Taken and translated from an article: Chari ou Industrialization Spirituelle à l'Occidentale, on Alexis' Blog in Europe: La Fabuleuse Épopéé Du Sahaj Marg.
Chari & Sahaj Marg(tm), or the Industrialization of Spirituality, Western Style!
Eldest in a family of three boys, Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, called Chari was born on 24/07/1927 in the suburbs of Chennai. His mother died when he was 5 or 6 years. Graduated with a bachelor of science degree, he joined the industrial conglomerate TTK (Group) & Co in 1955, where he quickly takes the direction of its subsidiary, Indian Textile Paper Tube Co. Ltd., until his retirement in 1985. He is married in 1955 to Sulochana, with whom he has an only son, PR Krishna, who was born two years later. He (PR Krishna) has two children: Barghav born in March, 88 and Madhuri, in 91. Sulochana died on 02/11/1999.
The Tamil-speaking Brahmin, eating rice and smoking Dunhill cigarettes, knows Western culture well and masters it perfectly. Clever businessman, he knows how to lead men and manage their affairs.
Chari met Babuji in 1964. He became his secretary in 1970, he received from him a declaration of nomination as President of SRCM in 197474. Both travel the western world to present Sahaj Marg, until 82.
But Chari is rejected by most senior preceptors who deem him too westernized. At the death of Babuji, they prefer Umesh, the son of Babuji (who presents a more recent letter of nomination signed by Babuji) . From then on, Chari now presides over an unofficial SRCM, but manages to get control of the trademark of Sahaj Marg(tm).
Chari re-groups back to the southern ashram of Chennai, where he does not hesitate to blackmail the preceptors in a letter, giving them the choice between expulsion or allegiance. He also takes over some ashrams by force, such as those of Visakhapatnam, Nellore and Vadodara between 1984 and 1985. More importantly, he travels every continent in search of the legitimacy which he lacks, making the West his bridgehead.
To better mesh with Western expectations, he does not hesitate to change the spiritual practice, and to revisit its history. Once codified and ritualized, the legend instilled, and the spirituality well standardized, the product, the brand Sahaj Marg (tm) is filed on Jul. 29, 1997. To top it all, the registration of the SRCM ( California -1997) society are filed in the wake.
KC Narayana (son of Dr. Varadachari, friend of Babuji and Master-in-waiting) leaves in 1991, Kasturi distanced herself in 1995. One and all accused him of yielding to the cult of personality.
The strategy of the seduction of Westerners used by Rajagopalachari and his management methods have been proven effective, if we are to believe the figures put forward. Babuji had about 3,000 followers and 180 preceptors in 1983. Rajagopalachari carried that number to 20,000 in 1991, 50 to 55 000 in 1995-97, and 75,000 in 2000 with approximately 1,500 preceptors. (Lalaji, Master of the Naqshbandiya Sufi Botherhood, in the 1920's - 1931, had 212 disciples)
With his success and the money coming from his Western troops, Rajagopalachari returned to India in 1999 to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Babuji. On April 30th, he opened the Babuji Memorial Ashram, at Manappakam on the outskirts of Chennai, an ashram of five hectares which can accommodate 13,000 people inside the meditation hall.
If one believes the principal parties involved, the return of Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari to India is a smashing success and is crowned by a resounding victory over his rival organization, the Shri Ram Chandra Mission of Shahjahanpur (1945). In 2003, he announced that the number of his disciples was multiplied by three in three years. From 75 000 in 2000, it would then be increased to 200 - 300,000 from 2003-04.
In 2005, he reached the height of his power, Rajagopalachari appoints a successor. He makes recognized the SRCM(tm) at the Department of Public Information United Nations, (UNDPI) and launched the "New Bible" of Sahaj Marg(tm), a book that compiles the words of Babuji from beyond the grave, as reported by a medium, and creates a school and some retreat centers ...
Links:
- Sahaj Marg & The Successors of Chari
See also:
Sister Kasturi Speaks
Translation and Transcript of Sister Kasturi Interview (Feb. 20, 2009)
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Sahaj Marg is in Mourning!
