However, these three teachers have all been historically referred to as cult leaders. And former students claimed their yoga was often a means of recruitment and basis for abuse. Wurmbrand would often read from the writings of simple Rumanian devotees who, lacking formal instruction from the church, had molded their understanding of Christs teachings directly, from their reading of the Bible and their own devotions. In 1946, his guru, Yogananda, in his epic "Autobiography of a Yogi," had expressed his desire to create a Yoga Institute: "I plan to open a Yoga Institute here. Many of his followers left in the 90s. They also have farmhouse style vases that don't scream . Money will not be worth the paper it is printed on. For the last year and a half, she said, a private investigator has been interviewing all her friends and acquaintances. Swami Kriyananda had founded Ananda as the fulfillment of one of the fourteen points that Paramhansa Yogananda listed in the first edition of Autobiography of a Yogi as main elements of his world mission: To spread a spirit of brotherhood among all peoples, and to aid in establishing, in many countries, self-sustaining world brotherhood colonies for plain living and high thinking. All references to the world brotherhood colony idea were removed by SRF from editions of Autobiography of a Yogi published after the Masters death. Harmony with nature will give you a happiness known to few city dwellers. Under the guidance and blessing of Swami Kriyananda (1926-2013) and our great guru Yogananda, we have developed communities, schools, businesses, music and the arts, and retreat centers throughout the world where spiritual friendships, meditation, yoga, and selfless service thrive. Does America need a crack down? It gives me comfort to get more involved with the Ananda community. The newspaper article in the Hindu[stan] Times was planted by a devotee who had no idea as to my intentions in my trip. And it certainly is questionable that any mental health professional would base an opinion on such specious and subjective sources. I decided that they must have been kept too long on the editorial fire. It shows great courage on the part of Lahiri Mahasaya that, although a high-caste Brahmin, he tried his utmost to dissolve the rigid caste bigotry of his time. Doctors like Hoffman may believe whatever the want, but such personal beliefs should not be passed off as part of the practice of medicine. There seem to be plenty of suckers ready to buy or believe almost anything in America. "If it was just me, I probably would have just carried on working.". At the time, there was a small new-age bookstore in Palo Alto that was run by a Sufi group. Test Paper Controversy: '' , ', . During my initial visits, and later, during my years of residence at Ananda Village, it was natural for us to talk about SRF, if only because SRF behaved so intolerantly towards us. Anyone considering yoga classes with teachers and/or schools registered by the Yoga Alliance might want to exercise a bit of caution, before beginning any of their exercises. Learn how your comment data is processed. A recent story written about the notorious group " Ananda Marga ," which has been accused of violent crimes, child abuse and linked to suicide, described members as "covered in a life of peace." The journalist did ask a member about the "C" word (cult) though. American law does not look kindly on religious monopolies. Call 503-626-3403 (Ananda Temple) with questions or to arrange a visit. But she doesnt mention that the Self-Realization Fellowship founded by Parmahansa Yogananda has disavowed Kriyananda. Noted attorney and anti-cult activist Ford Green of San Anselmo, California has been nominated for a Trial Lawyers for Public Justice Foundations Lawyer of the Year award. As one minor example among many, a massive, covert campaign of disinformation, was launched to elicit statements from Anandas members that could be used against Ananda in court. What have I gained personally from Ananda? I treasure the blessings I received from Brothers Bhaktananda, Dharmananda, and Turiyananda, as well as from Daya Mata. Standing, he said dismissively, Well, Im not a perfected being.. In terms of actual techniques do they vary much? In the late 1970's Ananda Sacramento was founded, followed by Ananda in Palo Alto. "At first I thought I was alone," said Bertolucci in an interview with the Weekly in 1996. Somehow the Sydney reporter didnt bother to include that little titbit. That works better for me.. Men now make up 23% of the 15 million yoga enthusiasts within the US. Some yoga groups and teachers are essentially interested in proselytizing. Those of us who lived at Ananda found it incredible that SRF would stick to the same old, patently absurd claimsthat Swami Kriyananda touted himself as a guru, that Ananda was trying to pass itself off as part of SRF, etc.when we all knew them to be untrue. The new two-story Alamo Exhibit & Collections Building will be 24,000 square feet and cost $15 million. Hinn lives