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Maharishi & Me: Seeking Enlightenment with the Beatles' Guru
Susan Shumsky is a successful author in the human potential field. But in the 1970s, in India, the Swiss Alps, and elsewhere, she served on the personal staff of the most famous guru of the 20th century―Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Maharishi died in 2008 at age ninety, but his influence endures through the spiritual movement he founded: TM (Transcendental Meditation). Other books have been written about him, but this spellbinding page-turner offers a rare insider's view of life with the guru, including the time the Beatles studied at his feet in Rishikesh, India, and wrote dozens of songs under his influence.
Both inspirational and disturbing, Maharishi & Me illuminates Susan's two decades living in Maharishi's ashrams, where she grew from a painfully shy teenage seeker into a spiritually aware teacher and author. It features behind-the-scenes, myth-busting stories, and over 100 photos of Maharishi and his celebrity disciples (the Beatles, Deepak Chopra, Mia Farrow, Beach Boys, and many more).
Susan's candid, honest portrayal draws back the curtain on her shattering, extreme emotional seesaws of heaven and hell at her guru's hands. This compelling, haunting memoir will continue to challenge readers long after they turn its last page. It dismantles all previous beliefs about the spiritual path and how spiritual masters are supposed to behave.
Susan shares: “Merely by being in his presence, we disciples entered an utterly timeless place and rapturous feeling, and, at the same time, realized the utter futility and insanity of the mundane world.”
Susan's heartfelt masterwork blends her experiences, exacting research, artistically descriptive and humorous writing, emotional intelligence, and intensely personal inner exploration into a feast for thought and contemplation. Neither starry-eyed nor antagonistic, it captures, from a balanced viewpoint, the essence of life in an ashram.
Maharishi died in 2008 at age ninety, but his influence endures through the spiritual movement he founded: TM (Transcendental Meditation). Other books have been written about him, but this spellbinding page-turner offers a rare insider's view of life with the guru, including the time the Beatles studied at his feet in Rishikesh, India, and wrote dozens of songs under his influence.
Both inspirational and disturbing, Maharishi & Me illuminates Susan's two decades living in Maharishi's ashrams, where she grew from a painfully shy teenage seeker into a spiritually aware teacher and author. It features behind-the-scenes, myth-busting stories, and over 100 photos of Maharishi and his celebrity disciples (the Beatles, Deepak Chopra, Mia Farrow, Beach Boys, and many more).
Susan's candid, honest portrayal draws back the curtain on her shattering, extreme emotional seesaws of heaven and hell at her guru's hands. This compelling, haunting memoir will continue to challenge readers long after they turn its last page. It dismantles all previous beliefs about the spiritual path and how spiritual masters are supposed to behave.
Susan shares: “Merely by being in his presence, we disciples entered an utterly timeless place and rapturous feeling, and, at the same time, realized the utter futility and insanity of the mundane world.”
Susan's heartfelt masterwork blends her experiences, exacting research, artistically descriptive and humorous writing, emotional intelligence, and intensely personal inner exploration into a feast for thought and contemplation. Neither starry-eyed nor antagonistic, it captures, from a balanced viewpoint, the essence of life in an ashram.
340 pages, Hardcover
Published February 13, 2018
22 people are currently reading
1095 people want to read
About the author
Susan Shumsky
29 books58 followersDr. Susan Shumsky has dedicated her life to helping people take command of their lives in highly effective, powerful, positive ways. She is the best-selling author of 14 books, published by Simon & Schuster, Random House, and New Page. A pioneer in the human potential field, she has spent 50 years teaching thousands of people meditation, prayer, affirmation, and intuition. Her book titles include Miracle Prayer, Divine Revelation, Exploring Meditation, Exploring Auras, Exploring Chakras, How to Hear the Voice of God, Ascension, Instant Healing, The Power of Auras, The Power of Chakras, Awaken Your Third Eye, Awaken Your Divine Intuition, Color Your Chakras, and Maharishi & Me.
Dr. Shumsky is a highly respected spiritual teacher, award-winning author, and founder of Divine Revelation®—a unique field-proven technology for contacting the divine presence, hearing and testing the inner voice, and receiving clear divine guidance. For 22 years, her mentor was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who was guru of the Beatles and guru of Deepak Chopra. Dr. Shumsky served on Maharishi's personal staff for 6 years.
