The Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, spiritual advisor to Deepak Chopra and the Beatles, has died in his Dutch home, his Transcendental Meditation movement announced Wednesday.

"With his life's work complete, His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi is being welcomed with open arms into heaven," the TM organization said in a press release.

He died peacefully around Tuesday evening in his home of Vlodrop in the Netherlands where he had been living since 1990. Witnesses report like many great sages, he foresaw the moment and went into perfect yoga position.

Originally from India, the Maharishi started his worldwide movement in 1958. In the 1960s he attracted many followers including the Beatles who went to meditate with him in India in 1968.

"I can only say: Live long the world in peace, happiness, prosperity and freedom from suffering," the spiritual leader said in his last message, according to his followers.

Believed to be 91 years of age, he credited his achievements to his teacher Guru Dev who taught him in the Himalayas in the 1940s and 1950s.

In 1958 he presented his worldwide Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement and attracted a huge following. It went on to become a powerful global entity selling books, CDs and courses. He taught that meditating twice a day in half hour sessions would help people achieve inner peace.

His 1964 book "Science of Being and Art of Living" was translated into 15 languages and sold over a million copies. Credited with bringing meditation to the west, the Maharishi's message promised happiness to all.

"Being happy is of the utmost importance. Success in anything is through happiness. Under all circumstances be happy ... Just think of any negativity that comes at you as a raindrop falling into the ocean of your bliss," he wrote in 1967.

For more information on the organization see www.Maharishi.org or for a tribute from Deepak Chopra visit  www.Chopra.com/WordsfromDeepak.  

Source: Wikipedia