Taken and and translated from an article: "Une bloggeuse a Manappakkam", on Elodie's blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg
Comments and additions (for clarification in translation) by 4d-Don are in "red Italics"
April 2, 2012
A blogger at Manappakkam
From: Curry Kulfi and Chapati
Setbacks and adventures of two ex-patrriots somewhere deep in the Indian subcontinent (and poolside).
Excerpts from the blog: http://www.currykulfietchapati.com/
I visited a Cult.
I'm an atheist, I am interested in the discovery of all religions, from near and far. A few weeks ago, I found myself in the heart of what would be called in Europe "a cult" but which here seems to be much more commonly accepted. Far from being frightened, I remembered those words of François Cavanna: "A religion called "universal" is a cult that has succeeded, commercially speaking."
It all began as an attraction I had for meditation. Having discovered six months ago a meditation technique focused on breathing that I could not exercise alone, I really wanted to find a spiritual master who could initiate me into the mysteries of the study of my karma.
(One can imagine) What was my happiness in discovering in the best friend (female) of my brother-in-law, who was serendipitously staying in India at that time, was initiated to the practice of Sahaj Marg! Obviously, I did not know at all what was "Sahaj Marg", also called the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, and still today, I am regularly wrong on the spelling of these names.
The girlfriend's of my brother-in-law - neither, did not know what it was, except that she practiced every morning the practice of meditation and that it did her much good.
One morning, then, we went by rickshaw to the largest Ashram of this organization. It was a haven in the heart of the busy city. I knew Chennai but from that noise, pollution, car, cows and beggars, I was very surprised to find a place so quiet, so peaceful, so nice, even if botanised, and so friendly.
The Ashram immediately suggests a very large park. In the center, there is a kind of temple where people go to meditate. No statues, no object of prayer, nothing religious but just a little platform for the master to come to officiate from time to time and a very large empty space so that the faithful can meet. Many chairs are left at their disposal. Upon entering the sanctuary for the first time, the novice is first much surprised at the tranquility that prevails. This feeling of peace is explained by the unusual silence that is imposed on initiates. Without being an expert in the art of this exercise, it is fairly obvious to everyone that the meditator sits down, closes his eyes and is silent. So I submitted to the rules of this site, engaged myself for once in my life in an activity that would have made the happiness of my darling husband, if he had been with us that day: I said nothing.
And we passed in silence before this small temple of peace to go to another place no less interesting, though somewhat noisier: the cafeteria.
The cafeteria is a very nice place where one crosses almost all nations. Babuji's Ashram is the largest center of Sahaj Marg and many of the faithful, from India and abroad gather here. I met two French women who had each left everything behind to come here, the first, through love for the Ashram and the second, for a teaching job she had never left, having married after the year of her contract, with an Indian.
A little later I visited the library, which contained only books on Sahaj Marg, and I discovered that in addition to the common dormitory that was under the temple where we could stay for free, provided one is part of mission, there was also the possibility of renting small single more comfortable rooms.
Each place I visited was run by volunteers. Nobody gets paid to work here, which explains why the rooms are not expensive. There are those who cook, who serve coffee, who do the dishes, who manage the library, or deal with registration ...
At first glance, the Ashram is a utopian microcosm where everyone is happy, everyone is nice, everyone loves. The initiates are called "brother" or "sister" to symbolize the great brotherhood that prevails.
What worried me was how they spoke of their spiritual master Chariji.
I was profoundly shocked by sentences like "The master has a country house" or "You know the best part of Chennai? The master has a house there too."
It seems that the master has a heck of lot of secondary dwellings!
And then, when I visited the library, I was unable to resist leafing through a few books on the practice of Sahaj Marg. There are three, in the morning, we must meditate for an hour. In the evening, one has to practice another form of meditation called "cleaning". This is to cleanse the emotions of the day. Before bed, one should recite the prayer to the master, and there, I am downright horrified to discover that the text is the apotheosis of the master!
And what's that habit of calling him "master" ... "spiritual master", one can understand, but "master", alone, without an adjective, it's a little slavish, right?
I left the Ashram, not without having recuperated the phone number from one of the sisters in the hope of being initiated into the meditation. Cult or not because I had things to learn from these meditators and I had the feeling that the impenetrable mystery of meditation could bring me a kind of quiet.
Discovering meditation
After discovering Sahaj Marg and without yet knowing what it was, I absolutely wanted to be initiated into the strange mysteries of meditation.
So I contacted a charming young English woman, married to an Indian, who accepted with great enthusiasm to proceed with my initiation and gave me an appointment for three "sittings", ie for three sessions. They had to take place on three consecutive days to be effective.
