Immediately after speaking in Miami, Florida on June 13, Maharaji gave a rare, off-the-cuff interview to Words of Peace Global. Standing in the darkened backstage area of the James L. Knight Center before leaving, he spoke briefly about the audience, his upcoming tour plans and his views on various types of events.

“It’s a privilege to speak to people who have such passion for Knowledge and for peace”, he said, referring to his message. “It’s always fabulous”.

“I’m on my way to Europe to do some events and I’d like to do an event in Barcelona, but I’ll be back in the U.S. to do a tour up and down the East Coast, as well”.

Asked if he would consider speaking at a multi-day event, he replied: “Those type of events just don’t work for many people. The logistics are horrendous and hard to put together. Many just cannot attend. The people who see me on Words of Peace television programs or WOPG videos on the website just aren’t able to come to events like those, so I go to them”.

“With local events like this one, many more people can come and see me”. He smiled. “I’m able to speak with so many more”.

As proof of what he was saying, Maharaji had just finished speaking to over 1,600 people who, despite receiving little notice, had come from across the United States, South America and Europe to hear him.

Against a backdrop of the worst oil-spill in U.S. history, ruined beaches, searing temperatures and predictions of the worst hurricane season in years, he spoke of true wealth and of life.

“If you want to be rich, if you want to ‘hedge against inflation’”, he said, “then understand your richness. Understand what you have been given. Understand what this life is about. This is not going to repeat itself”.

Using various examples, he spoke about advice and understanding where it comes from; about how to follow the heart in order to make the best decisions; and what it takes to embark on the road to peace. Throughout, he returned to his main themes: what it means to be truly wealthy; to be fulfilled; to be content; to be full of joy. What it means, in short, to be alive.

Afterwards, several guests gave WOPG their views of the event.

“I’ll never forget the first time I saw him speak, about 20 years ago”, said Josephina Chan, a former resident of Venezuela now living in Miami. “He inspired me to pursue Knowledge, a way to inner peace. Today it’s really no different, because now he inspires me to continue, to keep enjoying the marvelous experience of this breath and to help others”.

Michael Critchley, originally from England, told us: “I come to see him for the same reason as always. He just exemplifies what he’s talking about, enjoying it himself and sharing that joy and passion with us”.

“He gave me something life-changing, lifelong”, Gary Girard, who runs an aviation business in Miami, explained. “If I’m able, I’ll go to see him. I work and he works, so scheduling is sometimes difficult, but I feel that everyone should hear his message, at least once”.

“Maharaji has been reaching people in the most fundamental way”, said Terry Arnett “And he still does. I don’t even think about it anymore. I just want to help any way I can because his work is key to people knowing themselves”.

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