experiences of Maitreya, the
meetings, Transmission Meditation, personal healings and in the case
of journalists, including myself, delight with some of the forecasts
and frustration with the blind alleys and dried-up wells of possible
leads. All I can say is that, with this story, there seems to be a
point beyond which serious journalists and journalistic enquiry cannot
go. And like my fellow journalists, all I can do is keep an eye open
and await any developments.
* Note: The Transmission Meditation meetings do not take place in my
studio but in a specially constructed building in my garden. The
Transmissions are not held in the "pitch black" (journalistic license)
but in a subdued light. Benjamin Creme.
From a past issue of Share International Magazine -
http://www.shareintl.org
----------------------------
Who is the Master DK?
http://www.netnews.org/bk/statement.html
============
"If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear as
it is." William Blake
===========
A useful interview for those who want to escape from the matrix:
The propaganda system
Noam Chomsky interviewed by David Barsamian
http://monkeyfist.com/ChomskyArchive/interviews/prop_html
Bloodsucking Freak
"Tecumseh" <tecum...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:189dcfc0.02021...@posting.google.com...
jody
>
> ahhhh soooo?!
Exactly. This puff piece proves nothing except that there's
a bunch of silly folk hanging around Ben Creme.
You'd have to be pretty silly to sit around waiting to
find out that your nonexistent savior is a no show.
albert the panther
I am still wondering why, so many, many years ago, this "Maitreya's"
organization took out a full page advertisement in the NY Times announcing
the imminent appearance of this "Master" on worldwide television.
And it still hasn't happened ....
jody
Yeah, I wonder why...
Allen Crider
> MY UK VISIT: Ripe pears and bumpy rides
> by Shelley Russell Solmes
>
>
> As a thinking Christian, I have long felt that it is time to move from
> the quest for the historical Jesus to the quest for the Cosmic Christ.
Funny how she fails to mention that Ben Creme thinks that Sai Baba,
paedophile guru, is the cosmic Christ.
>
> Silver wire
>
> I arrived in London in August. My first experience, with no warm-up,
> was to attend a Transmission Meditation session at Benjamin Creme's
> house. It was the hottest day of the year and I sat in the pitch
> black, holding onto the silver wire attached to the tetrahedron in his
> studio* at the bottom of the garden.
Ben Creme's machine to beam in radio waves from God.
>
>
> Laughter still figures large in my memory of the people I met.
I too laugh at these Ben Creme sagas!
> Benjamin Creme and I laughed a lot over the next few days, especially
> over the endless stories of the remarkable people who have come to his
> door over the years claiming to be Maitreya.
Of course, there is no 'Maitreya' and if one was actually revealed, Ben
Creme would be out of work.
> But we also got down to
> business. Needless to say, Ben is a very gratifying person to
> interview; he always has heaps to say and it's never dull
> -exasperating at times, but never dull!
...if you like that kind of nonsense.
> I've never met anyone who
> works as hard at giving a good interview.
His goal in life is to get publicity. He thinks that publicity legitimizes
his wacko ideas.
>
> Devotion is the other quality that sticks in my memory. I will never
> forget the face of Joan Foubister telling me about the moment when she
> knew that Maitreya was finally here.
Finally here? Got an address of 'Maitreya'? How about an email address?
> She absolutely glowed with the
> memory of that feeling.
Another happy cultee.
> And again the kindness and good humour of
> people like Idina Le Geyt and Jacqueline Allen will not be forgotten.
They are indeed kind, aren't they? So are $cientology cult members and so
too are Moonies.
>
> Mr Patel, Maitreya's close associate, proved to be a most fascinating
> interviewee.
Ahh yes, 'Maitreya's close associate. And does the reporter in any way
qualify this? No, she can't because she will never shake hands with any
'Maitreya.'
> He gives no quarter to Western journalists and does not
> suffer fools gladly.
He himself is a fool.
> We laughed a lot and I enjoyed his elliptical way with answers.
I would laugh a lot too if I ever met Patel.
> I can
> see why many journalists who come from a news/current affairs
> background go away tearing their hair.
