Excerpts taken from a series of articles by Frank, ex-Preceptor for SRCM(California-1997) and ex-Zonal-in-Charge for SRCM (California-1997), on Frank's Blog: Pitfalls of Spirituality.
The series of articles called "Cognitive Dissonance" are a commentary on a Book called:
Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion
by Marc Gallanter, psychiatrist.
4d-Don's Comments: I suggest you read all of Frank's "Cognitive Dissonance" articles as they all relate more or less to Frank's experience in Sahaj Marg as a preceptor and as the Zonal-in-Charge (ZIC) of the Netherlands.
I have pulled out the parts that relate specifically to Sahaj Marg(tm) and to Chari's group, the SRCM (California-1997), and I have "hyperlinked" the titles of the articles so you may easily have (click on the title) access to the source, and so you may have the context of the individual excerpts ...
In Frank's Article: Cognitive Dissonance 2: Mind and Heart
So, to come back to the pitfall that I perceive in the avoidance of cognitive dissonance, can I find out the divide between learning and development on the one hand, and self-delusion on the other? I'm sorry to say that I believe this to be very difficult for most if not all of us. As an example, I'm quite positive that many practicants of my former spiritual movement Sahaj Marg will consider me self-delusional. I am being led astray by my mind, and -poor soul- have lost contact with my heart. My mind is creating all sorts of ego-fed illusions, and therefore I am blinded from the love of the Master. Something like that. I cannot find a 100% proof that they are wrong. It is just that their view no longer jibes sufficiently with mine, which leads me to holding more the opposite view. So perhaps this is a good moment to explain why this blog is meant mostly for people who are uneasy with their spiritual movement, and cannot put their finger on their unease. This is partly because I do not think that I cán influence people who are happy in their heart-oriented participation in a spiritual movement. But also partly because I'm not sure that I want to influence these people.
In Frank's article: Cognitive Dissonance 4: Former followers and Boundary Mechanisms
(...)
So, it is my personal experience that it is easier for followers to completely avoid talking with me about most things related to the Movement (in my case Sahaj Marg), but especially on the subject of why I decided to stop with it.
Although surprising to me, and initially not pleasant, I found this blanket of silence illuminating. I now think that followers whom I really care for, and who vice versa care for me, see no other way to reconcile the different positions than by adapting the position that I'm an OK person, but am deluded by the foils of my ego. They find it painful to be confronted by the use of my inside knowledge to bring out the discrepancies between the Theory of the Movement and the daily state of affairs. My bringing out the discrepancies causes them to experience cognitive dissonance, precisely because what I have to say in that respect makes too much sense to be easily dismissed.
And so I have learned to see this silence as a sign of their caring for me, which I appreciate. Still, I would of course like more to be able to discuss things out in the open. Perhaps I would learn about my own ego foils then too - no doubt they exist, and are seen sharply by the people who know me best.
(...)
And later, in the same article, Frank writes:
To give an interesting example: in Sahaj Marg participants are encouraged to know all people as thy brethren and treat them as such. This no doubt has helped bring about that participants are used to start talks with words like `dear brothers and sisters'. But also, unconsciously, to bring about that the words `brother(s)' and `sister(s)' are often being used exclusively to indicate other Sahaj Marg participants like in the sentence: `our brothers and sisters in the United States are all very happy that Master is coming to visit'.
Now, to me it seems obviously impossible that all the people in the United States are happy that the Master of Sahaj Marg is coming to visit. So the statement can only be read as to imply that `brothers' and `sisters' are particularly those USA residents who also practice Sahaj Marg. So Sahaj Marg promotes a family feeling among participants (also quite explicitly in speeches and texts), but thereby excluding the rest of humanity, in direct contradiction with their own maxim 6: `Know all people as thy brethren and treat them as such.' In other words: not uniting humanity as is their stated intention, but dividing it. And being blind to the division, I would wager, because it is not out of malice or lack of empathy or lack of concern for others.
This forming of some kind of `family feeling' is very common in spiritual movements, religious groups included. What Marc Galanter describes as boundary issues, concerns the interaction between that `family' and the rest of society.
In Frank's article: Charismatic Groups (Intermezzo)
(...)
For the purpose of this blog, it might once again be helpful to list some characteristics of charismatic spiritual groups that I have seen in many descriptions:
a) Gradual introduction/conversion of new members, usually through personal contact, in a family-like setting. Repeated enhancement of the `family' feeling through spiritual gatherings and other activities, often involving an ashram or other facility where communal living is the norm.
b) One's own physical/spiritual well-being is linked to a higher noble spiritual Goal (`Meditate, and you will feel better. But also you will help uniting Humanity, and bring about a world where love is the predominant guiding principle.')
c) Some special practice, usually involving some state of altered consciousness. Very frequently this includes some form of meditation. The experiences with and results of this `special' practice are discussed among members, and good things are associated with it. The specialty is stressed from time to time: `other movements do not have this Method' (exclusiveness).
d) A Special Leader, who has a direct Divine connection. His Guidance and Helping Hand are mystic and beyond rational understanding. `Surrender' is the way for a follower to achieve spiritual progress. e) A strong behavioural code, together with a lot of `positive' groupthink. Occasional criticism might be possible, but is made relatively light of. Fundamental criticism of the Leader or the Movement is frowned upon. Positive `witnessing' is encouraged and rewarded [witnessing: relating one's experiences with the Method/Leader and one's resulting insights; `So when I was having a real difficult time in my life, the image of the Leader appeared when I was doing my Morning Prayer. He spoke to me and said: `Be strong, and do not listen to your Ego. Let God do His work on you, do your Practice and have Faith'. So I decided to go to satsangh regularly, and my other problems became lighter!'].
f) An Inner Circle of long-practicing members, who are close to the Leader. Positions in this Inner Circle are coveted, as a sure sign of spiritual progress and the elevated opportunity for direct Guidance from the Leader. Management of the Movement's Organization is organized hierarchically, with the Inner Circle at the top of the Pyramid.
In Frank's article: Cognitive Dissonance 6: Boundary Control and Santa Claus
(...)
So new followers are a boost to the rationality of the whole Movement. `See, what we say makes sense, because how would we attract new people otherwise?'. This mechanism is frequently used by the Inner Circle (I have seen this in my own former spiritual movement Sahaj Marg) in the following way: * The number of followers is reported as much higher than it is in reality. * `Senior' followers are exhorted to devote time and energy to spreading the Message * Growth in numbers is seen as very important and duly rewarded * Decline in numbers is frowned upon, and often blamed on inadequate conduct of members - the attractivity of the Theory is not to be questioned. Members are expected to be shining examples, thereby attracting family and friends.
In Franks article: Cognitive Dissonances 7: Boundary Control
(...)
In Sahaj Marg, followers are repeatedly asked by guru P. Rajagopalachari not to create discussion forums on internet, with the reason given that these forums could be targeted by `malicious' individuals (looking to harm SRCM specifically). This of course holds for any discussion forum on the internet. Generally, the pros of a discussion forum outweigh the cons, especially if one takes some simple measures against `trolling'. Therefore, a more likely reason to prohibit these forums is that they are uncontrollable by the Inner Circle, and thus prone to becoming a source of cognitive dissonance. Discussions on whether it is `spiritual' to ask €250 for a book of which the guru says that it is essential for your spiritual progress, for instance... The internet therefore poses a real problem for Inner Circles wishing to exercise boundary control.
(...)
And later, in the same article, Frank writes:
One way for the Inner Circle to deal with this particular `former follower' threat is to blacken their character and motives. (Yes, this occurs in all types of organizations, I know. One just would expect this not to happen in a spiritual organization...). As an example, I have been called an `enemy of spirituality' by my former guru P. Rajagopalachari ;-) And with me, all former followers who blog about their experiences with Sahaj Marg. It's funny enough, but I'm not kidding. Still I can't possibly take it very seriously, for me personally I mean.
Comment on Frank's blog by ex-abhyasi:
Dear Frank,
Thank you again. Your blog has been extremely helpful.
A lot of people are sincere in their search for truth and it's a tough lesson to learn that people might do it for other reasons. (Like Power). Some people are hiding out in that group for other reasons.
A former sahaj-margie/preceptor told me, "It's a game. If you wanna play the sahaj-marg game we can do that."
i chose freedom.
3-D Don will probably have a field day with that comment! I empathize with him too because i've seen it make people cold and self-absorbed.
As i mentioned before, it was not easy to disengage from this practice and everything surrounding it.
i'm so very grateful that you have your blog up here. It takes tremendous courage and strength so thank you.
It also takes courage and strength to leave.
since leaving, i talked with some people who believe Chariji is just a preceptor.
i think you've done an excellent job of covering the points about the pitfalls of spirituality.
So really, you could get that Spiritual Yatra game board out - move yourself a couple points (maybe only one, your condition is really good) and i bet you'd be advanced to the central region. You don't even have to draw a card and answer any questions! Or go see Master.
Did SRCM market that Yatra board game in the Netherlands? Can't help but wonder if the person who came up with it knew in his/her heart of hearts that SRCM was just a game.
Many thanks,
Triple Gem
Thursday, November 12, 2009
INTERNET: A Problem for SRCM(California-1997) and Sahaj marg
Excerpt of article on Pitfalls of Spirituality blog, called: Cognitive Dissonance 7: Boundary Control, by Frank, Ex-preceptor of SRCM (California-1997) and Ex-Zonal-in-Charge (ZIC) of SRCM(California-1997) for the Netherlands.
4d-Don's Comments: In this conclusion of a series of articles on a Book by psychiatrist Marc Gallanter, called: Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion, Frank cites specific examples from the conditions at the SRCM (California-1997), of which he was "Zonal-In-Charge" (ZIC) for the Netherlands. See also (link below) for a review of Marc Gallanter's book in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
According to Chari in his book: He! The Hookah and I: "The common people (mortals) , they are people who come, judge, and judge again and consider starting blogs on the computer, which is now a curse because everybody has a computer".
So All are encouraged to "SPEAK OUT" on the "curse" that are the blogs that are out there now on the Internet, for Religions and "Cults of Personalities" (according to Chari and SRCM(California-1997)), and/or start a blog of your own ... We are the MEDIA!! We are TIME Magazine's: "PERSON of the YEAR". We are the "Fifth Estate".
From The Blog: Pitfalls of Spirirtuality
Cognitive Dissonance 7: Boundary Conditions
So let's finish with the three yet-undiscussed elements of boundary control that I perceive to be used often in spiritual movements by their Inner Circle:
2) Limiting contact with `outside' world views
3) Blackening of former followers
6) Limiting free discussion between members, that is discussion which is not in some way controlled or influenced by Inner Circle orthodoxy.
(the other elements being:
1) Intensive recruiting of new followers (see previous post)
4) Partial truth & secrets (already discussed intensively in earlier posts)
5) Stressing the need to forego rationality (likewise already discussed))
%%%%%%
ad 2): There are various ways for the Inner Circle of a spiritual movement to limit contact of the followers with the broader societal views. Clearly, physical separation is frequently seen, by creating communes and the like. But Marc Galanter's book gives several examples which are more subtle. From my own experience with Sahaj Marg, I remember that various law suits in which SRCM is involved are being kept largely from the followers. As well as the fact that there are sizable dissenting factions which claim (with more than passing credibility) that the guru-succession in SRCM on the death of its founder has been a vicious power struggle involving decidedly unspiritual manipulation. This is perhaps also a case of 4): Partial truth and secrets.
Anyway, the reason for limiting contact with `outside' world views and conflicting information is obvious, as Marc Galanter points out. For a charismatic group to maintain its group identity and group rationale, cognitive dissonance should not become too big. Certain anomalies and contradictions -between the Theory on the one hand and on the other hand the worldly activities of the Movement plus the possible worldly opposition against the Movement- are most easily managed if the followers are largely unaware of their existence.
$$
The motives behind 3) and 6) are of course completely similar. In Sahaj Marg, followers are repeatedly asked by guru P. Rajagopalachari not to create discussion forums on internet, with the reason given that these forums could be targeted by `malicious' individuals (looking to harm SRCM specifically). This of course holds for any discussion forum on the internet. Generally, the pros of a discussion forum outweigh the cons, especially if one takes some simple measures against `trolling'. Therefore, a more likely reason to prohibit these forums is that they are uncontrollable by the Inner Circle, and thus prone to becoming a source of cognitive dissonance. Discussions on whether it is `spiritual' to ask €250 for a book of which the guru says that it is essential for your spiritual progress, for instance...
The internet therefore poses a real problem for Inner Circles wishing to exercise boundary control.
Because most spiritual movements have their own publisher's media, such as newsletters, quarterly journals, videos, cd's, books etc. These media are in many if not most cases under rigorous guidelines/supervision by the Inner Circle. Typically therefore, one encounters in say a quarterly journal -say Truth at Home or something similar- lots of positive feedback from both Inner Circle and `ordinary' followers. Truth at Home, like the other publications, so likely becomes an active instrument of the Inner Circle to reinforce the Message. Critical letters, `bad' news, accounting figures, property holdings, etc...are simply not published.
But the internet today is easily accessible to all followers. It cannot be controlled by the Inner Circle, yet it also yields results about relatively unimportant and obscure groups - in contrast with the traditional media (books, television, radio, newspapers). So therefore, it can also contain specific criticism against their Movement, small though it may be. Criticism which the Inner Circle cannot edit out or block from reaching followers.