Taken and translated from an article, Le Sahaj Marg est en deuil, on her blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
February 24, 2012
Sahaj Marg is in Mourning!
Sahaj Marg has just lost its second and greatest figure after Babuji. This personality is gone, and it is Sahaj Marg which goes out and dies.
Do not worry, it's not that about Chari that this concerns. There will always be a pale imitation of the real Sahaj Marg, a vulgar substitute registered in the commercial register.
This is about Kasturi Chaturvedi, Kasturi Bhenji, that saint of Sahaj Marg who passed away on February 22, 2012, and the remains of Sahaj Marg have disappeared with her.
Pray for her joining Babuji in a Brighter World, for whom she had devoted her life.
Elodie
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February 24, 2012
Sahaj Marg is in Mourning!
Sahaj Marg has just lost its second and greatest figure after Babuji. This personality is gone, and it is Sahaj Marg which goes out and dies.
Do not worry, it's not that about Chari that this concerns. There will always be a pale imitation of the real Sahaj Marg, a vulgar substitute registered in the commercial register.
This is about Kasturi Chaturvedi, Kasturi Bhenji, that saint of Sahaj Marg who passed away on February 22, 2012, and the remains of Sahaj Marg have disappeared with her.
Pray for her joining Babuji in a Brighter World, for whom she had devoted her life.
Elodie
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Monday, February 20, 2012
Sahaj Marg(tm) and the Successors of Chari
Taken and translated from an article: Les Successeurs de Chari, by Alexis on his blog in Europe, "La Fabuleuse Épopée du Sahaj Marg,
The successors of Chari
On April 29, 2005, Rajagopalachari wrote a first letter of appointment of his successor, Ajay Kumar Bhatter, a young businessman from West Bengal and member of the Executive Committee of the president since 2003, chosen by Babuji and confirmed by the hierarchy of Sahaj Marg, the signing ratified by sixteen personalities. And he (Chari) publicly announced this appointment the next day, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Mission and the day of the 106th anniversary of the birth of Babuji, in a speech entitled "Securing the Future of the Mission", then he (Chari) was 78 years old. AK Bhatter was chosen by Babuji, he was trained for this for years and will be even throughout the life of Rajagopalachari (Chari). He (AK Bhatter) then succeeded him (as President-in-waiting, until Chari passes on) as the spiritual representative of Babuji and president of the Mission throughout the world. But AK Bhatter throws in the towel five years later, worn out by the co-management with Chari, and maneuvers and manipulations of all kinds. Chari announced his (AK Bhatter) resignation May 2, 2010.
Six years after naming his first official successor, Rajagopalachari therefore appointed a second successor July 26, 2011. He designates Desaibhai Kamlesh Patel, a pharmacist from Brooklyn of Indian origin, in a document co-authored by US Bajpai, Sanjay Bhatia and AK Bhatter. The official announcement only takes place two months later, October 3, 2011. But as the first appointment, it was (allegedly) approved by Babuji from the beyond, in a message peddled by the (anonymous French lady) medium, and meant for Chari.
Born in Gujarat (a state in western India, bordering Pakistan), Kamlesh emigrated to America where he lives for more than 20 years to become a pharmacist in Brooklyn (he would be in his fifties). Following his appointment by Chari, he moved to Garden of Hearts (Chennai), facing the Babuji Memorial Ashram. This is a "head of the show", abhyasi of the first hour, preceptor for nearly as long, who has gone through all the positions of responsibility (area-in-charge, region-in-charge, etc..), to the positions of Director of the American foundation, Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation-SMSF, and the great mediator of the new World Service Team of SRCM (California-1997).
This person of Indian origin lives on Staten Island, in upstate New York, USA. An Indo-American to head the SRCM (California-1997) is new. If he truly succeeds Chari - in contrast to Ajay - will he chose the United States or will he settle permanently in India?
Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed
These two appointments targeted a double objective: to stop the succession disputes and to reassure abhyasis about their future. But let us not kid ourselves, these official announcements have never managed to completely turn off the hostilities between the various claimants to the succession, they just put them on hold, if not stifle them. Already, the abhyasis do not all succumb to the charisma of the designated successors. This is not without grimacing and gnashing of teeth. But one must accept the will of the guru, and then make do with it ...
Chari only appointed his successors to better calm the multiple contenders to his succession, but they are only puppets. Their legitimacy will turn off by itself after the death of Rajagopalachari. Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed. The stakes are considerably higher than at the death of Babuji.
In the succession race, his son PR Krishna, the wealthy heir and great financier of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, which manages the land and the property of the Mission, as his grand-son Barghav and his granddaughter Madhuri are well placed. Santosh Khanjee, the "grey eminence" who knows all the secrets and takes an iron fist throughout the organization and the foundation, has his chances. But his henchmen often at the forefront of the force used in the ashrams (take-over) and all dirty tricks, like Uma Shankar Bajpai and Arokiasamy P Durai (retired police), are agitated also.
Not to mention the medium of Babuji (Catherine Lauret?), who predicted that Ajay Kumar Bhatter would not succeed Chari, just six months before his resignation. For a stage entrance, it was perfectly orchestrated, a total success. But beware, her prestige could be short lived. She is a woman and Chari has always said that a woman could not become guru.
As for outsiders, the grandchildren of Lalaji and Babuji, Navneet and Dinesh, see this as an opportunity that had escaped them, to take over the reins. But the recent media exposure of the son of Dr. Varadachari, KC Narayana, suggests that he intends pull his piece from the game. And although Kasturi still remains out of the power games, it may not be the same for her supporters. And what about Srinivasa Rao, the head of the Shri Ram Chandraji Maharaj Seva Trust of Cuddapah?
And in 2011, another grand-son of Babuji, Sharad Chandra, creates the Society for Babuji's Mission, because he considers that the SRCM(California - 1997) has become too imortant and has overshadowed the spiritual aspects of Sahaj Marg ...
Moreover Rajagopalachari himself was concerned and revealed this in January 2009. He stated that a cancer was eating away at the inside of Sahaj Marg and that his organization was threatened with disintegration. He has nightmares where he sees the Shri Ram Chandra Mission disintegrate into "... 240 small missions".
See also (soon):
Links:
- Chari and Sahaj Marg(tm), or the Western Industrialization of Spirituality
.
.
The successors of Chari
On April 29, 2005, Rajagopalachari wrote a first letter of appointment of his successor, Ajay Kumar Bhatter, a young businessman from West Bengal and member of the Executive Committee of the president since 2003, chosen by Babuji and confirmed by the hierarchy of Sahaj Marg, the signing ratified by sixteen personalities. And he (Chari) publicly announced this appointment the next day, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Mission and the day of the 106th anniversary of the birth of Babuji, in a speech entitled "Securing the Future of the Mission", then he (Chari) was 78 years old. AK Bhatter was chosen by Babuji, he was trained for this for years and will be even throughout the life of Rajagopalachari (Chari). He (AK Bhatter) then succeeded him (as President-in-waiting, until Chari passes on) as the spiritual representative of Babuji and president of the Mission throughout the world. But AK Bhatter throws in the towel five years later, worn out by the co-management with Chari, and maneuvers and manipulations of all kinds. Chari announced his (AK Bhatter) resignation May 2, 2010.
Six years after naming his first official successor, Rajagopalachari therefore appointed a second successor July 26, 2011. He designates Desaibhai Kamlesh Patel, a pharmacist from Brooklyn of Indian origin, in a document co-authored by US Bajpai, Sanjay Bhatia and AK Bhatter. The official announcement only takes place two months later, October 3, 2011. But as the first appointment, it was (allegedly) approved by Babuji from the beyond, in a message peddled by the (anonymous French lady) medium, and meant for Chari.