Quite contrary, they end up tossing their work in the trash. There is no
story there except to cover the cult as it is--- a cult.
>
> The journalists I met in London are all as flummoxed as I am about the
> story. One disillusioned reporter from the BBC had given up in total
> frustration. Others still keep tabs on the story from a distance.
Oh sure.
>
> Response to the network programme on CBC has been brisk and can be
> divided into a number of camps; other media wanting more information;
> those wanting transcripts; those who liked the show; those claiming to
> be Maitreya; those claiming Maitreya is the Anti-Christ and those
> claiming that I am Satan himself! I hadn't counted on the last
> observation from an American listener in Michigan.
And none who claim that this 'Maitreya' doesn't exist? How can this
reporter be so stupid?
> Unfortunately, as a journalist, it was impossible
> to be more positive without some sort of empirical experience of
> Maitreya's existence.
Aha! She is saved by her thin journalistic ethics!
> And I left London without any feeling that a
> wonderful being like Maitreya really existed - no matter how much I
> had hoped it might be so.
That feeling is what the Maitreya cult sells. You got your fill for free.
Others spend an incredible amount of money and time with this journey into
this cultic world of wish making.
>
> Remarkable group of people
>
> What does exist however, is a remarkable group of people whose belief
> in Maitreya is unfaltering and unshakeable.
Not remarkable at all... if you've been around. They aren't all that unique.
> As it is, the documentary
> is really made up of people ranging from total disbelievers to
> disciples, witnessing, giving their own experiences of Maitreya, the
> meetings, Transmission Meditation, personal healings and in the case
> of journalists, including myself, delight with some of the forecasts
> and frustration with the blind alleys and dried-up wells of possible
> leads.
Why be frustrated? Those blind alleys are in reality signposts telling you
that you are dealing with a cult scam.
> All I can say is that, with this story, there seems to be a
> point beyond which serious journalists and journalistic enquiry cannot
> go. And like my fellow journalists, all I can do is keep an eye open
> and await any developments.
Instead of looking for the mythical 'Maitreya' dig into their leader's past
and dig deeply into their cult's multinational money-laundering scheme.
Tecumseh
> I am still wondering why, so many, many years ago, this "Maitreya's"
> organization took out a full page advertisement in the NY Times announcing
> the imminent appearance of this "Master" on worldwide television.
They must have known that some people would come to realize that
Maitreya is
indeed in the world.
> And it still hasn't happened ....
Nope, nyet. He'll wait til the optimum time. Maybe all eyes will see
him this spring, maybe not... maybe it'll be another 20 years. It's my
understanding that it's best not to be too attached to the specific
time frame.
jody
[snip]
> It's my understanding that it's best not to be too attached to
> the specific time frame.
That's brilliant advice given that it's never going to happen
the way you imagine it will.
Allen Crider
Tecumseh wrote:
>
> albert the panther <pan...@lava.net> wrote in message news:<Pine.BSI.4.44.02021...@malasada.lava.net>...
> > I am still wondering why, so many, many years ago, this "Maitreya's"
> > organization took out a full page advertisement in the NY Times announcing
> > the imminent appearance of this "Master" on worldwide television.
>
> They must have known that some people would come to realize that
> Maitreya is
> indeed in the world.
Or that there is fantasy afoot and someone very rich was gullible enough
to sponsor the ads.
>
> > And it still hasn't happened ....
>
> Nope, nyet. He'll wait til the optimum time.
There is no such thing as 'Maitreya' so your conjecture about Optimum
Time is blowhard CultSpeak.
> Maybe all eyes will see
> him this spring, maybe not...
How about tomorrow? How about yesterday. How come you can't be HERE, NOW?
> maybe it'll be another 20 years.
Maybe your cult will fade away into the footnote it really is.
> It's my
> understanding that it's best not to be too attached to the specific
> time frame.
Be not attached to the man behind the curtain.
Tecumseh
My mind is incapable of imagining all of the wonder and beauty of that
day. It's my understanding that that the love that everyone will feel
will be much more intense than any love they've ever felt before. Most
people will weep with joy. The masses will simultaneously experience
what a million or so people have experienced individually.