This criticism is often the most threatening -like stated in one of the earlier posts on cognitive dissonance- when it comes from (longtime) former followers. Because they are really in the know, and their arguments are often not so easy to dismiss as the more uninformed criticism coming from general society. Often their arguments point out the fundamental internal inconsistencies in the Movement. (And then, what happens with the child who repeatedly sees different Santas? Who comes across a Santa whose beard accidentally falls off? Who sees Santa drunk, who sees parents sneaking in with presents, ...).
One way for the Inner Circle to deal with this particular `former follower' threat is to blacken their character and motives. (Yes, this occurs in all types of organizations, I know. One just would expect this not to happen in a spiritual organization...). As an example, I have been called an `enemy of spirituality' by my former guru P. Rajagopalachari ;-) And with me, all former followers who blog about their experiences with Sahaj Marg. It's funny enough, but I'm not kidding. Still I can't possibly take it very seriously, for me personally I mean.
It does beg the question what part of the boundary control is conscious and what part un- or subconscious. Personally, I'm inclined to believe in `good' intentions of most people. This would imply that many Inner Circles have a high level of cognitive dissonance and corresponding avoidance. Indeed Marc Galanter describes this to be very often the case, complete with delusional world views and self-aggrandizement / over-importance / self-proclamation of divinity (direct or indirect) etc.
One should not forget that it often takes decades for Inner Circle members to attain their Inner Circle position. Time enough to build up a significant cognitive dissonance avoidance. Also, by the nature of the enormous time & effort investment made, if their position and/or their rationale is threatened one should not be surprised to see them react in what I would deem rather unspiritual ways.
Dear reader, to me it seems none of us are... (For more, see: Cognitive Dissonance 7: Boundary Conditions on Pitfalls of Spirituality Blog, Here)
See also: The Enemies of Spirituality
Chari: The Blogger, Spiritualist, (Bad-mouther of Religions), and "Enemies of Spirituality)
Review of Marc Gallanter's book: Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion, in American Journal of Psychiatry...
4d-Don's Comments: In this conclusion of a series of articles on a Book by psychiatrist Marc Gallanter, called: Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion, Frank cites specific examples from the conditions at the SRCM (California-1997), of which he was "Zonal-In-Charge" (ZIC) for the Netherlands. See also (link below) for a review of Marc Gallanter's book in the American Journal of Psychiatry.
According to Chari in his book: He! The Hookah and I: "The common people (mortals) , they are people who come, judge, and judge again and consider starting blogs on the computer, which is now a curse because everybody has a computer".
So All are encouraged to "SPEAK OUT" on the "curse" that are the blogs that are out there now on the Internet, for Religions and "Cults of Personalities" (according to Chari and SRCM(California-1997)), and/or start a blog of your own ... We are the MEDIA!! We are TIME Magazine's: "PERSON of the YEAR". We are the "Fifth Estate".
From The Blog: Pitfalls of Spirirtuality
Cognitive Dissonance 7: Boundary Conditions
So let's finish with the three yet-undiscussed elements of boundary control that I perceive to be used often in spiritual movements by their Inner Circle:
2) Limiting contact with `outside' world views
3) Blackening of former followers
6) Limiting free discussion between members, that is discussion which is not in some way controlled or influenced by Inner Circle orthodoxy.
(the other elements being:
1) Intensive recruiting of new followers (see previous post)
4) Partial truth & secrets (already discussed intensively in earlier posts)
5) Stressing the need to forego rationality (likewise already discussed))
%%%%%%
ad 2): There are various ways for the Inner Circle of a spiritual movement to limit contact of the followers with the broader societal views. Clearly, physical separation is frequently seen, by creating communes and the like. But Marc Galanter's book gives several examples which are more subtle. From my own experience with Sahaj Marg, I remember that various law suits in which SRCM is involved are being kept largely from the followers. As well as the fact that there are sizable dissenting factions which claim (with more than passing credibility) that the guru-succession in SRCM on the death of its founder has been a vicious power struggle involving decidedly unspiritual manipulation. This is perhaps also a case of 4): Partial truth and secrets.
Anyway, the reason for limiting contact with `outside' world views and conflicting information is obvious, as Marc Galanter points out. For a charismatic group to maintain its group identity and group rationale, cognitive dissonance should not become too big. Certain anomalies and contradictions -between the Theory on the one hand and on the other hand the worldly activities of the Movement plus the possible worldly opposition against the Movement- are most easily managed if the followers are largely unaware of their existence.
$$
The motives behind 3) and 6) are of course completely similar. In Sahaj Marg, followers are repeatedly asked by guru P. Rajagopalachari not to create discussion forums on internet, with the reason given that these forums could be targeted by `malicious' individuals (looking to harm SRCM specifically). This of course holds for any discussion forum on the internet. Generally, the pros of a discussion forum outweigh the cons, especially if one takes some simple measures against `trolling'. Therefore, a more likely reason to prohibit these forums is that they are uncontrollable by the Inner Circle, and thus prone to becoming a source of cognitive dissonance. Discussions on whether it is `spiritual' to ask €250 for a book of which the guru says that it is essential for your spiritual progress, for instance...
The internet therefore poses a real problem for Inner Circles wishing to exercise boundary control.
Because most spiritual movements have their own publisher's media, such as newsletters, quarterly journals, videos, cd's, books etc. These media are in many if not most cases under rigorous guidelines/supervision by the Inner Circle. Typically therefore, one encounters in say a quarterly journal -say Truth at Home or something similar- lots of positive feedback from both Inner Circle and `ordinary' followers. Truth at Home, like the other publications, so likely becomes an active instrument of the Inner Circle to reinforce the Message. Critical letters, `bad' news, accounting figures, property holdings, etc...are simply not published.
But the internet today is easily accessible to all followers. It cannot be controlled by the Inner Circle, yet it also yields results about relatively unimportant and obscure groups - in contrast with the traditional media (books, television, radio, newspapers). So therefore, it can also contain specific criticism against their Movement, small though it may be. Criticism which the Inner Circle cannot edit out or block from reaching followers.
This criticism is often the most threatening -like stated in one of the earlier posts on cognitive dissonance- when it comes from (longtime) former followers. Because they are really in the know, and their arguments are often not so easy to dismiss as the more uninformed criticism coming from general society. Often their arguments point out the fundamental internal inconsistencies in the Movement. (And then, what happens with the child who repeatedly sees different Santas? Who comes across a Santa whose beard accidentally falls off? Who sees Santa drunk, who sees parents sneaking in with presents, ...).
One way for the Inner Circle to deal with this particular `former follower' threat is to blacken their character and motives. (Yes, this occurs in all types of organizations, I know. One just would expect this not to happen in a spiritual organization...). As an example, I have been called an `enemy of spirituality' by my former guru P. Rajagopalachari ;-) And with me, all former followers who blog about their experiences with Sahaj Marg. It's funny enough, but I'm not kidding. Still I can't possibly take it very seriously, for me personally I mean.
It does beg the question what part of the boundary control is conscious and what part un- or subconscious. Personally, I'm inclined to believe in `good' intentions of most people. This would imply that many Inner Circles have a high level of cognitive dissonance and corresponding avoidance. Indeed Marc Galanter describes this to be very often the case, complete with delusional world views and self-aggrandizement / over-importance / self-proclamation of divinity (direct or indirect) etc.
One should not forget that it often takes decades for Inner Circle members to attain their Inner Circle position. Time enough to build up a significant cognitive dissonance avoidance. Also, by the nature of the enormous time & effort investment made, if their position and/or their rationale is threatened one should not be surprised to see them react in what I would deem rather unspiritual ways.
Dear reader, to me it seems none of us are... (For more, see: Cognitive Dissonance 7: Boundary Conditions on Pitfalls of Spirituality Blog, Here)
See also: The Enemies of Spirituality
Chari: The Blogger, Spiritualist, (Bad-mouther of Religions), and "Enemies of Spirituality)
Review of Marc Gallanter's book: Cults: Faith, Healing and Coercion, in American Journal of Psychiatry...
The Creation of Shri Ram Chandra Mission
Taken and translated from: La Creation de la Shri Ram Chandra Mission, an article by Alexis on Elodie's Blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg
Comments by 4d-don are in "red italics"
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Creation of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission
Lalaji apparently had a hundred disciples according to Rajagopalachari, exactly 212 according to his grandson, Dinaysh Kumar Saxena, (Dean of NaqshMuMRa Sufi Order) mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh and the surrounding areas of northern India. Dinaysh indicates that nine of them were his preceptors, including his son Jagmohan Narain and his nephew Brij Mohan Lal. Eight organizations were born from this group.
Babuji starting from scratch. In his diary, he recounts his interconnections with Lalaji who told him to start the organization on May 30, 1944, and then gives instructions concerning this (organization) on the following June 3. But it is only June 10, 1945 (one year later) that Babuji and twenty-two of his followers gathered at a meeting and decided to create the Shri Ram Chandra Mission. A working committee of nine persons was appointed June 20, 1945. The articles of association are registered in Lucknow on the next July 21 (1945). Its objective is to promote the system of Sahaj Marg founded by his Master, Lalaji, he writes.
The organization is based in Shahjahanpur and chaired by Babuji or his spiritual representative in the direct line of succession. Anyone wishing to participate can join, without obligation to pay any subscription, but subject presidential approval. He appoints a committee of nine persons to assist him. Madan Mohan Lal, senior preceptor of Lalaji at Shahjahanpur (not listed by Dinaysh) (Dinaysh Kumar Saxena of NaqshMuMRa Sufi Order, grandson of Lalaji) becomes the number two of the organization as secretary. Prakash Chandra Saxena, the eldest son of Babuji, is also a member of the working committee.
At the same period, the journal of Babuji tells of a series of intercommunications between Babuji and Swami Vivekananda. On May 20, 1945, Vivekananda relates to him (Babuji) the name of the organization to create and tells him to convene a meeting of his disciples. Several successive intercommunications stress that he is about to creat a new religion, under the authority of Vivekananda. His instructions on the emblem of the mission will come the next August 26, (1945).
In reality, Lalaji is not the founder of Sahaj Marg, contrary to what is written by the founders of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, (and contrary to what is on the site of Chari's organization, the SRCM (California-1997)) except in the dreams of Babuji as is stated so well by Dinaysh. And why does Babuji not speak any more of Vivekananda, if he played such an important role at the inception (of the Mission), as he says in his diary?
Anyway, Babuji has at least twenty-two disciples in 1945. Twenty years later, at the arrival of Rajagopalachari, the number of his followers would be only 42 or 43, if one believes the latter (Chari). Also according to him, it suddenly jumps to 600 in 1972, and Ajay Kumar Bhatti revealed that there were approximately 3, 000 at Babuji's death in 1983. The manipulation of figures has already begun, Rajagopalachari having interest in minimizing the number of followers before his arrival in 1964, and to magnify them after his arrival, and then assign to himself the credit for the growth (of the Mission).
Alexis
Comment by 4d-don: According to Frank, ex-preceptor and ex- Zonal-In-Charge for Chari's SRCM(California-1997) for the Netherlands, in his article: Cognitive Dissionance 6:Boundary Control and Santa Claus:
"So new followers are a boost to the rationality of the whole Movement. `See, what we say makes sense, because how would we attract new people otherwise?'. This mechanism is frequently used by the Inner Circle (I have seen this in my own former spiritual movement Sahaj Marg) in the following way: * The number of followers is reported as much higher than it is in reality. * `Senior' followers are exhorted to devote time and energy to spreading the Message * Growth in numbers is seen as very important and duly rewarded * Decline in numbers is frowned upon, and often blamed on inadequate conduct of members - the attractivity of the Theory is not to be questioned. Members are expected to be shining examples, thereby attracting family and friends."
Chari states in his autobiography that his father "was one of the senior-most preceptors of the Mission" . (One ?) This is the same "father" that after being in the Mission for a few weeks, was traveling around Europe claiming to be MASTER of SRCM (shopping for property or real-estate? Commercial or castles? (at Augerans, France, the Peugeot Castle became the headquarters of SRCM in Europe), thus showing his disrespect for Babuji and the "simple life" as promoted by Babuji and his new organization. Chari, in his autobiography, allegedly asked Babuji to reprimand him.
P S ... (an aside, with "tongue in cheek") In my research, I notice this "Freudian?" typo: in SRCM Singapore Voice, June 2006,"VBSE Conor" by R. Maharaj, 14 yrs old. (the proof reader of this magazine must be a teacher and a preceptor?? It could be "intentional".)
VBSE=Value Based Spirituality Education. Conor=I presume the word should be "corner" but in this form it could be a person who "cons" or gains the "confidence" (as in a "con game"), of a targeted victim so as to defraud them of their money, wealth, possessions, or in this case, "freedom" or ability to "think rationally". (look at "VBSE - Class X" for an example of the Brotherhood of SRCM(California-1997) with all other RELIGIONS. Does the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) know of this?)
Could the Sahaj Marg "favourable egregore" be at work here?
Comments by 4d-don are in "red italics"
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Creation of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission
Lalaji apparently had a hundred disciples according to Rajagopalachari, exactly 212 according to his grandson, Dinaysh Kumar Saxena, (Dean of NaqshMuMRa Sufi Order) mainly in the state of Uttar Pradesh and the surrounding areas of northern India. Dinaysh indicates that nine of them were his preceptors, including his son Jagmohan Narain and his nephew Brij Mohan Lal. Eight organizations were born from this group.
Babuji starting from scratch. In his diary, he recounts his interconnections with Lalaji who told him to start the organization on May 30, 1944, and then gives instructions concerning this (organization) on the following June 3. But it is only June 10, 1945 (one year later) that Babuji and twenty-two of his followers gathered at a meeting and decided to create the Shri Ram Chandra Mission. A working committee of nine persons was appointed June 20, 1945. The articles of association are registered in Lucknow on the next July 21 (1945). Its objective is to promote the system of Sahaj Marg founded by his Master, Lalaji, he writes.