Born in Gujarat (a state in western India, bordering Pakistan), Kamlesh emigrated to America where he lives for more than 20 years to become a pharmacist in Brooklyn (he would be in his fifties). Following his appointment by Chari, he moved to Garden of Hearts (Chennai), facing the Babuji Memorial Ashram. This is a "head of the show", abhyasi of the first hour, preceptor for nearly as long, who has gone through all the positions of responsibility (area-in-charge, region-in-charge, etc..), to the positions of Director of the American foundation, Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation-SMSF, and the great mediator of the new World Service Team of SRCM (California-1997).
This person of Indian origin lives on Staten Island, in upstate New York, USA. An Indo-American to head the SRCM (California-1997) is new. If he truly succeeds Chari - in contrast to Ajay - will he chose the United States or will he settle permanently in India?
Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed
These two appointments targeted a double objective: to stop the succession disputes and to reassure abhyasis about their future. But let us not kid ourselves, these official announcements have never managed to completely turn off the hostilities between the various claimants to the succession, they just put them on hold, if not stifle them. Already, the abhyasis do not all succumb to the charisma of the designated successors. This is not without grimacing and gnashing of teeth. But one must accept the will of the guru, and then make do with it ...
Chari only appointed his successors to better calm the multiple contenders to his succession, but they are only puppets. Their legitimacy will turn off by itself after the death of Rajagopalachari. Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed. The stakes are considerably higher than at the death of Babuji.
In the succession race, his son PR Krishna, the wealthy heir and great financier of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, which manages the land and the property of the Mission, as his grand-son Barghav and his granddaughter Madhuri are well placed. Santosh Khanjee, the "grey eminence" who knows all the secrets and takes an iron fist throughout the organization and the foundation, has his chances. But his henchmen often at the forefront of the force used in the ashrams (take-over) and all dirty tricks, like Uma Shankar Bajpai and Arokiasamy P Durai (retired police), are agitated also.
Not to mention the medium of Babuji (Catherine Lauret?), who predicted that Ajay Kumar Bhatter would not succeed Chari, just six months before his resignation. For a stage entrance, it was perfectly orchestrated, a total success. But beware, her prestige could be short lived. She is a woman and Chari has always said that a woman could not become guru.
As for outsiders, the grandchildren of Lalaji and Babuji, Navneet and Dinesh, see this as an opportunity that had escaped them, to take over the reins. But the recent media exposure of the son of Dr. Varadachari, KC Narayana, suggests that he intends pull his piece from the game. And although Kasturi still remains out of the power games, it may not be the same for her supporters. And what about Srinivasa Rao, the head of the Shri Ram Chandraji Maharaj Seva Trust of Cuddapah?
And in 2011, another grand-son of Babuji, Sharad Chandra, creates the Society for Babuji's Mission, because he considers that the SRCM(California - 1997) has become too imortant and has overshadowed the spiritual aspects of Sahaj Marg ...
Moreover Rajagopalachari himself was concerned and revealed this in January 2009. He stated that a cancer was eating away at the inside of Sahaj Marg and that his organization was threatened with disintegration. He has nightmares where he sees the Shri Ram Chandra Mission disintegrate into "... 240 small missions".
See also (soon):
Links:
- Chari and Sahaj Marg(tm), or the Western Industrialization of Spirituality
.
.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Another Grandson of Babuji Throws Himself Into The Adventure ... The Saga of Sahaj Marg!
Taken and translated from an article: "Un autre petit-fils de Babuji se jette dans l'aventure", by Alexis, on Elodie's blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
Society for Babuji's Mission:
Comment by 4d-Don:
It seems that this group confirms yet again our concerns about the "materialist" (not spiritual) bent of the Sahaj Marg (tm) of Chari, and his Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM - California-1997), registered in San Luis Obispo, in 1997. They (every faction) all seem to be somewhat "SPIRITUALIST" (as opposed to "spiritual").