So I was thrilled and it was with joy in my heart that I went to my rendez-vous at the Ashram.
Alas, this joy was short lived. Barely arrived, the guards refused to let me in and I had to wait forty-five long minutes for my initiator who was late to pick me up.
I learned that in order to enter this peaceful place, I had to show my acceptability and also to prove my belonging to the Babuji fan club with a membership card. The same membership card would be given to me after my three sitting.
We went to a place of total silence. Only a few birds were breaking the tranquility with their soft songs. Their soprano was accompanied as by a base, by the unbearable low buzzing mosquitoes, but that day, nothing could alter our good mood.
We sat opposite one another and she told me what I should do, which is not much. I had to close my eyes and seek what is divine within me by letting go of my thoughts like unwelcome guests that we do not want, but we can not push too hard. The metaphor she used was that of children in a park.
"If you cross a park, she said, and there are children, you will not drive them out! You're going to cross by passing aside. Well you do the same with your thoughts."
So we were sitting for half an hour in front of one another, eyes closed, to seek the Holy Spirit. For the first time I played the game to the end and I was looking for "something divine" which I could not find. However, I learned to ignore my thoughts. I remained philosophical: half an hour, it was very long. Better to forget the passing time and try to focus on myself.
At the end of the session, I was relaxed and I felt calmer.
The same evening, I decided to do a search on the Ashram and I discovered with some fear that it was considered a cult. I had already been questionning because some words I had heard in the temple but after my reading, I became openly suspicious.
The next day we had the same experience. This time, I changed my technique. The fear of getting my brain lobotomized by a very effective process of meditation made me replace the search for the divine that anyway I could not find, by a focus on my breathing.
The result was identical to the previous day: I felt good, relaxed and rested.
I found that what was common to these breathing techniques/meditation was their ability to make us let go by focusing on ourselves, whether on our holiness or on our breathing.
The third day was identical except that my appointment was held at seven o'clock in the morning. I reached a state of exhaustion as I was unable to perform the exercise correctly.
Finally, my initiator invited me to the big event of the week: Sunday meditation. I had to be there at 7:30 to see the master and feel the collective passion. I went there and I practiced meditation for the first time in a group, accompanied by a hundred people. The session lasted one hour, which seemed very long, and was followed by a speech in English with a wonderful Indian accent that made him incomprehensible to the English themselves. This time, I was really feeling of not being in my place.
What must have passed through my head to make me get up at 6 AM on a Sunday to go play the religious fervent in the temple of Babuji? Curiosity, perhaps a little misplaced.
Following this session of collective uncomfortable nap, I met other brothers and sisters. Some offered me to join them for another group sitting. I agreed, smile on my lips, I promised to come back with my fingers crossed and I finally left to find the familiar place that I never should have left so early on a Sunday morning, to find my cozy bed.
Since, I received some messages that I have not responded. The people I met were really friendly and I would have liked to see them again but I definitely can not bring myself to seek the divine that lies within me.
This experience has nevertheless helped me familiarize myself with breathing mindfully as I had never managed to practice alone before.
This is a technique that seems difficult at first, but brings a lot in terms of appeasement when it is properly practiced. Just sit back, relax, and leave aside the thoughts that come, always deferring attention to one's breathing. From what I've seen, it seems to me that merely accepting to leave one's daily life for half an hour to relax by doing nothing is a big step toward wellness.
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Thursday, April 05, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
What They Say About Chari and His Sahaj Marg(tm) !!
Taken and translated from an article by Alexis: Ce Qu'ils Disent de Chari, on his blog in Europe: La Fabuleuse Épopée du Sahaj Marg.
Comments and clarifications by 4d-don are in "red italics"
What They Say About Chari
"Let us not commercialize our Mission", by Dr. KC Varadachari, or: "I am away from the Chariji made by his followers", by Sister Kasturi, etc..
The criticisms are strong and are coming from all directions.
As early as 1970, Dr. KC Varadachari (friend of Babuji, preceptor and guru-in-waiting, now deceased) expresses his concerns to Babuji about the commercialization (drift) taken by the SRCM. His son, KC Narayana, (ex-preceptor and board member of SRCM) left the Mission in 1991, accusing Chari of (falsely) proclaiming himself as the spiritual representative of Babuji. In 1995, Kasturi ( the only "Saint" in Sahaj Marg, according to Babuji ... more of interview: here) makes the same complaint, adding that abhyasis are responsible for this cult of personality.
