The early years attracted a media circus. Normally reliable publications such as The Washington Post and Time magazine published articles such as "Prince of Peace arrives in Volkswagen." Prem Rawat’s claim that he could show people the divinity within them, which he described as “perfect and pure energy,” and his gentle joking with the idea that God must have a human-like body, were misunderstood by many. The religious right and the tabloid press became strange bedfellows as they rushed to agree that his claims were absurd or even blasphemous.

James Randi, a stage magician and professional cynic, wrote mockingly and inaccurately of the techniques of Knowledge. Academic researchers sometimes produced results that reflected personal bias or inadequate research. Gordon Melton wrote that the techniques of Knowledge originated in "Indian trappings". Stephen Hunt believed that Knowledge consisted of "a set of instructions for how adherents should live." In fact, Prem Rawat has never prescribed any particular lifestyle, and nobody knows how or where the techniques originated.) Others, such as Ron Geaves, James Downton, Stoner & Park, Marc Galanter and Reinhart Hummel wrote neutrally or positively.

The first Words of Peace program, featuring public addresses by Prem Rawat, was broadcast by satellite in the US in 1999. Since then, cable and satellite stations throughout Europe, North and South America, Asia and the Pacific have begun broadcasting his message of inspiration, with subtitles or translation into more than 20 languages. Viewer response has been enthusiastic. The program has received multiple awards in Brazil and the US. Many millions of viewers are now able to form their own opinions about Prem Rawat's message directly.

During 2004, he spoke at a global, live interactive satellite event that was broadcast simultaneously to 29 countries.  A woman from Argentina asked, "How can I overcome having lost someone I love very much?”

He answered, "There is not a question of being able to replace that person or overcome your sadness, but know that in your memories that person still lives on.  Extract the beautiful from the situation.  The love you have for that person never has to end.  That love never has to die.

And that person, although they may not be alive physically, will live in your love, in your feeling, and can live there for the rest of your life.  Love is what is important.  Love is what brings us together.  Love is not about lamenting.

Love is not about looking at the past and wondering how it could have been and how it wasn't.  Love is not about the things that are not.  Love is about what is, what is felt in the heart at this moment. Fortunately for all of us, even though there's a loss, there is something that we will always have.  Something that nobody can take away from us, not even death.  And that is the love.”

Civic and government leaders began to take notice as his worldwide audience grew. In recent years, he has received many invitations to speak before influential audiences on the subject of peace.

At the United Nations Conference Center in Thailand, he said, "Peace needs to be in everyone's life. Of all the things we have tried in this world, there is one thing we have never given a chance. That one thing is peace. If we want to hope for something, maybe we could hope in our heart that peace will come in our life. The peace we are looking for is within. It is in the heart, waiting to be felt, and I can help you get in touch with it. It is not the world that needs peace; it is people. When people in the world are at peace within, the world will be at peace”.

On the United Nations International Day of Peace, September 2005, he was welcomed at Australia's Parliament House by Paul McDonald, Executive Director of the Committee for Economic Development of Australia. Introducing Prem Rawat to the audience, McDonald said “It is not possible to convey the breadth of Prem Rawat's achievements or indeed what he has to offer in the context of peace. In the troubled times in which we are living, our dream for peace seems to elude us. While we tend to first look to institutions to bring peace, Prem Rawat says we need first and foremost to look within. Peace, he says, is possible. It is within each person, waiting, wanting to be felt. His message is original and profound.””

Also in 2005, some members of Malaysia's social and ruling elite organized an event for Prem Rawat at the United Nations Association of Malaysia. Invited guests included members of the royal families of Malaysia and Cambodia, ambassadors and government officials. At this highly successful event, Prem Rawat said, "We detest war and wonder why people have to fight, why there has to be bloodshed. And we come up with incredible explanations about societies and nations, but we don't talk about the individual people. War is representative of what takes place in the vacuum of the fundamental fulfillment that each individual needs to feel. Peace is not a luxury. Peace is as important as breathing air, eating food, or having shelter, because it is the fundamental necessity of every heart on the face of this earth."

Soon after the Malaysian event, he attended another event in Thailand at the invitation of Thammasat University officials. Addressing academic, civic and government leaders, he said:

These days he attracts diverse audiences. Some people find his message interesting and inspiring, and are content with that. Others want to discover more, and go on to learn the techniques of Knowledge.

2008 In Review

In 2008, Prem Rawat traveled a total of 90,000 nautical miles to 40 different cities in 18 countries. He visited 14 of those cities for the first time. His itinerary included a four day event in Israel. In Corleone, Sicily, he was made an honorary citizen and declared the "Maestro of Peace" by a local official after an enthusiastic reception. (See the essays page for details.) His Derby, UK, event was broadcast live to an estimated one million viewers worldwide.

"There are people here who might have reasons
why there cannot be peace on this Earth.
I have 6.7 billion reasons why there should be peace on this Earth."

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