Notice this statement on the first page of this site: "This also earned for Him from the nature the title of "Special Personality". It would appear that "nature" is now giving out "titles"!! Hmmm!!
I am sure that the disciples of other religions (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, etc...) would think that this spiritualist (with an anonymous French Lady Medium, egregores, messages from the spirits of the dead, etc...) group is also not very respectful of their religion by claiming that because Babuji "dreamed" about their "leaders", it means that Babuji and Sahaj Marg now have a "mission" from them all. (these religious leaders are all MEN ... Christians allege that their leader is the one and only "Son of God" and hence, Jesus Christ is allegedly also GOD!! )
From their site (about Sharad Chandra)
Last sitting of him with Babuji was in Paris in (August) in 1982 when he placed both his arms on his head and told "Sharad all I have , I have transferred it to you . Here after you will be the one and only powerful person".
From their site, in "HISTORY" ... Will this group build ashrams also?? The test... Let us wait and SEE (become a "seer") !!
(...) Rev. Babuji was not interested in creating more ashrams buildings because properties create room for differences and were not required too. His wish was that every home should become like an ashram.
One can only surmise that there is no "EGO" in Sahaj Marg ;-)) : "they are all SAINTS" or demi-gods!!
ALL IN YOUR DREAMS !!
February 18, 2012
Another Grandson Of Babuji Throws Himself Into The Adventure
A Society for the Mission of Babuji
Sharad Chandra, son of Prakash Chandra Saxena and grand-son of Babuji (former candidate for the succession of Babuji in 1983-84) created a website on March 23, 2011 to promote the Sahaj Marg through the "Society for Babuji's Mission" , with a sidekick named Shubh Chintak Kishore. (www.societyforbabujismission.org.in)
They say among other things: “ (…) the Organisation grew very fast and became very big and ultimately departed from its object of concentrating on the spiritual mission, as it is involved more in organizational matters.”
But they add: “We, therefore, decided to register the Society to promote His mission "Sahaj Marg" independently, avoiding any legal hassle. Our mind set is to finally merge this Society into the SRCM, once it confines itself to the maintenance and promoting the spiritual awareness, the original mission of Rev. Babuji Maharaj.”
Alexis
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Society for Babuji's Mission:
Comment by 4d-Don:
It seems that this group confirms yet again our concerns about the "materialist" (not spiritual) bent of the Sahaj Marg (tm) of Chari, and his Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM - California-1997), registered in San Luis Obispo, in 1997. They (every faction) all seem to be somewhat "SPIRITUALIST" (as opposed to "spiritual").
Notice this statement on the first page of this site: "This also earned for Him from the nature the title of "Special Personality". It would appear that "nature" is now giving out "titles"!! Hmmm!!
I am sure that the disciples of other religions (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, etc...) would think that this spiritualist (with an anonymous French Lady Medium, egregores, messages from the spirits of the dead, etc...) group is also not very respectful of their religion by claiming that because Babuji "dreamed" about their "leaders", it means that Babuji and Sahaj Marg now have a "mission" from them all. (these religious leaders are all MEN ... Christians allege that their leader is the one and only "Son of God" and hence, Jesus Christ is allegedly also GOD!! )
From their site (about Sharad Chandra)
Last sitting of him with Babuji was in Paris in (August) in 1982 when he placed both his arms on his head and told "Sharad all I have , I have transferred it to you . Here after you will be the one and only powerful person".
From their site, in "HISTORY" ... Will this group build ashrams also?? The test... Let us wait and SEE (become a "seer") !!
(...) Rev. Babuji was not interested in creating more ashrams buildings because properties create room for differences and were not required too. His wish was that every home should become like an ashram.
One can only surmise that there is no "EGO" in Sahaj Marg ;-)) : "they are all SAINTS" or demi-gods!!
ALL IN YOUR DREAMS !!
