Wednesday, October 31, 2012

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:

Anonymous 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 Margin 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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Monday, October 29, 2012

Babuji (of Sahaj Marg) Claimed to Modernize Spirituality

Taken and translated from an article by Élodie: "Babuji Prétendait Modernizer la Spiritualité", on her blog: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg



October 26, 2012 

Babuji Claimed to Modernize Spirituality

 Once again, reading the latest article by Michael really made me think. His extensive knowledge of Sahaj Marg and the quality of his analysis command respect. At my humble level, I give you here some of the ideas that inspired me. Do not hesitate to come and discuss with me. 

Babuji took advantage of all the experience accumulated by the ancient spiritual wisdom when he created the Sahaj Marg.  This spiritual method was to be the fruit of modernity and of an Indian culture which opens on the outside world.

Babuji describes the Sahaj Marg as a system that allows everyone in their everyday life to a quick access to spiritual realization.  In other words, this was to be the only method which was supposed to allow fusion with the divine during the spiritual seeker's lifetime, without giving up his daily life.Sufis, Buddhist monks or Hindu sanyasins withdraw from the ordinary world to devote their lives to the spiritual quest.  They adopt an austere and reclusive lifestyle, a monastic, hermetic and ascetic  lifestyle.  They give up everything to devote their lives to spirituality, it is a full-time commitment.  Contrarily, Babuji claims that there is no need to renounce anything, Grihasta (householder's lifestyle) can achieve the goal without changing one's daily lives.


For Sufis, Buddhist monks or Hindu sanyasins, time does not exists. The quest is infinite, it transcends their lives, and continue to reappear in subsequent reincarnated lives. Instead, Babuji insists on the urgency of spiritual realization, demonstrating (showing proof to)  not only his linear conception of time, but its modernist acceleration.


For Sufis, Buddhist monks or Hindu sanyasins, what is important is the spiritual quest, the journey, the spiritual journey.  Instead, Babuji says there is nothing more important than the goal of attaining  divine fusion.  The only thing that counts is the goal and of little importance are the means to achieve it, while in conventional wisdom, the means are the end. 


A goal readily available to all,  three un-natural ideas which have an appeal to seduce to modern minds:

* where the ancient spiritual wisdom focuses on the spiritual path, Sahaj Marg offers a goal, to result to achieve

* where the ancient spiritual wisdom is in an infinite time, Sahaj Marg counters with the urgency of achieving
* where ancient spiritual wisdom reserves the spiritual quest to those who devote their time and their lives, Sahaj Marg claims the speed of reaching the goal, for all. 

Forgotten are the values ​​of renunciation, asceticism, the slow and contemplative journey,  Babuji offers a modern method, the only valid one.  How does he do it?  He accelerates the slow process of Raja-Yoga obscuring the first six steps thanks to the intervention of an outside and intrusive All Powerful Master.  (or more often a preceptor).

We now know the unfortunate consequences of this (r)evolution. They are terrible and have done a lot of damage.  Had Babuji ever imagined?  Was he aware of everything it engendered?  To Chari and Patel, the question does not arise, they know.


Remember the letter of Babuji in 1963 where he denigrates and denies totally the Sufism of Lalaji (published by Dinaysh, the grandson of Lalaji)

“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.”

One feels there suddenly emerging all the self-sufficiency of a somewhat arrogant and presumptuous Babuji.


Babuji claimed to modernize spirituality, he popularized (vulgarized) it, but he also weakened it and atrophied it. 


Élodie

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 Comment on Elodie's blog (Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg

Anonymous Said....

This grihasta life recommended by Babuji... is it not a life of denial if remembering the Divine Master has to be constant?

Who can claim to be with his wife and children as a grihastha when his heart, mind, attention, focus, desire, aspiration, is constantly away and permanently busy with someone/thing else? Only a corpse would remain.

Therefore, renouncing the world is there too in Babuji's Sahaj Marg, but this fact is hidden behind the smokescreen of the family life standard.

Renouncing the world is the universal path of self-sacrifice, which can't be avoided when full dedication to God is targeted. This is true whatever the culture, country, historical period, people, and method.

If Babuji's teaching is followed absolutely, it will result in renouncing the world for constant remembrance, service and dedication, while the corpse, being the slave of desires in a social network, will continue to play whatever others want it to play.


Saturday, October 27, 2012

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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Religious Unity, Sahaj Marg(tm) Style!!

Taken and translated from a comment by Alexis on Elodie's blog in Europe, Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.  Included are comments by Alexis, Élodie and 4d-don, and some NEWS...