Michael, former American preceptor, (member of editing and publishing team) completes these criticisms with an analysis of the consequences it has produced: an atmosphere of individual competition for the favors of the master Chari, in which all means are good. Jean-Francois (ex-preceptor (with his wife) of Chari, and now with Kasturi, writing) added that Babuji demanded love and trust, while Chari demands blind obedience and service to the Mission. Clark Powell, (ex-preceptor of Chari and writer for SRCM: (Sahaj Marg Companion) like Michael, is frustrated by the power of the inner circle of Chari who took over the reins of the organization.
After 20 years of practice, Madeleine (ex-preceptor with Chari) dismantles the legend of Sahaj Marg which states that the (so-called) transmission exists only within the SRCM, providing evidence that it has existed since time immemorial and now exists in many other spiritual movements.
In 2005, reviving the fears of Doctor Varadachari 35 years earlier, Frank (ex-preceptor, Zonal-in-charge for Chari), Netherlands), Elodie (Switzerland) and Christian (France) are offended by the mad financial quest undertaken by Chari to the detriment of the spiritual quest: sale at auction during satsang, a book sold for 300 € ($250.00 USD) announced as the Bible of Sahaj Marg ...
Links:
- Chari, or the Industrialization of Spirituality in the West
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.
.
Comments and clarifications by 4d-don are in "red italics"
What They Say About Chari
"Let us not commercialize our Mission", by Dr. KC Varadachari, or: "I am away from the Chariji made by his followers", by Sister Kasturi, etc..
The criticisms are strong and are coming from all directions.
As early as 1970, Dr. KC Varadachari (friend of Babuji, preceptor and guru-in-waiting, now deceased) expresses his concerns to Babuji about the commercialization (drift) taken by the SRCM. His son, KC Narayana, (ex-preceptor and board member of SRCM) left the Mission in 1991, accusing Chari of (falsely) proclaiming himself as the spiritual representative of Babuji. In 1995, Kasturi ( the only "Saint" in Sahaj Marg, according to Babuji ... more of interview: here) makes the same complaint, adding that abhyasis are responsible for this cult of personality.
Michael, former American preceptor, (member of editing and publishing team) completes these criticisms with an analysis of the consequences it has produced: an atmosphere of individual competition for the favors of the master Chari, in which all means are good. Jean-Francois (ex-preceptor (with his wife) of Chari, and now with Kasturi, writing) added that Babuji demanded love and trust, while Chari demands blind obedience and service to the Mission. Clark Powell, (ex-preceptor of Chari and writer for SRCM: (Sahaj Marg Companion) like Michael, is frustrated by the power of the inner circle of Chari who took over the reins of the organization.
After 20 years of practice, Madeleine (ex-preceptor with Chari) dismantles the legend of Sahaj Marg which states that the (so-called) transmission exists only within the SRCM, providing evidence that it has existed since time immemorial and now exists in many other spiritual movements.
In 2005, reviving the fears of Doctor Varadachari 35 years earlier, Frank (ex-preceptor, Zonal-in-charge for Chari), Netherlands), Elodie (Switzerland) and Christian (France) are offended by the mad financial quest undertaken by Chari to the detriment of the spiritual quest: sale at auction during satsang, a book sold for 300 € ($250.00 USD) announced as the Bible of Sahaj Marg ...
Links:
- Chari, or the Industrialization of Spirituality in the West
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Monday, March 12, 2012
Sahaj Marg(tm), Religion and Spiritualism Divides; Spirituality Unites (maybe)?
Taken and translated from an article by Elodie: "La Religion Divise, La Spiritualité Unit"?, on her blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
Comment by 4d-Don: Much as Chari insinuates that religions are hypocritical, we can now say the same about his version of sprituality, or should we call that "spiritualism"?? (with an Anonymous French Lady Medium, egregores, Messages or "Whispers" from the spirits of the dead, etc...) ... We could add that "some" spiritualists are also "deceitful" to the point of dishonesty (see the REAL History of Sahaj Marg).
This is what they (Chari, et al) call and register as: Sahaj Marg(tm) or the "Natural Path Meditation"; not the original society registered in Shahjahanpur, India in 1945, by Babuji, but a "trade-marked" (for trade and commerce?) Sahaj Marg(tm), a product, or a "copy" registered with the same name in San Luis Obispo, California, USA, in 1997.
Sahaj Marg teaches this "division" to the children in their curriculum: see Lesson X of their Value Based Spiritual Education (VBSE) ... or See the complete VBSE here.
March 12, 2012
"Religion divides, spirituality unites"?
Here are some excerpts from a speech of Chari entitled "Attach Yourself to the Heart", February 11, 2012 before the abhyasis gathered for an "International Scholarship Training Program":
“(…) In my mind, it is religion that divides people more than any other single force.
(…) All religions claim that God is in their religion.
(…) Then why do we fight about my god and your god?
(…) How can there be religious wars? Because people never thought, you see. They were drunk with their religious fervour, [with] whatever their religious chief or their king said.
