'Separation' How 'It' Unraveled for TM
Doug Hamilton
The 'Separation',
How 'it' all Unraveled for TM..
At its Start, The Recent 'Separation' in TM..
A repeating sequence evidently started back in 2019-2020
with retaliatory summary expelling of New Zealand TM teachers and then with following expulsions also as the response to requests for honest financial transparency in the operations of the Transcendental Meditations administrative organizations happened across Eastern Europe also.
Gathered social media first hand accounts:
Bryan Lee writes:
“..correct. It all started in July 2019 when a new board of directors for the New Zealand movement was elected. Naturally, the first thing they did was ask to see the accounts, because… that’s what a board of directors does. And to their utter surprise, the outgoing board of directors and the Raja wouldn’t produce the accounts. Utterly mystifying.
And that started a whole process of asking questions and not getting answers. One thing led to another. The shortage of answers to questions became much wider than New Zealand and the result was many things including the Hive videos. But it all started with four very simple-hearted TM teachers appointed to be directors who couldn’t understand why they weren’t being allowed to do their job, and kept on asking questions.
Marianne Macpherson, Herewini Austin, Tony Martin, and Gary Benner. Four very courageous people who caused a lot of dark nooks and crannies to be exposed. Marianne is a kindergarten administrator, Herewini is a kohanga-reo (Maori language kindergarten) director, Tony Martin is a retired art gallery owner, and Gary Benner operates a small computer technology company.
Three cheers for courageous people! .."
Reference link and comments:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3041658679220545/permalink/8884591811593840
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It was fascinating at the time to watch on social media as it was reported on in sequences how the TMO admins brought it, this era of communal separation on themselves.
It has been about 5 years now since it began. -Editor, January 2025
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Gary Benner writes:
Thank you for the kind words Doug.
If I may elucidate a little, as it is said, the devil is in the details.
We were given access to a set computer generated accounts, but anyone who has worked with analysing accounts knows that unless you have the details as provided by the full "paper records", the line items can mean nothing. This was critical as we found there was yet another charitiable society set up, and a private company, run by other governors, and significant funds were being paid to them, without necessarily any justification. We also had anecdotal evidence from two previous bookkeepers that 3 sets of accounts were being run. We only got to see one. Incidentally one of those bookkeepers has gone into hiding, and the other moved a long way away.
By law in New Zealand all organisations need to keep the "paper records" for at least 7 years. It is this that we were denied. We were told they were coming by past MFNZ National Director Martin Davy (son of Raja Andrew Davy), but it took about 3 months before we had delivered a filing cabinet, full of "nothing"... by that I mean irrelevant things such as old video tapes, manuals and promotional materials etc.
We also asked for copies of the minutes of past director meetings. Again, as a registered charity, these are meant to be kept as a record of the decision making process. A formal request to Martin Davy was eventually met with a ridiculous response that indicated to us that perhaps they never actually kept minutes. One past Director who was a little helpful gave us his own notes, but they were minimal. He had never received copies of formal minutes that are meant to be distributed to all directors before subsequent meetings for approval (all common meeting procedures), again, as required by law. It appeared to us that the management of the movement for the past decade was a joke.
As an aside, Martin Davy has been a Trustee of MIU for many years. His position here in NZ came from being the son of our first NZ TM Teacher. How he got to be an MIU Trustee to this day beats me. He has had no experience in life outside his family life in the movement. His record as National Director is abysmal. Maybe it is time for MIU supporters to start asking questions as to the suitability of such a person in the role of MIU Trustee, at a time when that organisation is so under threat of extinction. And not just Martin Davy. Take a look at the MIU Trustees web page and ask yourself, and do each of them contribute business acumen and life experience, or are they simply sycophants. And maybe also ask why two big donors (with such experience) have recently resigned from the board.
NZ is a small country, and our movement was once a solid family of governors. It was revealed to us by one in the family that Maharsihi Foundation of New Zealand was to be wound up. Under its constitution all property would then have to be distributed to another like minded organisation.