The organization is based in Shahjahanpur and chaired by Babuji or his spiritual representative in the direct line of succession. Anyone wishing to participate can join, without obligation to pay any subscription, but subject presidential approval. He appoints a committee of nine persons to assist him. Madan Mohan Lal, senior preceptor of Lalaji at Shahjahanpur (not listed by Dinaysh) (Dinaysh Kumar Saxena of NaqshMuMRa Sufi Order, grandson of Lalaji) becomes the number two of the organization as secretary. Prakash Chandra Saxena, the eldest son of Babuji, is also a member of the working committee.
At the same period, the journal of Babuji tells of a series of intercommunications between Babuji and Swami Vivekananda. On May 20, 1945, Vivekananda relates to him (Babuji) the name of the organization to create and tells him to convene a meeting of his disciples. Several successive intercommunications stress that he is about to creat a new religion, under the authority of Vivekananda. His instructions on the emblem of the mission will come the next August 26, (1945).
In reality, Lalaji is not the founder of Sahaj Marg, contrary to what is written by the founders of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, (and contrary to what is on the site of Chari's organization, the SRCM (California-1997)) except in the dreams of Babuji as is stated so well by Dinaysh. And why does Babuji not speak any more of Vivekananda, if he played such an important role at the inception (of the Mission), as he says in his diary?
Anyway, Babuji has at least twenty-two disciples in 1945. Twenty years later, at the arrival of Rajagopalachari, the number of his followers would be only 42 or 43, if one believes the latter (Chari). Also according to him, it suddenly jumps to 600 in 1972, and Ajay Kumar Bhatti revealed that there were approximately 3, 000 at Babuji's death in 1983. The manipulation of figures has already begun, Rajagopalachari having interest in minimizing the number of followers before his arrival in 1964, and to magnify them after his arrival, and then assign to himself the credit for the growth (of the Mission).
Alexis
Comment by 4d-don: According to Frank, ex-preceptor and ex- Zonal-In-Charge for Chari's SRCM(California-1997) for the Netherlands, in his article: Cognitive Dissionance 6:Boundary Control and Santa Claus:
"So new followers are a boost to the rationality of the whole Movement. `See, what we say makes sense, because how would we attract new people otherwise?'. This mechanism is frequently used by the Inner Circle (I have seen this in my own former spiritual movement Sahaj Marg) in the following way: * The number of followers is reported as much higher than it is in reality. * `Senior' followers are exhorted to devote time and energy to spreading the Message * Growth in numbers is seen as very important and duly rewarded * Decline in numbers is frowned upon, and often blamed on inadequate conduct of members - the attractivity of the Theory is not to be questioned. Members are expected to be shining examples, thereby attracting family and friends."
Chari states in his autobiography that his father "was one of the senior-most preceptors of the Mission" . (One ?) This is the same "father" that after being in the Mission for a few weeks, was traveling around Europe claiming to be MASTER of SRCM (shopping for property or real-estate? Commercial or castles? (at Augerans, France, the Peugeot Castle became the headquarters of SRCM in Europe), thus showing his disrespect for Babuji and the "simple life" as promoted by Babuji and his new organization. Chari, in his autobiography, allegedly asked Babuji to reprimand him.
P S ... (an aside, with "tongue in cheek") In my research, I notice this "Freudian?" typo: in SRCM Singapore Voice, June 2006,"VBSE Conor" by R. Maharaj, 14 yrs old. (the proof reader of this magazine must be a teacher and a preceptor?? It could be "intentional".)
VBSE=Value Based Spirituality Education. Conor=I presume the word should be "corner" but in this form it could be a person who "cons" or gains the "confidence" (as in a "con game"), of a targeted victim so as to defraud them of their money, wealth, possessions, or in this case, "freedom" or ability to "think rationally". (look at "VBSE - Class X" for an example of the Brotherhood of SRCM(California-1997) with all other RELIGIONS. Does the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) know of this?)
Could the Sahaj Marg "favourable egregore" be at work here?
Monday, November 09, 2009
SRCM (Canada) and Sahaj Marg Finances
Taken and translated from an article by Alexis, on Elodie's Blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg
For the History of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, see also: Le Projet Sahaj Marg (in French and English)
See also at the on-line Canada Revenue Agency site: CRA Charities Listings:
Enter: "Shri Ram Chandra Mission, North York, Ontario, Canada"
You may notice that the majority of the seven "Board of Directors" are not Canadian, or even residents of Canada. Kim Hansen (V.P. Ont) and Christine Prisland (Director, B.C.) are Canadian (females), and live in Canada.
Monday, November 09, 2009
The 2008 accounts of the SRCM Canada are finally available.
The assets of the association are over $175 000 USD (110, 000 €) for some 450 followers, nearly € 250 per person. It has doubled in nine years, and is partly (80%) made up by investments that bring 1.6%.
The income of the association has also doubled in nine years. It amounts to more than $70, 000 USD (more than € 40 000), or 100 € per person, 80% of which is donations (and probably fees). 15% from sales of publications of the Mission for a inventory estimated at nearly € 20, 000, representing a return on capital inventory of more than 56%.
Expenditure amounted to almost $65, 000 USD (€ 40, 000), 80% of which is occupancy costs (rent?). The profit for the year is nearly $7, 000 USD (more than 4, 000 €), or less than ten (10) euros per person.
How, under the current economic circumstances, have the assets of the SRCM Canada doubled in nine years?
4d-don's comments: The SRCM Canada site lists 17 Communities in Canada (some are suburbs of major cities, some are small villages) where SRCM has a small presence. The Vancouver center has 60 followers.
The $70,000 in Revenues of the SRCM (Canada), of which 80% is shown as "donations" can be easily explained when one realizes that some of the "proselytizing material" is allegedly given "free of charge", in exchange for a "donation" of the "asking price" (for Whispers From the Brighter World - Volume 1, the requested donation was $250.00 USD, for Volume 2, it was $150.00 USD), thus avoiding the sales tax in the country of sale. At SRCM (California-1997) seminars, the food concessions receipts allegedly have "donation" stamped on the tab. It seems that even the sale of food to well-to-do spiritualist "globe trotters" is "tax-exempt" under the SRCM (California-1997) interpretation of "charity".
It seems that Spiritualism or Spiritism is not synonymous with ethics or morality.
For the History of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, see also: Le Projet Sahaj Marg (in French and English)
See also at the on-line Canada Revenue Agency site: CRA Charities Listings:
Enter: "Shri Ram Chandra Mission, North York, Ontario, Canada"
You may notice that the majority of the seven "Board of Directors" are not Canadian, or even residents of Canada. Kim Hansen (V.P. Ont) and Christine Prisland (Director, B.C.) are Canadian (females), and live in Canada.
Monday, November 09, 2009
The 2008 accounts of the SRCM Canada are finally available.
The assets of the association are over $175 000 USD (110, 000 €) for some 450 followers, nearly € 250 per person. It has doubled in nine years, and is partly (80%) made up by investments that bring 1.6%.
The income of the association has also doubled in nine years. It amounts to more than $70, 000 USD (more than € 40 000), or 100 € per person, 80% of which is donations (and probably fees). 15% from sales of publications of the Mission for a inventory estimated at nearly € 20, 000, representing a return on capital inventory of more than 56%.
Expenditure amounted to almost $65, 000 USD (€ 40, 000), 80% of which is occupancy costs (rent?). The profit for the year is nearly $7, 000 USD (more than 4, 000 €), or less than ten (10) euros per person.
How, under the current economic circumstances, have the assets of the SRCM Canada doubled in nine years?
4d-don's comments: The SRCM Canada site lists 17 Communities in Canada (some are suburbs of major cities, some are small villages) where SRCM has a small presence. The Vancouver center has 60 followers.
The $70,000 in Revenues of the SRCM (Canada), of which 80% is shown as "donations" can be easily explained when one realizes that some of the "proselytizing material" is allegedly given "free of charge", in exchange for a "donation" of the "asking price" (for Whispers From the Brighter World - Volume 1, the requested donation was $250.00 USD, for Volume 2, it was $150.00 USD), thus avoiding the sales tax in the country of sale. At SRCM (California-1997) seminars, the food concessions receipts allegedly have "donation" stamped on the tab. It seems that even the sale of food to well-to-do spiritualist "globe trotters" is "tax-exempt" under the SRCM (California-1997) interpretation of "charity".
It seems that Spiritualism or Spiritism is not synonymous with ethics or morality.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Is Sahaj Marg and SRCM (California-1997) A Charismatic Group?
Excerpt from Pitfalls of Spirituality blog by Frank, ex-preceptor of Sahaj Marg, and ex-Zonal-in-Charge for SRCM (California-1997) in the Netherlands. Article: Charismatic Groups (Intermezzo)
But then again, it won't hurt either to look at these things from a personal perspective of a former follower of a `charismatic group'. Marc Galanter starts out his book with a description and very short definition of this term:
A charismatic group is characterized by the following:
1) Members have a shared belief system
2) Members sustain a high level of social cohesion
3) Members are strongly influenced by the group's behavioural norms
4) Members ascribe charismatic (or sometimes divine) power to the group or its leadership
Notice that these traits can hold also for non-spiritually-oriented groups. Also notice that for the large religions, most of these traits are watered down due to the large numbers and the diversity of the followers. Which is why the large religions are usually not considered charismatic groups, although they all count various much smaller submovements/subgroups which can be very charismatic.
########
For the purpose of this blog, it might once again be helpful to list some characteristics of charismatic spiritual groups that I have seen in many descriptions:
a) Gradual introduction/conversion of new members, usually through personal contact, in a family-like setting. Repeated enhancement of the `family' feeling through spiritual gatherings and other activities, often involving an ashram or other facility where communal living is the norm.
b) One's own physical/spiritual well-being is linked to a higher noble spiritual Goal (`Meditate, and you will feel better. But also you will help uniting Humanity, and bring about a world where love is the predominant guiding principle.')
c) Some special practice, usually involving some state of altered consciousness. Very frequently this includes some form of meditation. The experiences with and results of this `special' practice are discussed among members, and good things are associated with it. The specialty is stressed from time to time: `other movements do not have this Method' (exclusiveness).
d) A Special Leader, who has a direct Divine connection. His Guidance and Helping Hand are mystic and beyond rational understanding. `Surrender' is the way for a follower to achieve spiritual progress.
e) A strong behavioural code, together with a lot of `positive' groupthink. Occasional criticism might be possible, but is made relatively light of. Fundamental criticism of the Leader or the Movement is frowned upon. Positive `witnessing' is encouraged and rewarded [witnessing: relating one's experiences with the Method/Leader and one's resulting insights; `So when I was having a real difficult time in my life, the image of the Leader appeared when I was doing my Morning Prayer. He spoke to me and said: `Be strong, and do not listen to your Ego. Let God do His work on you, do your Practice and have Faith'. So I decided to go to satsangh regularly, and my other problems became lighter!'].
f) An Inner Circle of long-practicing members, who are close to the Leader. Positions in this Inner Circle are coveted, as a sure sign of spiritual progress and the elevated opportunity for direct Guidance from the Leader. Management of the Movement's Organization is organized hierarchically, with the Inner Circle at the top of the Pyramid.
Dear reader, if much of the above looks familiar to a movement that you participate(d) in, then it might interest you to know... (for more of this, and many more articles, click HERE)
Marc Gallanter's (Psychiatrist) book:
CULTS
Faith, healing and coercion
Cognitive Dissonance
Charismatic groups (intermezzo)
Once one starts looking for information and studies regarding spiritual movements, there seems to be a vast amount of research and descriptions of experiences. So much so, that I wonder once again if this blog has anything substantial to add.But then again, it won't hurt either to look at these things from a personal perspective of a former follower of a `charismatic group'. Marc Galanter starts out his book with a description and very short definition of this term:
A charismatic group is characterized by the following:
1) Members have a shared belief system
2) Members sustain a high level of social cohesion
3) Members are strongly influenced by the group's behavioural norms
4) Members ascribe charismatic (or sometimes divine) power to the group or its leadership
Notice that these traits can hold also for non-spiritually-oriented groups. Also notice that for the large religions, most of these traits are watered down due to the large numbers and the diversity of the followers. Which is why the large religions are usually not considered charismatic groups, although they all count various much smaller submovements/subgroups which can be very charismatic.
########
For the purpose of this blog, it might once again be helpful to list some characteristics of charismatic spiritual groups that I have seen in many descriptions:
a) Gradual introduction/conversion of new members, usually through personal contact, in a family-like setting. Repeated enhancement of the `family' feeling through spiritual gatherings and other activities, often involving an ashram or other facility where communal living is the norm.
b) One's own physical/spiritual well-being is linked to a higher noble spiritual Goal (`Meditate, and you will feel better. But also you will help uniting Humanity, and bring about a world where love is the predominant guiding principle.')
c) Some special practice, usually involving some state of altered consciousness. Very frequently this includes some form of meditation. The experiences with and results of this `special' practice are discussed among members, and good things are associated with it. The specialty is stressed from time to time: `other movements do not have this Method' (exclusiveness).
d) A Special Leader, who has a direct Divine connection. His Guidance and Helping Hand are mystic and beyond rational understanding. `Surrender' is the way for a follower to achieve spiritual progress.
e) A strong behavioural code, together with a lot of `positive' groupthink. Occasional criticism might be possible, but is made relatively light of. Fundamental criticism of the Leader or the Movement is frowned upon. Positive `witnessing' is encouraged and rewarded [witnessing: relating one's experiences with the Method/Leader and one's resulting insights; `So when I was having a real difficult time in my life, the image of the Leader appeared when I was doing my Morning Prayer. He spoke to me and said: `Be strong, and do not listen to your Ego. Let God do His work on you, do your Practice and have Faith'. So I decided to go to satsangh regularly, and my other problems became lighter!'].
f) An Inner Circle of long-practicing members, who are close to the Leader. Positions in this Inner Circle are coveted, as a sure sign of spiritual progress and the elevated opportunity for direct Guidance from the Leader. Management of the Movement's Organization is organized hierarchically, with the Inner Circle at the top of the Pyramid.