(…) Religions have only dogmas, have popes, have priests, have whatever else you call them; they dictate to us.
(…) That is why in Sahaj Marg we have no priest, we have no temple, we have no worship. Only my heart. (…) So spirituality says, meditate.
(…) This is all that Sahaj Marg is, this is all that Sahaj Marg requires, and this is all that is possible to take you to Him who is inside you.
(…) And for that I thank my master. I thank my master who is in my heart, who is my God.”
All religions have the same God, yet there are religious wars. It is religion that opposes most men among themselves, says Chari; because religions have a pope, priests, temples, cults and dogmas. None of this exists in spirituality: Sahaj Marg, it is just meditation, Chari says in all seriousness.
Chari has a God, it is Babuji. Sahaj Marg has a pope, it is Chari. It has its priests, they are the preceptors (and prefects?). (And Sahaj Marg has "spiritual soldiers"... see here) SRCM has temples, these are the ashrams. Sahaj Marg has (or "is") a cult, it is the sadhana and its daily abhyas (practice) (prayer, meditation and cleaning, obedience, service, etc..). It has a dogma, obedience to the Master and service to the Mission.
The best evidence that Sahaj Marg has turned itself into a religious dogma, it is precisely this training undertaken by the abhyasis (International Scholarship Training Program). If it was just about meditation, they would have no need of such training.
The God of Chari, it is Babuji, and it is he who says it (see above for his own words). I can not believe that other religions share the same God with him. Besides, it is also Chari who opposes religions and spirituality, and turns his followers against religions.
Is he then trying to create a new war between religions?
Elodie...
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Comment by 4d-Don: Much as Chari insinuates that religions are hypocritical, we can now say the same about his version of sprituality, or should we call that "spiritualism"?? (with an Anonymous French Lady Medium, egregores, Messages or "Whispers" from the spirits of the dead, etc...) ... We could add that "some" spiritualists are also "deceitful" to the point of dishonesty (see the REAL History of Sahaj Marg).
This is what they (Chari, et al) call and register as: Sahaj Marg(tm) or the "Natural Path Meditation"; not the original society registered in Shahjahanpur, India in 1945, by Babuji, but a "trade-marked" (for trade and commerce?) Sahaj Marg(tm), a product, or a "copy" registered with the same name in San Luis Obispo, California, USA, in 1997.
Sahaj Marg teaches this "division" to the children in their curriculum: see Lesson X of their Value Based Spiritual Education (VBSE) ... or See the complete VBSE here.
March 12, 2012
"Religion divides, spirituality unites"?
Here are some excerpts from a speech of Chari entitled "Attach Yourself to the Heart", February 11, 2012 before the abhyasis gathered for an "International Scholarship Training Program":
“(…) In my mind, it is religion that divides people more than any other single force.
(…) All religions claim that God is in their religion.
(…) Then why do we fight about my god and your god?
(…) How can there be religious wars? Because people never thought, you see. They were drunk with their religious fervour, [with] whatever their religious chief or their king said.
(…) Religions have only dogmas, have popes, have priests, have whatever else you call them; they dictate to us.
(…) That is why in Sahaj Marg we have no priest, we have no temple, we have no worship. Only my heart. (…) So spirituality says, meditate.
(…) This is all that Sahaj Marg is, this is all that Sahaj Marg requires, and this is all that is possible to take you to Him who is inside you.
(…) And for that I thank my master. I thank my master who is in my heart, who is my God.”
All religions have the same God, yet there are religious wars. It is religion that opposes most men among themselves, says Chari; because religions have a pope, priests, temples, cults and dogmas. None of this exists in spirituality: Sahaj Marg, it is just meditation, Chari says in all seriousness.
Chari has a God, it is Babuji. Sahaj Marg has a pope, it is Chari. It has its priests, they are the preceptors (and prefects?). (And Sahaj Marg has "spiritual soldiers"... see here) SRCM has temples, these are the ashrams. Sahaj Marg has (or "is") a cult, it is the sadhana and its daily abhyas (practice) (prayer, meditation and cleaning, obedience, service, etc..). It has a dogma, obedience to the Master and service to the Mission.
The best evidence that Sahaj Marg has turned itself into a religious dogma, it is precisely this training undertaken by the abhyasis (International Scholarship Training Program). If it was just about meditation, they would have no need of such training.
The God of Chari, it is Babuji, and it is he who says it (see above for his own words). I can not believe that other religions share the same God with him. Besides, it is also Chari who opposes religions and spirituality, and turns his followers against religions.
Is he then trying to create a new war between religions?
Elodie...
.
.
.