Read in the September, 2012 Magazine, Echoes of Latin America

Orders from our Master to name Shri Kamlesh Patel "Vice President"


"Rev. Master’s order appointing Shri Kamlesh Patel as Vice President"
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 

Pursuant to discussions in the meeting of the Working Committee of the Mission this morning which was presided over by Rev. Master, he has issued an order appointing his nominated Successor, Shri Kamlesh D. Patel, as the Vice President of the Mission. The Vice President shall exercise the powers, duties and responsibilities of the President under Rev. Master’s direct guidance and supervision.
All matters regarding Mission activities that have thus far been presented to Rev. Master may kindly be directed to Brother Kamlesh Patel with immediate effect.  US Bajpai"
   (Secretary of the Mission)

 So it is our dear Uma Shankar, one of Chari's henchmen, who translated his words "with all the power" to another wording "under Master's guidance and supervision"! Clearly, they never change ...


Kamlesh Patel at the closing session of the Special Bhandara

Remain United...

"Respected elders, dear sisters and brothers,

"There is nothing new that I am going to share today that has not already been shared by our Secretary and the Joint Secretary of our Mission, Shri Bajpaiji and Durai Sir."
 

"I’d like to point out that it is not the position of president or the title of vice-president that makes any of us work for the Mission. There are legal requirements, so we fulfil them. When our Master sent a note to our beloved Babuji Maharaj for his guidance, stating his inability to work the way he had been working over the years, it was not to find out what position to fulfil or what position to create. It was only the way to find how the work could go on without interruption. So, please, let us not debate on positions and titles."

"I am reminded of a talk given by Swami Vivekananda almost over a hundred years back. He was trying to highlight the profound qualities of various religions. He said, “Look at a Christian. What does it signify? A true Christian is full of compassion and love. Christianity represents that: compassion and love. What does Islam represent? Unshakeable brotherhood – no one can penetrate the brotherhood that bonds two brothers together; they may not have a blood relationship. The uniqueness of Hinduism is their bhakti (their devotion), the aspect of dharma [righteousness].” So that kept me thinking about how will the future recognise Sahaj Marg. I was thinking and thinking for, I would say, many months together, and recently one of the messages from Babuji Maharaj came with an answer – such a beautiful answer!"
 

“Sahaj Marg will be known for its iconic quality: unity. This unity in turn will give birth to many other values that we have not yet foreseen, we have not even thought about. Such values will be taking birth once we remain united.”
 

"So when Babuji Maharaj gives us a message, we have to read between the lines and figure out what he is really trying to convey to us. Being united also means not to have any discord – but that is the negative side of it. Our focus should only be this: how to defuse anything that can destroy this unity? A pre-emptive strike before we are in trouble".
 

"Once there was a discussion in Master’s office about some unwanted quarrel between two abhyasi brothers of long standing in the Mission. That really disturbed Master. And Master came up with a very telling statement that you must maintain harmony and peace between two spiritual brothers at any cost. The price that you pay is not very high since, even if you have to give up your spouse in return for maintaining harmony and peace, it is still too cheap. The need of the hour I see as only this: how to remain united with our hearts totally absorbed in Master’s love, and let not anything else corrupt it."
 

"That is all I want to say today. Thank you all. And I must share this with you also that Master was very, very, very happy when I told him that there are twenty-one thousand abhyasis in this Manapakkam hall. He was moved, and he said, “Look at this, not even two days notice and they are all here. They are my people!”
 



Christianity represents compassion and love; Islam, an unwavering brotherhood; Hinduism, devotion and virtue. According to Babuji, Sahaj Marg is Unity, he tells us from the Brighter World.   

If that does not make one smile, it is because it is something to laugh about ... uproariously!
 
Patel is right: how does one defuse what destroys unity? But they are no longer at the prevention stage, it is on the curative that they must reflect!   Strong medicine  (horse medicine?) ..







Alexis

Monday, October 22, 2012


  
Élodie said...

Hello to everyone,
 
Babuji or AFLM (Anonymous French Lady Medium) according to the current beliefs, tells us that the specificity of Sahaj Marg is UNITY.


After what Michael (ex-preceptor - USA) has told us about this method that generates competition after competition, which we observed every day for years within the SRCM, it seems ridiculous.
 

Who are they mocking?


Affectionately, 


Élodie

Wednesday, October 24, 2012
 



4d-Don's Comment...

Christians do not LOVE any more than the average person.  (read and listen to the NEWS: the Pope's "butler", the abuse of children by priests, the corruption, etc...) ... Muslims are not "one" brotherhood. (See the Muslim world at war with itself). Sahaj Marg is not UNITY.  (see the local blogs).