Dear reader, if much of the above looks familiar to a movement that you participate(d) in, then it might interest you to know... (for more of this, and many more articles, click HERE)
Marc Gallanter's (Psychiatrist) book:
CULTS
Faith, healing and coercion
Cognitive Dissonance
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
"Whispers from the Brighter World" becomes the NEW Bible of Sahaj Marg
Translation of an article: 30 Avril, 2005, by Alexis, researcher and Sahaj Marg historian, on Elodie's European Blog: Pour Que Vive le Sahaj Marg.
Comments by 4d-don are in "red italics"
Background Note: Babuji passed away in 1983. After years of court disputes with Babuji's Family for control of SRCM (Shahjahanpur-1945), the SRCM (California-1997) was registered by Chari in San Luis Obispo, California, USA, in 1997. SMRI, the research organization of the SRCM (Shahjahanpur-1945), founded by Dr. Prof. K.C. Varadachari, was re-registered as SMRTI (adding "T" for Training) in 1997, in Austin Texas, home of developer and businessman, and member of Chari's inner circle, Santosh Khanjee. Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation (SMSF), the new funding body of the SRCM (California-1997) was registered to a group from Chari's inner circle.
This article is about the NEW Bible of the SRCM (California-1997), which is a series of "whispers" channeled by an anonymous French Lady Medium from "beyond the grave". The messages allegedly come from Lalaji, Babuji, Chari's wife and Chari's mother and other elevated souls. (see here) . (No virgin birth yet !! ;-))
By giving credence to the spiritualist channeled messages, the Medium and Chari have inadvertently claimed that Babuji and Lalaji have not "merged into the ocean of the Ultimate, or the Central Region" but are still "ghosts", "spirits" with an identity, a personality and who are still involved with the politics and the silly games of this plane of existence. In other words, Chari and the Medium inadvertently claim that Babuji and Lalaji are no more elevated than Chari's mother and/or his wife, and other channeled entities from the lower realms.
I think the Medium and Chari make it all up ... The "whispers" are not from Lalaji or Babuji at all, but they are from the mind of the MEDIUM. Spiritualism is not what Lalaji or Babuji taught as their method of reaching the ULTIMATE. Spiritualism is not SPIRITUALITY! If Lalaji and Babuji still communicate, as the Medium and Chari claim, then they are not "merged into the ULTIMATE" as they were trying to do, and their path leads to SPIRITUALISM, Ghosts, Spirits, and channeled messages by an anonymous French lady Medium.
Call Harry Houdini (1874-1926), the escapologist and Spiritualist debunker, or the "GHOST BUSTERS"!!
Monday, Novembre 02, 2009
Alexis Said:
April 30, 2005 ...
On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Mission, and the 106th anniversary of Babuji's birth, while Chari was soon to be 78 years old (when he still was counting on the West), the latter delivered this speech "Securing the Future of the Mission " on April 30, 2005 at Tiruppur to announce the name of his successor and to launch the book Whispers From The Brighter World.
Here is a short paraphrased excerpt of this speech:
In 1974, the Vivekananda Hospital, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India) where he was hospitalized, Babuji told apparently Chari that he had decided that he (Chari) would succeed him when he left this earthly life, adding the next day, that he would live to 106 (years old). That is to say, at least until the date of April 30, 2005 when Chari is now giving his speech, so much for the predictions of Babuji ...
Chari continues by saying that the SRCM is present in approximately 80 countries where it is spreading the message of Babuji, thanks to his preceptors who must always do more to develop it (the Mission).
While the organization is required to manage all this little world, the danger is also great to focus too much on the organization. Therefore, the Mission is guided in its work by a single person, being both spiritual representative and President of the Grand Master, Babuji. This person must be chosen carefully to address both the physical work and the spiritual work, as well as his own spiritual growth.
At the SRCM, there are no distinctions, the abhyasis form a family and are all children of the Master, and one of them was chosen by Babuji and confirmed by the hierarchy of Sahaj Marg (signed by sixteen other personalities, an official nomination letter written by Chari the day before, 29/04/2005). Chari just announced it so that the abhyasis should feel reassured and feel secure about their future.
Ajay Kumar Bhatt has been chosen by Babuji, he has been trained for it for some years and will continue to be, throughout Chari's life. This disciple of Chari, a young businessman from West Bengal and Member of Executive Committee and Chairman since 2003, is then to succeed him (Chari) as Babuji's spiritual representative and President of the Mission throughout the world. And Chari prays that Chari AK Bhatter will still be there to celebrate the centenary of the SRCM (California-1997) in 2045. (This (2045) will be the centenary of the SRCM (Shahjahanpur-1945) founded by Babuji, and now chaired by his grandson, Navneet Kumar Saxena. They sure are "stubborn" or "dense". Maybe their new "channeled BIBLE" (Whispers from the Brighter World) will enlighten them as Babuji's books did not.)
In the midst of this appointment speech, and well before he had designated his successor, Chari said that he had just received the biggest gift that was ever made to him, namely of $1, 106,000 USD. Why say that at this moment? This arrives as the hair in the soup ...
No, no! Everything is well thought out and calibrated when Chari expresses himself.
After designating AK Bhatter, Chari says that a great work was underway. It is a book, no secret, but so "sacred" that we could not yet see it. It will be the future Bible of the Mission. We now know that it was "Whispers from the Brighter World".
Only, now there are only 5,000 copies, so they will be distributed free of charge to donors. And of course, he does not specify how. Who will be served first, the biggest donors? This time, no doubt, everyone makes the connection with the announcement of the donation of one million dollars.
And he starts to dip into his stockpile so as to distribute 8 copies of the free of charge book. Donors of all countries, please hurry if you want to get one, soon there will be none.
The first three copies are for politicians, two members of the Indian Parliament (an abhyasis and a Bengali from Calcutta) and a former minister in the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh (and preceptor of Sahaj Marg). The fourth is for one of his earliest disciples, who became an abhyasis in 1966. The fifth is for the son of Babuji, Sarvesh, the traitor to his family who joined Chari against all the others. The sixth and seventh are for his favorite henchmen, U.S. Bajpai, Secretary, and AP Durai Assistant Secretary of the Mission. The eighth and final rewards is for the abhyasis (the anonymous French lady Medium) who produced this famous book, "a new Bible to replace the old" ...
See other related articles:
The Sahaj Marg Bible?...According to Whom??
Whispers from Another World! ... Messages from and For Dummies?
Messages from the Dead (Spiritualism) For Money At Sahaj Marg
Comments by 4d-don are in "red italics"
Background Note: Babuji passed away in 1983. After years of court disputes with Babuji's Family for control of SRCM (Shahjahanpur-1945), the SRCM (California-1997) was registered by Chari in San Luis Obispo, California, USA, in 1997. SMRI, the research organization of the SRCM (Shahjahanpur-1945), founded by Dr. Prof. K.C. Varadachari, was re-registered as SMRTI (adding "T" for Training) in 1997, in Austin Texas, home of developer and businessman, and member of Chari's inner circle, Santosh Khanjee. Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation (SMSF), the new funding body of the SRCM (California-1997) was registered to a group from Chari's inner circle.
This article is about the NEW Bible of the SRCM (California-1997), which is a series of "whispers" channeled by an anonymous French Lady Medium from "beyond the grave". The messages allegedly come from Lalaji, Babuji, Chari's wife and Chari's mother and other elevated souls. (see here) . (No virgin birth yet !! ;-))
By giving credence to the spiritualist channeled messages, the Medium and Chari have inadvertently claimed that Babuji and Lalaji have not "merged into the ocean of the Ultimate, or the Central Region" but are still "ghosts", "spirits" with an identity, a personality and who are still involved with the politics and the silly games of this plane of existence. In other words, Chari and the Medium inadvertently claim that Babuji and Lalaji are no more elevated than Chari's mother and/or his wife, and other channeled entities from the lower realms.
I think the Medium and Chari make it all up ... The "whispers" are not from Lalaji or Babuji at all, but they are from the mind of the MEDIUM. Spiritualism is not what Lalaji or Babuji taught as their method of reaching the ULTIMATE. Spiritualism is not SPIRITUALITY! If Lalaji and Babuji still communicate, as the Medium and Chari claim, then they are not "merged into the ULTIMATE" as they were trying to do, and their path leads to SPIRITUALISM, Ghosts, Spirits, and channeled messages by an anonymous French lady Medium.
Call Harry Houdini (1874-1926), the escapologist and Spiritualist debunker, or the "GHOST BUSTERS"!!
Monday, Novembre 02, 2009
Alexis Said:
April 30, 2005 ...
On the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Mission, and the 106th anniversary of Babuji's birth, while Chari was soon to be 78 years old (when he still was counting on the West), the latter delivered this speech "Securing the Future of the Mission " on April 30, 2005 at Tiruppur to announce the name of his successor and to launch the book Whispers From The Brighter World.
Here is a short paraphrased excerpt of this speech:
In 1974, the Vivekananda Hospital, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh, India) where he was hospitalized, Babuji told apparently Chari that he had decided that he (Chari) would succeed him when he left this earthly life, adding the next day, that he would live to 106 (years old). That is to say, at least until the date of April 30, 2005 when Chari is now giving his speech, so much for the predictions of Babuji ...
Chari continues by saying that the SRCM is present in approximately 80 countries where it is spreading the message of Babuji, thanks to his preceptors who must always do more to develop it (the Mission).
While the organization is required to manage all this little world, the danger is also great to focus too much on the organization. Therefore, the Mission is guided in its work by a single person, being both spiritual representative and President of the Grand Master, Babuji. This person must be chosen carefully to address both the physical work and the spiritual work, as well as his own spiritual growth.
At the SRCM, there are no distinctions, the abhyasis form a family and are all children of the Master, and one of them was chosen by Babuji and confirmed by the hierarchy of Sahaj Marg (signed by sixteen other personalities, an official nomination letter written by Chari the day before, 29/04/2005). Chari just announced it so that the abhyasis should feel reassured and feel secure about their future.
Ajay Kumar Bhatt has been chosen by Babuji, he has been trained for it for some years and will continue to be, throughout Chari's life. This disciple of Chari, a young businessman from West Bengal and Member of Executive Committee and Chairman since 2003, is then to succeed him (Chari) as Babuji's spiritual representative and President of the Mission throughout the world. And Chari prays that Chari AK Bhatter will still be there to celebrate the centenary of the SRCM (California-1997) in 2045. (This (2045) will be the centenary of the SRCM (Shahjahanpur-1945) founded by Babuji, and now chaired by his grandson, Navneet Kumar Saxena. They sure are "stubborn" or "dense". Maybe their new "channeled BIBLE" (Whispers from the Brighter World) will enlighten them as Babuji's books did not.)
In the midst of this appointment speech, and well before he had designated his successor, Chari said that he had just received the biggest gift that was ever made to him, namely of $1, 106,000 USD. Why say that at this moment? This arrives as the hair in the soup ...
No, no! Everything is well thought out and calibrated when Chari expresses himself.
After designating AK Bhatter, Chari says that a great work was underway. It is a book, no secret, but so "sacred" that we could not yet see it. It will be the future Bible of the Mission. We now know that it was "Whispers from the Brighter World".
Only, now there are only 5,000 copies, so they will be distributed free of charge to donors. And of course, he does not specify how. Who will be served first, the biggest donors? This time, no doubt, everyone makes the connection with the announcement of the donation of one million dollars.
And he starts to dip into his stockpile so as to distribute 8 copies of the free of charge book. Donors of all countries, please hurry if you want to get one, soon there will be none.
The first three copies are for politicians, two members of the Indian Parliament (an abhyasis and a Bengali from Calcutta) and a former minister in the BJP government of Uttar Pradesh (and preceptor of Sahaj Marg). The fourth is for one of his earliest disciples, who became an abhyasis in 1966. The fifth is for the son of Babuji, Sarvesh, the traitor to his family who joined Chari against all the others. The sixth and seventh are for his favorite henchmen, U.S. Bajpai, Secretary, and AP Durai Assistant Secretary of the Mission. The eighth and final rewards is for the abhyasis (the anonymous French lady Medium) who produced this famous book, "a new Bible to replace the old" ...
See other related articles:
The Sahaj Marg Bible?...According to Whom??
Whispers from Another World! ... Messages from and For Dummies?
Messages from the Dead (Spiritualism) For Money At Sahaj Marg
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Debating Sahaj Marg's Chari's "Dare to Think" Speech!
Debating an excerpt of Chari's speech "Dare to Think" at Kharaghpur, Sept. 28, 2009.