lavishly off of the millions contributed by his faithful, that believe cures come from heaven during his crusades. For 50 years Ananda Village has exemplified the spiritual ideals of Paramhansa Yoganandas World Brotherhood Colonies. It was simply an advanced disciples rendering of the Gurus aid to a disciple who desperately needed it. One such body is called the Yoga Alliance (YA), its mailing address is in Reading, Pennsylvania. Fulfilling Yogananda's Vision of World Brotherhood Colonies. Have a Question about Expanding Light Programs? His words were more than advice; they were prophetic. The answer came instantly, as an intuitive voice, accompanied by a sense of bustling motherliness: I am not concerned about your faults. (Paramhansa Yogananda said that Mr. Black was second in spiritual stature among his male disciples, after Rajarsi Janakananda.). The blessed role of Kriya Yoga in the West . With just under 10 minutes to play in the third quarter and the game ties at 10, it appeared as if Bryce Young was sacked in the end zone for a safety that would have given the Longhorns a 12-10 . They consider themselves freer for their possessions, and dont see how their possessions in turn have possessed them!. Rich McCord, Chairman of YAs pivotal Standards Committee, actually teaches at the Ananda Church of Self-Realization, which has been labeled a cult in court. He could sometimes be seen consoling her in the Redwood City courtroom as the trial unfolded the last three months. They didnt do their research and/or chose to ignore it. How an SRF monastic had criticized Kriyananda scathingly to a group of visiting Ananda members at SRFs guest retreat in Encinitas. Kriyananda is a good monk. Hare Krishna teacher abuses children in Dallas, ABC News show GMA3 promotes purported cult leaders as inspirational couples counselors and thought leaders, Rudolf Steiner, Racism and Waldorf Schools, Order of Christ Sophia has become a dangerous and destructive organization, Racist, sexist, homophobic cult leader dead at 83, Nature Boy and the cult called Carbonation, Animal Rights and Environmental Extremists, General Assembly Church of the First Born, Lyndon LaRouche and Executive Intelligence Report, Oklahoma City Bombing, Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols, Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association, True & Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the L. Such positive spin for cults in not limited to America. That was three years ago, and, although the jury ruled in her favor last week, Bertolucci's ordeal is still far from over. But I find little joy in the thought of going backward in time, toward authoritarian religious institutionalism. More importantly Roberts fails to mention the plight of some of Walters former acolytes. How could I not feel inspiration there. With Brother Bhaktanandas encouragement, I had taken up running for exercise. When disciples wrote to Mt. Readers interested in comparing SRFs legal attacks with Anandas restrained and dharmic replies are referred to the case files: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, Case Number: Civ. They were talking about their activities as Christian devotees. Imagine a Christian devotee, living in the former communist USSR and unable to communicate with church leaders. Lacking experience, her approach was based on another theory altogether. It has helped me as I have family in SRF who question why. although he was supposed to be celibate. However, there are those reporters who seem to be more interested in presenting a pretty picture for their community, than exposing the truth about cults. He described how he had entered the room and, instantly perceiving Swami Ramdass advanced, God-realized stature, how he had fallen at the saints feet in a torrent of tears. This Sydney Morning Herald reporter tells us the story of Hindu boy named Raja who found happiness at the Athena School in Sydney run by Scientologists. May 5, 2021. They had been arranged in their present format by a devoted disciple of Masters who, though a wonderful soul, had had no experience with the public or, for that matter, with teaching others. My longing was fed by the ministers transparent spirituality. You can do the steps you want if Speaking to Daya Mata in his last years, Yogananda lamented, How you all will change the work after I am gone. Bombay is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala.The film tells the story of an inter-religious family in Bombay before and during the Bombay riots, which took place between December 1992 and January 1993 after the demolition of the Babri Masjid led to religious tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities. It seems that there would be no proper place for such a practice amongst ethical psychiatrists, who should remain objective and not project their personal beliefs into the lives of their patients. Twenty years after moving to Ananda, I was asked by the communitys manager, Vidura Smallen, in January 1996 if I would be willing to move to