A sought-after media guest and highly acclaimed professional speaker, Dr. Shumsky has done over 600 speaking engagements and over 900 media appearances since her first book was published, including Woman's World, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, nationally syndicated TV and radio, Alan Colmes on FOX news, Coast to Coast AM with George Noory, and William Shatner's TV show. She is featured in the movie Three Magic Words.
Her websites are www.drsusan.org and www.divinetravels.com.
Dr. Shumsky is a highly respected spiritual teacher, award-winning author, and founder of Divine Revelation®—a unique field-proven technology for contacting the divine presence, hearing and testing the inner voice, and receiving clear divine guidance. For 22 years, her mentor was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who was guru of the Beatles and guru of Deepak Chopra. Dr. Shumsky served on Maharishi's personal staff for 6 years.
A sought-after media guest and highly acclaimed professional speaker, Dr. Shumsky has done over 600 speaking engagements and over 900 media appearances since her first book was published, including Woman's World, GQ, Cosmopolitan, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, nationally syndicated TV and radio, Alan Colmes on FOX news, Coast to Coast AM with George Noory, and William Shatner's TV show. She is featured in the movie Three Magic Words.
Her websites are www.drsusan.org and www.divinetravels.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 11, 2018
This book was a mixed bag for me. It was definitely a nostalgic walk down memory lane since I was in college in the early 70s (the years covered in the book are the late 60s to 1989) and I was aware of all the press about TM, the Maharishi, the Beatles at the Indian ashram, etc. I did not become a TMer, though I was interested in learning more about it over the years. I do think that a TMer would have a much different perspective on this book. As a non-TMer, I eventually (about half way through) found it tiring and frustrating to repeatedly read of the desperate "need" to be near the Maharishi and the willingness to tolerate rude, unfair treatment and keep coming back for more. It seemed very unhealthy for one's self-esteem. Also, the author is thorough, but at times that added to the "weariness." The picture painted of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was definitely interesting, and in the end I am glad that I finished the book. However, I wish there had been a bit more about 1) explanations for such "neediness" and the reasons for staying in the "movement" (cult?) for so long, and 2) more information on "the spirituality" of the Maharishi. Towards the end of the book, it seemed that the author would criticize the movement, then "redeem" it, then criticize it, then redeem it, perhaps in the same way that the Maharishi apparently would praise, then crush - and repeat - his close followers. I suppose, in the end, we are shown the upsides and the downsides of the guru and the movement.
April 20, 2018
I was never drawn to the Maharishi or Transcendental Meditation, but I'm glad I read this book. The author writes of him as both divine and human while she recounts her spiritual journey, I now know a more about the guru/disciple relationship and I'm open to the value of other teachings.
May 27, 2018
Although this might not have been my first choice of reading material if I were browsing for something to read, I had just watched "Lennon Naked," a British docu-drama about John Lennon that included The Beatles time with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. I've never quite understood the whole concept of transcendental meditation, so I thought I would read this to gain some insights. Early on, the author drops the first shoe, the insanity of blind faith and unrequited need. She writes paragraph after paragraph, page after page of her need to be with the Maharishi (a title bestowed upon him that has no real meaning) and that only he matters. She is so drawn into the con that changes at his whim. I kept turning the pages waiting for the other shoe, the shoe of realization and sanity, to drop. That, and the minute crumbs that foretold such an occurrence, kept this book from ending up on the did-not-finish shelf. That's a shelf with very few books.
To my way of thinking, Maharishi was a rude and deliberately manipulative individual with a definite sadistic streak. To think that anyone could buy into his self-centered (pun intended) way of life is beyond me. It would seem that Susan Shumsky went from a promiscuous flower child, in Haight Ashbury, to a celibate, controlled by a misogynist, wherever her guru wanted her to be. To her credit, there are sporadic outbursts of independence that I have to cheer.
Susan Shumsky is a good writer. She expresses herself well and presents a coherent history of a transformative, and turbulent time in history. Young people were making their voices heard. Music was changing. Freedom meant more than just being an American. However, for me, this was a hard book to read. I grew up in that same formative time and look back on it from a totally different perspective. I had a hard time deciding whether this book was worth my time or not. In some respects it was simply because it brought the 60s back into clear focus. If you are a child of that time, you will recognize more of the famous names than if you grew up a decade or two later. Some of the people named were a surprise, even to me. This is not "People Magazine" or "Us," but there is enough celebrity gossip to keep some more than entertained. History aside, I hated what Susan Shumsky did to herself. I just can't imaging shutting myself away from the world for a week, let alone two decades. So it's up to you to decide what you want to get out of reading this biographical account. There is no doubt that it will make you think.