Surprise surprise, it was then revealed that a "private" Charitable Trust was being created with near identical aims and name as MFNZ, that could be the recipient of those assets. But it was to be controlled by a small tight group, instead of the body of NZ Governors as an incorporated society. If this proceeds, then all the property and assets (millions) would be transferred out of the hands of the NZ governors, and into the hands of these few. (There's a bigger story here, but I'll leave that for another day)
To allow this happen, the membership of MFNZ has been slowly decreased by not renewing the memberships of anyone who asks questions, or openly criticises the management. Even my own membership has been removed, justified only by the inarticulate meanderings of MFNZ CEO Stuart Vernon. There is a process included in the society rules for removing a member, and not one person has been given the opportunity for review under that process.
This pattern of behaviour appears to have happened elsewhere in other countries, and so it is not surprising that the movement, as we know/knew it has crumbled into dust worldwide.
Sadly the typical TM teacher of long ago is a gentle, kind individual, with goodness in their heart, only wanting to benefit mankind. They've been cultured to believe in the goodness of the movement, based on their experience, and those they have taught. They're not the types to tackle the reality that the organisation has become (and may well have been always to some extent been), a money making enterprise for an elite group, either in India, Vlodrop, or the USA. Definitely not the troops on the ground. Call it Stockholm Syndrome or whatever, it makes the victims idolise their controllers.
Just in case you missed it, David Laird did an excellent video on the finances of the worldwide movement (see the Conversations in the Hive Video #5), showing the pattern of scams over the decades, that were always wrapped in wonderful plans to enlighten the world. All it did of course was fill the coffers of the movement, and the money went places it shouldn't outa go. And we are talking billions ...
So 2025 hopefully will be a year of greater transparency and openness. Part of that is for each and every individual who still thinks they are part of a benevolent movement, coming to realise that the days of "The World Plan", which was to place teachers and centres in every city to bring the experience of transcendence to the masses are long, long gone. It was a mirage that never was. The business model of a single payment for lifetime support was always unsustainable. What we had was the business model of a scam.
We can be thankful that as a result, we got the experience. We got to know a lot of really great and fun individuals. But the world lost an opportunity this time around. It will come again, but not with this team.
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Pamela Kyssa writes:
Gary Benner I agree, an excellent video on the finances of the movement by David Laird,
Hive Video #5 is found here, in case anyone missed it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPbz08t4H3w...
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Jo Bartruff writes: This is very "enlightening". I could tell my own stories of what my partner and I experienced "out in the field" attempting to build a Peace Palace. We did everything that was asked of us but when it came to receiving our "reward", the whole thing shut down. After that, I detached myself completely from the Movement.
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This post on the Facebook group 'Roots of TM'
chronicled what was an unfolding 'separation' in Russia at the similar time in a sequence..
Philippe Chauvancy writes:News from Russia.
Yesterday I asked to my fellow governors if they had to be recertified every year. It seems it is not the case.
Strangely it has been the case for the Russian governors the last 10 years or so. Why ? Well it has been used as a way of intimidating or blackmailing the teachers of Russia. Systematically the National Director s and the raja of Russia have threatened any teachers of not renewing their certification to whom had the audacity to discuss their decisions or asking legitimate questions regarding the lack of transparency of the financial of the Russian movement or any other matters . The teachers have been systematically terrorized . Consequently many left the movement or because they love teaching they prefered saying nothing not taking the risk to be targeted by the ND or the Raja
Now if you are looking at the Russian movement you need to understand how it is bad
there are 2 different organizations with 2 directors hating each other. It is to the point that the Raja of Russia has never held a joint meeting between the 2 organizations
Worse the movement has been destroyed because of his complete inability to understand Russia and its culture
Also some teachers for years until last August had changed the labeling of TM renaming it Technology of self regulation at least 7000 students learned TM that way where the names of Guru Dev or Maharishi were barely mentioned
When the leadership learned about it few months ago ( yes only few months ago)no action or sanctions were taken but the whistle blowers were expelled...