4d-Don's comments are in "red italics"
I presume that Chari means "use your head" not your "heart", as the heart can't "THINK" but simply "PUMPS"! The "nerve center" is in the BRAIN with its neuronal network (of nerves) that allows pyramidal or hierarchical thinking and also allows tangential thinking. For Spirituality, one wants to include the tangential properties of the neuronal network, so as to begin to discuss, explain and understand the synergetic experience of the super-luminal and the non-local aspects of revelation, illumination, inspiration or intuition. For that, we need to use the thinking BRAIN and its multi-dimensional capabilities, and not the "heart" with it's "thump, thump thump" and it's hierachical or linear communication system with feed-back loops. One will not get a new idea from the heart. The heart will simply continue what it did yesterday, until either natural death from age, or from the un-natural death of accidents or wrong thinking.
One wants to "Dare to THINK", not simply REPEAT or have BLIND FAITH, RIGHT?? One sign of an intelligent debate is the acceptance of the interruption!! In a free society, ALL want the freedom, the right and the ability to dis-agree and/or to interrupt and present a better idea.
Blind obedience to the Master and "thinking" are not compatible. One has to go... No MORE MASTERS!! No more TEACHERS (gurus), who think that their function is to impart their interpretation of the available "in-formation" as fact and/or dogma, but from now on, for the sake of our ONE-ness (our Spirit-uality), we simply "need" INFORMATION-ists or "infonauts" and/or POINTERS who direct the current of seekers to the "in-formation". The Seekers can decide for themselves what they chose to believe as TRUTH or Fact. We, the seekers after TRUTH, just need friends and fellow seekers or fellow pilgrims!!
WE WILL BE ONE... (No!)... WE ARE ONE in an arc and a spiral organizational structure!!! Not divided in a corruptible angle and/or a Pyramidal (Religious, military, business, etc...) structure.
DARE TO THINK
A Speech by Chari at Kharaghpur, Sept. 28, 2009.
(...)
Need-iness (which is really not our "needs" at all, but is really our "wants"), some now call "GREED". So now, some see all humans and human society as motivated by GREED only. That is also an "illusion". Some (few) are not GREEDY but live according to their true Natural minimal "NEEDS". These, some call Saints, ascetics, "good and simple people, etc... but they are really just the simple people. They are not certainly not developers, evangelizing to the "donors" about the "simple life" while building their "wanted" cottages in every town with Chari-ty dollars, while some other "PEOPLE" are dying of hunger (natural or "basic needs")? Where are the "ethics and the "morality" in the neo-Religion? Where are they in Sahaj Marg and the SRCM (California-1997)?
That is the nature of the Natural World, we all eat what we are not. Hence the need, through ethical and moral thinking (comtemplation), for a societal "ONE-ness" of intellect and even (spirally organized) Spirituality (not pyramidal-ly organized religion or Cults of Personalities), so we may see ourselves as "ONE people" so we can stop preaching at one another, eating one another, killing one another, using and manipulating one another, Dividing one another into camps or "sects" of "them/us", etc...) And, of course, before God we are all grovellers, beggars. (Some of "YOU" are. NOT US!! Some of us simply "commune with ONE as with a FRIEND!) As Babuji said, prayer is begging. That can be achieved only by delving rather deep into the subject of what makes us adopt, perhaps naturally, perhaps by education, by society, by choice, the various personalities that we manifest in our day-to-day existence. Is it fear? I suspect it is largely fear. Because even the idea to appear as something which you are not, comes out of the fear that you may reveal yourself to be what you are. (I suspect that it is deeper than the FEAR of other "humans". It is EGO that allows one to think that they are the "CHOSEN" of the ONE and who think that they have a divine duty and Mission, to go around the WORLD preaching at, and using and manipulating OTHERS (their families and friends) with tactics of FEAR AND TEMPTATION, for the sake of "LIBERATION", Salvation, Heaven, Brighter World, etc... If it is a "fear", it may be the fear of DYING and not having cared about the POOR, the truly NEEDY, the SICK, the dis-empowered, etc... and having to be re-born as "one of THOSE"...
Give up one of your incompatible frames of thought, your obsession with MATERIAL comforts (cottages??, extra houses, hotels, restaurants, luxuries, etc...) now, for the sake of the NEEDY so you may not overlay your concept of the MATERIAL as a LIGHT (in your heart) upon your concept of the ONE, and then WORSHIP or meditate upon the ONE as if IT was a "LIGHT" (which is also matter) rather than a SPIRIT or ONE-ness ... (not Matter, not energy.... Remember Einstein's E=mc2).... Matter and Energy (Light), are the same.
In the case of Sahaj Marg meditation, it is an "imaginary" light that the abhyasis place in their heart. "The Monster is of the ID", (Freud). If the "inner circle" of SRCM is an example of the "holiness" of their METHOD, then Sahajs Marg does not seem to make the "adherents" more moral, ethical, generous, loving, kind, compassionate, caring, etc... as communing with the ONE should. Or What is Religion for? The old and the new religions seem to be alike in that respect.
From Arthur Koestler's "The Act of Creation" (1964)
Koestler's basic idea is that the creative act is a "bisociation" (not mere association) which happens, if two (or more) apparently incompatible frames of thought ("matrices") are brought together by an ingenious mind.[2] In jokes and humour, these conceptual systems are reversed, in the arts and in ritual, (religion) they are juxtaposed, in science, they are fused into a new larger synthesis.[3] This corresponds to a "self-assertive" tendency in humour and a "self-transcending" tendency in art (and religion), while in science both tendencies are (somewhat) balanced.
Definition by Wikipedia:
Random juxtaposition, two random objects moving in parallel, a technique intended to stimulate creativity.
In psychology, the term ritual is used in a technical sense for a repetitive behavior systematically used by a person to neutralize or prevent anxiety; it is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The symptoms of this anxiety disorder range from repetitive hand-washing and extensive hoarding (greed) to preoccupation with sexual, religious, or aggressive impulses.
4d-Don's comments are in "red italics"
I presume that Chari means "use your head" not your "heart", as the heart can't "THINK" but simply "PUMPS"! The "nerve center" is in the BRAIN with its neuronal network (of nerves) that allows pyramidal or hierarchical thinking and also allows tangential thinking. For Spirituality, one wants to include the tangential properties of the neuronal network, so as to begin to discuss, explain and understand the synergetic experience of the super-luminal and the non-local aspects of revelation, illumination, inspiration or intuition. For that, we need to use the thinking BRAIN and its multi-dimensional capabilities, and not the "heart" with it's "thump, thump thump" and it's hierachical or linear communication system with feed-back loops. One will not get a new idea from the heart. The heart will simply continue what it did yesterday, until either natural death from age, or from the un-natural death of accidents or wrong thinking.
One wants to "Dare to THINK", not simply REPEAT or have BLIND FAITH, RIGHT?? One sign of an intelligent debate is the acceptance of the interruption!! In a free society, ALL want the freedom, the right and the ability to dis-agree and/or to interrupt and present a better idea.
Blind obedience to the Master and "thinking" are not compatible. One has to go... No MORE MASTERS!! No more TEACHERS (gurus), who think that their function is to impart their interpretation of the available "in-formation" as fact and/or dogma, but from now on, for the sake of our ONE-ness (our Spirit-uality), we simply "need" INFORMATION-ists or "infonauts" and/or POINTERS who direct the current of seekers to the "in-formation". The Seekers can decide for themselves what they chose to believe as TRUTH or Fact. We, the seekers after TRUTH, just need friends and fellow seekers or fellow pilgrims!!
WE WILL BE ONE... (No!)... WE ARE ONE in an arc and a spiral organizational structure!!! Not divided in a corruptible angle and/or a Pyramidal (Religious, military, business, etc...) structure.
DARE TO THINK
A Speech by Chari at Kharaghpur, Sept. 28, 2009.
(...)
That is the broad outline for CREST, Bangalore. Here the intention is to do all that at a less… shall we say, more subdued level; not giving so much importance to the scholastic or the cultural aspect of religion and the Vedas and all this sort of thing, but more emphasis on the need for ethics, morality, balance between the inner and the outer selves of a human being, until there is only one self. Will it be ever possible to say there is only one self in a human being, or are we to deal again and again with the old Greek mythology (you call the "persona" a "mythology" and then you discuss it as if it was a REALITY!) of the persona, which we all wear at different occasions as it suits the need of the hour, or the need of our fears to protect ourselves? — because a persona is essentially a mask. (essentially means "in essence", so in essence, the persona is not an "efficacious" or a "good mask", as many can see through it by using the new (neuronal, or tangential) organizational structure demanded by true SPIRITUALITY!! (not the pyramid of Dogmatism and Religion) Are we covering ourselves all the time with different personae: a father with his son, a husband with his wife, a student with his teacher, and so on and so forth, soldier with his commanders? Are we fooling ourselves? — (No, Not some of us. That is the "God-created" nature of our "multi-dimensional" REALITY or our "duality". (in "your" ancient terms) because once we adopt so many personalities, are we not confusing ourselves into thinking whatever we may think: I am this or I am this or I am this? (Chari is a boy (male) who is also a businessman, a father, a husband, a friend, a boss, a spirit, a mind, a soul, and more... No confusion there for those who can "think and chew gum" at the same time. That is the nature of Chari's multi-dimensional or "DUAL" REALITY.
But then Chari seems to thinks and act as if he was the Master of a "cult of his person", who "needs" to evangelize and convert the WORLD to his "new Religion" as if he was appointed by a "divine ???" in either a "dream" or a "message (whisper) from an anonymous French Lady "MEDIUM", and then he instructs his adherents in the use of an "autonomous psychic entity" called an "egregore". Then, he may be living in an illusion and need professional help, and maybe to be "hospitalized".
We, the simple people were living in ONE-ness, and Chari and his form of Sahaj Marg, came along and divided our families and our society with "ONE MORE corrupt RELIGION" (as Chari calls "all religions" at his Omega school )... That is not a GIFT from a so-called FRIEND or from the ONE DIVINE. If Chari wants to commune with ONE, then he can GO HOME (or in his own Ashram) and please do so. One does not steal the Ashrams, or divide the societies of others in the name of ONE or One-ness! (what Chari calls by the divisive Gothic (Germanic) word GOD and/or "HIM"!!)
You know there are people who have been used to commanding, and you hear frequently their wives saying, “He is a commander on the field and he is also a commander at home. He barks his orders.” “Bring on the soup!” to his wife; things like that, you see. So do we develop one supervening personality, or do we suffer from a multiplicity of personalities and have to be hospitalized? (To us on the outside, that is the way we see Chari, one who does not know very much about theology (the study of the "DIVINE" or ONE), which Chari calls a "male" and by the "Gothic" (German) word "G-O-D"), or about philosophy, but who wants to teach his concepts (ideas) to the World as if he had received his illusion of knowledge as "REVELATION" or in "WHISPERS"! That is a common delusion among the RELIGIOUS fanatics (and seems prevalent in Sahaj Marg) who quickly become megalomaniacal, thinking that the DIVINE has "chosen" them above all others, for a "Divine PURPOSE!!)
Need-iness (which is really not our "needs" at all, but is really our "wants"), some now call "GREED". So now, some see all humans and human society as motivated by GREED only. That is also an "illusion". Some (few) are not GREEDY but live according to their true Natural minimal "NEEDS". These, some call Saints, ascetics, "good and simple people, etc... but they are really just the simple people. They are not certainly not developers, evangelizing to the "donors" about the "simple life" while building their "wanted" cottages in every town with Chari-ty dollars, while some other "PEOPLE" are dying of hunger (natural or "basic needs")? Where are the "ethics and the "morality" in the neo-Religion? Where are they in Sahaj Marg and the SRCM (California-1997)?
That is the nature of the Natural World, we all eat what we are not. Hence the need, through ethical and moral thinking (comtemplation), for a societal "ONE-ness" of intellect and even (spirally organized) Spirituality (not pyramidal-ly organized religion or Cults of Personalities), so we may see ourselves as "ONE people" so we can stop preaching at one another, eating one another, killing one another, using and manipulating one another, Dividing one another into camps or "sects" of "them/us", etc...) And, of course, before God we are all grovellers, beggars. (Some of "YOU" are. NOT US!! Some of us simply "commune with ONE as with a FRIEND!) As Babuji said, prayer is begging. That can be achieved only by delving rather deep into the subject of what makes us adopt, perhaps naturally, perhaps by education, by society, by choice, the various personalities that we manifest in our day-to-day existence. Is it fear? I suspect it is largely fear. Because even the idea to appear as something which you are not, comes out of the fear that you may reveal yourself to be what you are. (I suspect that it is deeper than the FEAR of other "humans". It is EGO that allows one to think that they are the "CHOSEN" of the ONE and who think that they have a divine duty and Mission, to go around the WORLD preaching at, and using and manipulating OTHERS (their families and friends) with tactics of FEAR AND TEMPTATION, for the sake of "LIBERATION", Salvation, Heaven, Brighter World, etc... If it is a "fear", it may be the fear of DYING and not having cared about the POOR, the truly NEEDY, the SICK, the dis-empowered, etc... and having to be re-born as "one of THOSE"...
Give up one of your incompatible frames of thought, your obsession with MATERIAL comforts (cottages??, extra houses, hotels, restaurants, luxuries, etc...) now, for the sake of the NEEDY so you may not overlay your concept of the MATERIAL as a LIGHT (in your heart) upon your concept of the ONE, and then WORSHIP or meditate upon the ONE as if IT was a "LIGHT" (which is also matter) rather than a SPIRIT or ONE-ness ... (not Matter, not energy.... Remember Einstein's E=mc2).... Matter and Energy (Light), are the same.