To my way of thinking, Maharishi was a rude and deliberately manipulative individual with a definite sadistic streak. To think that anyone could buy into his self-centered (pun intended) way of life is beyond me. It would seem that Susan Shumsky went from a promiscuous flower child, in Haight Ashbury, to a celibate, controlled by a misogynist, wherever her guru wanted her to be. To her credit, there are sporadic outbursts of independence that I have to cheer.
Susan Shumsky is a good writer. She expresses herself well and presents a coherent history of a transformative, and turbulent time in history. Young people were making their voices heard. Music was changing. Freedom meant more than just being an American. However, for me, this was a hard book to read. I grew up in that same formative time and look back on it from a totally different perspective. I had a hard time deciding whether this book was worth my time or not. In some respects it was simply because it brought the 60s back into clear focus. If you are a child of that time, you will recognize more of the famous names than if you grew up a decade or two later. Some of the people named were a surprise, even to me. This is not "People Magazine" or "Us," but there is enough celebrity gossip to keep some more than entertained. History aside, I hated what Susan Shumsky did to herself. I just can't imaging shutting myself away from the world for a week, let alone two decades. So it's up to you to decide what you want to get out of reading this biographical account. There is no doubt that it will make you think.
July 6, 2019
Maharishi was a great guru, and am sure he did the best possible given the conditions that he lived and the knowledge and examples he had.
At the beginning especially he was quite pure in motive and did quite well being led by spirit as many sages before him. Susan gives a wonderful narrative account that really lets you be there with her on her journey with the Maharishi, and she also peppers it in with stories of the Beatle and other notable things that happened.
There are many lessons to glean, and ways that can be improved on the methods of the Maharishi. Though certainly of the 20th century he is the richest guru that I know, and brought meditation to likely many millions, even if not directly through TM, but through it's imitators and those whose meditation courses were bolstered by the rise of TM.
Some of the lessons I glean are that organization and follow through is highly necessary. Susan remarks that countless dollars were wasted with false starts and sending people on frivolous errands and quests mostly meant to frustrate the devotees. While Susan excuses this as a method of teaching which gurus before have done also, in the modern day there are more efficient means of helping people realize liberation from suffering.
Another issue that arose was the fear that gripped his later years and led to the radicalization of Transcendental Meditation. Fear of supplementary teachings that could enrich the lives of the disciples. He had a great attachment to his disciples it seems and that caused some significant suffering, both for him personally and the organization. The alternative of course is to remember the bodhisattva vows, and that there are many schools to teach the students, for each student may have many teachers on their path to liberation.
Another issue is that while he did have TM teachers, it doesn't seem he gave them the full program, since even though Susan was with him and did all the programs for 10 or more years, she did not even learn to listen to her inner voice until she accepted external teachings, and did not learn to be spirit led. Indeed even Susan at the time of writing the book revealed a belief in dualistic thinking, believing that channeling and her version of channeling were different, and that her channeling was superior to that of others. We are all one being Susan, pleas remember that, to split the world is to split oneself.
Otherwise another thing that would be good is transparency in fiscal matters. I believe it is best to make accounts public so that people can see the money that is coming in and what it is being used for. This helps to eliminate waste which was clearly apparent by the fact that TM raised much money for a school, and then somehow that money disappeared and they had to redo the funding campaign.
Another issue the Maharishi had was not accepting his faults, and letting his disciples take the blame for them. such as the raising of rates, or lowering of conditions. If there was a transparency as to the fiscal matters, then it could be more compassionately accepted by all parties.
The lack of compassion or metta meditation in TM may have also led to some of the ill feelings that arose.
There is also the inefficiencies in terms that they did not manage to convert the ones that went "insane" during the long meditation retreats into sages. Though Maharishi did succeed with the celebrity Prudence, so if there was a sufficient systemizing framework those people could have been absorbed as well.
Anyways, really wonderful work both by Susan and Maharishi, certainly one of the giants of the spiritual world upon whose shoulders were can create something better.
