Frequently Asked Questions

About Prem Rawat

What is your message?

My message starts with the fundamental truth that peace is in every one of us without exception. This is an important statement in the face of so much confusion, cynicism, fear and despair in our world. You’ll find my approach simple, practical, and easy to apply. It’s not about studying for years and years—you have what you need inside you right now. But Self-Knowledge can only begin when you take responsibility for your own well-being and choose to explore within. From self-Knowledge and peace flows a deliciously sweet feeling of joy, clarity, fulfillment, love, resilience and many other things.

What is your role?

This is how I see my role. It’s not my place to tell people what they should or should not be; I’m here to offer reminders that we’re blessed by the miracle of existence and to help point the way toward inner peace. Only you can decide if that’s the direction you want to go. Only you can decide if this is the route you want to take to get there. A good teacher doesn’t try to sing your song for you, or perform your instrument for you, or lay down the rhythms of your life. You play your raga, you set your own rhythm. I’m just here to help you stay in key and feel the inner momentum of the music of life. I can help you hear yourself.

My father, Shri Hans Ji Maharaj, once expressed the role of the teacher of Self-Knowledge through a wonderful metaphor. He talks about the Master, which is what people often call their main teacher, especially in India. Here’s what he said: “Knowledge, they say, is like a sandalwood tree, and the Master like a breeze. The entire sandalwood tree is filled with fragrance, but even if it wanted to give its fragrance away, it could not. Yet, when the breeze blows, it carries the fragrance to the whole forest. As a result, other trees become as fragrant as the sandalwood tree. In the same way, the entire world could be fragrant with Knowledge.”

Who are you?

A while back, I was in Sri Lanka to speak, and the master of ceremonies for the event introduced herself to me backstage: “Good to meet you, but I was expecting a man who’s floating a foot above the carpet!” She had an expectation of how someone connected with inner peace looks. Well, I’m not like that. Do I have peace all the time? No! Do I have problems now and then? Yes! Do I have extraordinary experiences of the world within me? Absolutely! Have I ever floated a foot above the carpet? Not yet.

Do you have a family?

Yes. I married my wife, Marolyn, in 1974. We have four children and four grandchildren.

How can I ask you a question?

The simplest way to ask me a question or send me a message is via this website.. You can also contact me via mail:  PO Box 6110, Malibu, CA 90264. Because of the number of requests I receive, I am not able to answer everyone, but I do my best. Also, in my public talks, I do make an effort to address some of the questions I receive.

Are your talks translated into languages other than English?

Currently, my talks are translated into Spanish, French, German, Hindi, Tamil, Portuguese, Italian, Mandarin and Japanese. And when I give talks in Hindi, they are translated into English.

How can I stay updated on your live events and livestreams?

A schedule of my upcoming live events are noted here. They are also noted on the home page of this website. In order to view livestreams (audio or video), you will need a subscription to TimelessToday.tv. Find out more.

I’m with the Press. How can I schedule an interview with you?

Please visit the Media and Press page of this site and send a request to press@premrawat.com.

How can I learn more about the path to peace?

You have choices. If you haven’t already read my new book, Hear Yourself: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World, that would be a good place to start. A selection of my videos, audios, podcasts, stories and transcripts are available on this website and others. If you are interested in learning the techniques of self-Knowledge that I teach, I invite you to register for PEAK (Peace Education and Knowledge), my free online course.

What do you do in your spare time?

I have a number of hobbies I enjoy: photographycomposing music, cooking, and restoring old cars. I am also a licensed pilot, so staying certified and well-trained is important to me. I also enjoy spending time with my four grandchildren.

About Self-Knowledge

What is self-Knowledge?

Self-Knowledge is a route to personal peace. Practicing it enables a person to stay centered and grounded. With Knowledge, there’s no need to be anywhere else or think anything else – no need for an awareness of anything other than the sweet delight of being. Learn more here.

What is the Peace Education Program?

The Peace Education Program is a series of video-based workshops that help people discover their own inner strength and personal peace. Based on my presentations, The Prem Rawat Foundation provides access to the course materials to organizations and volunteers – free of charge – making the program readily available to diverse populations in more than 70 countries and in over 30 languages. Learn more on the Foundation’s website here.

What can I learn from reading your books?

My most recent book, “Hear Yourself: How to Find Peace in a Noisy World” – a New York Times bestseller – helps people hear their own unique, authentic voice and find the source of peace within themselves. I have also written Peace Is Possible  a book that features stories that have been passed down over generations, inspiring and transforming the lives of millions.

What is the “noise” you write about and speak about?