XXX
In the words of the Master that works closely with Benjamin Creme:
Since the time is short indeed till mankind sees the Christ, it would
be wise to consider, somewhat, the likely repercussions of that
momentous event. Firstly, men will awaken to a new situation, one
altogether unfamiliar and strange: nothing similar will have been the
experience of anyone alive; no one, anywhere, will have heard before
the thoughts broadcast on that day of days. Never, before, will men
have heard the call to their divinity, the challenge to their presence
here on Earth. Each, singly, and solemnly alone, will know for that
time the purpose and meaning of their lives, will experience anew the
grace of childhood, the purity of aspiration cleansed of self. For
these precious minutes, men will know afresh the joy of full
participation in the realities of Life, will feel connected one to
another, like the memory of a distant past.
Suddenly, men will realize that their life till now was a shallow
thing, lacking, for the majority, all that makes life dear:
brotherhood and justice, creativeness and love. Many will know for the
first time that they count, that they matter in the scheme of things.
An unfamiliar sense of self-esteem will replace their present
hopelessness; drugs of all kinds will cease their hold on men.
Quietly, men's tears will flow in humble gratitude and longing for the
good.
From that time forwards, a new spirit of sanctity will prevail upon
the Earth; men will walk on tip-toe for a time. Soon, however, men
will realize that the changes needed in the world are vast, manifold,
requiring patience and dedication, imagination and trust. Before long,
men everywhere will engage themselves in the work of reconstruction,
the rehabilitation of the world. Succour for the poor and hungry will
take pride of place, and so will end for ever a blasphemy in men's
midst: millions will know for the first time the quiet happiness of
satisfied need -- no more will the dying forms of the starving
disgrace the screens of the affluent; no longer will men watch their
brothers dying before their eyes. So will end a dark chapter in the
history of the race.
Changes, unequalled in extent, will engage men's minds and hearts;
naught but the finest of the past will prevail against the onslaught
of the new. Daily, the transformations will be recorded for men to
compare and admire; a new world will be constructed in the blazing
light of day. All will, in their way, participate, each will add his
vision and contribute to the whole.
For many, the very presence of the Christ will constitute a problem --
their long-held beliefs will be shaken to their core. For them, a
period of heartsearching will be inevitable as they seek to understand
the meaning of the new dispensation; ancient beliefs die hard and hurt
bitterly in the process. Nevertheless, millions will respond with a
glad heart, happy to accept the Teacher in their midst. Few, in time,
will stand against the common acknowledgment that the Christ, in the
person of Maitreya, walks once more upon the Earth.
jody
>
> jody <jod...@home.com> wrote in message news:<3C6DD680...@home.com>...
> > Tecumseh wrote:
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> > > It's my understanding that it's best not to be too attached to
> > > the specific time frame.
> >
> > That's brilliant advice given that it's never going to happen
> > the way you imagine it will.
>
> My mind is incapable of imagining all of the wonder and beauty of that
> day
Your mind is incapable of any sort of realism and thus descends into
deluded fantasy. Poor T. You won't live to see your "day" as it's
not going to happen at all that way.
[snip]
Allen Crider
Tecumseh wrote:
>
> jody <jod...@home.com> wrote in message news:<3C6DD680...@home.com>...
> > Tecumseh wrote:
> >
> > [snip]
> >
> > > It's my understanding that it's best not to be too attached to
> > > the specific time frame.
> >
> > That's brilliant advice given that it's never going to happen
> > the way you imagine it will.
>
> My mind is incapable of imagining all of the wonder and beauty of that
> day.
That's right. You're not using your mind for anything except to create a
fantasy world at the behest of your cult leader.
> It's my understanding that that the love that everyone will feel
> will be much more intense than any love they've ever felt before.
That's what you've been told. Funny how all of Ben Creme's predictions
have never come true.
> Most
> people will weep with joy.
...in the land of the utopian second coming of Christ.
> The masses will simultaneously experience
> what a million or so people have experienced individually.
...and in the meantime, you're left to ply the waters of usenet with
cult drivel.