In the case of Sahaj Marg meditation, it is an "imaginary" light that the abhyasis place in their heart. "The Monster is of the ID", (Freud). If the "inner circle" of SRCM is an example of the "holiness" of their METHOD, then Sahajs Marg does not seem to make the "adherents" more moral, ethical, generous, loving, kind, compassionate, caring, etc... as communing with the ONE should. Or What is Religion for? The old and the new religions seem to be alike in that respect.
From Arthur Koestler's "The Act of Creation" (1964)
Koestler's basic idea is that the creative act is a "bisociation" (not mere association) which happens, if two (or more) apparently incompatible frames of thought ("matrices") are brought together by an ingenious mind.[2] In jokes and humour, these conceptual systems are reversed, in the arts and in ritual, (religion) they are juxtaposed, in science, they are fused into a new larger synthesis.[3] This corresponds to a "self-assertive" tendency in humour and a "self-transcending" tendency in art (and religion), while in science both tendencies are (somewhat) balanced.
Definition by Wikipedia:
Random juxtaposition, two random objects moving in parallel, a technique intended to stimulate creativity.
In psychology, the term ritual is used in a technical sense for a repetitive behavior systematically used by a person to neutralize or prevent anxiety; it is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The symptoms of this anxiety disorder range from repetitive hand-washing and extensive hoarding (greed) to preoccupation with sexual, religious, or aggressive impulses.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sahaj Marg on LIFE SUPPORT? Needs a BLOOD TRANSFUSION
From a recent speech by Chari "Message for North America" for the 2009 seminar at Molena, Georgia, USA.
Comments by 4d-Don are in "Red Italics"
"So I am happy to see that all of our abhyasi sisters and brothers are getting a little revitalized, because to me it appears that the Mission in the U.S. had gone into some sort of — I won’t say coma, but a partial sort of sleep mode."
"Like, you know, a sick man requires blood transfusion, the Mission requires abhyasi transfusion, more and more, better and better. Not as Babuji said, less and less of more and more, or more and more of less and less, but we do want more and more to come in, more and more to be blessed by him, and more and more to benefit by our spiritual practice, which is so universal and so simple that its simplicity is mistaken for ineffectiveness. People say, “How can this work?” We should prevail on them to try it, without bias of caste, colour, creed, race, religion, all these things. Give it an honest trial and see after three months."
Numbers, numbers, numbers, more, more, more, business, develop, business develop, numbers,
"Give candy a try. You'll like it!" "Give sex a try. You'll like it!" "Give sensations a try. You'll like it!"
Does it not sound like the rationale of the Hollywood version of the "snake oil salesman"? "Try it, you'll like it".
Give Christianity a try! Give Islam a try, etc... Many in the past have tried RELIGION, and their children have remained "RELIGIOUS" for generations. Their children were then, and are still now being indoctrinated with manufactured and made-up religious myths, fantasies, and fairy tales, well before the age of reason. And even through the horrors of abuse, wars, crusades, terrorism, etc., many remain faithful to their "family religion". That does not mean that belonging to an established religion such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc... also means that one is now more saintly, holy, moral or ethical or self-realized.
"Trying" something as a RELIGION or a spiritual path to "ONE-ness", for three months as a test of its "effectiveness" is a little naive and really meant for the really "GULLIBLE" or the morally bankrupt, and/or the spiritually desperate. Something as important as a LIFE Path, should be tested "all the time", specially before trying it. And if the path, its literature, or it's leadership proves at any time to be "un-holy" nonsensical, un-ethical, immoral, or corrupt, then one should change path immediately, not decades later. Intellect is also a "God-given" tool to use, and is one way of TRYING it!! If it does not make sense, or sounds suspicious or too good to be true, then don't try it. If a bottle says poison, and has a "skull and crossbones" on it, don't drink the contents thinking that your "God" will save you because you are now in the "one and only" religion of GOD. The ONE (what some call by the Gothic (Germanic) word, "God", also gave us a BRAIN!!
But belonging to a group for three months will set up a pattern, a habit, a dependency, that then will have to be "broken" with "will power". And most would rather continue with the devil one knows than to face the trauma of change, and facing alone the unknown of the devil one doesn't know. So most remain in the religion of their parents, in their habits, their dependencies, their addictions. And not trough "holiness" but through "laziness" and lack of "confidence" or FAITH in one's self.
One can only imagine how "HOLY" Christianity, Islam and Hinduism (the traditional religions) must be, by their "numbers". NOT!! Some adherents and their families have been with the same religion for centuries. Does that mean that more "numbers" means more "holy" or "nearer to ONE", what some call by the Gothic (German) word, "GOD". And then they call IT a "HIM" (male) and not a SPIRIT (neuter)?
Then traditional religions are not corrupt, as Chari claims, but they must be more "RIGHT" as they have more "numbers". Even religions which promote and use violence and/or religions which don't promote or use violence but which have used violence in their "crusading" past, still have large numbers of "adherents", as the faithful are "stuck" with their so-called "corrupt religion", even after decades, and centuries.
So... go ahead and, as Chari says, lure your neighbours to Sahaj Marg with "TRY IT", and you may have en-snared them for decades and centuries, and not because Sahaj Marg is more "RIGHT". And give them (the neo-religions) your children and/or your neighbours' children, before the age of reason and the children will also belong to the tyrants and the businessmen who would use religion to promote their self-serving agendas, even to violence and war. They will use religious myths and fantasies on your children before your children can tell the difference between religious Fantasy and REALITY. That is what some (nationalists, profiteers, predators, etc..) who use religions do.
You'll have created your own "Santa Claus" ... And you'll have to live with it, and/or try and explain and demystify it for the next generations as we are doing. That your Sahaj Marg Bible was "channeled" by an anonymous French lady Medium will sound very "shallow", when faced with the REALITY .
Comments by 4d-Don are in "Red Italics"
"So I am happy to see that all of our abhyasi sisters and brothers are getting a little revitalized, because to me it appears that the Mission in the U.S. had gone into some sort of — I won’t say coma, but a partial sort of sleep mode."
"Like, you know, a sick man requires blood transfusion, the Mission requires abhyasi transfusion, more and more, better and better. Not as Babuji said, less and less of more and more, or more and more of less and less, but we do want more and more to come in, more and more to be blessed by him, and more and more to benefit by our spiritual practice, which is so universal and so simple that its simplicity is mistaken for ineffectiveness. People say, “How can this work?” We should prevail on them to try it, without bias of caste, colour, creed, race, religion, all these things. Give it an honest trial and see after three months."
Numbers, numbers, numbers, more, more, more, business, develop, business develop, numbers,
"Give candy a try. You'll like it!" "Give sex a try. You'll like it!" "Give sensations a try. You'll like it!"
Does it not sound like the rationale of the Hollywood version of the "snake oil salesman"? "Try it, you'll like it".
Give Christianity a try! Give Islam a try, etc... Many in the past have tried RELIGION, and their children have remained "RELIGIOUS" for generations. Their children were then, and are still now being indoctrinated with manufactured and made-up religious myths, fantasies, and fairy tales, well before the age of reason. And even through the horrors of abuse, wars, crusades, terrorism, etc., many remain faithful to their "family religion". That does not mean that belonging to an established religion such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, etc... also means that one is now more saintly, holy, moral or ethical or self-realized.
"Trying" something as a RELIGION or a spiritual path to "ONE-ness", for three months as a test of its "effectiveness" is a little naive and really meant for the really "GULLIBLE" or the morally bankrupt, and/or the spiritually desperate. Something as important as a LIFE Path, should be tested "all the time", specially before trying it. And if the path, its literature, or it's leadership proves at any time to be "un-holy" nonsensical, un-ethical, immoral, or corrupt, then one should change path immediately, not decades later. Intellect is also a "God-given" tool to use, and is one way of TRYING it!! If it does not make sense, or sounds suspicious or too good to be true, then don't try it. If a bottle says poison, and has a "skull and crossbones" on it, don't drink the contents thinking that your "God" will save you because you are now in the "one and only" religion of GOD. The ONE (what some call by the Gothic (Germanic) word, "God", also gave us a BRAIN!!
But belonging to a group for three months will set up a pattern, a habit, a dependency, that then will have to be "broken" with "will power". And most would rather continue with the devil one knows than to face the trauma of change, and facing alone the unknown of the devil one doesn't know. So most remain in the religion of their parents, in their habits, their dependencies, their addictions. And not trough "holiness" but through "laziness" and lack of "confidence" or FAITH in one's self.
One can only imagine how "HOLY" Christianity, Islam and Hinduism (the traditional religions) must be, by their "numbers". NOT!! Some adherents and their families have been with the same religion for centuries. Does that mean that more "numbers" means more "holy" or "nearer to ONE", what some call by the Gothic (German) word, "GOD". And then they call IT a "HIM" (male) and not a SPIRIT (neuter)?
Then traditional religions are not corrupt, as Chari claims, but they must be more "RIGHT" as they have more "numbers". Even religions which promote and use violence and/or religions which don't promote or use violence but which have used violence in their "crusading" past, still have large numbers of "adherents", as the faithful are "stuck" with their so-called "corrupt religion", even after decades, and centuries.
So... go ahead and, as Chari says, lure your neighbours to Sahaj Marg with "TRY IT", and you may have en-snared them for decades and centuries, and not because Sahaj Marg is more "RIGHT". And give them (the neo-religions) your children and/or your neighbours' children, before the age of reason and the children will also belong to the tyrants and the businessmen who would use religion to promote their self-serving agendas, even to violence and war. They will use religious myths and fantasies on your children before your children can tell the difference between religious Fantasy and REALITY. That is what some (nationalists, profiteers, predators, etc..) who use religions do.
You'll have created your own "Santa Claus" ... And you'll have to live with it, and/or try and explain and demystify it for the next generations as we are doing. That your Sahaj Marg Bible was "channeled" by an anonymous French lady Medium will sound very "shallow", when faced with the REALITY .
Lalaji and the NaqshMuMRa Sufi Order are not Sahaj Marg or SRCM (California-1997)
Taken from a post by Cyril Borg on Orkut Freedom from SRCM -Sahaj Marg : NaqshMuMRa Nexus Changed
Comment by 4d-Don (in red italics) (Thanks to Shashwat and Dinaysh for revealing the TRUTH for all seekers.)
Dinaysh (Dinesh) Kumar Saxena, is the grandson of Lalaji and Dean of the NaqshMuMRa Sufi Order, of which Lalaji was a Legitimate Master.
See also on the same site for a detailed explanation: Epitome of Sahajmarg
We are now waiting for Sahaj Marg of the SRCM(California-1997) to also respect the TRUTH and change their sites and their Promotional Material. Spirituality means REALITY does it not? Your "Brighter World" could also be much "hotter" as well as "brighter". (Hell or Hades, or Venus ... Chari thinks that Babuji will send him to Venus at his death.)
"Dreams" (or forged letters) are not an accepted or "legal" method of transferring "succession" in the "AGE of INFORMATION".
WE ALL KNOW!!
The sheep are now knowledgeable, and they demand that their SPIRITUALITY reflect the TRUTH, or they will "lead themselves" if the RAM and his proxies are lost in "DREAMS". Mankind is now too powerful to trust in, and/or be led by DREAMS!!
Meditation is not SLEEPING! To look at the adherents (adhesive, glue, stuck) to Sahaj Marg, the "navel-gazers", one could make the mistake of thinking that they are simply "sleeping", and then believing their "dreams" and thoughts to be "visions". They are also instructed to believe in the dreams of an "anonymous French Lady medium", who channels messages from the spirits of the dead, they call: Whispers from the Brighter World, and which they are told, will erase their "samskaras" (allegedly being impressions on their soul from their actions) if they ritually repeat the messages (whispers) "seven or eight times". At SRCM (California-1997), Spirituality has become "spiritualism" or "spiritism" with mediums, messages from the spirits of the dead, and egregores.
Another "dream" no doubt!! Ah! The "Opiates of the sleeping and dreaming Masses" under the guise of the King (or the science) of SPIRITUALITY: Raja Yoga!!
Those who would have you not use your "brain" or your "intellect" but to use your "heart", the lowly pump (for blood), to think, will be using their brain and intellect to organize your life and hence, control you. And those who would have you push away pleasure will be having pleasure of their own, or "missing it" and "wishing for it".
From Chari's "Message for North America" at the October, 2009, Molena, Georgia, USA seminar:
"And I wish I was forty years younger so that I could start life all over again, building the ashram there, clearing the weeds, getting sick in the foot, things like that! Those were fun days. We had a great deal of fun, we had a great deal of almost-adventure, and that was how the Mission was built. You know, it is what you Americans call the pioneering spirit."
Is that not "PLEASURE" and sensation and "wishing" for "more, more, more"? But they (the neo-religious) will say that theirs' is a "special" pleasure, and that it does not bring "samskaras"!! And some will believe them... and THAT!!
The ALL (Nature) will not care that the "capitalist developers" who used to "pave paradise" for material gain and personal "PLEASURE", are now paving paradise for Spiritual gains (Spiritual capitalism), and Religious "FUN" or Pleasure. (Our "Gang" is going to our "invented" Brighter World, and you're not!!). :-0)
"You gotta laugh b'cause it's NOT FUNNY!!" (an old Acadianism)
PS... Chari says that the American abhyasis are near a "coma" or in "sleep mode". As I said earlier, they (the Sahaj Marg Abhyasis) think they are "meditating"!! ;-))
"So I am happy to see that all of our abhyasi sisters and brothers are getting a little revitalized, because to me it appears that the Mission in the U.S. had gone into some sort of — I won’t say coma, but a partial sort of sleep mode."
