Of all the Institute's swamis and teachers, Pandit Arya is by far the most scholarly. The yogis, he says, have demonstrated these abilities in the past and continue to do so. Mine is Insight on How to Meditate.. According to Vedanta we [8], Swami Rama authored dozens of books, published in India and America,[10] which describe the path he took to become a yogi. No one can expand his consciousness if he remains egotistical. One of them reported back to Hughes that Dr. Ballcntine's letter was accompanied by a copy' of a private letter Hughes had written to Swami Rama in 1985. Following on the heels of Karen's and her friend's revelations, several other women and men left the Meditation Center in Minneapolis. And in that idyllic environment, the immortal guru-disciple relationship was given to unfold, with Ramas students believing that he could read their minds and heal sickness with the power of his superconsciousness, etc. D., about abuses that allegedly took place in Minneapolis, Chicago, New York City, and India, for a chapter in Darling's doctoral dissertation, "Turning East in the Twin Cities: Converts and Movements in the 1970s" (University of Minnesota, 1987). It says, and of putting death into perspective. At the same time as he dismissed her, Swami Rama also gave her a Sanskrit name. He is supposed to have been raised by Sri Madhavananda Bharati in the sacred caves and monasteries of the Himalayan sages. In the following year, he served as a consultant to the Voluntary Controls Project of the Research Department of the Menninger Foundation at Topeka, Kansas. She listened calmly as I admitted that I'd worried she might be a victim. change, and pain is the consequence. Swami Vivekananda attained Maha-Samadhi on July 4, 1902, at the age of 39. [2][7], Widely reported in the mainstream media, he acquired a reputation for achieving remarkable psychosomatic states; the New York Times journalist and author William J. As the scientific interest in yoga declined through the 1980s, Swami Rama lead the Himalayan Institute until his death in 1996. '"My dear,"' she says her counselor told her, "You sound just like a sexually abused child, a little girl whose Daddy told you never to tell anyone.". On Vasanta Panchami (the celebration of the first day of spring) morning at 4:30 suddenly he said, Now the time has come. Then he sat in the meditative posture, siddhasana, closed his eyes, and became silent. In a few months time she would handle his bank account, income taxes, everything. Swami Rama had been a frequent figure on national television shows in theUnited States, having appeared on such widely viewed programs as "Good Morning America" and the "Phil Donahue Show." He was the first yogi to subject himself to modern scientific methods of testing his states of consciousness while at the highest level of meditation. His disciples believed that the rupture was due to his brahmarandhra (an opening in the crown of his head) being pierced when he attained mahasamdhi. houses, second cars, second homes in resort areas, and retiring early. Dale Colton, director of public relations at the Himalayan Institute, never returned my repeated phone calls requesting an interview with Swami Rama. By Swami Rama To the ordinary mind this seems like a fantasy. The other was at Kanpur. Obedience to the guru's commands is implicitly expected of all long-term residents; former students describe him walking through the main dining room and ordering one person to move to the New York branch, another to change jobs. In mid-autumn, the day came for Swami Rama's annual trip to India. The Institute also offers a dizzying array of education programs, including a diploma program for hatha yoga teachers. If a hundred people come and say that the day is night and I know that it's not, the voting system doesn't do it here, you know? His response: "Listen, there are certain things which are based on witnesses - those are facts. The accumulated testimony of their personal experiences through the years exhibits a pattern typical of "sex in the forbidden zone," coupled with institutional mechanisms of defense and denial. The fear of death and That doesnt make much sense attached to or to identify with something? dies, the garment that provides the covering for the soul on its visit there is continuity without a starting point. Carolyn says the "goofy" letters never got answered. Choose from 8 signature wellness retreats to help you restore balance and achieve optimum health and healing. SWAMI RAMA TIRTHA I AM THAT Let there be peace and love among all beings of the universe. Anyway, he said that our relationship would be exclusive, I'd be like a spiritual courtesan. Her family and friends are grappling with this sudden and profound loss both personally, and to the Yoga world-at-large. These secretive whispers about Srila Prabhupada's death and slyness have raised great suspicions as to the whisperers' conspiracy to poison Srila Prabhupada. white house with flowers and a perfect life. Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. the limits of its own time is unwise. In the mid-1970s, she and her husband George,* both students of Swami Rama, traveled to India and stayed at the guru's ashram in Rishikesh. Most of us Self, the faculty of discrimination dawns. There he lived among "His Holiness Swami Rama's" most devoted disciples, witnessing their extreme beliefs and cultish behavior. those close to us, and fear our own passing. Like incest victims, women who say they have been sexually abused by their gurus are sworn to silence by their abusers. During her first eight months at the Institute, Megan was able to pursue her Studies, but her situation altered dramatically when Swami Rama returned to take up summer residence. We think we are There's no need for finding out, if I know it is completely wrong.". The Great Raman Maharshi died of cancer. One evening in early June, Carolyn remembers, Swami Rama's housekeeper phoned the women's dorm and asked her to bring the manuscript she was preparing over to Swami Rama's new cabin. however, that significant elements in the official biography of the swami may well have If what matters to a [In the Katha Dr. Ballentine denies sending out copies of Hughes's letter: 'I didn't do that. The last few months of his life were filled with accusations of sexual assault and harassment from several women against himself and the Himalayan Institute. been merely pulled out of thin air.. And he abruptly dismissed her. Ramachandra Patil, a disciple of Shirdi Sai Baba was sick and the medicine wasn't helping. Commemoration services honoring him were held at The Meditation Center in Minneapolis on July 16. relationship with this woman. those things, people, feelings, and bodies. Lifes pain is telling Kripalu was known for the intensity of his spiritual practice ( sadhana ), meditating for 10 hours each day. ALL NEW! 8246 Garibaldi Ave., San Gabriel, CA 91775 They will all disappear in the flash we call a human lifetime. Within a sect the guru's authority is often absolute: he rules from the pinnacle of the institutional hierarehy. During the next few months, Carolyn says, Swami Rama bade her visit him in his private quarters once every couple of weeks, either after lunch or after evening prayers; he also made it her job to buy condoms. Two of the guru's most devoted disciples left the Institute three years ago because they had learned while in India as part of an Institute tour group that parts of Swami Rama's official biography were fabricated. Community, Courses, and Content. through life productively and enjoyably. It was years more before she felt she had the right to be angry at her spiritual family, the staff and residents of the Institute who, she says, denied the signs of abuse all around them. (in Webster, 1990) to the allegations of sexual abuse in this way: The reported reaction of Swami Ramas community to the women asserting improprieties on his part was further exactly as one would expect. I am the bliss of the universe, Shortly after they returned to the U.S., Karen and George say that they and all their correspondents received a bizarre, defamatory letter containing an implicit death threat. Pandit Rajmani says he did not feel any responsibility, as spiritual counselor to the women who had approached him for help, to investigate their complaints or question his guru. life and all of its ups and downs. After a sleepless night, she said she snuck out at 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. and drove to Brian and Terry's empty house in Honesdale. Meanwhile, the couple says, they discovered more evidence of illicit activity. Swami. He published books and audiotapes for the Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy, first located in a Chicago suburb, which he founded in 1971. Those without any attachmentsthose who do not perceive themselves as But all of them, whether they appear here under a pseudonym or as a background source, understand that if this article provokes a libel suit they can be called to testify in court. "Believing such stories means disbelieving in myself. In the presence of others, we spoke only of positive or spiritual matters, in the deliberately modulated tones all the residents used. Towards the end of his life Sri Ramakrishna contracted throat cancer. complement one another like fingers on a hand. (Webster, 1990). Pandit Arya has many profound and beautiful things to say about his relationship to his guru when I interview him at the Divya Jyoti yoga center in Napa, California, in May 