If Spirituality is REALITY, then Sahaj Marg(tm) must be SPIRITUALISM and RELIGION.  Someone is not living in REALITY (not "at dawn" or at any part of the day) ... They seem to be stuck in the illusion of a  "fool's paradise". 

To the Business elite of Sahaj Marg(tm) 

The cause of the dis-unity is YOU!!  According to Sister Kasturi, you created the Chari who attacks his "enemies" with "force", who bad-mouths other religions and cultures, and even some of our minorities (gays, lesbians, trans-genders) ...

RETURN what was taken ... or give the material wealth to the poor and the needy.    Addiction to the material will only lead to DIS-UNITY ... not to SPIRIT !!  You and your "slaves of wishes" will have to face your "cognitive dissonances"  or face "dis-unity".

P.S.

A "pre-emptive strike" is a military term.  "to strike first ... before the adversary strikes".   This assumes an "enemy" and is not unifying but divisive.   The "pre-emptive" strike has already taken place (by Chari) many years ago; and it led to the schisms and dis-unity we all witness now.  Now you would use the same military tactic which created the dis-unity in the first place,  and hope to achieve a different out-come?  UNITY??

Is it not a definition of  INSANITY:  to repeat the same action over and over again, hoping all the while to achieve a different out-come?  In the west we have a term: "In your dreams!!"

Dreaming and hoping is the best you can hope from your military "pre-emptive strike".  Unity will not be a REALITY with that tactic.  It is simply avoiding the reason for the "dis-unity"!!  Open the eyes and the ears... Many have "blogs"!!  Some have even formed "new societies"!! 

Try  SPIRITUALITY, rather than the rituals and incantations of "materialism" and "spiritualism"!!  (read steps 1-6 of Patanjali's Raja Yoga)

Fighting for peace is like fornicating for virginity or chastity.  An oxymoron.  Wars and the tactics of war create Divisions, wars do not create UNITY!!

And really??  Messages from the spirit of Babuji channeled by an anonymous French Lady Medium??  Get serious!!  That is called "spiritualism"... not SPIRITUALITY!!  Can you not "pull that off" by yourself??  Do you need an "anonymous" French Lady Medium to communicate with "anything"?   Is she the GURU?

Give your collective heads a shake !!   Or ...  take a pill!! Or even better, some "alternative" therapy!  

Have you tried a "meditation" which UNITES ??  Instead of "praying for a favourable egregore" (a psychic entity) as Chari suggested for all the abhyasis, you could try to commune with the ones who once were disciples of Babuji, and who Chari disrespectfully called: the "enemies of Spirituality".  You don't need a Medium for that!!   If you truly want "UNITY" don't sow the seeds of "DIVISION".



Alexis Said...

NEWS

The heirs of Kasturi celebrated her birthday less than a year after her death, on October 7. Now without charismatic leader, they look for ways to not disappear and extend the life of their movement.
 

Has Sharad won over the Swami Chillapa? After the interventions of Sharad, the guru of IUSCM (www.iuscm.com) is questionning himself and asking questions of his troops. The system Sahaj marga, is it in decline since the death of Babuji? The effect of transmission (pranahuti), is it as strong as the first day? The Spiritual power that Babuji has given us, is it exhausted? These are the questions that he poses to his disciples ...

Wednesday, October 24, 2012



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Sunday, October 21, 2012

At Sahaj Marg(tm), Portrait of Kamlesh Patel Comes into Focus

Taken and translated from an article: "Le Portrait de Kamlesh Patel se Précise", by Alexis on Élodie's blog in Europe: "Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg"


October 21, 2012

The Portrait of Kamlesh Patel Comes into Focus
 

Kamlesh Desaibhai Patel,  Plenipotentiary Vice President ?

Who is he? What does he do?

 Kamlesh Patel DesaiBhai was born in 1956 in Gujarat, a state in western India bordering Pakistan. He emigrated to the United States in the state of New York more than 20 years ago, and he lived in Staten Island with his wife Pratima K. Patel. They have two children, Akhilesh and Sahat, now aged around thirty.

Having reached 56 years of age, Patel, the pharmacist from Brooklyn is no longer a simple little neighborhood pharmacist. In fact, he controls in one way or another, many pharmacies, mainly in Brooklyn: Marg Pharmacy Inc,  Pharmacy Inc Carewell, Lindenwood Rx Center Inc, Woodhull Rx Prescription Center, Slope Drugs & Surgical Supply, etc..  He is also financially associated with Santosh Khanjee in a chain of hotels.