The Message on ORKUT (Freedom from SRCM (Sahaj Marg)
Hi all...
http://laalaajinilayam.googlepages.com/fatehgarh
Apparently, Lalaji is now taken out of Sahaj Marg by Dinaysh of NaqshMuMRa Nexus:
Economy
Besides above places Kaimganj is known for Chewing Tobacco cultivation and processing. The district Farrukhabad produces about 8 Lac tones of Potato per annum and has about 61 Cold Storages perhaps largest number of cold storage in a city. The district is also known for its Sunflower cultivation. Apart from this, the city attracts much of tourists’ values on account of the birth place of a worldwide practiced spiritual system of ‘Sahaj Marg’, the Samadhi and the house of founder Master- Parampujya Laalaaji Maharaj."
See the section on "Economy" now changed to:
Economy
Besides above places Kaimganj is known for Chewing Tobacco cultivation and processing. The district Farrukhabad produces about 8 Lac tones of Potato per annum and has about 61 Cold Storages perhaps largest number of cold storage in a city. The district is also known for its Sunflower cultivation. Apart from this, the city attracts much of tourists’ values on account of the birth place, Samadhi Shrine and the house of H H Mahatma Ramchandra Ji (Parampujya Laalaaji) Maharaaj, a Worldwide acknowledged Householder Sufi Saint of Naqshbandia lineage. His school of spirituality is now known as 'NaqshMuMRa Faith' and the head quarters, of which, is presently known as 'Laalaaji Nilayam', situated at- 01/45-A, Mahatma Ramchandra Marg, Talaiya Lane, Fatehgarh 209601.
Thank you to Dinaysh and the Sufi for upholding the TRUTH.
Cyril Borg
Comment by 4d-Don (in red italics) (Thanks to Shashwat and Dinaysh for revealing the TRUTH for all seekers.)
Dinaysh (Dinesh) Kumar Saxena, is the grandson of Lalaji and Dean of the NaqshMuMRa Sufi Order, of which Lalaji was a Legitimate Master.
See also on the same site for a detailed explanation: Epitome of Sahajmarg
We are now waiting for Sahaj Marg of the SRCM(California-1997) to also respect the TRUTH and change their sites and their Promotional Material. Spirituality means REALITY does it not? Your "Brighter World" could also be much "hotter" as well as "brighter". (Hell or Hades, or Venus ... Chari thinks that Babuji will send him to Venus at his death.)
"Dreams" (or forged letters) are not an accepted or "legal" method of transferring "succession" in the "AGE of INFORMATION".
WE ALL KNOW!!
The sheep are now knowledgeable, and they demand that their SPIRITUALITY reflect the TRUTH, or they will "lead themselves" if the RAM and his proxies are lost in "DREAMS". Mankind is now too powerful to trust in, and/or be led by DREAMS!!
Meditation is not SLEEPING! To look at the adherents (adhesive, glue, stuck) to Sahaj Marg, the "navel-gazers", one could make the mistake of thinking that they are simply "sleeping", and then believing their "dreams" and thoughts to be "visions". They are also instructed to believe in the dreams of an "anonymous French Lady medium", who channels messages from the spirits of the dead, they call: Whispers from the Brighter World, and which they are told, will erase their "samskaras" (allegedly being impressions on their soul from their actions) if they ritually repeat the messages (whispers) "seven or eight times". At SRCM (California-1997), Spirituality has become "spiritualism" or "spiritism" with mediums, messages from the spirits of the dead, and egregores.
Another "dream" no doubt!! Ah! The "Opiates of the sleeping and dreaming Masses" under the guise of the King (or the science) of SPIRITUALITY: Raja Yoga!!
Those who would have you not use your "brain" or your "intellect" but to use your "heart", the lowly pump (for blood), to think, will be using their brain and intellect to organize your life and hence, control you. And those who would have you push away pleasure will be having pleasure of their own, or "missing it" and "wishing for it".
From Chari's "Message for North America" at the October, 2009, Molena, Georgia, USA seminar:
"And I wish I was forty years younger so that I could start life all over again, building the ashram there, clearing the weeds, getting sick in the foot, things like that! Those were fun days. We had a great deal of fun, we had a great deal of almost-adventure, and that was how the Mission was built. You know, it is what you Americans call the pioneering spirit."
Is that not "PLEASURE" and sensation and "wishing" for "more, more, more"? But they (the neo-religious) will say that theirs' is a "special" pleasure, and that it does not bring "samskaras"!! And some will believe them... and THAT!!
The ALL (Nature) will not care that the "capitalist developers" who used to "pave paradise" for material gain and personal "PLEASURE", are now paving paradise for Spiritual gains (Spiritual capitalism), and Religious "FUN" or Pleasure. (Our "Gang" is going to our "invented" Brighter World, and you're not!!). :-0)
"You gotta laugh b'cause it's NOT FUNNY!!" (an old Acadianism)
PS... Chari says that the American abhyasis are near a "coma" or in "sleep mode". As I said earlier, they (the Sahaj Marg Abhyasis) think they are "meditating"!! ;-))
"So I am happy to see that all of our abhyasi sisters and brothers are getting a little revitalized, because to me it appears that the Mission in the U.S. had gone into some sort of — I won’t say coma, but a partial sort of sleep mode."
The Message on ORKUT (Freedom from SRCM (Sahaj Marg)
Hi all...
http://laalaajinilayam.googlepages.com/
Apparently, Lalaji is now taken out of Sahaj Marg by Dinaysh of NaqshMuMRa Nexus:
Economy
Besides above places Kaimganj is known for Chewing Tobacco cultivation and processing. The district Farrukhabad produces about 8 Lac tones of Potato per annum and has about 61 Cold Storages perhaps largest number of cold storage in a city. The district is also known for its Sunflower cultivation. Apart from this, the city attracts much of tourists’ values on account of the birth place of a worldwide practiced spiritual system of ‘Sahaj Marg’, the Samadhi and the house of founder Master- Parampujya Laalaaji Maharaj."
See the section on "Economy" now changed to:
Economy
Besides above places Kaimganj is known for Chewing Tobacco cultivation and processing. The district Farrukhabad produces about 8 Lac tones of Potato per annum and has about 61 Cold Storages perhaps largest number of cold storage in a city. The district is also known for its Sunflower cultivation. Apart from this, the city attracts much of tourists’ values on account of the birth place, Samadhi Shrine and the house of H H Mahatma Ramchandra Ji (Parampujya Laalaaji) Maharaaj, a Worldwide acknowledged Householder Sufi Saint of Naqshbandia lineage. His school of spirituality is now known as 'NaqshMuMRa Faith' and the head quarters, of which, is presently known as 'Laalaaji Nilayam', situated at- 01/45-A, Mahatma Ramchandra Marg, Talaiya Lane, Fatehgarh 209601.
Thank you to Dinaysh and the Sufi for upholding the TRUTH.
Cyril Borg
Monday, October 19, 2009
SRCM (California-1997), Sahaj Marg(tm), Chari, Vaishnava, Tamil, Lalaji, Mughals, Islam, Sufism, etc...
Comments by 4d-don in quotation attributed to other sources, are in "red italics"
Chari's SRCM (California-1997) with its trademarked (for trade and commercial products) meditation, Sahaj Marg, is headquartered in Chennai (Pop. 4.3 milliion- was called Madras) in the State of Tamil Nadu (Pop. 66.3 million), on the Bay of Bengal, in Southeastern India.
Chari, the Master and President of SRCM (California-1997), claims to be a Tamil, and a Vaishnava (a worshipper or follower of Vishnu). Vaishnavism, a sect of Hinduism is exporting its religion to the world. And currently, Vaishnavism (nationalism, imperialism) is also exported via Chari, the self-professed Vaishnava and self-appointed Master of the Spiritualist (or Spiritist) Sahaj Marg (trademark owned by a group of businessmen/developers), and the Chari schism of Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM registered in California - 1997). Vaishnavism is also exported to the world by the more fundamentalist Hare Krishna sect once prevalent at airports and on street corners around the world.
The Sahaj Marg system and the SRCM (California-1997) is well funded through the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation (SMSF) which is also registered as a "manufacturing business", to the same small group of businessmen from India. Chari boasts of a "million dollar" donation from some "real brother".
See the difference between the Vaishnavism service to Vishnu, versus the more common Hindu teachings of "Liberation" as once taught by Babuji and his "original" Sahaj Marg!
Unlike other schools of Hinduism whose goal is liberation (moksha), or union with the Supreme Brahman, the ultimate goal of Vaishnava practice is an eternal life of bliss (ananda) in service to Vishnu, or one of his many avatars, in the spiritual realm of 'Vaikuntha', which lies beyond the temporary world of illusion (maya).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnava
A few Vaishnava schools also identify the God of the Abrahamic religions with Vishnu, which is however problematic, since Yhwh/Allah is viewed through a monotheistic lens: ie a single eternal being, outside, beyond and separate from his creation; whereas Vishnu is viewed through the panentheistic lens of Hinduism: ie. where all existence is a part of God, and God includes all existence. [19] Another distinguishing feature of the Vaishnava teachings, is that God (Vishnu and/or Krishna) "is a real person and His variegated creation is also real". [20]
The original Sahaj Marg, founded by Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (aka: Babuji), along with his society, the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), registered at Shahjahanpur, India - 1945) is headquartered at Shahjahanpur (pop. 297,000), Uttar Pradesh, which borders Nepal, in the Northeast of India, and currently is presided by Babuji's grandson, Navneet Kumar Saxena.
The greater Shahjahanpur District Pop. 1.9 million. The State of Uttar Pradesh: Pop.: 190.9 Millions (80% Hindu, 18% Muslim). Lucknow (Sister Kasturi's home) is 180 km from Shahjahanpur. Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state, as well as the world's most populous sub-national entity. If the State of Uttar Pradesh was a country, it would be the the fifth largest country in the world after: China, India, United States of America, and Indonesia.
More Background Statistics:
Tamil Nadu (area: 130,000 Sq. km. Population of 66.3 million is 88% Hindu, 6% Christian, 5.5% Muslim.
Sri Lanka (Sanskrit: "Resplendent Land") Area: 65,610 Sq. Km. : An Island, (31 km by boat from the State of Tamil Nadu, Mainland India, Population: 20 million ... 73.9% Sinhalese, 12.6% Tamil, 5.2% Indian Tamil) (and they (the Tamil migrants) want a partitioned "homeland" on the island of Sri Lanka?)
From Wikipedia ...Religious History of Tamil Nadu (Land of the Tamils)
The Hindu sects Saivism and Vaishnavism became dominant, replacing the prevalence of Jainism and Buddhism of the previous era. Saivism was patronised more by the Chola (Tamil empire) kings and became more or less a state religion.[44] Some of the earliest temples that are still standing were built during this period by the Pallavas. The rock-cut temples in Mamallapuram and the majestic Kailasanatha and Vaikuntaperumal temples of Kanchipuram stand testament to the Pallava art. The Cholas, utilising their prodigious wealth earned through their extensive conquests, built long-lasting stone temples including the great Brihadisvara temple of Thanjavur and exquisite bronze sculptures. Temples dedicated to Siva and Vishnu received liberal donations of money, jewels, animals, and land, and thereby became powerful economic institutions.[45]
History of the Tamil Diaspora
Britain with 300,000 or more, the USA with well over 300,000, Canada with over 300,000 and Australia with over 30,000 are some of the developed countries where the Tamil diaspora is well settled, having gone on voluntary migration from Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. It is also estimated that there are more than 250,000 Tamils from Sri Lanka which comprises voluntary migrants and refugees/asylum seekers. Their sense of belonging and togetherness has resulted in the flowering of multi-faceted cultural, religious and media growth to such an extent to excel these activities in the lands of their origin. It is estimated that as base habitation India has almost 61,000,000 and Sri Lanka has 5,000,000 Tamils.
(...)
Their passion for and the love of their language and culture which has a cherished heritage is the one that binds the Tamil diaspora world wide and their coherence and unity is fast growing to be recognized as an international force.
More Inaccuracies (or Intentional "lies") about Lalaji, the Master of Naqshbandiyaa Sufi Order, (NaqshMuMRa sub-order), from SRCM (California-1997 web sites)
(Why does SRCM (California-1997) refuse to correct the many "errors"?)
On their site: The Masters of Sahaj Marg
(on http://www.srcm.org/welcome/guidance-lalaji.jsp)
Shri Ram Chandra of Fatehgarh U.P. in northern India, affectionately known as Lalaji, was the adi-guru (first Master) of Shri Ram Chandra Mission. (See NaqshMuMRa Nexus (Lalaji's family) for contradiction of that statement) Born on 2 February 1873, Lalaji belonged to a distinguished family of Jagirdars (landowners). (See accurate definition of "Jagirdar" below)
On SRCM (California-1997) Sahaj Marg NEWER site
(http://www.sahajmarg.org/sm/guide/masters-of-sahajmarg-lalaji)
He himself attained perfection within a span of seven months, (according to whom?) and went on to become the first Master of the Sahaj Marg system of spirituality. (NOT TRUE, according to MOST. Lalji died 1931, Sahaj Marg was founded in 1945)
(...)