Monday, March 05, 2012
Sahaj Marg(tm) and Whispers From the Brighter World No. 4!!
Taken and translated from an article by Alexis: "Whispers 4", on Elodie's blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
March 5, 2012
Whispers 4
Chari & the SHPT (spiritual hierarchy publication trust) are preparing to release the fourth volume of Whispers, scheduled for April 30, the anniversary of the birth of Babuji.
80 euros or $100.00 USD or 3,000 INR. Remember the price of the first volume: 300 euros! What deflation ...
What a tumbling too! They told us that it cost them dear (to manufacture), but in fact they put at least 220 euros aside for each copy sold ... and probably even more since there is no reason to believe they are selling the 4th (Whispers) at a loss or no profit.
We suspected it a little, here's proof!
Still, the SHPT (spiritual hierarchy publication trust), the publishing arm of SRCM, puts an end to their lifetime subscriptions effective March 31, 2012. One way to get people to subscribe in the last few months they have left??
And still not a single word on the death of Kasturi, the Saint from the great Babuji's Sahaj Marg.
Alexis
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.
.
March 5, 2012
Whispers 4
Chari & the SHPT (spiritual hierarchy publication trust) are preparing to release the fourth volume of Whispers, scheduled for April 30, the anniversary of the birth of Babuji.
80 euros or $100.00 USD or 3,000 INR. Remember the price of the first volume: 300 euros! What deflation ...
What a tumbling too! They told us that it cost them dear (to manufacture), but in fact they put at least 220 euros aside for each copy sold ... and probably even more since there is no reason to believe they are selling the 4th (Whispers) at a loss or no profit.
We suspected it a little, here's proof!
Still, the SHPT (spiritual hierarchy publication trust), the publishing arm of SRCM, puts an end to their lifetime subscriptions effective March 31, 2012. One way to get people to subscribe in the last few months they have left??
And still not a single word on the death of Kasturi, the Saint from the great Babuji's Sahaj Marg.
Alexis
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.
.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Chari & Sahaj Marg(tm), The Western Industrialization of Spirituality
Taken and translated from an article: Chari ou Industrialization Spirituelle à l'Occidentale, on Alexis' Blog in Europe: La Fabuleuse Épopéé Du Sahaj Marg.
Chari & Sahaj Marg(tm), or the Industrialization of Spirituality, Western Style!
Eldest in a family of three boys, Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, called Chari was born on 24/07/1927 in the suburbs of Chennai. His mother died when he was 5 or 6 years. Graduated with a bachelor of science degree, he joined the industrial conglomerate TTK (Group) & Co in 1955, where he quickly takes the direction of its subsidiary, Indian Textile Paper Tube Co. Ltd., until his retirement in 1985. He is married in 1955 to Sulochana, with whom he has an only son, PR Krishna, who was born two years later. He (PR Krishna) has two children: Barghav born in March, 88 and Madhuri, in 91. Sulochana died on 02/11/1999.
The Tamil-speaking Brahmin, eating rice and smoking Dunhill cigarettes, knows Western culture well and masters it perfectly. Clever businessman, he knows how to lead men and manage their affairs.
Chari met Babuji in 1964. He became his secretary in 1970, he received from him a declaration of nomination as President of SRCM in 197474. Both travel the western world to present Sahaj Marg, until 82.
But Chari is rejected by most senior preceptors who deem him too westernized. At the death of Babuji, they prefer Umesh, the son of Babuji (who presents a more recent letter of nomination signed by Babuji) . From then on, Chari now presides over an unofficial SRCM, but manages to get control of the trademark of Sahaj Marg(tm).
Chari re-groups back to the southern ashram of Chennai, where he does not hesitate to blackmail the preceptors in a letter, giving them the choice between expulsion or allegiance. He also takes over some ashrams by force, such as those of Visakhapatnam, Nellore and Vadodara between 1984 and 1985. More importantly, he travels every continent in search of the legitimacy which he lacks, making the West his bridgehead.
To better mesh with Western expectations, he does not hesitate to change the spiritual practice, and to revisit its history. Once codified and ritualized, the legend instilled, and the spirituality well standardized, the product, the brand Sahaj Marg (tm) is filed on Jul. 29, 1997. To top it all, the registration of the SRCM ( California -1997) society are filed in the wake.
KC Narayana (son of Dr. Varadachari, friend of Babuji and Master-in-waiting) leaves in 1991, Kasturi distanced herself in 1995. One and all accused him of yielding to the cult of personality.