Many Russian teachers also went on to selling a Chinese product called cordiceps presenting it as a Maharishi Ayurvedic products . They were selling it during WPA or any other course. One of the National Director and his wife were actively doing this commerce banning anyone from the movement daring disturbing their little profitable business.They also supported the change of labeling thinking they could make more money out of it.
They invited in Russia jyotish from other spiritual movement they favored discutable financial dealings and everyone questioning their little business were tagged as being negative and thrown out of the movement like garbage even some teachers with an unstained history with the movement.
And the raja of Russia ?He is remaining silent arguing that nothing was wrong in Russia.The problem is that under his leadership of 12 years 70% of the teachers have left the movement sometimes creating successful parallel organizations
There is only one official center existing in Russia not even in Moscow
No money has been invested the last 12 years to develop centers across the country.
Anyone expressing a complaint was intimidated or pushed out
Worse we find out that the movement in Russia is completely illegal and that no one from the leadership was interested to change this situation
Actually the last few months some of us
have created a group to put the movement back on the right track. What happened ?Well I am sure you have guessed already.....
Intimidation blackmailing threats.... we got emails from a group of so called the “next generation of Rajas “ threatening our group of being expelled .Looking at the damages they have caused obviously they can not be regarded as a competent leadership
The last thing we found out is the ND calling teachers in Russia ordering them not to talk to our group....
of course without much success because as hard you can try wrong doings are always exposed.
This is a small summary of the situation of the movement in Russia
There are unfortunately plenty more still pending
But I want to make sure everyone understands it clearly. Our growing group will not give up on reforming the Russian movement.We will expose all the ongoing tentative of intimidation we will ask for full transparency .If the leadership does not get it we will ask the justice authority of Russia to deal with all the pending and murky situations.
As everyone is claiming the coming years will bring changes . The TM movement will not be spared because enough is enough
With our love from Russia
reference: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1601897850082187/permalink/2854830291455597
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Here is one of the early social media posts, ~5 years ago,
that revealed an initial sequence towards 'separation' in TM..
https://www.facebook.com/bryan.lee.56884761/posts/10225303235910274
Bryan Lee writes:
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AN INTERESTING LETTER...
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Dear Friends,
Upon reflection I feel as if my many friends might be interested and ought to have the opportunity to read the Orwellian email I received expelling me from the TM movement, after 49 years of the most dedicated and focussed service.
There was nothing in the email I could agree with, but in particular it was interesting that the writer says, "Without going into specifics..." about the "activities you have undertaken." One has to wonder why he doesn't want to go into specifics.
Actually I have no idea what it is I am supposed to have done wrong. After 49 years no one sat down with me to tell me, or counsel me, or give me a second chance (if indeed there was something I did), or afford me any due process whatever.
It's an interesting approach to human resource management. Way to inspire confidence and loyalty...
[BTW it's slightly embarrassing that at some point he says, "As a friend..." I hope you will appreciate that I don't know where he got that idea.]
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From: michael busch <mbus...@gmail.com>
Subject: Maharaja's Calls
Date: 2020March28 at 1:42:10 PM NZDT
To: Bryan Lee <ble...@gmail.com>,
Dear Bryan,
This note is in regard to your not being able to connect to Maharaja's phone calls to governors.
For many years you gave great service to Maharishi, and our appreciation for that service is also great.
However, without going into specifics, in the last couple of years activities you have undertaken with regard to the movement have not been on a level that would show appreciation or respect for Maharaja or the structure Maharishi created for us. While all of us know there are things that need to be improved and moved forward, and while a wide variety of viewpoints are always listened to and considered, Maharishi would not allow activities that undermine the wholeness of the movement to continue.
With regard to your current standing in the movement, it is felt that at this time it is best for you to take advantage of the knowledge you have from Maharishi for your personal life and bliss, and that you enjoy nice programs and rest and refrain from movement activities and administration.
