Report: Event in Medford, Oregon

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Report: Event in Medford, Oregon

By Jan Buchalter

Wednesday, 16 September 2009 11:50

Have you ever heard of Medford, Oregon? Well, if not, you are not alone.

This is the town that, with only four-day’s notice, hosted Maharaji’s 62nd event for 2009. Medford is a small rural timber and farming town near the border of Northern California and only 12 miles from Ashland, Oregon, where there are a number of people who have wanted Maharaji to visit their area for a long time.

In 1985, this small team wrote a letter to Maharaji and invited him to this region of the Northwest commonly known as the “Rogue Valley.” Maharaji wrote them back personally and said that he would be happy to come visit, but he felt it was not the time. So from time to time, and every year for the past five years, they would write, keeping Maharaji up to date on the community’s activities, renewing their request: “Please honor us with your company.” Confirmation came 24 years later, and Mike McGuire (“Guire” as he is known to his friends) said they always knew it would.

The joyful excitement these folks exuded was electric. Here was an event where they could finally invite all their family and friends to hear Maharaji in person—and that is what many of them did.

The first thing Joe Talboom had to say with heartfelt pride and a big smile was, “Maharaji’s in my town!” Joe invited 30 of his friends to come and listen. “All these years,” he said, “I have just been planting little seeds, letting people know about this possibility.”

On Sept 1st, at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater, the results were obvious. From bus drivers to bank teller friends to business associates, all said they would love to come and listen to Maharaji. Joe said that the day before, he was mentioning the event to some friends in town, and two people who had met Maharaji 23 years ago came walking by and overheard the conversation. They stopped and asked, “Is Maharaji here in Medford?” “Yes,” he replied, “and you are definitely invited. The event is free and starts at 7:00 pm.”

Joyce Staats drove down from Portland, Oregon, and volunteered at the venue to participate in the team effort. “I didn’t know what I was going to do. I just came along this morning with an open heart and plugged in. I feel really excited to see Maharaji.”

When Maharaji came onstage, he was greeted with a heartfelt and enthusiastic welcome from the audience of just under 700 people. From his lively delivery and spontaneous humor, it appeared that Maharaji shared the exuberance of his audience. One young man, who had recently started watching DVDs of Maharaji’s talks but had never seen him in person, shook his head in amazement, “I had no idea he was so funny!”

Maharaji’s talk seemed to move effortlessly from the humorous to the profound. “Everybody has a gift,” he said. “You've got to find what it is. I know what mine is. I can remind people of something beautiful. That’s my gift. Find your gift in this life and blossom. One of the gifts you have is to be able to enjoy every breath that comes into you. Tap into that. This is above and beyond anything else.”

The award-winning series “Words of Peace” is on Charter Cable throughout the Northwest. For Ashland, it is the Rogue Valley Community Television (RVTV) on Channel 15, Sundays at 4 pm.

Watch this event

17 Comments

Eric Simpson makes this comment

Thursday, 17 September 2009

I was born in Ashland in 1957 and have resided here ever since. To have Maharaji come and speak has been the most magical experience of my life to date. Several of my friends attended and we were all overjoyed. Everyone who I have spoken with who attended the event LOVED Maharaji and all have shared their experiences with others. I am sure we'll need a larger venue next year. I hope with all my heart he will come again and again. My love, respect and appreciation for Maharaji, Eric
C. Watts makes this comment

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Lucky, lucky you. Peace.
Navin Prajapati makes this comment

Thursday, 17 September 2009

I am from Gujarat, India. Glad to read all this detail about the event. I feel very happy & surprised that you have given only 4 days for event & you have done it. It is very appreciable. Many many congratulations for company with Maharaji.
Candice makes this comment

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Very interesting report. The personal, human interest side of this is, in my view, a great read for those of us who know a lot about Maharaji already but not much about the people who have benefitted from his work and message. Well done Medford!
Conni Hancock makes this comment

Thursday, 17 September 2009

Thank you very much...a truly inspiring story! What treat it would be to have Maharaji in 'my town' Austin, TX.
Ranjini Rusch makes this comment

Thursday, 17 September 2009

The event sounds wonderful. I am also hopeful that Maharaji one day will do a similar event in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. I love his words of peace. Thank you Maharaji. I am very grateful for the gift of Knowledge. With respect and love. Ranjini Rusch.
Dallas Robson makes this comment

Thursday, 17 September 2009

What a wonderful time for you all. With Maharaji it's what you ask for WILL come true as he said yes. Tears are forming in my eyes but my heart is jumping from happiness. Good on you!! In Four days!! I tip my hat to your teamwork. It can be done... to invite him to the Gold Coast in Qld Oz (some have said its so near to Amaroo why ask him when they can go there or Brisbane). Now I will take example from your story. thank you for sharing this amazing time.
Mike Boyle makes this comment

Friday, 18 September 2009

I was so excited to read this note about Oregon. I am originally from the Pacific NW from Seattle, WA and I was in Portland last September. After hearing the story and seeing the wonderful pictures I was so happy for all my friends out there. Marahaji is truly fabulous! I am so proud to be associated with him!
jim boeger makes this comment

Friday, 18 September 2009

nice presentation. like the photos
Tami Dragovan makes this comment

Friday, 18 September 2009

I live in Los Angeles, but know Medford, OR. well. Given notice prior to the day of the event, as a woman going alone, I woud've felt very comfortable there. I've been trying my best to track where Maharaji 'might' have an event. Can I ask why there is so little advance notice, given the need to find a low airfare, hotel, etc. Not the least when I return to work, clearly one needs notice. I thank you. tami