Stay and Transform

The greatest truths are not found in mystical retreats alone, but in the daily work and common struggles of ordinary men and women looking to find more meaning in their daily lives.

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Transcript

In August 1967, George Harrison, along with the other Beatles, traveled to Bangor, Wales to attend a weekend conference with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. During this turning point, Harrison had his first formal introduction to Transcendental Meditation. "The experience was beyond words," Harrison documented in his memoir. "For the first time in my life, I felt I had gained something that could not be lost."

While the other Beatles' interest in meditation eventually waned, Harrison's commitment deepened. He later explained in a 1987 interview with Rolling Stone that "the meditation buzz is incredible. You get a feeling of positive energy. It's a direct experience of being connected with God." This mindset, this awakening, this realization profoundly influenced his personal life, and his approach to music and business.

By 1969, amidst the Beatles' dissolution, Harrison had established a daily practice of meditation and yoga at his home in Friar Park. He transformed part of his home studio into a meditation space, where musicians would often gather before recording sessions. This practice carried into the creation of his masterpiece ‘All Things Must Pass’ (1970). Producer Phil Spector noted how Harrison would often begin recording sessions with group meditation, creating what he called "a peaceful vibe that you could hear in the music."

What distinguished Harrison's spiritual journey was his practical application of Eastern wisdom to Western creative work. He kept it real. Unlike many seekers of his era, he didn't abandon his career for spiritual pursuit. He stayed. He worked. He integrated these practices into his professional life. He demonstrated how ancient techniques could address modern challenges. Because, as he wrote in his autobiography, "the spiritual path doesn't mean you have to give up your job. It means doing your job better, with more awareness."

This is a testament to the daily discipline of the spirit. Through Harrison, we see not just the power of meditation, but its practical promise. In the studio, where creativity flows. In business, where clarity prevails. In relationships, where understanding deepens. His legacy stands not only in the songs he gave us, but also in the path he showed us. A path where ancient wisdom meets modern life, where Eastern insight transforms Western industry, where spiritual practice becomes professional power. And so, we learn through his example, that the greatest truths are not found in mystical retreats alone, but in the offices and studios, in the daily work and common struggles of ordinary men and women looking to find more meaning in their daily lives.