Over time things can change.... as a friend I would simply say, take this time to enjoy, stay rested and refresh your physiology with longer programs, and if you have thoughts toward the movement please send quiet, good wishes from your heart. This, anyway, as Maharishi has taught us, is the most powerful level. Nature will surely organize to see that Maharishi's wishes for the world will be fulfilled.
I want it to be clear that this action that has been taken does not, in any way, stem from you wishing to work out your business regarding the land in Silverdale.
Wishing you well on every level,
Jai Guru Dev
Raja Michael
--
Michael Busch
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™'s Oligarchy response to the 'Separation'
Philippe Chauvancy writes:
Dear Friends
a funny little story. 5 years ago when we discovered some misdeeds of the TMO leadership in Russia, it violently attacked our couple. One of them was particularly vindictive, Nadejda Konakova, insulted us copiously, spreading rumors about us and our friends, criticizing our yagya program copiously, accusing us once again of all the evils of the earth. For example? That I myself was a CIA agent, a French spy, she contacted a Russian journalist to denigrate us who contacted us and after discussion wrote nothing at all and on the contrary distanced himself from this nauseating group, imagine what could have been the conséquences of such accusations, also that we possessed psychic and evil powers. How do we know all this? Because nature does things well. Nadejda wrote an email to several of her friends, Mrs. Koraneva, E. Babkin etc... and what happened? By mistake she sent me this detailed email of all her accusations. You can imagine our surprise and amusement at the stupidity and wickedness of this person. We sent copies of this email to the rajas including Nader, his wife Velia, Bevan Morris, Bjarne, Kingsley etc. No reaction. No condemnation in principle. A real sectarian silence. Time passes. Today the TMO-related activity is at a standstill in Russia, and what do we see? Nadejda and other accomplices trying to join our yagya program by all means. They use nominees. Write letters of false apologies. Try to enter all our FB groups by different subterfuges. Even today for the 5th time they are trying again. Do you think there would be even a small apology? no nothing Just a letter saying "we are TM teachers you must help us" .... yes sure in your dreams... what do you expect?
Of course the TMO yagyas are very expensive and ineffective. So and above all discreetly because their guardian raja, their "daddy" must not learn that they participate in our yagyas. I will be very direct. I have no room for forgiveness to this day for these people. Let them go elsewhere to continue to deceive and lie. They can go to the TMO to support their gibberish and dubious behavior. If these teachers want to join our programs, they should officially leave the TMO and write meaningful apologies. Today i am not in a forgiving mood. Yes i am still working on it... and i am having fun not being nice ....i do not prétend to be someone i am not. Not interested in mood making forgiveness.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/335426281637061/permalink/1096681932178155
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Following up on David Lynch
David is truly dedicated to Maharishi. To him if Maharishi picked Nader it is good enough. Whatever he was told , documents sent etc… he always brushed them off . « if Maharishi said it ? It is no doubt true.
If raja were abusive he did not want to accept it
He talked to TM centers directors in the USA that asked me to be in touch with him They explained in details what was wrong in the movement finance… he listened to it he said would talk to Nader
He probably did… Nader probably said not true and that was good enough….
I could go on ….
He also helped project in Russia, Ukraine, Armenia , Georgie, raja Kingsley is the dictator there. (Not Russia) a lot to say also….
I told him about Ukraine and wrongdoing there with testimonies…. To be careful where he was sending his money….
He had no control or May be did not want to see
We split because I was publicly talking about Nader and dirty laundry around the tmo he wanted to keep it secret even knowing I was right
I refused to remain silent. He asked me to leave quietly I refused and I got a letter from his lawyer very friendly thanking me for work and my effort also and successful achievements. He d rather protected Nader than having the truth out. His choice and karma
TM's
'Lawfare as Warfare'It could seem in retribution..
