june 2004 volume 1 ~ issue 2

M A H A R A J I  I N  N O R T H  A M E R I C A

Toronto ~ Newark ~ Fort Lauderdale ~ Los Angeles ~ Berkeley

a timeless message

In July, 1971, Maharaji gave his first public address in North America. After 33 years of ongoing effort in this region, there is a chance to see him again in the five cities where he will be speaking this summer. This is a great opportunity to invite friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances to hear his timeless message in person. There is simply nothing quite like it.

beyond the surface

If you look beyond the surface, beyond the appearance of what you see, you will find more. What am I talking about? An oyster doesn't look like much, but look a little closer and you will find a pearl. Look at a beehive. It doesn't look like much, but look a bit more and you will find honey. When you see a mango, it doesn't look like much - green, yellow, red, orange. Look more and you will find wonderful fruit. Now, this is where it gets very interesting. Look a little closer and you will find something more. In that mango, beyond the flesh of the fruit, you will find a seed, and in that seed is the possibility of unlimited mangoes. I won't say a thousand, a million, or even a billion. Unlimited. If you sow that seed, you will have a hundred mangoes. Then each one of those mangoes will carry a seed - and on and on and on it will go.

Of all the things you should do, shouldn't do, could do, or wouldn't do, at least there is one thing you can do: Look a little bit more. When it comes to this life, a breath doesn't appear to be much, but look closer and you will find an existence. Look a bit more, and in that existence you will find the thirst to be fulfilled. Then if you can go beyond that a little more, you

will find the infinite well of water that the thirst exists for. When you drink that water, you will be fulfilled - in this life, in this time.

Maharaji

event materials

Materials for the NAm Summer events come compliments of the International Materials Team. Please e-mail orderinvites@yahoo.com to request invitations to the events of your choice. If you want invitations sent directly to a guest, please indicate this so an appropriate letter will go with the invitation

a few surprises

Eve Roha and Carole Rimer say they heard Maharaji talking on a satellite video about the cities selected for a visit by him in 2003, saying there might be a few surprises. Carole said to Eve, "Let's be one of the surprises."

They wrote a thorough proposal as well as a letter filled with longing and love, inviting him to their region.

Throughout January they gathered information for a possible visit.

By mid-February a team met in West Virginia to discuss details. Another letter was sent, signed by 154 people, living hundreds of miles apart in Ohio and western Pennsylvania, yet linked by inspiration.

"Everyone knew he could come," Eve says. "He must have felt it getting heavier with love when he responded" in early April. The community, she says, flew into action. The Pittsburgh Expressions event on May 7 drew 507 people. It was, reported one attendee, "the best program I've ever been to."

JM

connecting with: David Mankoff from the North American Resource Team

CNA: Sometimes people who want to support Maharaji's work aren't clear about where their donations are best utilized. Can you help sort it out for us?

David: The role played by Elan Vital is primarily to support Maharaji's international tours and events. Visions International uses contributions it receives to fund ongoing satellite broadcasts and other audio/visual materials. It is very inspiring to see the great generosity of so many people supporting both Elan Vital and Visions. This year we are aiming for increases of more than 10% in donation levels to keep up with the growth of activities. To find out how to contribute, call 818-889 1373 or visit elanvital.org and www.visionsinternational.org. CNA: A question is often asked about priorities.

David: The key priority is always to help Maharaji travel to speak live to people, face to face. A second priority is to help this message go out using media such as satellite and cable television to places Maharaji cannot go. His message is now sent to 88 countries and translated into 70 languages. So each area is important. But international tour support is the first priority.

CNA: What can you tell us about the registration costs for the upcoming events with Maharaji?

David: This is a great chance to cover in full all five open events, plus the follow-up interactive broadcast. Sponsorship registration allows the admission amount for guests to stay low. Both the sponsorship and admission amounts are essential to cover pre-event costs and the event itself. For example:

• Venue costs represent the lion's share of the bill and cover facility rent, audio-visual equipment and set-up costs, and fees at union rates for lighting, staging, pipe and drape, and security services. A lot goes into making it comfortable for everyone who comes to hear Maharaji speak;

• A portion of international travel and accommodation costs;
• Production of videos presented during the event;
• Documentation and production of the event for future use.

Remember, too, that registration fees can be tax deductible.

CNA: I heard the new 'Keys' material project needs funding.

David: Yes. There is a special opportunity right now to contribute towards production costs for this new project. We are asking for a one-time contribution of between $50-$500 by July 15. Those interested can contact Elan Vital or Visions for details.

CNA: How many interested people support this work?

David: In the U.S. about 5,000 people who are actively interested go to see Maharaji when he does events here and about 2,000 2,500 send donations, so there is room for growth. Contributions, regardless of size, really do make a difference. Much of the expense for international tours is covered by contributions from the U.S. and Canada, making it possible to hold events in countries where people simply cannot afford the costs associated with Maharaji visiting their region. This is truly something North American contributors can be proud of.

the gift

Knowledge Sessions are now available on an on-going basis in several locations throughout North America, thanks to the recently trained Knowledge Session teams who facilitate these unique opportunities. Auto Knowledge Session Reviews will also be available on request. Please ask a local contact for a schedule of events

'Welcome to this special issue of Connect North America. CNAm evolved from the need and desire to share relevant information between teams and individuals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The first issue is chock full of interesting news and can be downloaded at www.materialsresource.org.

one on one

invitation tools
introductory brochure

This attractive, informative tri-fold brochure features an introduction to Maharaji, to the message and to resources. Available at low cost from www.wordsofpeace.com.