Patel was 27 years old at the death of Babuji.  Has he known him personally? In any case, he was an abhyasi before his 30th birthday. As with his wife, he is a preceptor for almost as long. This is a "top of the heap" member of Sahaj marg, who has passed through all the positions of responsibility (area-in-charge region-in-charge, etc..), to positions of Director of the American Foundation SMSF, grand mediator of the new Global Services Team of SRCM, successor to Chari since July 26, 2011 in replacement of the "resigned" Ajay Kumar Bhatter, and is now
Plenipotentiary Vice President since the Special Bhandara of August 15, 2012.

Following his appointment in 2011, Patel returned to India to settle at the Garden of Hearts in Chennai, facing the Babuji Memorial Ashram. 


Vice President and Plenipotentiary successor, really? 

The SRCM magazine, Echoes of India in September 2012 devotes no less than 4 pages to the Special Bandhara, describing the event in detail, its organization and its prerequisites.  It summarizes the statements of Chari: 

“Master said that the Vice President shall exercise the powers, duties and responsibilities of the President under Master’s direct guidance and supervision.” [underlined by me]

I do not remember hearing that. Is this how we interpret things in India? So, what exactly did Chari say at the Bandhara?


“(…) [Prepare the documents today]: “as Vice-President who shall enjoy the powers of the constitution and shall do everything as if it is done by the President.” Appoint Kamlesh Patel as Vice-President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, who will enjoy all the powers of the constitution and by-laws, and all actions done by him will be as done by the President.” [underlined by me]
 
Chari's illness and the Bandhara have created turbulence within the Mission.  History repeats itself: in 1982-84, the Indians refused that Chari succeeds Babuji and now they struggle to recognize his successor.  Confusion reigns and disintegration threatens.


Through his pharmacies, in his family's or in his own name, Patel has made very large donations to the Mission, thus setting himself up as one of the mission's earliest funders (financiers).  Today, he fears for his investments and urgently calls for an emergency gathering so as to preserve Unity. Convinced that he paid dearly for his position, he sees the obstacles pop up one by one on his path.  The Indian are reluctant to accept him, not to mention the banderillas launched against the SRCM by Sharad, Babuji's grandson. (see Society for Babuji's Mission and many recent articles on this blog)


Will he be refused his return on investment?  Nothing is gained, he will have to do battle to impose himself ...


Alexis



See also:

More Allegations and Accusation from the Family of Babuji, Founder of Sahaj Marg
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Thursday, October 11, 2012

Un-Sound Principles of SRCM (And Sahaj Marg)

Taken from Michael's Blog: "Inner Circle of SRCM".  Michael is an ex-preceptor (under Chari), and ex-member of the US Publishing Committee of SRCM.

I copy this article (with permission): "Un-Sound Principles of SRCM" in its entirety because of its importance and because Michael does not allow "comments" on his blogs and some readers might want to express some opinions or share their experience with someone.

("Skai Journey" is Michael's personal blog).  For more in-depth insights into Michael's experience with Sahaj Marg, Chari and SRCM, see Michael's two blogs. (click on links above)


Un-Sound Principles of SRCM

I've received many enquiries from current and former disciples of SRCM recently. Many agonize over their predicaments, questioning the hierarchy or are simply spiritually unhappy. Some struggle with difficult decisions to either join a splinter group or leave SRCM all together. I have always offered to assist in what ever way I can, asking nothing in return.  I have found myself repeating a common theme in most of these correspondences. As a result I have decided to summarize some of my statements made privately below:

I believe that the practice of Sahaj Marg, and the entire system established by its Founder, to be based upon spiritually flawed and dangerous principles. Other than completely discarding the core principles and practices of the system, there is no possible outcome other than that which we see unfolding today. 

More specifically:


1. The Prayer is comprised of affirmations which are spiritually harmful and are fundamentally un-natural.  The prayer affirms that the one reciting the prayer is inadequate, having not achieved some unspecified but often mentioned Goal. This Goal, as the prayer states is only achievable through an elusive "Master".  

