How to Change the World

Chapter 21

Eastern tradition had always been a point of interest for the Beatles, introduced to them by George, the ideas were interesting. The calmness and peace it brought them was satisfying, something they wanted to pursue. So when George, John, and Paul had met Maharishi Mahesh Yogi at one of his lectures, it inspired them to delve further into this fascinating world. The words he spoke in seminar made them eager for more, and now they were on their way to Wales to attend a ten day conference on Transcendental Meditation.

They've been searching for something that would fulfill their need for deeper meaning. At first, drugs had been their answer, and it had been an interesting experience, but after hearing the guru's words, they realized that meditation brought them a better experience of peace than narcotics did.

So of course, they had made the haste decision to take a nice trip to Wales to delve deeper into meditation, much to George's delight. The train ride to Bangor, was uneventful, besides getting to have a chat with the insightful Maharishi. They had a respect for him as a mentor, but there was also a mutual respect, as the Beatles quick ability to learn and understand his ideas impressed the guru.

So there they were, headed to Bangor College to sleep in a less than luxurious dorm room. A dorm room which's space only accommodated two people at a time. The other Beatles predictably chose their wives as dorm mates, but John and Paul, not having wives (at least active ones) were able to sleep in the same room, even if they had to retire to bunk beds.

What greeted them when they arrived in Wales were screaming fans at the train station, and several more in front of Bangor College. Beatles sightings were becoming rarer and rarer, given that the Beatles spent most of their time in a studio, or at their homes. A crowd was something they had expected and accepted as part of the trip, and even signed a few autographs before they decided to grab dinner at a Chinese restaurant. Interestingly enough, none of them had money, so George pulled a £20 note out of his sandal.

And it was nice, for a while. When everyone headed back to their dorms for the night, John and Paul even had the chance to nestled in the bottom bunk together, talking and sneaking kisses in the lonesome (but not empty) room. As much as they tried to fall asleep, it was nice to be self aware of the fact that the other one was there.

"You know I like you clean shaven. Feels better on the lips," Paul's voice rang in the darkness.

"Hmm, not the first time someone's said they like it shaven ."

"Really? Who else?"

For a second, he froze at the answer, and rather than answering the question, he changed the subject.

"It's gettin' late, maybe we should at least try sleeping."

Ignoring the way John suddenly tensed at a simple question, he nodded against John's neck, closing his own eyes, feeling the weight of the day starting to lessen. John attempted the same thing, but found it difficult to do something other than stare at the darkness above him.

~*~

The following day had brought the actual conference, which brought the Beatles, which brought the crowds. In fact, the Beatles had been invited on stage with Maharishi, speaking for a small while alongside the guru.

The man was someone who could bring an entire audience delight, and often had a smile of his own plastered on his face. He often spoke about his meditation techniques, and how one can reach levels of higher consciousness. Even if the Beatles where the famous ones in the rooms, what was being said attracted more attention to those he longed to hear it.

Eventually after speaking in front of an audience, they were able to speak with him personally. The four of them, along with their wives, joined him in a room filled with flowers. The flowers were only a testament to the life inside of the spacious room.