Daivid Laird writing:
HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD
As many of you know, the TMO recently filed a claim against a number of parties alleging breach of copyright and fair trading laws. Two organisations - the Institute of Professional Meditation Teachers (IPMT) and the International Teachers of Meditation Association (ITMA) have been named, as well as thirteen individuals. However, only those parties based in New Zealand have actually been threatened with court action: the IPMT, Bryan Lee, Gary Benner and Tony Martin.
Preliminary discussions have failed to produce a settlement, and the discovery phase is about to begin. This is likely to be a lengthy and expensive process, and the deck is heavily stacked against the defendants, who cannot draw on the vast financial resources available to the TMO.
To date, little hard evidence has been presented to back up the TMO claims, and indeed, a reasonable person looking at the facts might conclude there is no case to answer.
IPMT
The IPMT is a professional organisation originally designed to complement the TMO. Its constitution specifically states that its goal is "To support the effectiveness and growth of Maharishi’s organisations".
It goes on to say:
"The Institute shall not offer any of the proprietary courses or programs of the GCWP organisations, such as (but not limited to) the teaching of TM; nor shall the Institute knowingly create any impression that it holds any intellectual property rights not conferred upon it by the GCWP."
The document even allows for a representative of the TMO to act in an advisory capacity:
"A representative of the Global Country of World Peace (GCWP) may be appointed as an observer to meetings of the Institute to serve in an advisory capacity."
Given the clarity of these statements, it is difficult to see how Bryan, Gary and Tony, as officers of IPMT, could be accused of infringing the TMO's copyright, or seeking to damage the organisation in any way.
ITMA
ITMA started life as a WhatsApp group, encouraging open discussion about the teaching of meditation. Bryan and Gary were members of the group, participated in a number of conversations and were signatories to the original bylaws. These set out operating procedures and protocols for a potential organisation that would certify teachers of various forms of meditation. At the time, ITMA had not been incorporated in any jurisdiction, and was non-operational.
Both Bryan and Gary terminated their involvement with ITMA in July 2022 because of concerns that the legal implications of incorporation had not been adequately explored. After their departure, ITMA was subsequently registered as a charity in Israel, and announced its first teacher training course in 2023 - six months after Bryan and Gary had cut all ties. It is difficult to see how they can be held responsible for any copyright infringements linked to this course when neither had taken any part in its planning, promotion or teaching.
Why single out New Zealand teachers?
We cannot say with any certainty why Bryan, Gary and Tony were the only ITMA members singled out for court action. One possible reason is Bryan and Gary's involvement in the Conversations in the Hive series. These podcasts have raised uncomfortable questions about the activities of the TMO and its key officers over a period of several decades, and have suggested that the benign image presented to the public is essentially at odds with the true nature of the organisation.
Another contributing factor may have been their prior history with Maharishi Foundation in New Zealand.
Bryan Lee was invited in 1997 to invest in a New Zealand property to be used as a pandit academy. Over time, enthusiasm for the project waned and, after donating a piece of the land to the movement, the other investors proceeded to build houses on the plot. Bryan was unable to do so, as he had sunk all his money into the land purchase and other movement activities. Under New Zealand law, the other investors are obliged to compensate him, but they hired lawyers in order to minimise the payout, so the case currently languishes in legal limbo. One of the investors is a raja, Raja Graeme Lodge, so the possibility of some ill feeling carrying over into the current action cannot be entirely discounted.
In 2021, Gary Benner found himself embroiled in a legal dispute over the rights to a domain name he had registered in New Zealand: tm.org.nz. Again, Graeme Lodge was involved, claiming that Gary had agreed in a phone call to register the domain name on behalf of Maharishi Foundation. Gary denied any such phone call had ever taken place. In a summary judgement, the judge ruled there was no case to answer, saying there was no evidence of the alleged phone call, and awarded Gary costs. However, despite the judgement Maharishi Foundation elected to go to trial. As Gary did not have the $60,000 deposit required for legal fees, he was eventually forced to hand over the domain name and pay his own costs of $35,000.