  • The prayer makes a dangerous affirmation of ones separateness from the Divine: While humility is essential in spirituality, this prayer affirms the disciple's spiritual  inadequacy - claiming them to be "slaves of wishes putting bar to advancement". This affirmation is completely counter to spiritual principles which I have come to believe are core spiritual truths. True Spirituality re-affirms ones divinity in order to redirect any thoughts AWAY from  spiritual inadequacy and separateness from Creator. The SRCM prayer is a series of affirmations which do the opposite!
  • The statement "Thou are the only God and Power to bring us up to that stage" yet again affirms the disciple's spiritual inadequacy.  It states ones dependence EXCLUSIVELY on another living human "Master" to reach some spiritual goal. It establishes a human authority with no peers, no checks and balances. This affirmation causes a disciple to question their own inner spiritual discrimination, and become completely dependent on a single and exclusive external force. This, in and of itself, puts the disciple at risk of ceasing their own spiritual Journey and giving their power needed for that journey to another person.  
  • The SRCM prayer, along with one of the accompanying 10 maxims, insists that the disciple urgently strive to reach some ultimate spiritual goal and "rest not until it has been achieved". This is completely counter to the ancient spiritual truth that, The Journey Is Infinite! This ancient spiritual truth states that the only true goal, is to embark on one's infinite spiritual journey, which can be done by anyone at any time. Likewise one can choose to dis-embark on their Infinite Spiritual Journey and seek a finite goal instead, however, in true Natural Spirituality, THERE IS NO GOAL, THERE IS ONLY THE JOURNEY!


2. Meditation on light or the form of the master in the heart puts the disciple at risk of letting  external and potentially unwanted forces into their inner being. While the standard practice makes a vague suggestion to meditating on divine light in the heart, it is mentioned by preceptors and in the various literatures since the Founder's days,  that meditating on a "true" masters form in the heart is "more effective".


  • Heart meditation is powerful. Any intent, consistently established when doing heart meditation can result in its very manifestation if done repeatedly. Any intent that reinforces spiritual inadequacy will only be reinforced and can also be manifested within the disciple with repeated practice. 
  • Allowing external influences (light from outside oneself or the form of an external master) into the heart risks inviting in things that are possibly not compatible to ones very existence. It is critical, while on the Spiritual Journey that one establish and maintain protective boundaries. Heart meditation should affirm what is already in the heart, and not indiscriminately allow external and untrustworthy forces in. This damages one's essential spiritual boundaries which must  be upheld in order to protect oneself from unwanted external forces. Damage to spiritual boundaries puts the disciple at risk of being spiritually traumatized by external spiritual influences and predators, of which there are many within the SRCM organization.
3. Evening Cleaning meditation further affirms that one is "unclean" and unworthy. True Spirituality reaffirms ones direct connection with the divine. It affirms that one IS divine. Cleaning occurs naturally as a result of ones direct relationship with Creator through the resulting the experiences on the Infinite Journey. Making "cleaning" a conscious practice only further separates one from the divine and the Journey itself.

  • While spiritual cleansing is a natural event that occurs in life,  the daily reinforcing of ones "unclean-ness" risks the perpetuation of a disciples inner sense of inadequacy.
  • This perpetuation of spiritual inadequacy is further complicated by the belief within the SRCM that one must rely on a preceptor or the "master" to do the real deep cleaning to remove long standing samskaras/grossness. This encourages the formation of a lasting barrier for the disciple's direct relationship with Creator and the natural "cleansing" that occurs from that direct relationship, not to mention making claim that the inner condition of the disciple is gross!


4. The Spiritual Hierarchy established in SRCM encourages Spiritual Materialism. It commoditizes spiritual attainments, achievements and positions in the hierarchy. SRCM from its inception has created both organizational hierarchies and spiritual hierarchies which separate the haves and have nots. This further divides the "masses" from the chosen few in the inner circle.
  • Organizational Hierarchy members enjoy physical access to the "Master". Given that the practice reinforces ones dependence on the master, these members appear to the "masses" as having more advantageous  access to spiritual benefits.  
  • SRCM identifies members who allegedly have achieved the Brahaman Mandal or Central Region. Some are referred to as "Full Preceptors", receive certificates to attest to their spiritual achievements, others are simply stated to exist in a higher "region" than the masses. Spirituality is further commoditized as disciples request "Sittings" from these preceptors in order to receive cleaning and have divine grace bestowed upon them. 
  • While the practice reinforces rank and file disciples inadequacies and creates urgent need to achieve spiritual progress, they are surrounded by members who have been "blessed" with organizational or spiritual gifts. This creates divisions,  jealousies and commoditizes spirituality, exactly what we see happening in the various splinter groups and within the main SRCM organization today.


Summary:

The very core practices of Sahaj Marg can be directly attributed as the ROOT CAUSE of the problems facing SRCM today: A highly divisive and divided organization caused by festering spiritual materialism, and disciples within the ranks who struggle with self esteem while being constantly reminded that their spiritual progress is inadequate, etc. etc...

