Dr. Vernon Katz, author of Conversations with Maharishi
MIU Press recently published the second volume of Conversations with Maharishi by Dr. Vernon Katz. The books are based on conversations Dr. Katz had with Maharishi while they were translating the Brahma Sutras in the late 1960s and early 70s. Dr. Katz’s questions inspired deep insights from Maharishi on the nature and development of higher states of consciousness.
Dr. Katz spent months at a time with Maharishi, meeting him in various places such as the Himalayas, Italy, and Lake Tahoe, California. Their exchanges were recorded on over 400 audio cassettes and their discussions of the Brahma Sutras are interspersed with the gems that have been transcribed in these two books.
“There was a lot of laughter and joy in working with Maharishi,” said Dr. Katz. “He had a completely original mind; he took nothing for granted. He looked at everything freshly. Most of us we look at life and the experiences we have and it covers the truth to some extent, but Maharishi was fresh each time he gave answers to questions. It was always completely unexpected.”
Receiving the Maharishi Award in June 2015
“Dr. Vernon Katz brought such huge delight to Maharishi,” said MIU President Dr. Bevan Morris. “His sweet and lovable nature was one thing, but his powerful and highly discriminating intellect and his repeated enquiries to Maharishi inspired Maharishi so much.”
Dr. Katz received his doctorate of philosophy from Oxford University and did his thesis on Indian philosophy. He assisted Maharishi in his translation and commentary of the Bhagavad Gita and the Brahma Sutras. He is a trustee emeritus of the University, as well as a visiting professor in the Department of Maharishi Vedic Science. Dr. Katz has also been working with MIU Professor Dr. Tom Egenes on the translation of
The Upanishads, and they published the first volume in June 2015.