Tony Martin was, along with Bryan and Gary, an officer of IPMT. Because of his involvement with the organisation he was suspended from teaching by Michael Busch, then raja for New Zealand. Tony complained to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA), but despite assurances from his pro bono legal advisor that he had a strong case, the verdict eventually went against him. Without legal representation, he simply could not match the tactics and expertise of the high-powered lawyers employed by Maharishi Foundation.
Due Process or Lawfare?
The common thread in the three cases above is how the legal system can be used to effectively price a defendant out of the justice system. This tactic is a form of lawfare, defined as "the strategic use of legal proceedings to intimidate or hinder an opponent". Apart from the use of financial muscle, other tactics may include:
Filing meritless claims to harass or burden the opposing party.
Using legal procedures to intimidate, harass, or exert undue pressure on the opposing party
Abusing discovery processes to burden the other party with excessive requests for irrelevant information.
Deliberately causing unnecessary delays in legal proceedings to exhaust the resources of the opposing party.
An impartial observer might well detect evidence of one or more of these tactics in the current action.
Summary
At this stage the copyright and fair trade claims appear to have little merit. Based on the evidence presented, none of the New Zealand defendants has encroached on TMO intellectual property, and none has engaged in any trading activities. There is also no evidence of any loss or damage, financial or otherwise, caused by their activities. Their only offence appears to have been raising ethical questions about the TMO and asserting their legal rights. Whatever the outcome of the ongoing legal proceedings, there can be no doubt about the huge financial and emotional damage inflicted on the defendants and their families, which looks set to continue indefinitely.
Any individual with a shred of decency would conclude that the punishment inflicted by the process to date is far in excess of any perceived offence, and that these hurtful and unnecessary legal actions should be dropped at once. Given the history of the TMO, however, such a move appears unlikely: what the organisation lacks in empathy it makes up in pompous self-regard. I would therefore encourage all those who are disturbed by the Maharishi Foundation's coercive tactics to contribute to the defendants' legal expenses. Donations can be made via GoFundMe. https://www.gofundme.com/f/Courageous-Investigators. Monthly donations can also be made on the IPMT website. https://global.ipmt.me/donate/
Your contribution will help make justice available to all, not merely those who can afford it.
Reference
https://www.facebook.com/groups/335426281637061/permalink/1072377841275231
At its start, "How it unraveled for TM"..
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3041658679220545/permalink/8884591811593840
Communal responses to the discoveries..
In three groups..accommodation..
In the TM community we seem to have one group that accommodates conscience to circumstances for purpose of their experience and life and another group of meditators that will not allow themselves in abuse to be the meal of wolves, and then a third group who are not vested or engaged one way or the other as meditators in the community.
At this point it could seem there is not much by way of reconciliation of moral compass as the three groups continue on their ways.
However around out in the community in conversation with people who are in any of the three position groups, even as there is a lot of hurt for some, folks in consideration more often will settle with saying - that what was good from their time was learning the meditation. The default then in conversation is often to the metaphor of,, 'separating the baby from the bath water’. Which in these circumstances the metaphor can allow people to continue talking with each other without further conclusion.
The meditation as the metaphoric 'baby' then becomes a common ground to go forward with.
Generally for years and decades peoples in the meditating community have gotten along kindly enough side by side adapting and tempering their conversation accordingly to who may be at the table - from Maharishi true-believer to practical practitioners. These times seem different and dangerous times to be interested when apparent insiders threaten waging 'lawfare' in courts as warfare with lawsuits on the other who might bring critical thinking to the table.
reference: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3041658679220545/permalink/8897562346963453
Further reaction:
"..Another fault line I detect (I don’t know how deep this goes), is between those whose grieving reaction seems to go in the direction of total, or almost total, denial of the value and reality of spirituality itself, and those who, regardless how much grieving they went through, continue to hold on to the value and reality of spirituality as the most important thing in their lives."