The strategy of the seduction of Westerners used by Rajagopalachari and his management methods have been proven effective, if we are to believe the figures put forward. Babuji had about 3,000 followers and 180 preceptors in 1983. Rajagopalachari carried that number to 20,000 in 1991, 50 to 55 000 in 1995-97, and 75,000 in 2000 with approximately 1,500 preceptors. (Lalaji, Master of the Naqshbandiya Sufi Botherhood, in the 1920's - 1931, had 212 disciples)
With his success and the money coming from his Western troops, Rajagopalachari returned to India in 1999 to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Babuji. On April 30th, he opened the Babuji Memorial Ashram, at Manappakam on the outskirts of Chennai, an ashram of five hectares which can accommodate 13,000 people inside the meditation hall.
If one believes the principal parties involved, the return of Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari to India is a smashing success and is crowned by a resounding victory over his rival organization, the Shri Ram Chandra Mission of Shahjahanpur (1945). In 2003, he announced that the number of his disciples was multiplied by three in three years. From 75 000 in 2000, it would then be increased to 200 - 300,000 from 2003-04.
In 2005, he reached the height of his power, Rajagopalachari appoints a successor. He makes recognized the SRCM(tm) at the Department of Public Information United Nations, (UNDPI) and launched the "New Bible" of Sahaj Marg(tm), a book that compiles the words of Babuji from beyond the grave, as reported by a medium, and creates a school and some retreat centers ...
Links:
- Sahaj Marg & The Successors of Chari
See also:
Sister Kasturi Speaks
Translation and Transcript of Sister Kasturi Interview (Feb. 20, 2009)
.
.
.
Chari & Sahaj Marg(tm), or the Industrialization of Spirituality, Western Style!
Eldest in a family of three boys, Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, called Chari was born on 24/07/1927 in the suburbs of Chennai. His mother died when he was 5 or 6 years. Graduated with a bachelor of science degree, he joined the industrial conglomerate TTK (Group) & Co in 1955, where he quickly takes the direction of its subsidiary, Indian Textile Paper Tube Co. Ltd., until his retirement in 1985. He is married in 1955 to Sulochana, with whom he has an only son, PR Krishna, who was born two years later. He (PR Krishna) has two children: Barghav born in March, 88 and Madhuri, in 91. Sulochana died on 02/11/1999.
The Tamil-speaking Brahmin, eating rice and smoking Dunhill cigarettes, knows Western culture well and masters it perfectly. Clever businessman, he knows how to lead men and manage their affairs.
Chari met Babuji in 1964. He became his secretary in 1970, he received from him a declaration of nomination as President of SRCM in 197474. Both travel the western world to present Sahaj Marg, until 82.
But Chari is rejected by most senior preceptors who deem him too westernized. At the death of Babuji, they prefer Umesh, the son of Babuji (who presents a more recent letter of nomination signed by Babuji) . From then on, Chari now presides over an unofficial SRCM, but manages to get control of the trademark of Sahaj Marg(tm).
Chari re-groups back to the southern ashram of Chennai, where he does not hesitate to blackmail the preceptors in a letter, giving them the choice between expulsion or allegiance. He also takes over some ashrams by force, such as those of Visakhapatnam, Nellore and Vadodara between 1984 and 1985. More importantly, he travels every continent in search of the legitimacy which he lacks, making the West his bridgehead.
To better mesh with Western expectations, he does not hesitate to change the spiritual practice, and to revisit its history. Once codified and ritualized, the legend instilled, and the spirituality well standardized, the product, the brand Sahaj Marg (tm) is filed on Jul. 29, 1997. To top it all, the registration of the SRCM ( California -1997) society are filed in the wake.
KC Narayana (son of Dr. Varadachari, friend of Babuji and Master-in-waiting) leaves in 1991, Kasturi distanced herself in 1995. One and all accused him of yielding to the cult of personality.
The strategy of the seduction of Westerners used by Rajagopalachari and his management methods have been proven effective, if we are to believe the figures put forward. Babuji had about 3,000 followers and 180 preceptors in 1983. Rajagopalachari carried that number to 20,000 in 1991, 50 to 55 000 in 1995-97, and 75,000 in 2000 with approximately 1,500 preceptors. (Lalaji, Master of the Naqshbandiya Sufi Botherhood, in the 1920's - 1931, had 212 disciples)
With his success and the money coming from his Western troops, Rajagopalachari returned to India in 1999 to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Babuji. On April 30th, he opened the Babuji Memorial Ashram, at Manappakam on the outskirts of Chennai, an ashram of five hectares which can accommodate 13,000 people inside the meditation hall.
If one believes the principal parties involved, the return of Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari to India is a smashing success and is crowned by a resounding victory over his rival organization, the Shri Ram Chandra Mission of Shahjahanpur (1945). In 2003, he announced that the number of his disciples was multiplied by three in three years. From 75 000 in 2000, it would then be increased to 200 - 300,000 from 2003-04.
