Until recently, Maharaji had never been to Albuquerque, New Mexico, though he was personally asked a few years back by Stan Metcalf from Taos to come and speak. Maharaji said, “I fly over it all the time, but I have never dropped in.”

Maharaji decided to “drop in” on September 11, 2009, and proceeded to give his perspective on the difference between make-believe and reality. He called the made-up version of everything the “human arbitrary synthesis,” referring to how individuals arbitrarily make up so many things, then a few people agree on them and form a consensus, and then we think that’s reality.

“You live, fortunately or unfortunately, in the world of make-believe,” he said. “In this world of make-believe there is a 2009. And there is going to be a new year. Is there, or is it arbitrary? Of course it’s arbitrary. It is purely a human arbitrary synthesis. For Hindus, it’s a totally different calendar. For the Nepalese, there’s a totally different calendar. For the Mayans, there’s a totally different calendar.”

Then he continued, “But for you, there’s a calendar of understanding. Your existence has to be measured not by how many hours and minutes and seconds you have, but by what you have understood about your life. Today, are you thankful for being alive or slightly stressed?"

“My relationship with that gratitude matters,” he continued, “because that is what fills my heart with unparalleled joy. There is no joy like the joy of being thankful because you have understood something, realized something.”

Sharon Levin, the venue liaison manager for the Hyatt Regency Hotel, where the event took place, was struck by how personal it felt to her. “I go to hear Maharaji live in many cities,” she said, “and I didn’t think it would matter to me if he came to my home city. However, now that he is here, I realize what a beautiful gift it is to see him in person.”

Ken Helfer, who works in the wrought iron business in Santa Fe, mentioned that he was concerned there wasn’t the manpower to put on the event with volunteers. But after witnessing the swift actions of everyone who was involved with set-up and the smoothness of the teamwork, he changed his mind. “We made it look easy, and we put something on the map that can never be taken back.”

Ken mentioned that they advertise local events and Words of Peace cable in the local newspaper called the Santa Fe Reporter. “I really feel it is important to have Maharaji on the air,” he said. “And for those who want to know more, there is simple access to his message on the Internet.”

Sara Sorensen, the MC for this event, has seen Maharaji live about four times. “Every time I come to an event, I experience something different. It is so hard to talk about these things, because after listening to him, I am often left speechless. I definitely feel I need a couple of days to digest all that has been said.” Sara, who is 23 and lives in Colorado Springs, said she felt “extremely honored” to have the opportunity to host the event.

Lydia Allan was a volunteer usher helping attendees find their seats. “Personally,” she said, “this whole experience seems life-changing. So much of what Maharaji spoke of rings so true to me.”

Lydia’s close friend, Cheryl Pathcart, said that, besides the immense beauty of the event, she really enjoyed seeing Our Time, the news update of Maharaji’s worldwide travels. The video played after Maharaji left the stage, and, though she knew Maharaji traveled frequently, she never realized how extensive his tour schedule was and what it takes. “It was quite impressive to see how many lives Maharaji touches around the world,” she noted. “The numbers broadened my perspective and gave me the sense of how far-reaching Maharaji’s impact actually is on so many people.”