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introductory cd and dvd

An introductory CD and DVD developed in collaboration with Visions and Dunrite will be available at www.wordsofpeace.com in early July.

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tprf materials

For an intriguing array of high quality introductory materials please visit www.tprf.org or call 1-800-616-8755

June 2004

CNA - page 2

"peace is possible" summer events

Maharaji has accepted invitations to speak in five cities in North America. Registration and sponsorship information can be found at the following web site www.elanvital.org/events2004 along with directions and other vital information.

date time venue

Saturday, July 24 7:00 PM EDT Roy Thomson Hall 60 Simcoe Street Toronto, Ontario

Sunday, July 25 7:00 PM EDT The Prudential Hall, The New Jersey Performing Arts Center 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ

Wednesday, July 28 7:30 PM EDT The Grand Floridian Ballro, The Greater Ft. Lauderdale/Broward Convention Center 1950 Eisenhower Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Saturday, July 31 5:00 PM PDT Los Angeles Convention Center - West Hall A 1201 South Figueroa Street Los Angeles, CA

Sunday, August 1 5:00 PM PDT Zellerbach Auditorium University of California, Berkeley, CA

live broadcasts

On July 24, Maharaji's public address in Toronto will be broadcast live to approximately 40 cities in North America, 80 in Europe and 18 in South America. This event will be shown only at special screenings to which guests can be invited. This opportunity will allow local communities to present Maharaji's message in a very special way.

On Sunday, August 8, there will be a live broadcast of Maharaji speaking from a studio on the West Coast to audiences in many cities throughout North America.

At these events, people, who have heard Maharaji speak in July and August, will have the opportunity to ask him questions via a live interactive satellite feed. Times and locations will be available at the Peace is Possible public presentations. First used in India last year, this format will give guests a chance to not only listen to him again, but also interact with Maharaji, in real time.

To host Toronto, contact Kathy Halvorson at kehalvor@aol.com by June 30th. For August 8, contact her by July 7th.

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young people respond to call of heart

At a theater in Rhode Island in May, young people (YP) introduced Maharaji's message to more than 90 guests. DJs spun music, a large screen mixed the images of those attending with visuals, and introductory videos played throughout the night.

Colleges, bars, and cafes throughout the world, have been being used by YP to host intro events. Electronic music has been implemented into some, organizers say, as a way for guests to feel comfortable.

"People are most comfortable around their peers," says Premlata Rawat Hudson a YP from Los Angeles. "A few of us younger people, a couple of who are DJs, started holding intro events. The first one was a success beyond our expectations."

YP interested in getting involved can visit www.ypinews.co.uk

In North America, a summer tour by YP is planned to help support YP events throughout the region. To learn more about that and other topics, e-mail ypwk@whatshott.org.

SE

margie's mailbag

Dear Margie,

Can you tell me the best way to stay up-to-date and involved? Signed, Missing Link

Dear Missing,

This Connect North America newsletter will keep you up-to-date. www.rapidcommunication.org email list is a great way to stay informed.

inspire.contactinfo.net

Inspire weekly newsletter about Maharaji's activities. www.contactinfo.net

great place to direct guests for information and links. www.wordsofpeace.com

great place to get latest broadcast videos or DVDs. www.materialsresource.org best place for materials templates, cable support. and the Connect Directory, which lists all these links and more. www.smartcardoffice.org best place to get a Smart Card.

an invitation

For people who have recently developed an interest in Maharaji's message and would like to hear him in person at his next public speaking engagement in their area, please invite them to visit www.invitationlist.org or call 1-818-879-1500

words of peace: viewership up in land down under

Maharaji met recently with the local team from Melbourne, Australia to discuss their success broadcasting Words of Peace over the air on public access television. Since July, 2003, more than 180,000 people have tuned in to the program. More than 600 people registered at an online database to attend the next live event with Maharaji in Melbourne.

Maharaji was enthusiastic about speaking to an audience which had already heard his message on TV.

Local teams throughout North America are broadcasting Words of Peace over public access cable in their hometowns in English and Spanish. For a listing of these broadcasts, visit contactinfo.net. To learn how your local team can cablecast Words of Peace, please contact cable@materialsresource.org.

DW

updating

Even if you think you are current, please send your address to one of these for updating: Elan Vital, Inc.

PO Box 2220

Agoura Hills, CA 91301

Email: updates@elanvital.org Call: 818-889-1373

Fax: 818-889-6522.

public relations

How does the PR team support letting people know about Maharaji's message? One way is that they help arrange for articles to be published in small local papers and magazines. A team of writers prepares each article. It's exciting when you introduce someone to his message, and their first response is "Oh yea - I read something he wrote last month in our weekly paper!" Call the PR contact in your area if you know of a local publication that might be interested in having a piece written for them. Many small publications welcome this kind of opportunity.

Also, watch for a detailed FAQ section covering many topics that have come up over the years. To access, visit elanvital.org or elanvital.ca.

KL

For samples and templates for materials that promote Maharaji's message of peace, please visit

www.materialsresource.org

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