At the beginning especially he was quite pure in motive and did quite well being led by spirit as many sages before him. Susan gives a wonderful narrative account that really lets you be there with her on her journey with the Maharishi, and she also peppers it in with stories of the Beatle and other notable things that happened.
There are many lessons to glean, and ways that can be improved on the methods of the Maharishi. Though certainly of the 20th century he is the richest guru that I know, and brought meditation to likely many millions, even if not directly through TM, but through it's imitators and those whose meditation courses were bolstered by the rise of TM.
Some of the lessons I glean are that organization and follow through is highly necessary. Susan remarks that countless dollars were wasted with false starts and sending people on frivolous errands and quests mostly meant to frustrate the devotees. While Susan excuses this as a method of teaching which gurus before have done also, in the modern day there are more efficient means of helping people realize liberation from suffering.
Another issue that arose was the fear that gripped his later years and led to the radicalization of Transcendental Meditation. Fear of supplementary teachings that could enrich the lives of the disciples. He had a great attachment to his disciples it seems and that caused some significant suffering, both for him personally and the organization. The alternative of course is to remember the bodhisattva vows, and that there are many schools to teach the students, for each student may have many teachers on their path to liberation.
Another issue is that while he did have TM teachers, it doesn't seem he gave them the full program, since even though Susan was with him and did all the programs for 10 or more years, she did not even learn to listen to her inner voice until she accepted external teachings, and did not learn to be spirit led. Indeed even Susan at the time of writing the book revealed a belief in dualistic thinking, believing that channeling and her version of channeling were different, and that her channeling was superior to that of others. We are all one being Susan, pleas remember that, to split the world is to split oneself.
Otherwise another thing that would be good is transparency in fiscal matters. I believe it is best to make accounts public so that people can see the money that is coming in and what it is being used for. This helps to eliminate waste which was clearly apparent by the fact that TM raised much money for a school, and then somehow that money disappeared and they had to redo the funding campaign.
Another issue the Maharishi had was not accepting his faults, and letting his disciples take the blame for them. such as the raising of rates, or lowering of conditions. If there was a transparency as to the fiscal matters, then it could be more compassionately accepted by all parties.
The lack of compassion or metta meditation in TM may have also led to some of the ill feelings that arose.
There is also the inefficiencies in terms that they did not manage to convert the ones that went "insane" during the long meditation retreats into sages. Though Maharishi did succeed with the celebrity Prudence, so if there was a sufficient systemizing framework those people could have been absorbed as well.
Anyways, really wonderful work both by Susan and Maharishi, certainly one of the giants of the spiritual world upon whose shoulders were can create something better.
January 6, 2019
If you are looking for inside information on the Beatles and transcendental meditation, look elsewhere. If you are interested in learning about the social settings, in which the technique was first popularized, read this book. Author Shumski describes her introduction to the Maharishi’s teaching styles. She explains how it changed her approach to life and self-actualization. This is only one of several books she has written on mediation, intuition, affirmation, prayer, and spiritual healing. The author has a Doctor of Divinity degree from Teaching of Intuitional Metaphysical, which is accredited by the American Alternative Medical Association and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners but does not qualify for traditional accreditation that universities like private and state universities, community colleges, and other secular institutions qualify for.
Laura Merlington, narrator, has recorded over one hundred audiobooks including works by Margaret Atwood and Alice Hoffman. Her voice is pleasing and her pronunciation clear and easy to understand. While Merlinton give a five star performance, the material is only worth three stars.
Laura Merlington, narrator, has recorded over one hundred audiobooks including works by Margaret Atwood and Alice Hoffman. Her voice is pleasing and her pronunciation clear and easy to understand. While Merlinton give a five star performance, the material is only worth three stars.
June 12, 2020
Learning about culture, tradition, Eastern philosophies, meditation, and the life of Susan in the 60s is a treat! If you are someone who enjoys reading about stories of people that include learning about culture and religion, then this is for you. In addition, this story takes the readers to a whole new level of learning.
It teaches us about Transcendental Meditation and how Susan was called to join the Ashram and become one of the disciples of Maharishi. I believe that joining a meditation retreat is a calling. Having said that, if any of the readers have thought to go on this journey, then it becomes one of the best books they should read. Furthermore, the readers learn how to wear the sari, what a celibate monk wears, and how different the life of the people in India compared to the Western world.