February 18, 2012
Another Grandson Of Babuji Throws Himself Into The Adventure
A Society for the Mission of Babuji
Sharad Chandra, son of Prakash Chandra Saxena and grand-son of Babuji (former candidate for the succession of Babuji in 1983-84) created a website on March 23, 2011 to promote the Sahaj Marg through the "Society for Babuji's Mission" , with a sidekick named Shubh Chintak Kishore. (www.societyforbabujismission.org.in)
They say among other things: “ (…) the Organisation grew very fast and became very big and ultimately departed from its object of concentrating on the spiritual mission, as it is involved more in organizational matters.”
But they add: “We, therefore, decided to register the Society to promote His mission "Sahaj Marg" independently, avoiding any legal hassle. Our mind set is to finally merge this Society into the SRCM, once it confines itself to the maintenance and promoting the spiritual awareness, the original mission of Rev. Babuji Maharaj.”
Alexis
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Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Natural Path Meditation = Sahaj Marg(tm) & Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM)
Taken From Michael's blog, "Inner Circle of SRCM" in the USA. Michael was a preceptor of SRCM under Chari. (see Michael's blog for his experience with Sahaj Marg and the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM and SRCM(California-1997), now being called "Natural Path Meditation", Natural Path Group or Natural Path Center.
FYI ... (For Your Information)
FYI ... (For Your Information)
SRCM and Sahaj Marg Renamed as Natural Path Meditation
Since late 2010, several SRCM centers in the US and possibly abroad, appear to have changed references to SRCM in their public meeting announcements on the MeetUp.com and other public Internet sites, using instead a new name of either "Natural Path Meditation Group" or "Natural Path Meditation Center". They also appear to be replacing the term Sahaj Marg with the brand, "Natural Path Meditation" to describe their meditation practice.
For quite some time now, a web search of "SRCM" or "Sahaj Marg" results in one or more blogs critical of SRCM showing up in the early search results. One can easily theorize that such a concerted deception is an attempt to keep prospective members from being informed prior to attending an introductory workshop. Interestingly, many of these Internet meetup invitations also neglect to mention any spiritual Master by name or title.
I am not aware of any official announcement of the re-naming of Sahaj Marg, however, I will honor the SRCM leaderships apparent push to quietly re-brand SRCM/Sahaj Marg. Going forward I will refer to Sahaj Marg as Natural Path Meditation and the SRCM or Shri Ram Chandra Mission as either the Natural Path Meditation Group or the Natural Path Meditation Center.
I hope this clears up any confusion folks my have in their quest to understand more about this organization and its meditation practice.
Alexis Reported:
Sahaj Sandesh No: 2011.32 Sunday, 2 October 2011
1. Mission's official presence on Facebook
It has been brought to our notice that several abhyasis have opened pages / groups related to the Mission on various social networking sites like Facebook, etc. Please kindly note that the Mission is formally present on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sahajmarg. Therefore all abhyasis who have opened such pages / groups on Facebook as well as other social networking sites are requested to kindly remove the same immediately and desist from doing so in future.
Please also note that SRCM, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, and the Emblem are registered trademarks of the Mission. Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation and the Foundation’s flag are the registered trademarks of the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation. Therefore, by law, the Mission and the Foundation are required to protect their respective trademarks against unauthorized infringements. Therefore, abhyasis are requested to kindly refrain from unauthorized use of these trademarks which are protected under international Trademark laws.
http://www.facebook.com/sahajmarg
=================================
Natural Path Meditation Center, Natural Path Meditation Group Club, Stanford.edu
18 meetup group: http://www.meetup.com/find/?keywords=Natural+Path+Meditation&op=search
Cleveland: http://www.meetup.com/Cleveland-Natural-Path-Meditation-Center/about/
Houston: http://www.meetup.com/Natural-Path-Meditation-Houston/
Wayne: http://www.meetup.com/NaturalPathMeditation/
Dekalb: http://www.meetup.com/Natural-Path-Meditation-DeKalb-Sycamore/
Columbia: http://www.meetup.com/Naturpath-meditation-Columbia-SC/
Jacksonville: http://www.meetup.com/natural-path-meditation-jacksonville/
Etc.
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