Tecumseh
As I've said a dozen times Jody, your views on this topic are all
based on speculation and assumptions. Just because you have not seen
or experienced Maitreya, you assume that He doesn't exist. Evidently
you assume that all those who have seen/experienced Him were having
psychotic episodes. You can't prove to anyone that He doesn't exist.
Time alone will reveal to the world, that that which we call "God"
has some fully perfected, major representatives - one of whom is known
as Maitreya, the World Teacher.
If you actually had an open mind you would probably say something like
this: 'There is a slight possibility that it is true, but I don't
believe it.' You would admit that you simply don't know - for sure
and you wouldn't go around saying that it's not true. Your logic in
this matter, is non-existent.
For now, until He presents His credentials to the world, I view you
as a hopeless case in this matter - so be still and know that I'm not
typing these words for your benefit or to try to change your mind. I
type for others so that they can see the fallacy of your "I'm
absolutely sure it's BS" perspective - to help them see that there is
no real evidence anywhere to back up your verdict.
RHT
--------
"If you must tell me your opinions, tell me what you believe in. I
have plenty of doubts of my own." Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
--------
"It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former
lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter lies in the
depth, where few are willing to search for it. --Goethe
-------
"The divine becomes a moment-to-moment experience. That is in fact
what it is. It is not a man with a beard sitting up in the sky
watching that you are
not stealing, lying, or cheating. It is inside you; it is your sense
of the divine inside that gradually changes you from lying, cheating,
and stealing to not doing these things. Not because somebody is
telling you that it is bad, but because you instinctively know that
that is not the right way to live with your fellow human beings.
"Whatever injures or harms another person is intuitively,
instinctively, wrong. A change in behavior comes about by
self-observation and self-determination.
These things fall away as you become more aware of, and imbued with,
the quality of the soul. That will happen on a wider and wider scale
as humanity ceases to compete and learns to cooperate --in the family,
in the community,
nationally and internationally." Benjamin Creme
--------
"Peace will be the result of understanding and sharing, and not the
origin of them..." Djwahl Khul
"Without sharing there can be no justice; without justice there can be
no peace; without peace there can be no future." Maitreya
.
..
...
....
Allen Crider
Subject: MAITREYA FRAUD UPDATE: JULY 1996
From: nob...@REPLAY.COM (Anonymous)
Date: 1996/07/25
THE CASE OF THE VANISHING MESSIAH
One may have noticed the recent series of coordinated
posts from members of Benjamin Creme's "Lord Maitreya" cult.
Due to an ongoing recruitment effort by this cult, we can
expect more of the same. The routine is similar
to that practiced by the Church of $cientology: critics of
Creme's wealthy and well-published cult are harassed (hence
the need for anonymity). Meanwhile, cultists post their movement's
propaganda in response to the "questions" of their fellow
believers, who pose as curious seekers wanting to know more
about Maitreya (and who are presumably unable to avail
themselves of a free Web search).
Invariably, this cult's number one agenda is to create an
atmosphere of religious fervor and anticipation (that this is
a primary goal is made clear in cult literature). Creme's
followers accomplish this by promoting a mythical "avatar" known
as "Lord Maitreya." The "emergence" of this icon is central
to the cult's theology. Maitreya was devised decades ago by cult
founder Ben Creme, whose role is analogous to that of L. Ron
Hubbard in the Church of $cientology. Where L. Ron Hubbard was
a second rate science fiction writer (and first rate huckster),
Creme is a second rate "artist" and first rate creator of fiction.
Creme has built himself a nice little career by traveling the
world and claiming to be in telepathic contact with his "world
savior," who Creme says has a 3,000 year old indestructible body.
Meanwhile, cash and prestige roll in from those poor souls who are
desperate for salvation and/or spiritual progress, and who, as a
result of this legitimate thirst for enlightenment, open themselves
to the claims of tricksters ranging from convicted television
evangelist Jim Baker to various New Age gurus.
One of Maitreya/Creme's baited "hooks" for their well-intentioned
but naive followers is the trumpeting of their supposed distress
at the plight of the world's malnourished. One reads endless
indictments of the world's political and religious leaders in
Creme's publications.