In 2005, he reached the height of his power, Rajagopalachari appoints a successor. He makes recognized the SRCM(tm) at the Department of Public Information United Nations, (UNDPI) and launched the "New Bible" of Sahaj Marg(tm), a book that compiles the words of Babuji from beyond the grave, as reported by a medium, and creates a school and some retreat centers ...
Links:
- Sahaj Marg & The Successors of Chari
See also:
Sister Kasturi Speaks
Translation and Transcript of Sister Kasturi Interview (Feb. 20, 2009)
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Friday, February 24, 2012
Sahaj Marg is in Mourning!
Taken and translated from an article, Le Sahaj Marg est en deuil, on her blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
February 24, 2012
Sahaj Marg is in Mourning!
Sahaj Marg has just lost its second and greatest figure after Babuji. This personality is gone, and it is Sahaj Marg which goes out and dies.
Do not worry, it's not that about Chari that this concerns. There will always be a pale imitation of the real Sahaj Marg, a vulgar substitute registered in the commercial register.
This is about Kasturi Chaturvedi, Kasturi Bhenji, that saint of Sahaj Marg who passed away on February 22, 2012, and the remains of Sahaj Marg have disappeared with her.
Pray for her joining Babuji in a Brighter World, for whom she had devoted her life.
Elodie
.
.
.
February 24, 2012
Sahaj Marg is in Mourning!
Sahaj Marg has just lost its second and greatest figure after Babuji. This personality is gone, and it is Sahaj Marg which goes out and dies.
Do not worry, it's not that about Chari that this concerns. There will always be a pale imitation of the real Sahaj Marg, a vulgar substitute registered in the commercial register.
This is about Kasturi Chaturvedi, Kasturi Bhenji, that saint of Sahaj Marg who passed away on February 22, 2012, and the remains of Sahaj Marg have disappeared with her.
Pray for her joining Babuji in a Brighter World, for whom she had devoted her life.
Elodie
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.
.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sahaj Marg(tm) and the Successors of Chari
Taken and translated from an article: Les Successeurs de Chari, by Alexis on his blog in Europe, "La Fabuleuse Épopée du Sahaj Marg,
The successors of Chari
On April 29, 2005, Rajagopalachari wrote a first letter of appointment of his successor, Ajay Kumar Bhatter, a young businessman from West Bengal and member of the Executive Committee of the president since 2003, chosen by Babuji and confirmed by the hierarchy of Sahaj Marg, the signing ratified by sixteen personalities. And he (Chari) publicly announced this appointment the next day, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Mission and the day of the 106th anniversary of the birth of Babuji, in a speech entitled "Securing the Future of the Mission", then he (Chari) was 78 years old. AK Bhatter was chosen by Babuji, he was trained for this for years and will be even throughout the life of Rajagopalachari (Chari). He (AK Bhatter) then succeeded him (as President-in-waiting, until Chari passes on) as the spiritual representative of Babuji and president of the Mission throughout the world. But AK Bhatter throws in the towel five years later, worn out by the co-management with Chari, and maneuvers and manipulations of all kinds. Chari announced his (AK Bhatter) resignation May 2, 2010.
Six years after naming his first official successor, Rajagopalachari therefore appointed a second successor July 26, 2011. He designates Desaibhai Kamlesh Patel, a pharmacist from Brooklyn of Indian origin, in a document co-authored by US Bajpai, Sanjay Bhatia and AK Bhatter. The official announcement only takes place two months later, October 3, 2011. But as the first appointment, it was (allegedly) approved by Babuji from the beyond, in a message peddled by the (anonymous French lady) medium, and meant for Chari.
Born in Gujarat (a state in western India, bordering Pakistan), Kamlesh emigrated to America where he lives for more than 20 years to become a pharmacist in Brooklyn (he would be in his fifties). Following his appointment by Chari, he moved to Garden of Hearts (Chennai), facing the Babuji Memorial Ashram. This is a "head of the show", abhyasi of the first hour, preceptor for nearly as long, who has gone through all the positions of responsibility (area-in-charge, region-in-charge, etc..), to the positions of Director of the American foundation, Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation-SMSF, and the great mediator of the new World Service Team of SRCM (California-1997).
This person of Indian origin lives on Staten Island, in upstate New York, USA. An Indo-American to head the SRCM (California-1997) is new. If he truly succeeds Chari - in contrast to Ajay - will he chose the United States or will he settle permanently in India?
Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed
These two appointments targeted a double objective: to stop the succession disputes and to reassure abhyasis about their future. But let us not kid ourselves, these official announcements have never managed to completely turn off the hostilities between the various claimants to the succession, they just put them on hold, if not stifle them. Already, the abhyasis do not all succumb to the charisma of the designated successors. This is not without grimacing and gnashing of teeth. But one must accept the will of the guru, and then make do with it ...