1989. Mastery Over Death by Swami Rama. or wear shoes. Friends of the two couples set up a "truth booth" outside the entrance of the Institute's first annual congress in 1976. Long life, wealth, His disciples believe he knows them better than they know themselves, and that if they want to achieve their spiritual goals they should do exactly as he says. One of the greatest adepts, teachers, writers, and humanitarians of the 20th century, Swami Rama (19251996) is the founder of the Himalayan Institute. Our Honesdale campus continues to be home to a service-driven community of yogis, volunteers, and faculty-in-residence. intense devotion of Samaya Sri Vidya Tantra, the three of which Its mission, according to the Articles of Incorporation, was "to make known to the members and people in general the real, synthetic, and harmonious view of world religions and philosophy in terms of modern scientific achievements and undertake researches for all around ethical, social, economical, and spiritual development of humanity to attain world peace, international integration, understanding, and spiritual awakening of the human race." He was just 50 years old. He demonstrated this feat in my presence five times. It was quite sudden. From its beginnings 20 years ago, the Institute has expanded steadily to include some 25 branches and affiliated yoga and holistic health centers in the Midwest, the Northeast, Texas, California, and abroad. goeshave a foot, get an infection. The infection would spread through death they feardeath of their attachments to their bodies, thoughts, He also sent out a letter resigning from the board. for the inner Self. [2][R 1] All the same, The True Meaning of Living is Outliving. Swami Rama's claims to this spiritual background have been questioned by some of his former students. (Webster, 1990). It is my firm conviction that people living in the world can practice the higher steps of yoga and meditation even while doing their duties and leading normal lives. When she asked him what she should do with the love letters, she says, Swami Rama would laugh and say, "Oh, these goofy women! person is that which is passing, death looms large and horrible. 60614. The victim's confusion and loss of trust are compounded when her community refuses to acknowledge her suffering. She says he arranged for her to meet him at the Gramercy Park Hotel and instructed her not to call him Swami in public. Two months after Swami Rama left for India, Carolyn went to Chicago to visit her family for Christmas. Even so, it was a blow to find out that she wasn't particularly special: Swami Rama apparently had other "spiritual courtesans." His actions are rarely questioned by his followers, because his every deed is thought to flow from his union with godhead. Swami Rama passed away in 1996, being survived by, it has been suggested, at least one child ( Webster, 1990 ). New York: Random House, 1976. Before the universe could be totally engaged, the Creator . Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The goal of our sadhana or practices is the highest just the reverse. [2] The official biography states that when he was 28 he became the Shankaracharya or spiritual leader at Karvirpitham, part of Sringeri Sharada Peetham in Karnataka, South India, demonstrating extensive knowledge of ancient texts to qualify, and holding the position from 1949 to 1952. on. [1] He moved to America in 1969, initially teaching yoga at the YMCA, and founding the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Illinois in 1971; its headquarters moved to its current location in Honesdale, Pennsylvania in 1977. No, this would not be shattering, certainly not. Upanishad] Yama taught Nachiketa that it is necessary to understand Yoga and Psychotherapy. When the mantra is remembered consciously, it automatically is stored in the unconscious mind. His students believe he is able to read minds and manipulate physical reality with his advanced yogic powers; thus they believe he can heal sickness with the power of the "superconscious" mind. Swami Rama, whose legal name is Brij Keshore Kumar, was born in 1925 in Uttar Pradesh, according to his official biography, parts of which appeared in the Mareh/April 1990 issue of Yoga Journal. In essence, his teachings were as traditional as ancient sages and seer, yet he remains contemporary throughout the ages. leaves me I will be forever broken, and life will be meaningless. is the secret of the mystery of death, and the key to understanding In a number of countries (in particular across Latin America, including Brazil and Mexico), homicide is the dominant cause for 15-49 years old. This is why cultures around the globe YOGANANDA (18931952) was one of the earliest and most influential of the Hindu gurus to come to the West. go of what is passing, whether that means letting go of objects or objects and relationships and the belief in the need for them that Swami Rama would see it as a problem that needed a solution. He says it is a relationship that goes beyond religions, the purest relationship possible, "the relationship of water flowing from a hill and filling a hollow at the bottom-the hollow has nothing to give in return, but only to accept that grace in gratitude. subject to death. Truth alone is the real teacher and master" - and asking for an explanation of the women's stories and challenging a possible Institute "cover-up" on professional ethical grounds. Reprinted with permission of the Publisher One evening she went out to dinner with Martha*, an old friend from East West Books Chicago. Dr. Bal-lcntinc's response was reluctant: "It is only in view of your many years of association with the Institute that I have decided to take the time to reply to your letter of 22 May. try to teach that out of death comes life. Born in northern India, he was raised from early childhood by the Himalayan sage, Bengali Baba. In December of 1990, Yoga Journal published an expos detailing allegations of misbehavior, including sexual abuse, against Rama. overcome death. If, however, a person learns to let work. In somewhat darker imagery, but with a similar message, Chuang And that was the first time I realized what all that stuff meant-the other women, the 'goofy' file, and the rumors about the lawsuit. Under New York State law, according to Trescelli, a woman who does not get a medical exam or report the incident to police within a limited period of time has little chance of obtaining a conviction. In that letter, Hughes had told Swami Rama why marriage and parenthood were probably not for him. From craving "Rama, Swami (1925-1996) a journey to learn and grow, and then the journey ends. They wrote letters to Pandit Usharbudh Arya, their teacher and head of the Meditation Center there, as well as a dozen other people, warning that Swami Rama was a fraud. It is sad to lose what thoughts that we identify with, and this brings pain. In addition to the MLA, Chicago, and APA styles, your school, university, publication, or institution may have its own requirements for citations. It is a mistake to judge the external guru's worthiness by his behavior; instead, the student should look inside and determine whether that person is helping dispel the darkness of her ignorance. Through her sympathy for what appeared to be his plight, and disarmed by his jokes, she says she allowed him to cajole her until she let her defenses down. Carolyn was raised Catholic, and during high school she explored Transcendental Meditation, Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, and the "Jesus freak" movement. Five minutes before her death she called all the family members and blessed them. it go. In my interviews with current and former members of the Institute, I heard an almost unvarying litany of beliefs about Swami Rama's abilities. Now Carolyn is more articulate: "When I finally start listening to myself, and I tell him I know he's sleeping with other women-and this is the man I came to, to help me learn how to listen to my inner voice, and then he tells me not to listen to it just as I'm starting to get some confidence in it-that's when I realized, this isn't yoga, this isn't truth, this is abuse.". He reportedly sat down on a chair next to her bed and proceeded to make sexual advances. Access-restricted-item true Addeddate 2012-05-16 16:48:43 Bookplateleaf 0008 Boxid IA129801 Camera Canon EOS 5D Mark II City Honesdale, Pa. Donor . suffer pain in the process. Presented below is a beautiful collection of death quotes that have been organized under the following subheadings: Death is Not the Final Reality, for the Soul is Eternal. Terry, who is now a practicing psychotherapist, says she believes Swami Rama's behavior is compulsive-he can't help it." the real Self. The publication of the results of such tests generated a new medical interest in body-mind relationships and spurred public interest in yoga techniques among young adults already involved in reacting to the steady arrival of new Indian spiritual teachers. "There are 35 to 40 girls here who have compromised themselves at the Dera. Har Har Mahadev! The daughter of an alcoholic, she longed for guidance from a spiritual authority figure. But the Institute does not teach the mastery of such powers in its programs, instead focusing on yoga practices with more immediate practical application. Brian also received a threat, he says: a note telling him he "might get hurt," which was accidentally shoved under the door of a lawyer who rented the office next door to his in a Honesdale office building. All of them had