I find there is a lot of confused intellectual noise around the topic of understanding the self. Many people say they feel challenged by the rising volume of noise going on around them. In our crowded cities and busy, digitally enhanced lives, it’s often difficult to find time and space for the quiet simplicity of being. Actually, the noise going on out there is nothing compared to the noise we generate within our own minds: the problems and issues we can’t seem to solve, the anxieties and self-doubts we can’t seem to soothe, the ambitions and expectations we can’t seem to satisfy. Or perhaps we feel we’re held back by a lack of focus or a sense of being overwhelmed by confusion and procrastination, or by the mental acrobatics we perform each day in search of pleasure and security.

What do you mean by “heart”?

My heart is the place inside me where I am deeply happy, not because of anything but happiness itself. There are oceans inside my heart which I sail, not to go anywhere but because it’s such an incredible voyage. The heart is where we develop the courage to seek clarity in the midst of confusion and where we can enjoy clarity for itself. I am in heaven when my heart is content, when it sings with gratitude for its existence. That’s when I really feel alive.

How will inner peace help me?

I’ve come to understand that the peace inside us is not about anything other than itself. It is not there to do a job; it’s there to be. It’s something that’s entirely for you, to be felt and enjoyed for what it is, not what it does. Natural light isn’t there to illuminate the world on our behalf — that’s just a wonderful and life-giving benefit of light being light. As with light, we can appreciate the effect of inner peace on the world around us, but we should also appreciate the essence of peace as a thing-in-itself.

Are there any costs involved?

Knowledge is free. There are no fees. How can I charge for something you already have? The cost of knowing joy or not knowing joy is how one can measure our real return on “free”. Our time from birth to death is finite. While there is this opportunity of life, there is a cost of not knowing one’s self. Cost is not always measured in financial terms. Indeed, one could view time as more precious than currency.

Miscellaneous

What is Rawat Creations?

RawatCreations is a for-profit company that showcases my art work, photography and some of my music.

What is Intelligent Existence?

Intelligent Existence (IE) is a self-discovery training company that I am developing. Participants are provided with the tools, techniques and inspiration to connect with their own reservoir of inner wisdom and peace. All IE trainings are engaging and energizing, and empower participants to live their lives as consciously as possible.

What is Words of Peace (WOPG)?

Words of Peace is a non-profit inspired by my message of peace. Its purpose is to provide clear and timely information about my upcoming events and how people can attend them.

What is TimelessToday?

TimelessToday is my multimedia and training company. It produces and globally distributes a variety of inspiring content of mine about the human potential for peace and well-being. TimelessToday inspires peace-seeking people in the comfort of their home or on their mobile device. The company also supports my YouTube channel, podcast, this website, the technology behind PEAK and more.

What does The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) do?

My non-profit foundation advances dignity, peace, and prosperity by addressing the fundamental human needs of food, water, and peace. It also administers the Peace Education Program – a series of workshops that help people discover personal peace.

Where does the money come from to support your efforts?

The vast majority of the financial support for my efforts to bring my message to as many people as possible around the world is thanks to the incredible enthusiasm and generosity of thousands of individuals – people who enjoy attending events and who want to support the international outreach of my message by providing financial help to local and international organizations with similar objectives, including WOPG and TPRF.

PEAK

What is PEAK?

PEAK (Peace Education and Knowledge) is my self-paced, online course about self-Knowledge and the process of discovering your own personal peace. It’s a blend of three integrated elements: video, reflection, and journaling – all designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of how to experience life to the fullest. Topics include: 1) Who are you; 2) Clarity and beliefs; 3) Choice; 4) Understanding; 5) Gratitude; 6) Peace; 7) Hope; 8) Self-Knowledge. Upon watching a series of short videos, participants are invited to reflect on what they’ve learned and, in a downloadable journal, note their insights, questions, and aspirations. The course is free. It’s available in English, Spanish, French, Italian, Hindi (DVD) and soon, German.

Why can’t I watch PEAK on my computer?

PEAK is app-based and only available via a mobile device at this time.

How can I find PEAK on the TimelessToday App?

Use the “menu”, or “more” and scroll up or down until you see PEAK.

Do I need a subscription to watch PEAK?

No. It’s free for everyone and accessible with a free, basic subscription to TimelessToday.

Can I share PEAK in a group setting?

At this time, PEAK is designed for individual use only.

Will I be able to receive Knowledge online?

Knowledge sessions and Knowledge reviews happen in person, generally in a group setting.

Can I get PEAK on a disk or a USB stick?

PEAK is only available by downloading the free TimelessToday app onto your mobile device.

Will PEAK be translated into other languages other than what’s currently available?

New languages are added based on demand and availability of resources.

How will I be contacted after requesting to attend a Knowledge session or a Knowledge Review?

You will be contacted by someone in your area via the contact details you provided, i.e., telephone or email.

Can I watch PEAK when I am not connected to the internet?

No. A connection to the internet is necessary to access PEAK, including a 4G connection on your mobile device.

Can I watch PEAK using Chromecast on my TV?

Yes, but you will need to have the latest version of the app. Also, you will need to enter your journal entries and respond to the course’s recap questions via your mobile device.