Maharishi to Myth

Maharishi-A form of address to a GURU or SPIRITUAL leader or teacher, which would precede a person's name. Could also mean a renowned SAGE or spiritual leader.

Mahatma-In India or Tibet, would refer to a class of person revered for having immense ESOTERIC knowledge, and possessing vast compassion and sympathy for mankind. In HINDUISM, this term refers to a title for that type of person.

Mahayana Buddhism (Sanskrit for "Greater Vehicle)-A form of BUDDHISM that has a more MYSTICAL/METAPHYSICAL view of traditional BUDDHISM, and embraces a broader philosophical view of what a Buddha is. This view that the BUDDHA was a SUPERNATURAL being who was transformed into the historical Buddha.

Mana-Critical intelligence or spiritual power that is exerted through inanimate objects or through man. The MYSTICAL power or unseen force that energizes all things and is perceived as HOLY or DIVINE.

Manas-Sanskrit for the "power of mental picturing". John Lash (2) describes it as the "capacity to imagine what is true, rather than rely solely on sensorial evidence ... not only the capacity to imagine what is real and true, but to generate it." Other authors describe it as unseen forces that pervade the physical word and are experienced as SACRED or DIVINE; the power to experience the world as a separate reality.

Mandala-A vivid, geometric, MYSTIC design that is used as an aid in MEDITATION and RITUAL power. They are represented in many forms of a circle surrounding a square, and are unusually beautiful.

Mani-See MANICHEANISM.

Manicheanism (Ma-nah-KEE-an-ism)-An ancient RELIGION, named for its founder Persian heretic sage named MANI, who lived in the mid-third century A.D. He claimed to be a successive PROPHET of BUDDHA and JESUS. The DOCTRINE of this RELIGION revolved around the universe being DUALISTIC, good and evil, light and darkness. Light being ruled by GOD, and of course, darkness being ruled by the devil, and these two opposites were always involved in an ongoing struggle. The human race, then, being the reflection of this struggle. The way out of this dilemma was through gaining knowledge of the light, and through DIVINE messengers (The Buddha, Jesus, and Mani).

Manifestation-The apparent, outward expression of something from undetectable to detectable; from immaterial to material.

Manna-Indicating DIVINE or SPIRITUAL sustenance or enrichment.

Mantra-A sacred verbal formula or sound repeatedly recited (silently or out loud) in prayer or meditation for the purpose of achieving altered states of consciousness such as joy, detachment, internal power, attunement to the ALMIGHTY, or serenity.

Matrimony-A CHRISTIAN religious rite of marriage before GOD.