On one hand, the Sahaj Marg practice, through repetitive suggestions in meditation and prayer affirmations, tears down the protective barriers around the soul, allowing the possibility of external forces to due harm. On the other hand, the one boundary which DOES get reinforced through disciples constant affirmations, is the barrier that separates the disciple from Creator. According to SRCM myth, this barrier exists until the disciple achieves some elusive goal. A goal only accessible through the exclusive association with a Master, who for the most part remains inaccessible from the common disciples. 

The practice of Sahaj Marg this is in fact quite the opposite of a Natural Path. Quite frankly this is not spirituality at all. It is, however, a formula for creating a power based Cult - Which, by the way is exactly what SRCM and its various splinter groups are.

Of course, a privileged few see benefits, and some within the rank and file are able to skirt the hazards and avoid inflicting significant trauma upon themselves. Some find benefit from meditating on light in the heart. Some find a sense of belonging to something far more powerful than themselves. Most if not all are motivated by ego, remaining "slaves" of the wish to achieve the spiritual goal created by the SRCM founder.  In addition, the SRCM hierarchy constantly reminds disciples that they are "not progressing" while channeling messages from the dead which serve only to validate their authority. These behaviors are the blatant symptoms resulting from the very flaws I have outlined above.

I apologize for offending so many with these words. What I state above comes from a sincere place,  based on over 40 years actively pursuing my Spiritual Journey - more than 10 of those years as a disciple and preceptor of the SRCM.  My heart  affirms within me that what I say above is the TRUTH. The guidance I have been blessed with upon my departure from SRCM, now over 20 years ago, has revealed a true NATURAL PATH. I can say without a doubt that it bears nothing in common with the Sahaj Marg practice or the SRCM.


Michael

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012

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Monday, October 08, 2012

Sahaj Marg(tm) and Babuji's "Unpublished Secrets of Nature"

Taken from an article from S.C. Kishore on their site: Society for Babuji's Mission.  This site belongs to S.C. Kishore and  Sharad Chandra Saxena, son of Prakash and grandson of Babuji, the founder of Sahaj Marg, at Shahjahanpur, India, in 1945.

Comment by 4d-don: Highlights (bold) in the last paragraph are by 4d-don, author of this blog

Has Sahaj Marg, which Babuji claimed was "spirituality" (like Raja Yoga, but starting at step #7 of Patanjali's eight-fold path), now become "Sahaj Marg(tm)", a "spiritualist" religion, a cult of a personality (living or deceased) with an "Anonymous French Lady Medium" (AFLM), and many others all claiming to channel his messages and instructions from beyond the grave? (Babuji died in 1983)

Look up the difference on Google or in a dictionary. (click on the words above).  

Then look at Page 14, sections 10-11 for "Standards of Spiritualism"  or here, in the Constitution and Bye-Laws of Chari's Sahaj Marg(tm) and his SRCM (California-1997)


Posted On 10/6/2012 at 18:49
 
Unpublished secrets of Nature by Rev. Babuji – where kept ? 
Shubh Chintak Kishore

Rev. Babuji not only founded the efficient Sahaj Marg system, but also left every details of His system under His own hand, leaving nothing for conjecture or interpretation by anyone else. Further, He explained the system in detail so that in future the system itself will serve as a proper guide, instead of any physical guide guiding people. So He gave every possible explanation about His system. To the best of my knowledge, I know of no system where the author left his system so full well explained, with no gap for anyone else to exercise his intellect or imagination to fill that gap thereby polluting the system either consciously or unconsciously. Apart from His published literature, the unpublished literature is also equally wide and valuable. Most of it was in safe boxes, almirah, etc. in the room next tothe puja-room or in office of His haveli. N.S. Rao, who hailed from Tamil Nadu, was the office assistant at Shahjahanpur, at the registered office of Shri Ram Chandra Mission which was at His personal residence. Rao was responsible for safety of Missions documents in his custody records, Rev. Babuji’s correspondence, etc. With in a short period of His mahasamadhi, practically all the important papers and documents disappeared – how ?

Many of the important papers, manuscripts, came into Chari ’s possession. Some of them he purchased and some of them he managed. He also got with him Rev. Lalaji Saheb’s unpublished literature from His great grand children and grand son. The ostensible explanation for getting them was that he ( Chari ) would publish them, but the real idea was to get them under his personal custody and keep them at some secret place so that they never see the light of the day.  Because those were the literature/writings of the Speical Personality/saint, every word of them was full of secret/real meaning, power and was original. He thought that his own writings would be no match to them. So he made all out efforts to get as much of them as possible. Chari asked Sharad also to give to him for safe custody whatever original documents he had got and made his son Krishna also to pursuade him. But dear Sharad never gave him any. He said to Chari that he had promised Rev Babuji that His writings will never go into wrong hands from his side. He got the clue that Chari had kept all those things in Germany so that those papers can not fall into the hands of anyone not liked by Chari and his family ?

