By Laura Cerwinske, Billy Fairchild, and Jan Buchalter
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 12:37
On March 13, over 1,700 people gathered to listen to Maharaji in Miami, the second event to be hosted by WOPG’s sister organization Words of Peace International. Some had heard little about him, while some were people who had come to hear him again and again to benefit from his inspiration and perspective. For the volunteers who helped with every aspect of the event, it was a matter of passion and joy. “I’ve always found that helping to prepare an event prepares me to see him,” recounted Susan Alaimo, who helped organize seating. Gladys Stone, an usher, confessed that “being with Prem Rawat is one of the highlights of my life. I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to help out.”
The event was open and free of charge to all who wished to attend. People flew in from as far away as England, France, Switzerland, Venezuela, Brazil, Jamaica, and Canada, not to mention various states within the continental US. They were drawn there by one common wish: to hear Maharaji speak live. Amalia, another attendee and willing volunteer, seemed to sum it up well. She explained how other types of events “end when they’re over. With Prem Rawat, the experience of his words continues growing and growing.”
Larry Newcomb, who had long been inspired by Maharaji, had a close friend who was currently trying to surmount some battles in his own life. Curious, his friend began to ask Larry some questions about Maharaji when, as luck would have it, an event was happening that very next day in his friend’s hometown of Miami. “You can hear Maharaji live, if you want,” Larry said.
The following is an excerpt from his email to Larry after the event, thanking him for the invitation.
“I found the session stimulating and rewarding. I can see why you’ve been so attracted to Prem Rawat.
“One very inviting element of the presentation was the audience. There were about 1,500 people in the Knight Center, and it was the most responsive audience I’ve been with for some time.
“The lecture resonated with me, too. I like the emphasis of looking inward instead of reaching for outside authorities, either institutional or individual. I also liked his emphasis on the battles that we win and lose and our ultimate, accountable war.
“Thanks again for alerting me to an exceptional person.”
Larry’s friend wasn’t the only happily surprised, and last minute, attendee. Andrea Gomes, originally from Brazil, had never heard of Maharaji until a few days before the event. Passing by a Florida book fair, she noticed Maharaji’s picture on the front cover of the book Peace Is Possible. She was immediately intrigued, and wanted to learn more about who this man could be. As circumstance would have it, the event had just been announced, and the woman behind the book counter knew about it. She promptly invited Andrea to attend.
Speaking to Andrea after the event, she was clearly excited by both the speaker and his message. “I would love to speak with him in person, and hope one day I may be able to do so,” she said.
Also present was Mercy Da Mata, whose parents have known about Maharaji for a long time. “Growing up, I never quite understood what all the commotion and excitement was about. But when I opened my heart and listened, it became clear. I’ve never heard anyone speak so simply yet so deeply at the same time.”
Maharaji concluded the night by reminding his audience what it means to win the war. “The war is to find your home and rightfully reside in it. Enjoy it. That is winning the war. Battles? They will come and go,” he said. “Win the war.”
