Maharishi Mahesh Yogi dead

The Beatles were spending a weekend with Mahesh Yogi in Bangor, Wales, when their manager, Brian Epstein, committed suicide in August, 1967. Their enlightened teacher told them to “forget it, be happy”.

The mesmerised band planned a three month retreat to the Maharishi’s Rishikesh ashram, but the trip descended into farce. Ringo Starr went home after 10 days “for egg and chips”, and the others soon followed.

John Lennon admitted to “an error of judgement”, writing the scathing “Sexy Sadie” about him. George Harrison defected to the Hare Krishna movement, though he continued supporting the Maharishi’s Natural Law party in Britain which stood in general elections between 1992 and 2001.

Maharuishi Mahesh Yogi played a key role in the way the Beatles wrote some songs. Got the spiritual attention from the four in the moment when George Harrison was experimenting with sounds from India.

The beginning of the leyend 
The song that really set aside The Beatles from other groups at the time  (The Birds, Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley)  was ‘Norwegian Wood (this bird has flown)’ and that  because of a George decision to include a sitar  (an Indian music instrument) as the main character in the arrangements. The new and unique sound of the Beatles was born… This happened in Rubber Soul in the year of 1965.

Then came Revolver in 1966,  with the track  “Love to you” a strong Indian influenced song written, again, by George Harrison. We got a sitar again and also a tabla and a tambuora drum.

And during a spiritual activity they met Prudence. ’Dear Prudence’ was dedicated to Mia Farrow’s sister, during a meditation camp in India.  You can find it in  the second track of “The Beatles” (1968). This song doesn’t have an indian sound. Instead is a sweet song about how to cheer up a sad girlfriend (“Why you don’t come out to play?”)

Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band.
In Sgt. Pepper, ‘Within or without you’ came with a full band of (uncredited) Indian musicians. The lyrics pass from Maya to Dharma to Maha Yuga. Here you can see all the wiki-details This contribution again, was a full responsibility of George.

John 
Later, much later, when John Lennon wrote all his solo work, he sang mantras like “Peace on earth” (Mind games) and also mumbled some Indian-like words in Dream No. 9.

So, probably the impact of that weekend was bigger than what was expected for the Beatles, leaving them with a mark, that was translated in all the final and great production of this four lads.

And this the day when the spiritual guide of The Beatles is dead.

New York Times 
BBC