As I was watching this video I was thinking "Power of 2?" Are they trying to say this was partly Maharaji's doing? This woman had got some Elan Vital videos in the mid-1990s, however, and from this she's done it all by herself. She seemed a little weird but I'm not Cuban and you'd have to be a little strange to start a new religion in Cuba in 1996 though Cuba was and is having a religious revival that has got Fidel spinning in his grave. Happy-clappy Christian and Santeria churches are where the growth is but Ms Otero's crusade for Prem Rawat is, nevertheless, pretty amazing. Cuba had basically collapsed when the Soviet Union stopped shoring up the economy in 1991 and it is still in the "Special Period" of poverty according to some of the people in the video. She seemed wealthier than the other people in the video and I was amazed she could even come to Australia from Cuba in 2002.

Then I got to this: "I have had great experiences because I was a revolutionary before I retired, I worked for 35 years in the Revolution I had so many great experiences rebuilding the country, re-educating kids and women -- beautiful things." So she was one of the Party elite, who lived well while oppressing and persecuting the workers, running Cuba into the ground with their stupid ideas. She was a Re-Educator. Many Cubans were euphemistically 're-educated' through harrassment, deprivation of civil liberties, forced labour in concentration camps, imprisonment and torture. She was one of the "bad guys." That could explain her situation.

The people giving satsang seem genuinely moved but there's an interpersonal feeling and some concepts that haven't been heard amongst premies since the mid-1970s: "Let Unity blossom, Let love blossom, Let it blossom". They haven't learnt that its all about one person and Maharaji and not about unity and love in the premies.

CUBA a tropical island in the Caribbean a population of 11 million A country where electronic devices such as DVD players are the exception, not the rule ... a country where the human spiritis thriving. This is the story of how Maharaji's message plus one person's commitment to share it, has touched thousands of lives.

The Power of 2

Ana Isis Otero: In 1996, Maharaji arrives in Cuba through video events. But the explosion did not start until 2002. From 1996 to 2002, about fifty aspirants met weekly to watch videos of Maharaji. There were no premies, and no instructor had ever visited the island.

In September 2002, I was told I could go to Australia and there I got the techniques. Now I'm going to receive Knowledge. To receive the teachings. I'm very happy, very excited. I got the techniques, and I was so happy. Good afternoon Maharaji, and all the premies. I bring for Maharaji beautiful and warm greetings from premies and aspirants on a small island in the Caribbean called Cuba. (applause)

At the end of 2006, there were over 1,000 people with Knowledge in Cuba. Thanks to the Keys, propagation in Cuba has taken another leap forward. By the end of 2006, there were over 1,500 aspirants going though the Keys

Maharaji:I very much look forward to uh going to Cuba. I've flown flown around Cuba quite a bit, so it would be wonderful and people can receive Knowledge and uh a lot of exciting things are happening.

I was so happy with what Maharaji gave me, that I promised him that I was going to help him in Cuba. So right when I came back, against all odds, we had the first meeting, which 70 people attended. 7 months later, in March 2003, we had the first … we had the first group, 237 premies. It was wonderful.

To tell you the truth it got out of hand (laughter) because we didn't have any videos or and we had to put up with it and at this time they are committed and there's 236 to have aspirants so that in a year they can invite you and we are promising 1,000 aspirants.

Hi, I'm from Cuba, from the first premie graduation. I would like to thank Maharaji for Knowledge that has helped us find inner peace and be better people.

As one of Maharaji's students I've been given the possibility of enjoying to the fullest the infinite path of love … inner peace … fulfilment … Material things, yes they are needed in life, but it is peace and love we need overall, to over come any obstacle. Above all, we are truly alive, because we have that great thing inside, infinite, that Knowledge has given us.

Since I started to watch videos I began to feel a big tranquility. For a long time I jumped from one thing to the other trying to look for peace but I never found it. And since I started watching the videos I've understood that if I had found it earlier I would have devoted all my life to Maharaji. I feel very well since I have Knowledge. But I would also like all those around me to receive Maharaji's Knowledge.

Later on, they multiplied … There's another big group and there are some that when I left they didn't only have five aspirants each but twenty. I said "Oh my God, this isn't really what I thought when I heard you speak about India and I they told you that the city being paralysed, I'm afraid (laughter) what is going to happen in Cuba."

At the end of 2006, there were over 1,000 people with Knowledge in Cuba. Thanks to the Keys, propagation in Cuba has taken another [great] leap forward. By the end of 2006, there were over 1,500 aspirants going though the Keys

I have one year of experience with the techniques. For me, it's been wonderful. I am a but nervous … not used to the camera. I feel very well, I have become a contact, I am taking the wonderful Keys Maharaji has sent us to people who don't know. I am contacting schools, and colleagues that need it.

With love and respect, I send greetings to Maharaji And tell him that what happened to us can happen in any country in the world. They can also get prepared like the premies in Cuba (sound of rooster) thanks to you. Your words have been like a spring's clean water. When one is thirsty one gets a glass of water to quench one's need. With your words, your teachings, your love, your message of peace, light and Knowledge we have been able to know ourselves better.

Otero: Preparation has really been strengthened. Maharaji's idea of the Keys has been genius. Well, like everything he does.

Because of the Keys, all of the barriers that used to exist have been removed …

Maharaji: It is now possible for a person to get prepared and receive Knowledge, like in Cuba, without me ever having set foot in the country - Maharaji April 2006

We know that we can do much more. Naturally, this depends on the resources available.

