Book review
Full title: His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: A living saint for the new millennium: Stories of his first visit to the USA
Type / genre: book (memoir)
Length: 307 pp
Author: Helena and Roland Olson
Published: 2001 (revised edition)
Simply out of curiosity, Helen and Roland Olson went to see a lecture by an Indian guru advertised in the Los Angeles Times. After all, it sounded exhilarating to have a Master from the East speak at the Hollywood Actors Club under the gaze of photographs of American movie stars.
Little did they know what a series of events this little outing caused to unroll. Right there and then following the lecture, they invited the speaker – Maharishi Mahesh Yogi – to live and carry out his teaching at their home. This marked the coming “of silk and sandals” to their “all Western” Catholic Hollywood life.
How East inspired West and what happens when you invite a Guru to stay at your home is what you can find out from reading the book.
His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi: A living saint for the new millennium is a heart-warming account of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s first visit to the United States. It is a delightful read which makes one understand why and how Transcendental Meditation movement has been able to grow so large so fast. The answer does not lie in ambitious plans but in the sheer power of inspiration.
Unfortunately, this book is out of print currently. However, do try to get your hands on a copy from a library or second-hand. The joy Maharishi bought to Helen, Roland and their family shines through every page of this book and lets the reader also delight in it.