Lalaji's father was a tax superintendent and his mother was a devout woman, who passed away when Lalaji was only seven. (maybe this is the "seven" THEY talk about?? To take a word from one part of the scriptures and apply it in another passage or in another TIME, is common among religious "prophets" and prophesies. They (Sahaj Marg-ees) believe in Spiritualism, (spiritism), "anonymous" (French lady) Mediums and "Chanelling" messages or "whispers" from the spirits of the dead, from beyond the grave, after all!! This is not the "scientific" set!! We could call them the "seancetific" set! as they claim that Sahaj Marg (like Raja Yoga) is a "science"! ... lol, lol, lol) ;-))
According to Dr. RK Gupta's site: Sufi Saints and Sufism (Sufism in India) :
On 23rd January 1896 Hujur Maharaj had taken Mahatma Ram Chandraji completely in his shelter i.e. initiated him and accepted him as his disciple. Soon thereafter on 11th October, 1896 Hujur Maharaj bestowed ‘Kully Izazat’ i.e. Master hood on Mahatma Ram Chandraji stating, ‘My Master (Maulvi Ahmad Ali Khan Sahab) had mentioned that people will benefit spiritually from me, but unfortunately I could not prove myself able to discharge this duty fully. Now my end is nearing but I am hopeful that after me you shall discharge this duty satisfactorily and will make my Master’s forecast come true.
(That is nine months from initiation to Lalaji being bestowed Master-hood in the Naqshbandiyya Sufi Order, to become its first giaour (non-Muslim) Master. But "perfection" is a little more elusive, is it not? Even Saints are not and do not claim to be PERFECT!! Does Chari and SRCM(California-1997) think that "Master" means "Perfect"? What about "self-appointed" Masters such as Chari? Are they automatically or self-appointed-ly PERFECT?
And there were many more contacts and teaching exchanges between Lalaji and Hujur Maharaj. Reaching "perfection" in seven months sounds like another Sahaj Marg fantasy so as to create a Sahaj Marg "myth" apart from the Sufi REALITY of Lalaji and the Naqshbandiyya lineage. Why are all the Abhyasis not following "SUFISM" or becoming members of the Naqshbandiyya Sufi Order if they want to "obey" their so-called "first" Master?)
On Sufi Saints and Sufism (under Ram Chandra of Fatehgargh- aka Lalaji) by Dr. RK Gupta
Mahatma Ram Chandraji was the first giaour (non-Muslim) saint of the Naqshbandi (Sufi) Order. His father Chaudhary (chaudhary/chowdhary means "chieftain") Harbaksh Rai was one of the descendants of a highly respected Kayasth (upper caste, along with the brahmins) family of District Mainpuri. Emperor Akbar (the Great Mughal Emperor, 1556) had gifted Babu Vrindavan, one of the renowned ancestors of this family, with the title ‘Chowdhary’ and 555 villages amongst many other things. Babu Vrindavan named one of these villages as ‘Bhoom-gram’ and started living there. With the passage of time this village developed into a small town and its name got distorted to ‘Bhogaon.’
Ch. Harbaksh Rai initially lived in Bhogaon but later after the mutiny in 1857 moved to Farukhabad. He was appointed as Superintendent-Octroi.
(...)
A special mention needs to be made of two great Sufi Masters of the twentieth century AD, Mahatma Radha Mohan Lalji and Thakur Ram Singhji, both belonging to the chain of Naqshbandi Sufis and Dr. Chandra Gupta, who received their blessings and carried their mission forward.
(...)
(1929) He submitted his resignation to the Collector and left the service for fully devoting himself to the mission of his Master.
From Akhil Bhartiya Santmat Satsangh (ABSS)
(...)
The mother started inculcating the teachings of Ramayana to her sons. But it was not acceptable to God and when Mahatma Ramchandra Ji was only nine years old and his younger brother Raghubar Dayalji of seven years, their mother left to heavenly abode. Responsibility of their education came on the shoulders of Chaudhary Harbaksh Rai, who arranged best possible teachers for them. However, it was not acceptable to God once again and when Mahatma Ramchandra ji was in class 9, Chaudhary Sahib also expired, Both the brothers were bereaved of father and mother. The relatives (of Lalaji) took away their entire property cunningly telling that Chaudhary Sahib (Lalaji's father, Chaudhary Harbaksh Rai) owed much debt to them.
ISRC's Narayana's book (on-line), with Intro (section) by his father, Dr Prof. KC Varadachari (who was allegedly being groomed as his "successor" by Babuji: Practice and Efficacy of Sri Ramchandra Rajayoga: (section on Shri Ramchandraji - Lalaji ):
Page 182:
It is the will of God, that he attained perfection within the brief span of seven months.
(...)
He was married to a noble lady a a respectable family. His father expired soon after his marriage. At this period, Raja of Mainpuri had brought action against his ancestral property and he lost all the property. His brother, (cousin) who was adopted by his father, also expired around this time.
(...)
Page 186...
One of his wishes was that the children of satsanghis marry among themselves.
(...)
His servants were like members of his own family, and were paid on due dates.
(...)
Page 187...
He was transfered from Kaimganj to Fatehgarh in 1908. (36 yrs) ... There was an old servant who did all the housework...
(...)
Page 188...
Sri Lalaji established regular satsangh from the year 1914. He did not put off his work even during his illness. After his retirement in 1929, he began to give all this time to his noble work.
Page 190...
He was not against earning money by honest means, but insisted on spending it on others. (The) use of intoxicants and being given to adultery were strictly prohibited by him.
Page 192...
He even forbade association and satsangh with immoral persons.
Page 193...
He advised to avoid becoming a Master and serve as a servant should.
Lalaji's ancestors starting with Babu Vrindavan, were apparently upper caste, tax collectors for the Mughals (from Akbar the Great - 1556) and provided the Persian Muslim Mughals with tax money, military men and animals, until the so-called by some British historians: "The Sepoy (military) Mutiny of 1857" (East India Company from the British Victorian era), also called the "Indian Rebellion of 1857". Maybe this explains the reticence of Babuji's family to accept his becoming a disciple of Lalaji. This is what Lalaji wrote in a letter dated 09.12.1930 to Shri Madan Mohan Laal,regarding the appointment of "Br. Pandit Rameshwar Prasad" as the "center-in-charge of Shahjahanpur": "Brother Ram Chandra undoubtedly has ability and agility in this respect, but I am sorry that due to restrictions of his father, narrowness of heart and space, and intricacies of his home, my sagacity did not permit me for the time being to throw the responsibility on him. …” (see Epitome of Sahaj Marg). That letter was written one year before Lalaji's death in Aug, 1931. Babuji was never a "preceptor" or a "center-in-charge" of Lalaji's organization.
According to Dr. RK Gupta of "Sufi Saints and Sufism (Sufism in India)" and NaqshMuMra Nexus, Lalaji was:
* born: Feb. 2, 1873,
* married 1885 (12 yrs) Wife- (Mrs.) Brij Rani, daughter of Shri Yadunath Sahai Kanchan, resident of village- Kamalnayanpur, Tahsil- Kanth, District- Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. They had 2 sons, 8 daughters
* started working at the "Government Service": in April, 1891 (at 18 yrs),
* was initiated: Jun. 6, 1896. (23 yrs),
* According to a discourse by Dr. Shyaam Laal, an adherent disciple of Rev. Laalaaji Maharaaj, right since his school days, as far as known to me, Laalaaji Maharaaj met his guru in the year 1891. He (“Maulwi Fazal Ahemad Khan Saahib” the "spiritual governor of Farrukhabad) took him (Lalaji) as his disciple after performing a formal ceremony, on January 23, 1896 at 05.00 p.m. He made him full-fledged Master (guru) on October 11, 1897. Both these venerables were the preceptor of the Naqshbandia sect of Sufis, although they were beneficiaries of all other sects also. That is why they could vary their teaching to suit the needs of different disciples.
* was appointed Master of Naqshbandia Sufi Order: Oct. 11, 1896 or 1897? (23 or 24 yrs), (had 212 disciples)
* first met Babuji: 1921 (Lalaji was: 48 yrs, Babuji was 22 yrs),
* resigned his position with the Government Service (after a "tearful" incident with a "lost file" by a clerk, sub-ordinate of Lalaji. Lalaji would not reveal his identity to the "Collector"): Incident and/or resignation and retirement was in 1928 or 1929?
* letter regarding Ram Chandra (Babuji) Center-in-charge position (see above): 09,12, 1930.
* died: Aug. 14, 1931 (58 yrs). Cause of death: "illness" that ended with Diarrhoea.
* his (Lalaji's) tradition was ably carried on by his son, Mahatma Jagmohan Narain, till his demise on August 28, 1944.
* his (Jagmohan Narain's) son-Mahatma Akhilesh Kumar carried on the work of the mission by publication of the work of his grandfather and by editing a periodical “Adhyaatma Dhaara” till his untimely death on May 15, 1974.
* Babuji forms his "Shri Ram Chandra Mission" in 1945 and later claims that Sahaj Marg replaces all other "systems". (see letter by Babuji regarding Sahaj Marg, Feb. 14, 1963)
For the events at Fatehgarh during the "up-rising" of 1857, and the "non-co-operation-movement" (Ghandi) events of the 1930's see: NaqshMuMra Nexus: Fatehgarh
On NaqshMuMRa Nexus (Lalaji's Sufi Order)
As a result of the benediction of a great saint, the Holy Man Laalaaji was born to Chaudhari Har Bux Rai, the superintendent of Customs and Excise, Farrukhabad, on Basant Panchami, February 2, 1873. Having passed his Middle class ‘Anglo-Vernacular Examination’ in April 1891, he entered in Government service. It was at this time, at the early age of 18, that he came in contact with his peer-o-Murshad (Preceptor) and was formally initiated by him on June 06, 1896 and was granted full powers of the saint-preceptor on October 11, 1896.
Souvenir section...
His ancestors were one of the biggest property owners of the area and lived like almost as a mini “RAJA” (king). I have had occasion to have a visit to his ancestral house in Bhongaon, in District Mainpuri (an adjoining District to Farrukhabad). An Elephant could easily pass through its Main Porch. For a considerable, time Chaudhary Har Bux Rai remained childless.
On ISRC site (a schism of Chari's SRCM (California-1997) by Narayana, son of Dr. Professor KC Varadachari)
(http://www.sriramchandra.org/Master/LalajiMaharajStory.htm)
His father Sri Harbux Rai belonged to a very distinguished family of kayasths. His great grand father was a person of rare genius and his fine qualities and noble attainments won for him, from the Great Moghul emperor unstinted praise and friendship. He was given the title of Chowdhari (chieftain) and a jagir comprising 555 villages. He resided in the town of Bhoomigram in the district of Mainpuri in UP India. The family which got affected by the after effects of the uprising of the Indians in 1857 (called sepoy mutiny by the biased British historians) migrated to Fategarh, U.P. Here he worked as tax superintendent and began to live with his family. But in the changed circumstances his state had been subjected to considerable damage and his assets were just enough to live the old aristocratic life.
A jagir and Jagirdar
In Pakistan and India, a Jagir was a small territory granted by the ruler to an army chieftain in fairly short terms usually of three years but not extending beyond his lifetime, in recognition of his military service. The grantee of the jagir, called a Jagirdar, was in effect the ruler of that region and substantial income that was earned (taxes, etc.) from this region went to the owner to maintain his family and his troops. The jagirdar would live at court in Delhi, keeping up his rank and appearing twice a day before the emperor; consequently the jagirdar preferred to receive his share of the dues from the estates in coin rather than in kind.
Statistics from the highly populated and seismically-active region, the "triangular" Bay of Bengal:
Countries and Indian States that surround the Triangular Bay of Bengal
(Starting at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal where it opens onto the Indian Ocean (at the Southwest angle of the Bay of Bengal triangle)
Triangle's Southwest Vertex and northwest side (India):
Sri Lanka (sanskrit "sri lanka"=resplendent, radiant, or shining Land- Pop. 20 million), State of Tamil Nadu in Mainland India: Pop. 66.3 million- Southernmost state of India) Capital city of Madras (Chennai) Pop. 4.3 million), State of Andhra Pradesh Pop. 76.2 million), State of Orissa (Pop. 36.7 million), State of West Bengal (Pop. 80.2 million), State of Tripura (Pop. 3.2 million), State of Meghalaya (Pop. 2.3 million),
Triangle's Southeast Vertex and northeast side:
Myanmar (Pop. 50 million), Thailand (Pop. 63.3 million), Malaysia (Pop. 20.3 million), Indonesia (Pop. 230 Million).
Northern Triangle Vertex:
(The "delta" confluence of the rivers: Ganges (local name Padma or Pôdda), the Brahmaputra (Jamuna or Jomuna), and the Meghna rivers and their respective tributaries. ), the City of Calcutta (Pop. 15 million) , Bangladesh (Pop. 162.2 million - Capital city of Dhaka (Pop. 6.8 million), Indian State of Mizoram (Pop. 888, 000), Myanmar- (aka-Burma) Pop. 50 million - Military Dictatorship).
Geology Under the Bay of Bengal
The lithosphere of the earth is broken up into what are called tectonic plates. Underneath the Bay of Bengal is the Indian Plate which is part of the great Indo-Australian Plate and is slowly moving north east. This plate meets the Burma Microplate at the Sunda Trench. The Nicobar Islands, and the Andaman Islands are part of the Burma Microplate. The India Plate subducts beneath the Burma Plate at the Sunda Trench or Java Trench. Here, the pressure of the two plates on each other increase pressure and temperature resulting in the formation of volcanoes such as the volcanoes in Myanmar, and a volcanic arc called the Sunda Arc. Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and Asian Tsunami was a result of the pressure at this zone causing a submarine earthquake which then resulted in a huge Tsunamai.[6]
Other current "hot spots" in the area with an Indian (Hindu) minority:
Fiji (the Fiji Revolution or Coup (April 2009)
Jammu and Kashmir (ongoing Muslim/Hindu conflict)
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