Indeed, a colorful journey in the life of Susan and Maharishi. Reading it will bring nourishment to the soul. Start reading it!
It teaches us about Transcendental Meditation and how Susan was called to join the Ashram and become one of the disciples of Maharishi. I believe that joining a meditation retreat is a calling. Having said that, if any of the readers have thought to go on this journey, then it becomes one of the best books they should read. Furthermore, the readers learn how to wear the sari, what a celibate monk wears, and how different the life of the people in India compared to the Western world.
Indeed, a colorful journey in the life of Susan and Maharishi. Reading it will bring nourishment to the soul. Start reading it!
September 15, 2018
While this would not normally be my first choice of non-fiction books, the content and the conversational way that the author writes really drew me in. I had heard of Transcendental Meditation but knew very little about it and even less about Maharishi. This book was a fascinating look not only into the Transcendental Meditation Movement and the person at the center, Maharishi, but the personal growth of the author, as she was involved in the movement over a span of time. The book is far from dry and boring. She is entertaining as she writes, which really makes this a great read. She mixes in facts with personal anecdotes and photos. Her writing style is very compelling. She equally lays out the good and the bad of her experiences, giving us a look at both sides. It was a refreshing and enlightening read.
I received a free copy of this book.
I received a free copy of this book.
April 26, 2023
This book is the author's story of her 22-year relationship with Maharishi and the TM Organization. For the most part of the book, the author demonstrated her desperate need to being loved by a "God-infused Master" and her willingness to tolerate rude and extreme abuse through Maharishi's extreme slights and manipulations; however, during the course of her relationship with Maharishi, the author understood the holy vibration and grace of Maharishi and other master's needed to be factored in with their human shortcomings and foibles. As a result of the foregoing, the author left Maharishi to pursue her own spiritual technique of "Divine Revelation." In summary, the author presents a rather ambivalent picture of her guru. More of a focus on her individual practice of TM in its role relating to her present spirituality would have been more beneficial.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2025
I learnt TM last year and recently read the Bhagwat Geeta commentary by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. I was deeply drawn to the depth of his teachings, and while searching for more of his work, I came across this audiobook.
I have mixed feelings about it. The book felt a bit too lengthy, but it did offer several meaningful insights and personal experiences that made it worthwhile.
What truly kept me engaged—and helped me complete such a long story—was its honesty and authenticity. It carries teachings that I will continue to take forward in my spiritual journey.
I have mixed feelings about it. The book felt a bit too lengthy, but it did offer several meaningful insights and personal experiences that made it worthwhile.
What truly kept me engaged—and helped me complete such a long story—was its honesty and authenticity. It carries teachings that I will continue to take forward in my spiritual journey.
July 1, 2018
Powerful and eye-opening
I wasn't familiar with Maharishi except that he was a popular and iconic guru. The author shares her experiences and even her enlightenment by her time spent with him. It was a grand, heartfelt book that I enjoyed, finding it also inspirational. It was a fascinating story of her experiences and perspective. I knew very little about Transcendental Meditation (TM) before reading this, and I've learned a lot. I am very glad to have read this book.
I wasn't familiar with Maharishi except that he was a popular and iconic guru. The author shares her experiences and even her enlightenment by her time spent with him. It was a grand, heartfelt book that I enjoyed, finding it also inspirational. It was a fascinating story of her experiences and perspective. I knew very little about Transcendental Meditation (TM) before reading this, and I've learned a lot. I am very glad to have read this book.
June 20, 2023
dispassion
The authr did a wonderful job of writing with dispassion. She covered the good, the bad, the ugly and the sublime of Maharishi with fairness and facts. I personally have found modern Gurus to be scoundrels, Susan Shumsky has handled her findings in a fair handed way. She has dug deeply into the matter at hand and revealed some interesting facts.
The authr did a wonderful job of writing with dispassion. She covered the good, the bad, the ugly and the sublime of Maharishi with fairness and facts. I personally have found modern Gurus to be scoundrels, Susan Shumsky has handled her findings in a fair handed way. She has dug deeply into the matter at hand and revealed some interesting facts.
December 8, 2022
If you're looking for an insider's account of the Beatles' relationship with the Maharishi, this isn't it. Most of the stuff about the Beatles comes from other sources; I'd read much of it before. The rest of the book is so disjointed and rambling that I couldn't get through it.
December 20, 2018
Well written memoir.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews