The Simple Life at SRCM

News snippits from around....

SMSF-USA RETREAT CENTER UPDATE

Report by brother S. Krishna Sai, Austin, Texas, USA

Rev. Master had approved the idea for a Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation Retreat Center for the Americas earlier this year, on the auspicious day of Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birthday), during the Inaugural CREST course earlier this year. It is with great joy and happiness we share that Rev. Master has approved the purchase of a 28-acre ranch property in Austin, Texas. The future home of SMSF-Americas Retreat Center will be located about 15 miles south of Austin. It presently has a primary 3 bedroom home (Master’s Cottage) and a 1 bedroom guest home (Caretaker / Director’s Cottage) with a work room which may be converted into a meditation hall. It is a working ranch with a lot of usable flat land, a creek and livestock corral type fencing around the entire perimeter of the property and a secondary fence around the house. It is located in the hub of Yoga/spiritual activity in Central Texas.

Rev. Master gave us the following guidance on the purpose of a retreat center during his talk on 9th August 2006: “… souls yearning for rest from glamour of this world, from the insistence on money-making, from the demands of power structures – lay all that behind us, and go there and relax, bring our souls to pristine purity and meditate, introspect, do some writing if you wish to do so …”


In Europe it's Castles, in America it' s "ranches"...and in the hub of "spiritual" Texas?? (a center of "immigration" destination with their "religions"??)


Search for the "TRUTH" on Blog of Abhyasis

This appeared on a blog by an abhyasi and was soon removed. You can see why! The blog was a search for "the truth".

# posted by namrata @ 11:58 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 16, 2006

Warm house of Poor

Today was Krishna Bhaiya's house warming. He built a new house in Bangalore, Sarjapur Rd. Its a huge house. Master conducted satsang. Yesterday I expected that Krishna will give an open invitation to Blore abyases for Satsang but, there was no announcement regarding the same after morning satsang. I felt a bit upset as I have seen that middle class ppl are now a days giving open invitation to all abhyases for marriage reception. Why not Krishna?? He is big guy? After all ppl cannot be so disturbing. I am sure everyone understands that they should not disturb master.

He must be having his reason? But today morning we came to know that its an open invitation to all blore abhyases to attaend the satsang. I was GLAD.
Some abhyases were telling that master went all the way to Nasik for house warming of a rich abhyasi who built a palace like house.

I dont have any issues with master going and inaugrating big houses. Those ppl must be close to him or he may be bound to oblige. Somewhere i feel there is a contradiction in what Sahaj marg is teaching and following. Master tells make a simple house & one house is enough. Then why abhyases are making 3 0r 4 houses?

I dont have credibility to tell master not to go for house warming of riches. But, I havnt seen or heard that he has gone to the house warming of poor too.
I feel there is a gap widening between poor & rich in abhyases. Many abhyases feel tat master gives attaention to only those who are rich. Physical nearness is only for rich...poor has to just stand in queue waiting forever.

love
namrata

# posted by namrata @ 11:24 PM 1 comments
Sunday, April 09, 2006

This was the last post on this blog...

# posted by namrata @ 2:14 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Answer to :Warm house of poor

Hi,

In my last post i was upset as why sahaj marg phylosophy is not followed by master's own son. Well i got the answer, we should see only our master as example not even his son. Well his son may have built many houses but not master. So we should not get upset by somebody doing something which does not match the phylosophy of sahaj marg. Master is working every moment for upliftment of humanity. He has no other aim.
I just need to help him in this. This should be my role. Thas all, period!!!

# posted by namrata @ 11:58 PM 0 comments
Sunday, April 16, 2006

The truth should be supported by "spirituality" and is but this group is not a "spiritual" group.

When the truth is "snuffed out" like that, then you can ponder what will happen to your truth should you "cross" the "Mission".

Heads Up!!!

If it smells like a duck, and walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it's probably a "duck".

This is from the MIELKE out of France

SRCM Ashram Maintenance

The maintenance du Babuji Memorial Ashram was taken over by Prakash Sandhya who uses young volunteers to carry out this task. Prakash Sandhya is the owner of See Change Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (www.seechangeworld.com), a consultation firm from Chennai. He also directs other information companies such as Micronet Business Machines. But he has written two works called "You Too Can Sell" and "You Too Can Be Rich".

He works regularly for Intel Asia, ICICI Bank and other large corporations…

Mr. Prakash is a contributor to the Sahaj Sandesh. His last contribution was about the OMEGA school.

Ah! the simple and "spiritual" life.... Preach "simple" and live "rich"!! Why are the Religious called "hipocrites"? It' s not only for Religion but it is now also for the "all-new and improved" but "modified" spirituality out of INDIA!!

Sahaj Marg and SRCM(California) is another example of the "rich" playing at RELIGION and SPIRITUALITY...they are simply selling a "PRODUCT" which is now "trade Marked", just like all other commercial products. See the list of "ownership" of the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation. See who controls the MONEY! and the SRCM(California) Societies in every country. It is all "ON-LINE" in this and other blogs...

Exchange with Yogesh Pathak on Wikipedia, 2006

Here is a exchange with Yogesh Pathak, abhyasi with SRCMtm (Chari's group) on Wikipedia.

Michael is an ex-preceptor and ex-insider of SRCM, (member of the publishing arm of SRCM). Christian was an abhyasi for 18 years and 4d-don is an ex-abhyasi. This is from the Wikipedia Sahaj Marg Discussion page:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahaj_Marg

Michael's attempt at "concensus"

Dear Friends,

Many of us who are trying to push the truthful facts here continue to be ridiculed and discredited by those in the SRCM organization on this discussion page. I will yet again (I believe for the third time) RESTATE the primary point being made by many of us, in an effort to get at least some agreement before I go ahead and modify the page with a personally edited history of Sahaj Marg and the organizations that promote it.

We have seen the comments of active members of teh SRCM that has confirmed that many who the practice of Sahaj Marg under the Shri Ram Chandra Mission believe that their unquestioning loyalty to the organization is part of the requirement of being a devoted practicant of Sahaj Marg under that organization- and attacking the credibility of anyone who does question the motivations of the organization is considered a righteous endevour.

Discussion is not getting any consensus so I will simply propose the following addition to the SRCM WikiPedia page under the heading of "History". All that I have written here is factual with the exception of comments that are specifically identified as speculation:

In 1983 when Parthasarthi Rajagopalachari (Chari) took over the position of President of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission as specified by its founder Ram Chandra (Babuji) As a result a new agenda for growth was established. Chari took the initiative to transform the Mission from a loosely structured organization established to make the system of meditation available to the public, into a sacred institution that required the unquestioning loyalty and devotion of its members. This new push to create an organization with a life of its own, caused many of the core principles of Sahaj Marg to be compromized or over ridden.

While many senior diciples had already defected due to their unwillingness to follow Chari for what ever personal reasons, this new organizational push and the percieved compromize of the principles that resulted, caused many others, who initially accepted Chari as the new president of the Mission, to leave and establish other organizations, such as the ISRC, or disassociate themselves all together from the Sahaj Marg practice. Those who left were ridiculed and discredited as people who had little faith, unwilling to accept the new President, or as people of questionable behavior or morals (see Seekers comments on this in this discussion which confirm this thinking).

By 2006 this new organizational shift had evolved to the point such that, many who remained in the organization over the years, began to question the motives of the organization as it proceeded to push for donation requirements of its western members, purchase of property throughout Europe and India, and insist on a constant growth in numbers of its members even at the expense of maintaining the purity of the original principles and in spite of the lack of spiritual growth if its existing members.

By 2006, in Europe, specifically France and Switzerland, circumstances in the various centers, caused a growing group of senior members to question the purpose of these changes and explore the possibilities of practicing Sahaj Marg outside the influence of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission. Some experimented with the ISRC, set up by KC Naryanan as an alternative organization for the promotion of Sahaj Marg, while others chose to leave all together and explore other possibilites.

Many senior members of the organization have privately speculated, based on commentary by Babuji and Chariji, that Babuji established the Shri Ram Chandra Mission to meet the needs of humanity at some point in the future. When confronted directly about the circumstances this new Mission agenda has created, Chari's common reply is that he is "only following the instructions of his Master". If this speculation is true, this would explain much of Chariji's initiatives since 1983 and his response when questioned about them.

This, I believe accurately states the history to date. I will leave this here for commentary (or to be deleted and pushed to history) before I update the page with this information.

Regards,

Michael

Yogesh Pathak to 4d-don and Michael

Hi Don / Michael,

It took me a while to answer because it required that I study your blogs before putting in any replies. I did vist your blogs and I regret to inform you that I found it nothing short of xenophobia ("This Indian diaspora..., "We need to warn people..." etc.,). Is it any surprise then that your posts to the forum should as well be full of such references ("you steal our sheep", "you come to my world!", "foolish abhyasis of SRCM" etc.,). Neither is it any surprise that my not being a Christian and having quoted Christ seems to have generated an almost "How dare you!" hostility. As if one requires a license to quote Christ!

In contrast, every visitor to this page shall note the absolute patience and forbearance with which abhyasis of Sahaj Marg have responded to the posts even when faced with the most provocative language. To the discerning, this is proof enough that Sahaj Marg is an extremely effective method of meditation which enables an individual to rise above the narrow definitions of "my country", "my world", "my people" and see the underlying unity which binds all of us together.

Sure as Michael says, all words are being recorded for future generations to read and it is only for posterity to judge - long after all of us are gone. Some of us to the Brighter World and the rest possibly reincarnated to sift through the volumes of blogs and find the underlying truth, which was perhaps regrettably denied at an earlier opportunity.

This shall be my last post to the forum, not because I don't have the courage as Michael seems to pre-suppose (as if this was a street fight!!!), but because I'd rather spend my time meditating than trying to resist the resistance.

Love

Yogesh Pathak

Don to Yogesh

Yogesh...

I will tell you what Chari told me when I wrote to him 3 or 4 years ago.

"Thanks for this communication. Anything read out of context can have often absurd connotations too.

With Love and Master's Blessings, Affectionately",

If you don't like arogance and ignorance, don't give it. I can prove all statements I write with documentation including the "philosophy of the diaspora". It is all there for the researcher to find. When you come into a house from now on, try and communicate as a "friend" not as a "Master" or a "superior", chosen by God. There are enough of those causing strife in the world.

Go in Peace and find true love for the Inner Master....

We are all tucked inside the ONE GOD where we live!!! We do not need a "go-between"!!! Learn our spirituality, we learrned from yours and became the way you see us....Now learn ours and become the way we would like to see you!!! Compassionate and helping us feed the poor and the disenfranchised of the world. At least feed the ones in your country so we can focus on the rest of the world..like Africa!!! Sell the Temples and feed the Poor....One human life is worth 500 temples to use Chari's style. (one lion is worth 500 sheep)...so sadly silly!!!

With the love of the ONE GOD in my heart! And the love message of Christ on my Lips...

4d-Don...

Michael to Yogesh

Yogesh,

I am a practicing Christian and was a Preceptor in your mission at one time. I practiced Sahaj Marg for over 10 years. I knew Babuji, the founder of Sahaj Marg, and got marginally close to Chari's inner circle for a time. I also spent time with with one of the last living Sufi disciples of Lalaji, Babuji's Guru. So I believe I am qualified to address your comments with at least some knowedge of the Christian, Sahaj Marg and Sufi traditions.

Christ was crucified by a spiritual hierarcy for speaking the TRUTH and challenging the hierarcy and moving the hearts and minds of the people, thus your analogy is incorrect. Chari is at the pinnicle of the spiritual hirearcy.
People like Don and myself are merely speaking the truth as we know it. We are not a spiritual hierarcy in power trying to crucify a renegade Rabbi.

We have no intention of judging Chari or taking him "down" so to speak. We don't even wish to convince abhyasis happy with the practice to leave. We are individuals who wish only that the Truth not be concealed by an organization of individuals who will twist the facts and hide the truths to attract new aspirants into their fold. We are the one's likely to be crucified here, not Chari. In fact, I was already crucified by Chari over 15 years ago for challenging, not him, but his organization, the Shri Ram Chandra Mission.

Since we're dealing with facts here, I will state some for you. Chari's exact words in writing to me 15 years ago were: "..you were disobedient in matters of the Mission". What is being documented here in this living history of facts and truths. The organization refered to as the Shri Ram Chandra Mission has become an entity that Chari himself insists disciples must love and obey in addition to or possibly even in lieu of the Master. This is a documented truth, not slander and brings into question the documented founding traditions of Sahaj Marg which state that "God cannot be found in the folds of any sect or religion".

This is news worthy and pertinent for future historians who study this path of spirituality. Is this new "Mission" that everyone must love, and obey a new creation by Chari? Was it the intent of Babuji or Lalaji to create an organization that everyone must obey? Do today's abhyasis believe that loving and obeying the Mission brings them closer to God? These are the questions that arise from a historical perspective. Nowhere in the current literature of the SRCM is there any reference to "love and obedience to the Mission" however the Master has stated it in letters and speeches, and disciples have even made comments in various blogs to this effect. It is important that we understand this in the context of a historical, living encyclopedia and determine if this is a new aspect of Sahaj Marg, or an oral tradition that has been kept concealed from the rank and file Abhyasis until the early beginnings or Chari's reign.

Your commentary below, while innacurate and defensive, should remain in the archives as a clear example of the mindset of today's abhyasis who, when they feel their Mission is threatened, circle around their Master looking for religious analogies to defend him. Interesting, and noteworthy. Thank you for your contribution.

However, personally, I suggest that you please stick to the facts dear brother. If you wish to vent against myself or Don, we both have public blogs for you to do this on. They are even linked to in this very page.

If you do not have the courage to do so, and choose to hide behind your powerful Mission and Master and throw stones at the truth sayers who put themselves at risk doing so, perhaps you should spend some time thinking a bit more about what your words below actually represent in a living history such as Wikipedia. This is a place for facts and truth. It is a living history. I suggest you spend more time getting to know the facts behind your faith and the faith of others before making such contradictory comments that lack any logic or knowledge of a faith you don't even practice (Christianity).

Your words are being recorded for future generations to read. Think about their implications to you, your Mission and your Master.

Regards

Michael
http://innercircleofsrcm.blogspot.com/

Christian to Yogesh

Hi Yogesh,

I don't resist to interfere.

I just want to make you notice 3 things.

1/ When you say that SRCM people are finally better because they are above the "my country", "my world", "my people" problems, you seem to forget to mention the "my sect" attitude. And on that point, they reveal to be as everyone else...

2/ Are you trying to instilate doubt and fear in people mind by stating that maybe (of course maybe, because you do know nothing at all about these matters, except what you imagine to be the truth), the bad guys will be reincarnated, reading the blogs, while the others will be enjoying themselves in the brighter world. We are the bad guys, and you are the good one. Isn't that a similar attitude than that of the xenophobics?

3/ Please, don't put "Love" at the end of your message. There is love nowhere coming out from your text, even from that word, so why to write it down.

Christian

Don To Yogesh June 12/06

Hi Yogesh,

Couldn't honour your word and stay away eh?...

Xenophobia would mean fear of strangers. You are not a stranger to me and I have no fear of you. I have seen many like you of every culture and nationality claiming superiority and mis-representing themselves as God's chosen or representatives and sucking money from the poor or average Joes to feed their lust for power. I (as you falsely quote) have no sheep or following nor do I want one as I am a "spiritual" person (That means the Spirit and I..no one between) You, of the religious bent, claiming to lead the naive to God, seek followers as all religions do. Lalaji is turning in his grave. "Look what they've done to my song" he would sadly say. Lalaji was the elevated and beautiful part of Sahaj Marg. ie the Sufi influence.

There are some abhyasis in Europe who "foolishly" think that Sahaj Marg can be saved and brought back to what it was meant to be (as Lalaji and Babuji). In my opinion, they will not succeed. Sahaj Marg has become a religion and is now into "rituals", idolatry, iconography, materialism, and like all power structures, attracts power-hungy people and the "spiritual" pilgrims either leave or stagnate. You can quote Sufism, Raja Yoga, Christ and Mahatma Ghandi all you want, but your actions and your words and Chari's talk "denseness", not "lightness" nor "spirit". They talk how many? not what quality? They talk dogma and obedience to the Mission. It is our duty as moral and ethical seekers, to record the truth, not a fantasy or fiction or what we would like it to be. Like it or not. Beside recording the truth, if you are truly a spiritual person, not just a "navel gazer", help me get people back into contact with the "spirit" inside all of us, not make the honest seekers into dependent clones of Chari. Idolatry is not spirituality.

Most religions do their proselytizing honestly on their own merits and on the efficacy of their own system. And then there are those such as your group, since Chari, who, using the Christian churches, schools and universities as recruitment places under the pretense of "teaching meditation" actually teach obedience to and dependence on a Mill Manager who claims, through flawed rhetoric, to be the "flesh and blood embodiement of the Divine". The claims by preceptors run from "lear to focus", "take control of your life", to "keep all diseases at bay", but what is really the end product is volunteer for us. And the family? It falls apart. The dreams of the abhuyasi become the dream of the Guru.

Under the guise of being non-sectarian, your Master makes "sectarian" and anti-religion statements such as "the priest cannot forgive your sins", and "you go in the confessional and lie to a priest who is also a sinner" or "Christ was not wise" (see the Denmark speech 2005). Christians cannot serve your Master and Christ at the same time. Ask a priest. Be Honest, for the love of the ONE God.
To say so is to be less than honest, specially when you dishonestly are using the Christian Churches (in Ontario, Canada) as your recruitment place (stealing their sheep, not mine).

Like Master, like serf. If you and other abhyasis (your morality and your ethics) are the example of the efficacy of your system, re-read you "name-calling" diatribe. If you are going to quote Christ to an ex-Christian, at least try and be "loving" and "compassionate", and try not to be so opportunistic, and self-serving if you want credibility. I have Christ in my heart and Lalaji (a true Sufi who did not hide his past as Sahaj Marg does) also. You are the product of Chari's Sahaj Marg and it is not impressive. We are not amused nor impressed.

I want nothing from you. Not even your "Master Plan" or your "Master Song". Enter the place where we live in humility and you will be welcome. Enter as an arrogant megalomaniac and I will try as I am now, to get you to "be nice" and get along with your fellow "earthlings". You are no different from us, not closer to the ONE God nor more elevated. Become Yourself. We see you and we now can communicate it to our other allies. I will attempt to make this site depict an accurate portrait of Sahaj Marg and the lineage of it's founders such as Lalaji's Sufi background and Babuji's beautiful teachings. That part of Sahaj Marg is honourable.

I will forgive you...find a good mirror

I could be less tyrannophobic if you want to be less psychophobic or phonemophobic. ;-))

Don...

Hostile take-over of the SRCM

How a small meditation group is "taken over"
A spiritual drama:

This is one account by Mr A who confirms Michael's and other accounts of the political intrigues that have gone on at the SRCM since it's creation by Babuji.
For another perspective and more "drama and intrigue", read Dr. Varadachari's story on KC Narayana's (Dr. Varadachari's son) ISRC site:

http://www.sriramchandra.org/Master/RevDrKCVStory.htm

For a different perspective than the SRCM's official version of Lalaji's Sufi background, and on the Sufi Lineage of Sahaj Marg, see "Sufi Saints And Sufism" by RK Gupta at:

http://sufism.weebly.com/sufism-in-india.html (see Sufism in India and Naqsh MuMRa Stream of Sufis)

Chari mentions in his autobigraphy how his dad had become a problem as he was travelling around Europe claiming to be a "Master" even though he had only been in the Mission for a few weeks. He wanted Babuji to "deal with it" but Babuji was not a "confrontational" person so he just let it happen.

This account is in the comments on Michael blog:

http://innercircleofsrcm.blogspot.com/

Michael, Christian

I appreciate your efforts and time you have put to share your experiences.

At age 17 (1987) I had strong desire to understand the meaning and purpose of life. Studied Vivekananda, and started meditating on my own. I came across 'Reality at Dawn'. I was impressed and decided to meet Babuji. (I am an indian living in India). I met a local preceptor Mr.M. After couple of meetings he said "I know what you are looking for, I request you to join our mission. Give me six months of time. Do what I say for six month. At the end we will sit on same platform. If you feel I have wasted your time, your free to give me any abuses you like".

I was touched by the humility and openness. I told him, i would not question for one year.

Later during sittting and talks i realized, Babuji had passed in 1983. I went to Shahjanpur for 'Lalaji's Birthday celebration', the same year. I was already feeling the difference in my condition/experience the grace at Babuji's Samadhi and his house. As i got involved i learnt that there is some issue going on with Babuji's Sucessor. Mr.M told me that Babuji left none. We have a working president Dr.S.P.Srivastava.

I used to meet my preceptor almost three times a week. During talk, i understood that Chari is claiming the sucessorship and came to know about all the legal issues in India too. He mentioned to me that, while Babuji's body was still burning at Shahjanpur, Chari had the paper circulated that he is nominated as the president of mission. Chari was general secretary of the mission till 1980(?), he was removed from all postions after that. Chari was the only person appointed by Babuji to make new preceptors. My preceptor was made a preceptor by Chari!.

But he refused to accept chari as the representative. The personality he described to me about chari and what i read from your blogs are identical!

In fact, Chari send out a letter to my preceptor, that his preceptorship is cancelled, and his powers are revoked. He showed that letter to me when i went for a sitting to his home. Asked me to sit for a sitting and tell him how true it is. I felt no difference in the sitting, it was still the same grace i have been receiving.

Unfortunatly, my preceptor left us in 1993. Babuji that i know, SahajMarg i know, the grace i feel is all due to his efforts. In my very close association with him for six plus years, I have never, not even once, seen him lose his cool or a change in the tone or pitch of his voice. I was like his son, so there nothing hidden from me or as a matter of fact anyone. There was no 'inner circle'.

I had developed good relation with preceptors of neighboring cities too by that time. And i saw very similar personalities. None of them accepted Chari as the successor though.

Since they wanted to run the Mission, they met with the president S.P.Srivastava and decided on ways to make new preceptor and made new one for my city. I took regular sitting from him and felt similar grace too.

I have also heard from my preceptor that Andre Porey was a strong contender for the successorship. Babuji had more liking for him, but Lalaji disapproved him, since Lalaji felt that Andrey Pore or people around him are not introvert and would utilize the power for material purpose. I recollect this as i read your post on people dressed in black showing up for meditation.

As far as i know, my preceptor told me that till the end Babuji was always saying that i did not find one to nominate.

The center was working fine, but we got a letter now from Umeshchandra saxena that he is the sucessor representative. We all got copies of the letter that Babuji Maharaj wrote to him on mission letter head with Babuji's Signature.

I have seen the letter that Umeshchandra produced and the one that chari has produced. I still have copies of both. I rejected the copy chari produced simply by reading its content. Babuji, as i have known him from my preceptor, does nothing without mentioning his guru Lalaji Maharaj. A successor nomination letter without the name of Lalaji Maharaj is 'impossible'.

The letter that umeshchandra produced seemed more in line with Babuji's style. "By the grace of God and Lalaji Maharaj..."

I must mention here, my preceptor told me that when Babuji used to travel west, he used to leave few blank signed papers on mission letterhead for administrative reasons. Since he worked in court, he was very perticular and always checked back on the papers when he came back. In one of his last trips, he saw three blank signed letters were missing. He registered a complain at local police station for records.

Since one of the senior preceptor (he was one of the few, who had soul connection with Babuji-initiation) in neighbouring city, accepted that letter, we all accepted it.

I took sitting from umeshchandra when he came to my city. The sitting reminded me of the condition i felt, at Babuji's Samadhi and Babuji's house. Tremendous grace. But i was very perplexed with the petty talk and other behaviour of Umeshchandra. I question this to the Senior preceptor-whom we were relying on.

He agreed with my observation, asked me to watch and not react. I kept did not question much.

Umeshchandra has accused Chari of 'poisioning' Babuji Maharaj in court papers! He said that something was done to Babuji in his trip to west. I recollect this when i read michael's post of Babuji falling down.

Umeshchandra, later asked me to come and stay at his house near Delhi. I went there for four days, and he made me a preceptor. He seemed sincere in trying to run the mission as Babuji intended. I saw all the menuscripts that Babuji wrote while he as getting dictations from Lalaji Maharaj, Lord Krishna, Swami Vivekanada, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord Buddha etc. (there is a autobiography published from it, not many people has that copy)

Later I came to US on work (1996). Having made preceptor and US secretary of the Mission, i tried to see if i can find some good abhyasis. I tried to contact old abhyasis's from a list i got from Umeshchandra. I even attended a sitting conducted by a local preceptor made by Chari. I did not divulge my identity- said i am an abhyasi from India. I noticed that there were no pictures of Babuji Maharaj or Lalaji Maharaj in the center. There was a picture of Chari. I did not find any grace in that sunday group sitting.(my sensitivity is very good to surrounding, i can catch good and bad vibrations, thoughts etc.)

After the sitting a book was being read written by Chari. I never went there again or talked with the preceptor.I created a website 'sahajmarg.org'. Put some basics of Babuji's teaching and the issue of sucessor representative. I scanned the court papers, Chari had presented in the court as successor representative and the one Umeshchandra presented.

This started a legal battle here in US. They(Chari's zonal secretary) contacted the domain registrar and disputed the domain. The issue went to arbitration. I worked with Umeshchandra, and presented the response to the arbitration. The decision came in our favour that we can keep the domain name. I was delighted, and so were people in india, this was probably the first time, we had won something.

This did not last long, as Chari, approched the federal court, virginia to dispute the outcome. I too hired an attorney to fight the case. My financial power and other means were extremly limited. There is nobody here that can support me in this issue. It was a drag on me personally and finacially.

When, Chari(zonal seceratary) realized, i am fighting it out, they hired one of the biggest law firm in US to fight the case (100K + would be their fees)

In 1999, I went to india to attend Babuji's centenary celebration in Shahjahanpur. I saw obvious change in Umeshchandra at that time. He did not have any Job or financial backing. He had started depending on the Mission to support himself. I did not have any problem with it, since he was doing a full time job as the president. But i saw, that the attitude was to get more money in the mission, so that he and his family can use more- support a lifestyle.

I saw politicians invited at the celebrations on the stage. They are bad everywhere, but in india its - i don't have words here.

I saw i was being used for some publicity. There were fears for Umeshchandra's life due this dispute and he was carrying a revolver in his pocket at shahjahanpur ashram.

I was sad. I realized Umeshchandra is not the representative. I discussed with the senior preceptor on whose word we had accepted him as president. He used to manage all the accounts for the ashram. He acknowledged, grave money mismangement in the mission.

I came back to US, very sad. I still had to deal with the court case, since Chari's attorney refused to accept Shri RamChandra Mission, Shahjanpur, India as an identity and was personally dragging me in the case for violating his trademarks.

My attorney, advised me to backoff, He told me he does not have means to fight the biggest law firm in US, and even if we won, they can always challenge the decision and go to supreme court and drag this for a long time. I did not have the money, or power and now no faith in Umeshchandra.

I signed the papers that i have nothing to do with the SRCM, nor will my kids! have anything to do with it.

My heart cried...still does.

Mr. A...
12:56 PM

Anonymous said... (Mr. A)

Let me add one more...There is a CD/cassette available of Babuji's talks with Danish abhyasis (1974?) The western abhyasis are impressed with Chari and inquirying about Kasturi and Chari to Babuji. A lady asks Babuji, "is Chari a saint?", Babuji gives some vague answer, but she repeats the questions. Babuji answers "Chari is Bachelors of Science"!!!

These are Masters own words, recorded, published even by Chari's organization.

1:05 PM

Michael said...

Dear Brother,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Your story is astonishingly similar to mine! Having met one of Lalaji's last living disciples, I am convinced that there was no desire on Lalaji's behalf to start an organization, or have successors.

I sincerely believe this whole SRCM was Babuji's creation, not Lalaji's, and it has created a life of its own that has nothing to do with the spiritual advancement of humanity.

To this day I don't understand the need for yet another spritual organization that will untimately degrade to another organized religion (if it hasn't already).

I have to say, when I met Umesh back in 1980, he did not seem very active spiritually.

Given my training as a preceptor, I know quite well how easy it is to present a facade of holiness around oneself. Umesh and Chari have done this. This facade conceals real objectives, desires and intentions.

Privately, Chari complained constantly about his disciples, their whining and foolishness. I saw people he kept close to him keeping people away from Chari when he got into that kind of mood, Yet publically, he presented a Masterly Facade.

When it all comes down to it, I believe that SRCM as an organization (either the Shajahanpur or Mumbai versions of it), does little to advance how its disciples interact in this life, and instead have them fixated on serving an organization and Master so that they can advance in the Brighter World.

This now includes aggressive legal action against opposing groups and detractors. Rumor has it, that there have been "inner circle" discussions about our blogs and a US attorney has been asked to look into how to shut us down. Of course, in the US free speech laws prohibit the expression of personal opinions. However, if this is indeed true, it is yet another sad fact of just how self centered and defensive this organization has become!

I share your sadness. Feel free to keep in touch with us.

Michael
1:19 PM


Anonymous (Mr. A) said...

Michael,

The organization SRCM was created with Lalaji's approval and wishes. Babuji had lost his ego-individuality. The Autobiography i mention which contains numerous day to day events in intercummunication form says so. Infact the dictations give details that there was a big issue of successor representative after Lalaji passed away. It is in 1944, Lalaji's birthday celebration Babuji was declared as his sucessor by Ishwar Sahai (?). Lalaji, Lord Krishna, Swami vivekananda and many more had left the brighter world and were present to take care of Babuji. Lalaji Maharaj, Swami Vivekanada and Lord Krishna were his constant companions. This was printed in India around 1989. 3000 copies. From your response i am assuming you have not read it. I have read those intercommunication papers written by babuji originally in Urdu, all dictations from swami Vivekananda were in english. These were translated by Dr.S.P.Srivatava. That book is my 'Gita'. There is so much information in there, i wish more people could read it.

3:15 PM

Michael said...

My Dear Friend,

Nothing of what you write can be confirmed. All comes from Babuji's dreams and creations in his mind. Even Ishwar Sahai's announcement is something only Babuji can attest to. Meanwhile there were dozens of Lalaji's disciples who present different facts. Now Chari allegedly claims to have "dreams" or have Babuji "channeled" by a third party and this information. Conveinient for him as these facts are totally un-proveable, just as your Autobiography myths are.

My friend, what I am saying is that Missions and Successors, do not matter. This may seem a bold statement to you but I believe it boils down to how the system trains its adherents to treat their fellow man/woman in this world in order to evolve and prepare for the next. If selfishness remains, then all the detachment in the world won't save you!

Personally, I was attracted to Babuji's personality, not his credentials and always bristled when these myths were propogated as they are extremely manipulative. They represent clear signs of a spiritual organization degrading to a religion. Spirituality is about experiencing God. Religions are about believing in God. Now what have you written here that is about Spirituality?

Please, keep the focus on facts and experiences when writing here, not mythology and legend determining who's in charge. We're interested in YOUR EXPERIENCES not the myths propogated to benefit a few in charge of a large organization.Sorry for being so blunt, but you must be careful presenting un-verifiable information here as truth. Not only does it serve no purpose, but it belittles YOUR experience, which, in spirituality IS important. The facts you present are not important in any spiritual sense and only serve to sway the masses to believe in a religious hierarchy without experiencing anything.

So, if you have experiences of your own that you'd like to share, then share them here, but understand that unless you personally witnessed Vivekananda and Krishna leaving the Brighter world to be in Babuji's presence, or if you've visited the Brighter World and confirmed these facts with these individuals, I suggest that you reserve posting these myths elsewhere.

Regardless, I hope you find happiness and benefit from the path you are on.

Michael
7:15 AM

Anonymous (Mr. A) said...

Michael,

I agree w.r.t the autobiography, nothing can be confirmed. Babuji said it, wrote it in his dairy and now few have it as book.

Anybody can claim it. There are few things one can look for 'Motive'

-Either the person claiming such dictations was mentally unstable
-Had desire for fame, money, material values
- or pass the 'truth' to the masses.

There could be more analysis on the isssue of motive, but my friend, i don't blame you the world is filled many pseudo guru's. Having never seen the 'good' side of the system, one would think in similar direction. I guess even i might have taken similar position.

I agree with you, the mission, sucessor does not matter. What matters to me is, my personal transformation. Am I still the same person, getting affected by every circumstances or have i 'naturally' moved to a more divine state.

There is a reason, many highly developed spiritual soul do not come out in public. The original emphasis, as i have learnt for 'sahaj marg' was propogation thru word of mouth. An abhyasi would introduce another person, if he/she sees that the there is a internal craving in the person.

I have seen that there was emphasis on 'quality' of abhyasi and never 'quantity'. We never wanted quantity. This is not for everyone to digest.

My preceptor used to tell me, this is power, and if tendencies are not understood and changed, a small thief would become very big thief. If utilized properly, the thief can become a saint.

I take trouble to write this, since it hurts when the finger is pointed to Babuji Maharaj. Please don't be hasty, leave the benefit of doubt. The system, organization did perform as ideally it should, i can attest to it. But when the quantity increased due to some organizer's enthusism, it went down.

1:37 PM

Michael said...

Dear Anonymous

Apparently you have not read the blog and seem to think I did not know Babuji, but I did. I joined SRCM in 1979 and travelled to Shahjahanpur multiple times.

I am not sure whether Babuji wrote this "Auto"biography or if it was created by those around him. I was impressed with Babuji, but then again, I was also impressed with Chari. I also met some other very impressive Gurus, one was also associated with Lalaji.

I am by no means ignorant of the SRCM, or the practice of Sahaj Marg as I was a Preceptor and practiced it for over 10 years. I stand by what I say.

It is well documented that Babuji had very limited contact with Lalaji. He determined that he should announce his successorship from a dream he had after Lalaji passed away. By this time many of Lalaji's disciples and disciples of Lalaji's brother had established themselves as spiritual teachers and saw little need to follow Babuji. (Yes even Babuji mentions Lalaji's brother as a spiritual twin).

I am not judging Babuji, but am simply stating the facts. I do not believe even mentioning the dreams and visions that Babuji may or may not have had of Vivenkenanda, Krishna, Lalaji or other dead people is even remotely relevant to the spiritual experience one has in the presence of someone like Babuji.

Sadly, Anonymous, whomever he is, has decided Babuji's autobiography, which I have read, is a new religious document that everyone should read. This defeats the purpose of a spiritual practice that is supposed to develop one's own discrimination.

In today's SRCM discrimination is DEAD. It is all about blind obedience. Lions are turned into sheep while the wolves in the inner circle fight over morsels of meat.

It is a sad state of affairs, yet still some manage to extract some nectar from this rotting fruit.

Babuji was an impressive person, but he was human. He was able to convey something spiritual to others, but his legacy is rotting away as his hand picked inner circle fight over what remains of it.

I will be bold here and say that I believe he indeed made a mistake in creating SRCM and claiming exclusivity in the Sufi/Vedic heritage he gleened from his association with Lalaji. Other disciples of Lalaji chose claim any exclusive lineage. His doing so has done nothing but to muddy an otherwise simple spiritual path and establish a new religion based on myth and blind faith in dreams and visions and possibly illusions.

Michael
6:55 PM

Alexis said...

Mr. Anonymous,

I just have discovered your comment (thanks to Don). It is terribly interesting. But there are things which I don't understand. Perhaps, you could explain me…

- You said Dr SP Srivastava was the 'working president' of the Mission, and yourself were the secretary when you went to the USA. Is it the SRCM of Chari or another one ? Is there two Missions : Umeshchandra's Mission and Chari's Mission ? Who is Srivastava ?

- You said that in your area of origin, people do not like Chari. What area is it? Uttar Pradesh ?

- You said Lalaji didn't like André Porey. How could they have known each other ?

Thanks for explanations

3:50 AM

Anonymous said...


Thanks to all who have expressed interest in the posting.

-When Babuji left and chari came out with the sucessor letter, there were problems. There were factions.

- A working group was formed and S.P.Srivastava was choosen as the president. This is the same group -original SRCM shahjanpur HQ center. This was not immediate, it took a while (few years). The ashram was not getting properly maintained after Babuji.

Later this-Presidentship was passed on to Umeshchandra. Since Umeshchandra came out with a letter showing(1994), he is the appointed representative by Babuji.

Just to clarify, I have never had any association with SRCM-Chari. I have never met chari. My association has always been with SRCM, Shahjahanpur, India. BTW, alexis, there are many factions of SRCM, Chari's is one of them and it has large number.

Regarding Andrey Porey, What i wrote i got it from my preceptor. This was in 1990. How does Lalaji know Andrey? Well we are going to cross the physical boundry here to answer that.

Lalaji was almost a constant companion of Babuji Maharaj, it is evident from Babuji's dairy. From the kind of questions, doubts, i get here, I almost certain, nobody in this group has read it. I have not read the book 'Whispers of Truth ?" from Chari, so i cannot say whether its the same as what i am referring.

Chari has no access to Babuji Maharaj's diary. It was Lalaji's wish as well as Babuji's wish to have it printed after Babuji Maharaj leaves the physical body. Umeshchandra and now his son Navneet has it. Babuji used to have daily communication with departed souls. Originally written in urdu and english. This work was translated by Dr.S.P.Srivastava. This is offcourse a very controversial aspect. We all need proof. A material proof, of a non-material 'thing'!

I have been discouraged by Michael, not to put stuff that cannot be proved or can be imaginary. The Irony is, What is false is getting proved in the courts! and survives in masses! (in this physical world!)

Friends, please remember Chari was not the only person close to Babuji Maharaj, I have known many senior perceptors who were very close to Babuji Maharaj.

It should not matter which region i am from in India. I did visit Shahjahanpur every year from 1987 onwards with 1996.

I have no objection to providing the letter chari or Umeshchandra is using to claim successorship, this were submitted to Supreme court of India towards the court dispute.

Just a word of caution to the enthusiastic folks here. I have been burnt by this and i personally would not like others to take that road.

My 'only' purpose to write all this is to share and help and never to 'bitch'. I can never do that for any thing that involves 'Babuji's' name.

call me 'A'
2:57 PM

Michael said...

A,

Thanks for providing more information. As for your disappointment in me for not accepting the un-proven myths, It is not about tangible vs untangilbe or Supreme Court vs Babuji's visions, it is the deflection of focus on one's own spiritual experiences and the creation of Myth that is faith based rather than experiential that I have an issue with.

These Myths tend to cause the Masses to "follow" a Master rather than pursue their own spiritual practice.

Michael
4:00 PM

Christian said...

1) So, how do we proceed with these letters if you are ok to display them?

2) I have asked on this blog to RK Pilani how to get the book you are talking about but had no answer. Is there a way to buy it somewhere?

3) I surely do not want to go in the direction of an open conflict and that's why I try to discourage it by showing that the cure could be worse. Our situation is not to claim being the SRCMtm as was yours or that of others who had this kind of problem.

6:08 PM

4d-Don said...

Hi A...

Thank you for the candid information.What a mess, what a mess, what a mess!(an old Acadianism) or like Christian would say: Ah! ah! ah!....You are very compassionate to share this with us and I appreciate it, as I am sure the others.

The letters or any physical proof you have would be of immense support and comfort to us who have only had our "suspicions" and "feelings" of how things were at SRCM tm and are only getting it "confirmed" by yourself, Michael, Christian, Alain, Narayana, and others who have researched it for a long time like Alexis and the Infosect in France.

This sort of exchange (information) could only happen in this day and age, with the Internet, and maybe this time, they (the power hungry) will not get away with it.It is my hope and my consolation to make up for my "broken family" as I'm sure is the same with Vincent (Belgium) and She Wolf (Switzerland), Elodie, Johan, and others in Europe.

Don...
10:03 PM

Alexis said...

If I well understood, Babuji died in 1983, Chari presents its successor letter which is refused and a working group is created and chaired by Dr SP Srivastava (1983-94). Chari didn't be pleased and he constituted its own movement in parallel.

In 1994, Umeshchandra shows a letter which is recognized, SP Srivastava dissolves the group and Umeshchandra becomes official president of the Mission. You (Mr A.) are named secretary of the Mission in the United States in 1996 and you create a website...

It means there are 2 Missions, one official chaired by SP Srivastava first (1983-94) and after by Umeshchandra (1994-today), the other one unofficial chaired by Chari since 1983.

Am I mistaken ?

6:50 AM

Alexis said...

Mr A.,

Do you know why Umeshchandra waited 1994 to show its letter ?
KC Narayana, son of Dr KC Varadachari, said he saw this letter in 83 or before. He said also Chari's letter was authentic, Umeshchandra's letter wasn't...
Do you know Narayana ? What is your impression ?

And about Dr Varadachari ?

7:09 AM


Anonymous said...
Alexis,

Your summary/understanding of the mission situation is correct. Why did Umeshchandra waited for so long? I did not get a clear answer. I did ask it.

There many division or preceptors practising by themselves, like Ragvendra
rao, KC Narayana, Kasturiji and many more.

I have never met Dr.Vardhachari, But i know my preceptor used to speak very high of him. From some of the letters that are published online between him and Babuji, he was the chosen sucessor by Babuji, but he did not live long here.

I do not have much knowledge about KC Narayana. He seems to keep the door not wide open, maybe from bad experiences from abyasis following different group.

Here is my thought - purely personal, Most of the preceptors in India are doing good service and are keen on following the principles of Babuji maharaj, except the well known SRCM-Chari. There may be some good folks in there too.

Michael, i understand where you are comming from, but the onus of blindly following the Master and not the principles lies on the disciple.

I did accept the letter Umeshchandra produced, i did experience the 'grace' from him. But when the worldly actions were not based on 'principles' i moved on.

As the indian system, the guru is regarded as 'living god'. There is no other form of God you can experience physically. You may hit me for this, but i do accept that. But please remember Babuji has mentioned that it is better to remain without a Guru, instead of choosing a wrong one. The tests for such a guru are very high. I have and would test a guru to almost every doubt that comes across in my mind. Real faith develops following that, otherwise its all sheeps following.

Christian, The book i am refering, i have serious doubts if its available now.

My 2 cents to all the abhyasis, The method is correct, the principles are correct, pray directly to Babuji maharaj and he will help you. Its from my experience.

I am not sure how i can upload the documents here.

A
3:35 PM


Michael said...
All,

There are not 2 but at least 3 SRCM groups now that KC Narayana has started ISRC.

The point that I would emphasize is that all these senior members, who claim all to have achieved the "Central Region" are fighting over an organization and successorship to it. This entire dynamic makes a mockery of spiritual attainment - and personally makes me not give a hoot about their spiritual achievments. They are behaving like the worst of human beings here on Earth and making a mess of things - Perhaps the brighter world is just a safe place to keep these dangerous souls safely away from humanity after death?

I will state again, and I know you all will not like this, but Babuji created this mess! He decided to create the Mission, claim himself sole successor of Lalaji and claim that only through Him and His Mission could one practically attain the Central Region. He attracted lots of impressive people into his fold and develped a strong power base with their combined energy.

I'm not questioning Babuji's sincerity or whether he had the dreams and visions that he wrote about, I am simply saying that he has created an organization and a culture that fostered power mongering and narcisissim.

Meanwhile there is a legacy that goes beyond SRCM - Lots of groups following Lalaji and his Brother. The Golden Sufi folks, associated with Irina Tweedie (Author of "Daughter of Fire") come from Lalaji's Brother's lineage. I believe they have preserved more of the basic principles that existed in Lalaji's days - no sole successor, etc...

So Babuji chose to deviate from the direction that Lalaji, his brother and their other disciples took of not having any real organization, nor any sole successorship to fight over.

I stand by my claim that the SRCM and the whole concept of Successors is done to control the masses. Spiritually focused individuals will find the right person or group to be associated with. Legal papers, organizations, and castles to meditate in, are not necessary - that is unless one desires to build a powerbase and a mass of sheep-like disciples to control. Who benefits from that?

Sorry to dissappoint those who still hold onto Babuji's legacy, but the truth is, his legacy is rotting away with every splinter group and "Central Region" disciple who claims to be pure path to the Brighter World.

Honestly, what is lost in all this is the whole concept of human development. There seems to be little concern for acting selflessly, and serving humanity without expectetion of getting something in return. It's all about "THE MISSION"...

What about HUMANITY? What about charity and forgiveness? What about honoring one's family and serving one's community?

How did all these principles get lost? Because everyone is so fixated on serving the Mission so that they can attain the Central Region so that they can become the next Master or at least become part of is Inner Circle!

Sad, very sad.
6:45 AM

New Marketing Tactics for Sahaj Marg

NEW RECRUITING TACTICS OF THE “EVANGELICAL” SAHAJ MARG.


If you Google search “Sahaj Marg blog” you will find at pages 4 to 20, these pages from Yahoo! Answers in UK, Ireland, India, Singapore, and Canada. It seems that these “evangelists” are targeting children again with this “proselytizing” tool. How far from the “Sahaj Marg” of lalaji and Babuji and Raja Yoga, has the “all new SRCM” drifted in their need for “disciples” or “serfs” so as to grow the Mission. Lalaji and Babuji’s spirituality was for adults only!!!

We now have to protect our kids from these adults using the Children’s games to “evangelize” to the kids…Oh yes, you can earn points! To get to the Brighter World no doubt!! They will need some “students” for their “OMEGA” School. Is this their “recruiting drive”??

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20061014034500AAjB6GJ
http://answers.yahoo.com/my/profileshow=036f58adae89ecc403264e7711a714ffaa http://answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20060919044255AAEDCW9
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20060911024857AAk8bcM
http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20061004231215AAwzEjZ
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20061004213450AAvCO9T
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20061005031720AANIyza
http://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20061011060807AAQzJ0T
http://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20061005031720AANIyza
http://in.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20060920020825AAXHQkf
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/indexqid=20061011034339AANPbGS

Heads up Parents….They may then offer “free tuition” for a select few “as Judas Goats”, so as to pressure the other parents to follow suit, just like the Catholics did for me, and others like me, with the abusive and now defunct boarding (residential) schools. They paid my way because I was “special”. In other words, a “subservient” and “obedient” target, or a “good kid”.

Well now my eyes are open. Keep your eyes open!!