No doubt some criticism of world leadership is in order. Creme
relies on this obvious fact, plus righteous indignation, to "hook"
the naive into going one step further and accepting his solution:
the cult of Maitreya. If only the world followed Creme's political-
religious beliefs (as taught by Maitreya), people wouldn't be
starving, Creme assures us.
But the duo's concern would be somewhat more believable if they
actually *did* anything about the problem. They don't. Maitreya
is too proud, it seems, to follow the example of someone like Mother
Teresa, who, instead of sitting in London waiting for television
interviews, actually goes into the world and helps the poorest of
the poor. As for Creme, his sole solution to global starvation
consists of promoting Maitreya and Maitreya's economic theories,
which are based on various forms of financially-bankrupt European
socialism. One could be forgiven for repeating the humorous
observation that "The Christ" seems to be a commie.
A blatant example of Creme's worldliness is evident when,
under the guise of dispensing telepathic advice from the
"spiritual hierarchy," he advises his followers to invest in
"paintings" as a hedge against economic calamity (see his
ego-centric book, _Maitreya's Mission_, vol. 2). Under the
diguise of "humour" Creme shamelessly hints that his followers
should buy *his* paintings!
One may wonder why a spiritual leader is dispensing financial
advice, especially self-serving investment tips. If Creme is to
be believed, the ascended masters are especially concerned about
the deployment of his follower's financial assets, particularly
when those assets are not being invested in a product which
Creme happens to manufacture.
True to form, Creme has devised astonishing defenses against all
criticism. Far from acknowledging a massive case of hypocrisy, he
would have us believe that major world changes have been due to
the influence of Maitreya! The mere fact of Maitreya waiting for
television interviews has caused Communism to fall, Apartheid to
collapse, world weather patterns to change and "peace" (such as it
is) to break out in the Middle East.
In light of all this, are we very surprised to learn that Benjamin
Creme also believes that "normally invisible Martians" in UFOs sent
by Maitreya follow him around on his speaking tours?
A non-cultist may question Creme's sanity when he utters such
nonsense, but rational considerations seem lost on his followers.
They swallow their leader's bizarre mishmash completely, never once
wondering why it is that Nelson Mandella, not Maitreya, got a Nobel
peace prize for events in South Africa. Nor do they wonder why it is
that politicians at well-publicized summits are credited with changing
world events, and not Maitreya. They also fail to ask how it is that
no politician, religious leader or group which has been responsible
for recent political changes has ever mentioned Maitreya, let
alone credited him with influencing events or ideology.
Only in Benjamin Creme's writings do we see Maitreya getting credit
for life itself. When will Creme's followers wake up and see that
yes, the world changes as it always has, and people do have
aspirations as they always had - yet no charlatan like Maitreya need
be invoked to explain the dynamic of life?
Creme's star has faded somewhat in the last decade, following
his unfulfilled promises regarding Maitreya's "emergence" in 1982.
During the 1982 emergence publicity campaign, Creme's ads promised
his followers that Maitreya would declare himself and "begin his
work in the open" within *two months*. Needless to say, it is
now *14 years* since Creme's bogus prophecy and he is *STILL*
uttering the same nonsense. And his gullible followers can be
seen all over USENET repeating the tripe about Maitreya showing
up "real soon now."
The pre-emption of Maitreya's "emergence" by Margaret Thatcher
and the Falkland Islands campaign is one of the most humorous
examples of Benjamin Creme's credibility problem. If we are
to believe Creme, the cult leader Maitreya was finally about to
"emerge" into the public realm in 1982, a process which first
required an elaborate cult-purchased media blitz, including
expensive, full page ads in international newspapers. But it
seems journalists were not as convinced about the "Christ's
credentials" as Creme and his followers were. They opted to cover
the real story, which was the Falkland Islands conflict - leaving
Maitreya to his own devices. Maitreya and Creme quickly faded into
obscurity. They now live on the fringes of the New Age movement,
although they still claim "emergence" is just around the corner.
So you've never heard of "Maitreya" in the mainstream press?
Well, not to fear: Creme has a twisted explanation for this too.
