Maharishikaa | Andrew Cohen - Why the Guru was toppled…

Maharishikaa responds to an emotional ex-follower of the EnlightenNext movement Christopher Hawkins, about its founder Andrew Cohen's recent passing away.

She traces his rise and fall as an influential teacher in the field of spiritual awakening and enlightenment experiments during the 1990s, most notably through his work with EnlightenNext. She shows understanding for the emotional rollercoaster experienced by many of his former disciples—including those who left him—as they process his death and reflect on their own spiritual journey.

With clarity and compassion, Maharishikaa deconstructs Cohen’s downfall, which She had revealed to him during a private meeting he sought with her in Tiruvannamalai in 2020. She explains to Christopher that people like Andrew are not ill-intentioned—they are simply not present in their bodies. She rejects his concept of ‘evolutionary enlightenment,’ stating unequivocally that there is no evolution or devolution of consciousness. While the idea may appear intellectually compelling, it is nothing but conceptual gymnastics—far from reality.

In pursuit of this ideal, Cohen moved beyond the emotional, beyond other realms of consciousness inherent to the body, out into cosmic states; and in doing so became detached and incapable of feeling or responding to the emotional experiences of his students. This detachment, Maharishkaa explains, ultimately led his students to rebel and bring him down from the pedestal they themselves had helped place him on.

Maharishikaa emphasizes the critical importance for any spiritual Guru to remain grounded—standing on the earth with both feet firmly planted—no matter how many people may exalt them. Cohen, instead of standing rooted within himself, allowed himself to be swayed by his students.

Praising him as someone who contributed greatly to opening people up to spirituality, She recounts that in their 2020 meeting, as Maharishikaa guided him to descend back into the body, Cohen spoke of “reintegration.” She graciously credits him with her own use of this term in her teachings.

Maharishikaa sheds light on what may have been his greatest misstep: becoming a Guru without the blessing of his own Guru. Tragedies like the one Cohen experienced occur when such core principles of Guruvaada are disregarded on a spiritual journey.

Addressing Christopher’s current state—his ability to remain in surrender even while experiencing pain and energy blocks—Maharishikaa affirms that true surrender enables one to endure the inevitable sufferings of life without being destabilized. As he continues with his surrender practice, the energetic blocks he experiences, too, will dissolve.

Reminding Christopher of the human-ness of his former Guru, and saying that Andrew Cohen did eventually realize his mistakes—Maharishikaa tells him it’s time for him to forgive Andrew. She assures him that he is on a good track, and to continue this Saadhanaa of surrender.

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