Otero: I want to say hello first And to tell you I love you so much. You're speaking about the need for propagation. We cannot do more propagation because we don't have enough material now.

Rawat: Whatever you need will be given. Much will be provided now. No questions. You don't have to worry, just keep going. Don't stop now.

Everybody knows the situation our country is experiencing. But it is a very beautiful country, full of love. The proof is that in 3 or 4 years we have reached those figures.

And those who are interested we cannot really accept yet because we lack not only material resources, but also the structure to guarantee the success of our activities. We only have resources we get through donations. We have only one private car … We use centers like the Sociedad Cultural Jose Marti with which we signed an agreement to help facilitate reintegration of youth at risk - young people over 18 years old who have problems. We think that these meetings are going to help us a lot. This has been accepted by the authorities.

Otero: Since I started seeing the videos it was a wonderful experience. My heart overflowed. I have had great experiences because I was a revolutionary before I retired, I worked for 35 years in the Revolution I had so many great experiences rebuilding the country, re-educating kids and women -- beautiful things. When I felt this big gift Maharaji gave me it was magnificent. At 68, receiving this gift … I received this beautiful gift through him - this is why I have such a big commitment. I ask for help because I believe we can do many things, things that he wants, because his bigger aspiration is that there be many aspirants and they become premies, and we are doing all this for him so that those people receive the techniques. With these words I hope he understands my great love. We only hope that we can bring him to Cuba. That he come when he deems it necessary, when he must come. As for us, we can only assure that he has a very happy stay in our country and that he would be taken care of with love by all of us.

Oh, and another thing, we really really really want The Professor to come and visit us so that we can see him in person, LIVE!

The first ten Cubans traveling to Quito, Ecuador for an event with Maharaji on September, 2006.

Let Unity blossom, Let love blossom Let it blossom

Maharaji: How are you? So, idea was to just meet with you people who are who have received Knowledge in Cuba. Today I had the opportunity to fly over your island coming here, flew past Cuba. So the most important thing of course is that there is propagation in Cuba and people help each other and I'm also hoping that next year I'll be able to come to Cuba, that will be nice. So, if you's like to say anything.

Dear Maharaji

We want to thank you for this wonderful gift you are giving us, meeting with us this small group of Cubans. We're very excited and happy to know that you are interested in knowing what we re doing in Cuba. Thank you, Maharaji.

In the name of all those premies who are there in Cuba and those aspirants who are there we have brought you an invitation for you visit to our country. They will be very happy to know that you are going.

Maharaji: I hope that everything will happen that needs to happen but everyone who has Knowledge really needs to enjoy Knowledge, says very important in Spanish. (applause)

We talked to you in Barcelona and we told you that we had some difficulties getting the materials. But now they are coming … the sky has opened up and the materials are coming. And with that material, we can do great things. Because without materials we were able to do it - we could spread it … Now that we do have materials we cannot say how much we can do but it will be a lot.

Maharaji: Yes you know I think you have very good people in different countries who are just really getting very excited to support you. That's wonderful because we're we're working with different places, you know there's Madagascar, there's other countries in Africa and uh slowly propagation is beginning to start in those places and they need help too so this is really a wonderful, wonderful inspiring little saga here, a story because now we can go to Africa and we can say "You know what happened in Cuba? The same thing can be happening here. ha ha ha ha"

We have the most important things … our great will and our willingness to work and a lot of love in our hearts.

Maharaji: Yes, I can see that and I can see

There's a lot of thirst in our people.

Maharaji: Well. I look forward to uh coming to Cuba

We, too.

Maharaji: And uh I think we can make it a nice visit and people who have Knowledge can meetings Well. I look forward to uh coming to Cuba and uh it could be a lot of fun

It's very important and necessary (confused discussion) We really want it … very important and necessary.

Maharaji: Yeah but we we will definitely need to outline a strategy for the first visit, first visit, then second visit, third visit, fourth visit. (laughter, clapping) Take care of yourselves and uh tell all the people in Cuba that I said hello, I send them my love and I hope to see them soon. Thank you. (clapping)

I see the love and enthusiasm. My top priority is to come to Cuba - Maharaji, Quito Ecuador, September 2006

Since then there has been no story about Knowledge, Maharaji or Prem Rawat in the TPRF or WOPG about Cuba. There may be many in Spanish language sites.

In 2009 HDSK contributed 36,418 pounds to M La Bree (Cuba).

Maharaji did, in fact, visit Cuba in 2015 as these pictures and Facebook post show.

WOPG Western Cape
16th April, 2016

· PREM RAWAT IN CUBA
MR. PREM RAWAT - GUEST OF HONOUR AT A
PEACE INITIATIVE WORKSHOP IN HAVANA CUBA

For 3 days - 17 July to 19 July 2015 a Workshop on the subject of Knowledge of Peace took place in Havana & Cienfuegos - Cuba
during which Mr Prem Rawat - International Ambassador of peace was the guest of Honour & principal speaker.
This event initiated a fair exchange of ideas & experiences among the attendees.
Mr Rawat was extremely clear in pointing out that the Knowledge of Peace mentioned, is the vehicle which helps us individually to find Personal Inner Peace & that it will help us to love the natural world we live in ,help us to live harmoniously through our behaviour with kindness in our communities.
it will also raise our levels of self esteem and self worth as well as enabling us to be better people individually.
Pic 1-Thumbs up in Cuba, before speaking at series of events on my first visit to the country
Pic 2 - Speaking at one of three events, in Havana Cuba

PICTURES, https://www.premrawat.com/gallery-2015/