It involves the mother of all conspiracies, drawing in the global
media, the Vatican, the US Air Force, Rupert Murdoch and even two crop
circle hoaxers. All of these dastardly organizations and individuals
have only one purpose in mind: hiding the wonderful truth about
Maitreya, which of course only Creme is in possession of (through his
brand of "channeling", which he calls "transmission meditation").
Each month, Creme's cult publishes their main propaganda organ,
_Share International_, in which one sees breathless accounts by
cultists about their "encounters" with Maitreya. These often involve
Maitreya materializing alongside a stretch of highway as an ethereal
"hitchhiker," a story straight out of the old television show _Highway
to Heaven_, which drew the myth out of various forms of Protestant
angelic folklore. The cult's Hollywood-based magazine also publishes
lists purporting to be locations in which Maitreya has "appeared out
of the blue" to groups of several hundred people, usually
"fundamentalist Christians." Creme explains this by claiming that
these groups need to be "softened up" for the "shocking truth" of his
cult's theology.
Independent (as opposed to the cult's) journalistic investigations
have been unable to corroborate a single one of these appearances.
The one instance of "independent" media confirmation which
Creme has been bandying about since 1988, namely the Nairobi, Kenya
"appearance of Maitreya out of the blue," turns out to be reported
(rather one-sidedly) and photographed by a cult-affiliated editor
in that city.
When organizations before which Maitreya's alleged "appearances" took
place have been contacted by news media, they have flatly denied any
such occurrence. What's more, Creme's cult is often evasive about
the details surrounding alleged Maitreya appearances - often refusing
to give exact locations or the identities of supposed witnesses.
There is also a rather desperate sounding story passed out by
Creme's followers about how Maitreya was interviewed by CNN under
another name, and that this tape was "nearly broadcast". Lately,
Creme has been advertising that his friend Maitreya was
granted an interview on an obscure BBC TV program. Presumably,
the mere fact of media interviews is supposed to lend legitimacy
to Creme's fanciful stories and theories. It behooves Creme's
followers to remember that Jim Baker, Bagwan Rajneesh, Jim Jones,
David Koresh and numerous other discredited religious charlatans
(and legal crimminals) have received television coverage on a scale
that far exceeded anything Maitreya's followers have been able to
purchase. Publicity does not equal credibility, except in the
mind of Benjamin Creme.
Creme's hoax about his contacts at the Vatican also comes
to mind. In this case, _National Examiner_ headlines proclaimed that
a certain "Monsignor Biaggi" of the Vatican believed that "the Christ
is in the world." "The Christ" happens to be one of Creme's many
titles for Maitreya.
An independent journalist looked in to this amazing story, which
was also loudly trumpeted by Creme and _Share International_ (and
in retrospect was probably planted by them in the pages of the
sensationalist, supermarket tabloid _Examiner_). As it turned out,
there was no such person as "Monsignor Biaggi" anywhere in the
Vatican, as confirmed by an exhaustive computer database search
there and in the files of Italian newspapers. Rather than accept
the obvious (that another instance of Maitreya fraud had been
discovered), Creme now hints at dark conspiracies which have
silenced his Vatican deep throat, Biaggi.
WILL THE REAL MAITREYA PLEASE STAND UP?
Undoubtedly there is someone in a costume posing for pictures such
as those from Nairobi, Kenya. This person is a confidant of Creme,
and probably lives somewhere in London, England, as claimed by
Creme. This very ordinary person, of East Indian origin, is the
mythical Maitreya.
The rest of the Maitreya cult's stories about their guru's
exploits are even more unsubstantiated than the various UFO reports
one comes across. In those cases at least, it is possible to find
someone other than a cultist to say the words: "I saw something."
Alas, in the case of Maitreya, no one but the deluded followers of
Ben Creme will utter those words.
Experience has shown that engaging these cultists in a dialog
regarding their narrow-minded and intolerant interpretations of New
Age theologies is a pointless exercise, for they use the occasion to
flood the Internet with reams of propaganda reproduced verbatim from
the pages of _Share International_.