the branch community in Mountain View, on the San Francisco peninsula, to help with Anandas legal defense against the SRF lawsuit. According to her attorney Mike Flynn, Bertolucci, then 28, was one of the church's most enthusiastic devotees. And it certainly is questionable that any mental health professional would base an opinion on such specious and subjective and sources. The same was true of my rare encounters with Daya Mata. I laugh, when I compare my memories of the eternally tidySRF monastics with the specter of Ananta McSweeney, the outsized and formidably good-humored former head gardener at Ananda Village, consuming a lunch of baked spaghetti squash seasoned with butter and molasses, in soil-dusted overalls, his long red hairbraided and graced with protruding straws. It all started at Ananda Village where you can join us for an inspiring visit, retreat, for internships, family programs, or online. Work on the project is expected to begin this summer and to be completed in the . S-90-0846 EJG PAN. Some of the pictures I took during those walks remain among my most treasured. Then came Ananda Seattle in Washington, and Ananda Portland in Oregon. A special day dedicated to the Temple . Instead readers are regaled with how happy the little boy is at his new school, which teaches from text originated by L. Ron Hubbard, Scientologys founder. The Guru zealously helps his children, using whatever instruments are at hand. For twenty years, we responded to SRFs unprincipled lies with dignified restraint. The early Christians were forced to practice their religion secretly, in fear for their lives. Learn more, Dates: Apply now. This was not a puff piece and Sarkar comes off as little more than a sociopath, hardly covered in a life of peace. And not apparently respected by Hindus. Her reasoning was, as I say, sound. Nor was it the actual teachings that needed revising: It was their presentation. Working to serve God and Guru, I never felt the frustrating sense of meaninglessness that can accompany work in companies that are run strictly for profit. Ananda was only 10 years old and a schoolboy in Switzerland when he succeeded his uncle, King Prajadhipok, in 1935. Have a Question about Meditation Retreat Programs? Ananda Village has, since its founding, given birth to six other . Gurus faithful continue to manage his substantial assets. But others in their enthusiasm regarding this pop craze have been less prudent. Kriyananda lost a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by former students and was forced into bankruptcy. June 1st to October 1st, 2021, Experience a deeper connection with your Divine Potential through selfless-service in Anandas Karma Yoga Ashram Program. Please explore our site and contact us with your inquiries or to say hello. "When I learned what other people had gone through, I decided to go forward," she said. Ananda needs no special place for its existence; it could thrive in the middle of New York City. Workers in Anandas churches, book stores, and restaurants became used to receiving phone calls from individuals who claimed to be interested in the teachings of our path, and who would ask after a brief initial discussion, Arent you part of Self-Realization Fellowship? Or, Ive heard that Yogananda started an organization in Los Angeles. Download a free 101-page collection of Yoganandas out-of-print writings. I would come to understand that saints who havent yet fully realized God are like spiritual elder brothers and sisters, holding a light to guide our way. But beware. I have seen hundreds of children being educated in living wisdom, discovering that life has a deep meaning and a joyful purpose, and that positive values are the surest path to happiness. Asha Praver, one of Anandas main teachers, attended a public legal hearing in Los Angeles, where she was confronted by Brother Brahmananda, one of SRFs most virulent anti-Ananda monastics. Ananda has never been exclusively concerned with its own self-preservation, for even if SRF succeeded in destroying us, we would rise again like the green grass in spring. The saintslie? I moved to northern California in 1970. Then, holding that meditative calmness, think about what you intend to say. polyphase fir filter implementation Louise Royston couldnt realize what presentation would be the most effective in terms of reaching peoples actual understanding, satisfying their immediate needs, holding their interest, and answering their latent doubts before those doubts even arose. These benefits are priceless, especially when I compare them with the circumstances in which most devotees of our path must live, isolated from others who share their beliefs, and forced to work among people who are at best indifferent to their spiritual aspirations. Do you truly believe that an avatar would come on earth to found an organization?. Subsequently, CultNews reported about the connection between OLeary and Sai Baba, January 20, 2003. In the apartment complex where I live, no one ever complains when someone organizes a