Who would not like to print such rare caliber/Personality/ saints’ writings ? But Chari realized in very clear terms that if these were printed, his writing would carry on weight. He would not be able to popularize his own writings and books and would be deprived of invaluable earnings. He never published, to the best of my knowledge, any valuable unpublished matter of Rev. Babuji and Rev. Lalaji Saheb. Not only that, when Chari cunningly and forcibly took possession of the Mission Head-quarter’s Ashram at Shahjahanpur, there were thousand of printed copies stored there of Rev. Babuji’s diaries (seven volumes, each of which in thousands) - which were in urdu language and were got converted into Devnagri script (Hindi language) for mass consumption, all of them were consigned to flames to prevent its further sale and publicity, under instructions of Chari. These were the writings which Rev. Babuji had said not to be published in His life time. What would you like to call such a person !

That is how he has been able to publish his own books thinking him to be master in English and on spiritual subjects. Not only that, even books on non-existent facts as given in “whisper from Brighter world” fetched him exhorbitant money above Rs. 10,000/- (Rupees ten thousand) per copy. This fulfilled his unabetting appetite for money. Rev. Babuji has confirmed, as given out in the past on more than one occasion, that He gave no inspiration to any French lady, which is the basis of the writing ‘Whisper from Brighter world’ and further daily whispers coming out. What an amount of fresh pollution created by Chari – just only for money, his name & fame. When I took the said book in my hand I had headache, showing the intrinsic value of the same to me. When the things are normalized, such trash and spurious literature will have to be withdrawn and destroyed to save further pollution of innocent minds.

May God make the circumstances so that His invaluable unpublished literature is retrieved and brought out to enlighten the world about many nature’s secrets.

Delhi Amen
6th October 2012
www.societyforbabujismission.org.in.
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Wednesday, October 03, 2012

Sahaj Marg(tm) - Unity or Disintegration?

Taken and translated from an article by Élodie (assisted by Alexis): "L'unité ou la Désintégration", on Élodie's blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg



October 3, 2012  

Unity or disintegration 

The special Bhandara of August 15, 2012, was seen as a major trauma by all the abhyasis and Sharad Chandra Saxena was quick to exploit the situation. 

Advocating a return to the fundamentals of Sahaj Marg, Sharad takes issue with Chari, his best spokesman and his sole rival.  Sharad in reality is working to destroy everything that was built by Chari. The enemy to be defeated is clearly identified, he will have to withstand the rigors of divine punishment. 

On September 27, 2012, at 3.40 am, in a direct intercommunication, Sharad asks Babuji what he expects of him. Babuji replies:   

“My mission to be told in the right way (…). My mission if not correctly explained to practice it shall give negative effect (…) Because people had explained in their own way adding their selfish material objects, which effects [sic, affects ?] my mission’s reputation.”

These critical events have generated turbulence within the Mission, as around it. In a burst of insight and lucidity, the day after the bhandara, Kamlesh Patel was already calling for unity. Babuji's special messages (whispers?)  from the Brighter World calling for an urgent coming together to preserve "the unity of the great
Sahaj Marg family" have reinforced this sense of confusion and danger:  

“(…) Make it clear and irrefutable. You know human reactions better than anyone else, as you have suffered first-hand from them so much. Likewise, your future successor will endure a lot of it.

(…). We cannot avert all the turbulence prompted by your health problems (…).”

Each in his own heart remembers Chari's nightmare. In the greatest of confusion, SRCM now fears disintegration. From now on, there is only one
permanent and omnipresent password, unity.  Hostilities are in the open, the "civil war" is raging. So the choice is simple, it is unity in the hope of avoiding disintegration. 

Elodie (assisted by Alexis)


Alexis said ...
 

Some complementary reflections:
 

First, about  Chari & the SRCM:

Despite his illness, he is still quite the ham, our Chari. To rejoice at having gathered 21,000 people in less than two days for his special bhandara: it is not about the guru one is thinking about, but about the star who titilates his own ego with his fanatical groupies ...

More alarming, in the face of adversity, SRCM is closing in on itself (fortress Sahaj Marg(tm) ). According to anti-cult groups, this is a signal of danger: heading towards a major risk of the society irreversibly skidding out of control!
 

The stopping of the dessimination of Echos of India and others on their website, the distribution of documents reserved for followers only, with passwords needed, etc. also goes along with this sense of seclusion ...
 