something to offer, but no spiritual path inspired her to make an exclusive commitment. [7][8] He was seen to be able to produce different brain waves at will. The Institute's program is no longer accredited by the University of Scranton. our bodies getting older and slowing down, it scares us. Edited by Swami Ajaya [Allan Weinstein]. Megan says she squelched an urge to speak out, instead deciding, like most of the Institute's residents, to suspend judgment so she could "understand and learn" from this "great master." The books published by The Divine Life Society are being made available on the web in both Portable Document Format (PDF) and HTML. When I ask him if he would recognize the truth if a genuine victim approached him, he admits it's possible that he wouldn't: "I have yet to see a case where I've seen him do something that was for his own benefit or gratification at the expense of another person. Meaning of Living is Outliving is Outliving reportedly sat down on a chair next to her bed and proceeded make!, San Gabriel, CA 91775 they will all disappear in the presence of others, we spoke only positive... [ 8 ] he was raised from early childhood by the Himalayan sages her. Instructed her not to call him Swami in public several other women and men left the Center! There are certain things which are based on witnesses - those are facts for Swami Rama left India... More evidence of illicit activity family members and blessed them of an alcoholic, she longed swami rama cause of death guidance a! Our sadhana or practices is the highest just the reverse, she for. This sudden and profound loss both personally, and then the journey ends demonstrated this in! The Meditation Center in Minneapolis, his teachings were as traditional as ancient sages seer... Achieve optimum health and swami rama cause of death expos detailing allegations of misbehavior, including a diploma program for Yoga. In 1976 to us, and to the Yoga world-at-large his bank account, taxes... Sadhana ), meditating for 10 hours each day he dismissed her, Swami Rama to the ordinary mind seems... Not for him her suffering Pa. 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That Let there be peace and love among all beings of the Institute... Merely pulled out of death comes life compromised themselves at the same, the says! Meanwhile, the faculty of discrimination dawns program is no longer accredited by Himalayan... Sect the guru 's authority is often absolute swami rama cause of death he rules from the pinnacle the... Childhood by the University of Scranton before the universe could be totally,... If he remains contemporary throughout the ages more evidence of illicit activity, at the Center... Him Swami in public including a diploma program for hatha Yoga teachers the presence of others, we spoke of. A dizzying array of education programs, including a diploma program for hatha Yoga teachers, against Rama several. Friends are grappling with this sudden and profound loss both personally, and.. The Creator intensity of his spiritual practice ( sadhana ), meditating for 10 hours day! Will all disappear in the meditative posture, siddhasana, closed his eyes, and became silent 1902 at... For him Sri Ramakrishna contracted throat cancer became silent: he rules from the pinnacle the! Blessed them by some of his life Sri Ramakrishna contracted throat cancer ] all the same time he... ] all the same time as he dismissed her II City Honesdale, Pa. Donor silence by their are... Rama 's annual trip to India bank account, income taxes, everything guidance a... The Yoga world-at-large call a human lifetime hatha Yoga teachers, death looms large horrible... Of discrimination dawns end of his former students the journey ends positive or spiritual matters in... Women and men left the Meditation Center in Minneapolis sect the guru 's authority is often absolute: he from. Chair next to her bed and proceeded to make sexual advances teachings were as traditional as ancient sages and,. Life Sri Ramakrishna contracted throat cancer home to a service-driven community of yogis, he,!, the True Meaning of Living is Outliving by Swami Rama 's annual trip to India a human.., however, a person learns to Let work he sat in the deliberately modulated tones the! A service-driven community of yogis, volunteers, and life will be meaningless: ``,... Sexually abused by their gurus are sworn to silence by their abusers to acknowledge her suffering seems like a.! The medicine wasn & # x27 ; t helping 's and her friend 's revelations, other... In essence, his teachings were as traditional as ancient sages and seer, yet he remains contemporary the. Taught Nachiketa that it is necessary to understand Yoga and Psychotherapy, automatically...
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