rousing kirtan in the beautiful central courtyard on a balmy summer evening. View courses and webinars. No more lawsuits! Daya Mata exclaimed at a meeting between the leaders of SRF and Ananda, after Ananda had won virtually every issue in the lawsuit. Ananda had a small legal office in the community, which was staffed by Sheila Rush, an Ananda member who was an attorney, and Keshava Taylor, who had been at Ananda almost since the beginning. He would have to study the Bible in secret, and meet clandestinely with like-minded friends. Forced by SRFs ruthless legal harassment to defend ourselves, Ananda was now standing up for the right of devotees everywhere, and in all future ages, to read Yoganandas books, use his photographs, listen to his spoken words, and spread his teachings through their own organizations, free of SRFs sectarian tyranny. A few members left over the years, as would be expected of any organization with over 700 resident members worldwide. If the blueprint for Masters work has been sewn in the ether, as he said, we can only assume that the essence of that blueprint, as of his teachings, is love. This was true of each SRF gathering I ever attended. Walters was also sued by the Fellowship for copyright infringement and lost. Always interested in the broader issues at stake in the lawsuit, I read an excellent book, The Gnostic Gospels, in which the author, Elaine Pagels, describes the early history of the Christian church. Three months later, after visiting a cult de-programmer and an attorney, she filed a civil lawsuit against Ananda, alleging that she was sexually exploited by senior minister Danny Levin, who was vice president of Crystal Clarity Publishing where she worked. But despite such observations Westerners often suppose smugly that they are somehow less susceptible to spiritual hucksters, than say people in Calcutta. In his talks, Rev. Her reasoning, sound enough in itself, was that in this way the student would gain the most, spiritually, not from the lessons, only, but from the added benefits of pilgrimage to Masters colonies, advice by correspondence, and, above all, by inner attunement with the line of gurus. Did this style somehow awaken criminal energy? I have enjoyed these benefits for more than twenty-five years, not only in my living situation but also during the many years that Ive spent working in Anandas businesses. Far from being covered up by the communitys leaders, they were circulated openly: how SRF refused to sell us books for sale at Anandas guest retreat. In such puffery reporters largely let the cult tell the story, without asking anything really tough, or follow-up questions. But what has made it worthwhile, she said, was the message the jury's verdict sent to other women. Meanwhile, my inner life was anything but dormant. Far more likely, he would endorse Jesus statement: He that is not against us, is for us. (Luke 9:50). But where the church impinged upon my devotional life, I was increasingly uncomfortable. I recall a conversation with Brother Turiyananda, following a Sunday service at the SRF Lake Shrine. A plethora of neo-eastern gurus and New Age types are hoping to cash in on the yoga craze. The SRF lessons, too, seemed like over-boiled potatoes, offering basic nourishment but stripped of certain essential vitamins, compared with the fiery spiritual sustenance of Yoganandas unedited words. I have never been, and am not, a devotee of Sai Baba. The one thing God cannot abide is intolerance. That IYI student was only at the ashram for two weeks before marrying one of its swamis she had never met, who was old enough to be her father. After years of devotion to Srf I felt like paramahansa yoganada would not be pleased with the rituals and strict rules that are enforced by Srf leaders. I had no doubt whatever that SRFs ministers were continuing to serve Paramhansa Yoganandas work as vibrant examples of inner transformation, and as instruments for Gods guidance and inspiration to others. Om Peace Amen. This is certainly not the first precedent-setting case for Green. Hoffman discusses his exploration into what was called New Age Psychiatry,' which might be more objectively seen as his odyssey through the world of cults., The doctor admits he has studied with Rajneesh, Shirley McLaine, Kevin Ryerson, Edgar Cayce, Ramtha, and Yogananda.. After all, whats an ashram without its own credit union? Even then, in answering SRFs ludicrous charges, we have strictly observed dharma. Contact us with your inquiries or to arrange a visit founded by Parmahansa Yogananda has disavowed.... First precedent-setting case for Green exclaimed at a meeting between the leaders of SRF and,. A small new-age bookstore in Palo Alto that was run by a Sufi group Los Angeles and to completed. I find little joy in the middle of New York City the cult tell the story without. Such specious and subjective and sources: he that is not against us, is for us their! Body is called the yoga Alliance ( YA ), its mailing is. 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