History has also shown that any attention paid to this cult, even by
a supermarket tabloid like the _Examiner_, is misrepresented by Creme
as a stamp of legitimacy. One is reminded of the desperate love of
media exposure exhibited by that other distasteful breed, the money-
grubbing television preacher. No doubt this is one reason why
independent media steer clear of Benjamin Creme and his wannabe
"messiah".
One can also be forgiven for wondering why this Maitreya "savior"
relies so heavily on a coordinated media campaign to "surface" in the
public psyche, instead of following the example of figures like
Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mohammed, or even Mother Teresa, who achieved
their considerable followings by selfless service to others. Benjamin
Creme does pay lip service to the notion of "service to others."
But he travels the globe preaching about the superiority of
Maitreya in relation to these past religious figures. He is also adept
at criticizing major world religions when they disagree with his
personal theology, as one can verify by consulting Creme's profuse
writings. I suppose this is his idea of "service" to humanity:
personally fostering religious divisions.
Finally, it is worth noting that Creme's Maitreya fails to meet the
religious criteria advertised for him, namely that he is the long-
expected "Christ," "Maitreya Buddha," "Imam Mahdi," "Krishna,"
"Messiah" and numerous other religious titles Creme has usurped for
his companion.
Buddhists will tell you that the Buddha Maitreya is not expected for
about 40 million years, and that in any event, Creme's Maitreya fails
to fit the profile demanded by that faith.
Muslims will laugh at the claim that Maitreya is the Imam Mahdi, unless
a Muslim is prepared to swallow the idea of an Imam who takes pot shots
at the Islamic faith during his supposed worldwide appearances.
Christians will tell you that Jesus Christ has already come,
and that His Second Coming will not be in a suburb of London, in the
desperate hope that He might get a media interview. In addition,
Creme's theology places heavy emphasis on how Jesus Christ "erred"
because Jesus didn't listen to his master, Maitreya! Any Christian will
tell you that such teachings are blasphemy in the context of that faith.
Many orthodox Jews _are_ expecting a Messiah at this time, but they
should be disturbed by a Messiah like Maitreya, who fully endorses
the anti-Semitic teachings of Alice Bailey. Bailey's extremist views
on Jewish racial defects were adapted from various occult traditions
which were popular among Hitler's Nazis and some of today's neo-Nazis.
Creme (who is Jewish) glosses over these difficulties with his usual
aplomb.
As for the notion that the Hindus are waiting for Krishna in the
form of Maitreya? Truth is that most Hindus believe that Kali Yuga
started about 5000 years ago with the disappearance of Krishna, and
that Kalki isn't expected until the end of the Kali Yuga, which is
still several hundred thousand years away!
Once again, Maitreya turns out to be a fraud, and not a very well
researched one at that. However, Creme is adept at patching up holes
in his stories with even more elaborate fabrications, and at
backpedaling like he was stuck on a log headed for Niagra falls.
I'm sure we have not heard the last "Maitreya is about to emerge
and begin his work in the open" announcement. Nor will we cease to
see amazing fictions in the pages of _Share International_ detailing
"vanishing hitchhikers," "bright-eyed beggars who turned out to be
Maitreya," or the "amazing healing properties of magnetically charged
Tlacote water". And of course, cultists will be titillated by more
"day of emergence," stories, when the Creme-Maitreya theology will
supposedly correct all the problems of the world by the simplistic
expedient of Creme's "art of self-realization" (another name for
his personal theology).
There is an element of comic relief to the Creme/Maitreya religious
bandwagon, but there is a dark side too. Numerous followers, some
in need of psychiatric assistance, are further deluded and exploited
by this duo of New Age charlatans and their Hollywood-based publicity
machine. Much of Benjamin Creme's "channeled" information is
fear-based, designed to scare people into following his cult. The
world will self-destruct without Maitreya, Creme assures us.
One can only hope that through education, people of all faiths (and
no faith) will discover for themselves what I have already learned
from personal experience: that we are dealing with a well-funded
religious fraud on an international scale.
Roy Jose Lorr
Tecumseh wrote:
> All will, in their way, participate, each will add his
> vision and contribute to the whole.
Whose vision prevails in the event that one man's vision
contradicts another's?
I think we're looking at the comming of utopian despotism here.
jody
Precisely!