 Next, about Sharad:  
  
“He is the only other person in the Mission, who has the power of inter-commune with Rev. Babuji.”

One wonders who the "other person" is, according to Sharad? The french anonymous (Medium)? Chari? If yes, how does he explain the contradictions? There must be one who is lying ... or Babuji is even more twisted we had ever imagined! 

Sharad has not received any comments to his posts on his website, so he is challenging one and the other to correct his remarks. And he adds that eventually, Chari would his most valid interlocutor. But faced with the silence of one and the other, and by default, it is to the questions and the comments posted on our blogs which he replies:

What has he done for 30 years? In 1982, Sharad was twenty years. Babuji told him he had to mature. He is fifty today, he  has matured, phew! 


The Paris Declaration? 

On this subject, Kishore affirms that Babuji had introduced the notion of decentralization of SRCM, asking him to create zones and appoint zonal secretaries.  In 1981, at the suggestion of Kishore, Babuji created the position of "Secretary for Overseas Centres" without consulting Chari.  In February 1982, "the last nail in the coffin" Babuji signed an amendment to the constitution of the Mission for the tenure of office to be limited to four years. Chari was secretary of the Mission for 15 years, he had to leave his job.  Finally,  Babuji confided to the care of Kishore to reconstitute the Working Committee of the Mission.  He appointed Kodanduraman, Chari's brother and Babuji told him that with these brothers, difficulties were going to be create.

One wonders how it is possible that Sharad was not appointed President in 1983 if his partner had the power to appoint committee members ...


Babuji would allegedly also have  forbidden that other preceptors be named after his death, and it is Srivastava who would apparently have been the first to disobey him.  Duly noted, but I do not know if Chari had permission to remove others appointed by Babuji as he did from 1983 to 1984 ... 


What about his cousins ​​Navneet & Puneet?

No answer. He's afraid to get "in the cold" with them? Finally, Kishore and Sharad go after all the survivors of the Babuji era, they only criticize Srivastava, Narayana and Chari. 


Chari submitted a letter of nomination as "President in the Sahaj Marg system".Note that Sharad and his society present Sahaj Marg by saying: "About the System Founded by Rev. Babuji Maharaj." 

More to follow, they are prolific ... 

Thursday, October 4, 2012




Elodie said ... 

Hello to everyone,
 

Here below is an excerpt of the last spotlight from S. C. Kishore on Chari.
     

Happy reading and affectionately,
     

Elodie 

(…) 

"Chari is propagating Sahaj Marg like a business executive - only preaching. In business personal life is personal, and not to be connected with official work and an office person can not comment on that. That is why all the persons in the organization created by him are only members – like member of so and so club, or say Sahaj-Marg club, but none is an abhyasi. This he himself admitted in his last year’s birthday function at Tirpur. Though belonging to a poor class family, Chari’s life style can be seen by anyone as most luxurious. 

This is unlike Rev. Babuji, who belonged to an aristocratic family, yet His personal life style was very simple. One of Chari’s rich follower at Delhi had to change his new car to the latest model as his master would not sit in an earlier model car ! Chari is said to be free with only persons say above hundred crore worth. Ajai Bhatter, Kamlesh Patel, being examples, which he himself has shown to the world. I do not ever recollect any occasion when to me Chari looked simple, which is not to be confused with outwardly simple dressed persons, many of whom are very complex inside. 

One has to be on their tip toes all the time to understood such persons . Alertness is a basic requirement in spirituality. It is no wonder that Chari has followers who refuse to be alert and do not exercise their mental faculties, because of which they have in him a Living Master. His actions are sufficient proof of his intent, if we are alert."

(…)


Friday, Octobre 05, 2012
 

Alexis Said...
 

Errare humanum est (latin for: To err is human) ...
      

The September issue of Echoes of India is finally released (October 5th) and confirms our words:
  
“Br. Kamlesh Patel gave a talk and made two important points : first that one does not need any position or title to do Mission work or to serve the Mission, and the other was about how “Unity and Harmony” was the need of the hour, and this had to be maintained among brothers and sisters at all times, under all costs and circumstances.”

 Also reported are the statements of Chari by Patel after the (special - Aug. 15th) Bhandara: "Just on two days notice, so many have come ... they are my people!" He could just as easily have said that they were the spiritual seekers of Sahaj Marg or of Babuji (or of the divine?)! But no, he chose MY people ... (my people, my people, my fans, my slaves?!)
 

Friday, October 5, 2012
 


See also:  

Chari's Nightmare 

Alleged Power Struggle at SRCM(tm) Ashram

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