Babuji, Lalaji, and the Sufi lineage of Lalaji (NaqshMuMRa)

Elodie reminded us in her recent article: "Babuji (of Sahaj Marg) Claimed to Modernize Spirituality",  that Babuji, in a letter dated Feb. 15, 1963 made some controversial statement about Lalaji's Sufism.  Babuji wrote: 
 
“The Mohamadan systems have all breathed their last and this, 'The Sahaj Marga' the only ONE has now emerged out in their place. Its teachings and methods widely differ from those of the old systems in many respects.”


Bob sent this comment:

Bob said...

 

Lewellyn Vaughan Lee is a 59 year old contemporary Sufi teacher living in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has help spread the Sufi path in the west, especially in North America.

Below is an article on the lineage of the Naqshbandiyya-Mujadidiyya Order, an Indian branch of the Naqshbandi order.

The article gives a clear explanation of the status of this path today - and it's approach for the western mind.

Lewellyn's teacher's teacher was a direct student of Lalaji's newphew, Radha Mohan Lal (Bhai Sahib).

http://www.goldensufi.org/article_eastwest.html

Bob

Tue. Oct 30, 06:45:00 PM

Comment by 4d-Don, author of this blog:   

In the "Golden Sufi" article mentioned (link) above by Bob, footnote (2) claims:

Lalaji, also known as Ram Chandra, became the founder of a Hindu spiritual tradition, the Ram Chandra Mission.

This is not accurate.  Lalaji passed away in 1931.  Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (aka Babuji) formed his Shri Ram Chandra Society in 1945.  Babuji was a disciple of Lalaji, having met him a few times before Lalaji's death in 1931.  In 1930, Babuji was passed over as preceptor and as "region-in-charge" of Lalaji's Sufi organization because of: "Narrowness of heart".  Lalaji passed away less than one year later, in 1931. 

See Lalaji's letter in "Epitome of Sahaj Marg"  in English on Alexis' blog: "La Fabuleuse Epopee du Sahaj Marg",  as posted by Dinesh,  Lalaji's grandson  and dean of NaqshMuMRa Sufi Stream.  The content of "Epitome of Sahaj Marg" is also posted here.

See also Babuji's letter of Feb. 15, 1963 posted on Lalaji's grandson's site: NaqsuMuMRa Nexus.

Michael, ex-preceptor of SRCM and Sahaj Marg (under Chari)  sent this comment: 

 (Michael has two blogs: Inner Circle of SRCM  and his personal blog: Skai Journey) 

Michael said...

The problem Babuji created with Sahaj Marg is his destruction of the tradition in Sufism that allows a spiritual teacher to have peers. His claims of "Special Personalities" and dependence on a single human being for spiritual wisdom only serves to demean aspirants and put whoever is the reigning Master of SRCM in a position of absolute power, which of course results in absolute corruption - as we have seen.

I studied Sufism for a while when I left SRCM. In fact I corresponded with and met Lewellyn Vaughan Lee. I spend some time with a 100 year old Sufi who was a direct disciple of Lalaji's.

I've subsequently lost interest in Sufism as there is far too much male based hierarchy imposed upon it. Other than Irina Tweedie, name one widely acknowledged female Sufi teacher...

What I found intriguing about Sufism, however was Sufism's roots which pre-date Islam. Mohammed embraced these wandering mystics as his own and they became a part of Islam. It is likely that these mystics were of the same tradition as the Magi who visited Jesus at his birth. Prophet Daniel of the old testament was of the Magi tradition. The Magi were far closer to Shamans than any formal religion or spiritual practice.

These ancient mystics touched literally every religious movement if not inspired them. Pieces of this ancient knowledge still exists. Pieces of it can be found scattered in Shaman traditions which can be found in every culture in some form or another.

I have found little or none of the remnants of this ancient wisdom in the established religious and spiritual practices. It simply cannot exist there as this knowledge empowers the individual and these organizations seek to dominate and control the masses.

Babuji was correct in stating that a spiritual path can be found in the life of a householder. He failed to offer a practical and meaningful system that empowers a householder to be on that path however as what he established was yet another hierarchical system that forces the "masses" to forgo their own journey and rely on spiritual blessings bestowed upon them by an exclusive and singular master.

Michael

Wed Oct 31, 09:22:00 AM

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