Chari only appointed his successors to better calm the multiple contenders to his succession, but they are only puppets. Their legitimacy will turn off by itself after the death of Rajagopalachari. Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed. The stakes are considerably higher than at the death of Babuji.
In the succession race, his son PR Krishna, the wealthy heir and great financier of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, which manages the land and the property of the Mission, as his grand-son Barghav and his granddaughter Madhuri are well placed. Santosh Khanjee, the "grey eminence" who knows all the secrets and takes an iron fist throughout the organization and the foundation, has his chances. But his henchmen often at the forefront of the force used in the ashrams (take-over) and all dirty tricks, like Uma Shankar Bajpai and Arokiasamy P Durai (retired police), are agitated also.
Not to mention the medium of Babuji (Catherine Lauret?), who predicted that Ajay Kumar Bhatter would not succeed Chari, just six months before his resignation. For a stage entrance, it was perfectly orchestrated, a total success. But beware, her prestige could be short lived. She is a woman and Chari has always said that a woman could not become guru.
As for outsiders, the grandchildren of Lalaji and Babuji, Navneet and Dinesh, see this as an opportunity that had escaped them, to take over the reins. But the recent media exposure of the son of Dr. Varadachari, KC Narayana, suggests that he intends pull his piece from the game. And although Kasturi still remains out of the power games, it may not be the same for her supporters. And what about Srinivasa Rao, the head of the Shri Ram Chandraji Maharaj Seva Trust of Cuddapah?
And in 2011, another grand-son of Babuji, Sharad Chandra, creates the Society for Babuji's Mission, because he considers that the SRCM(California - 1997) has become too imortant and has overshadowed the spiritual aspects of Sahaj Marg ...
Moreover Rajagopalachari himself was concerned and revealed this in January 2009. He stated that a cancer was eating away at the inside of Sahaj Marg and that his organization was threatened with disintegration. He has nightmares where he sees the Shri Ram Chandra Mission disintegrate into "... 240 small missions".
See also (soon):
Links:
- Chari and Sahaj Marg(tm), or the Western Industrialization of Spirituality
.
.
The successors of Chari
On April 29, 2005, Rajagopalachari wrote a first letter of appointment of his successor, Ajay Kumar Bhatter, a young businessman from West Bengal and member of the Executive Committee of the president since 2003, chosen by Babuji and confirmed by the hierarchy of Sahaj Marg, the signing ratified by sixteen personalities. And he (Chari) publicly announced this appointment the next day, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Mission and the day of the 106th anniversary of the birth of Babuji, in a speech entitled "Securing the Future of the Mission", then he (Chari) was 78 years old. AK Bhatter was chosen by Babuji, he was trained for this for years and will be even throughout the life of Rajagopalachari (Chari). He (AK Bhatter) then succeeded him (as President-in-waiting, until Chari passes on) as the spiritual representative of Babuji and president of the Mission throughout the world. But AK Bhatter throws in the towel five years later, worn out by the co-management with Chari, and maneuvers and manipulations of all kinds. Chari announced his (AK Bhatter) resignation May 2, 2010.
Six years after naming his first official successor, Rajagopalachari therefore appointed a second successor July 26, 2011. He designates Desaibhai Kamlesh Patel, a pharmacist from Brooklyn of Indian origin, in a document co-authored by US Bajpai, Sanjay Bhatia and AK Bhatter. The official announcement only takes place two months later, October 3, 2011. But as the first appointment, it was (allegedly) approved by Babuji from the beyond, in a message peddled by the (anonymous French lady) medium, and meant for Chari.
Born in Gujarat (a state in western India, bordering Pakistan), Kamlesh emigrated to America where he lives for more than 20 years to become a pharmacist in Brooklyn (he would be in his fifties). Following his appointment by Chari, he moved to Garden of Hearts (Chennai), facing the Babuji Memorial Ashram. This is a "head of the show", abhyasi of the first hour, preceptor for nearly as long, who has gone through all the positions of responsibility (area-in-charge, region-in-charge, etc..), to the positions of Director of the American foundation, Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation-SMSF, and the great mediator of the new World Service Team of SRCM (California-1997).
This person of Indian origin lives on Staten Island, in upstate New York, USA. An Indo-American to head the SRCM (California-1997) is new. If he truly succeeds Chari - in contrast to Ajay - will he chose the United States or will he settle permanently in India?
Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed
These two appointments targeted a double objective: to stop the succession disputes and to reassure abhyasis about their future. But let us not kid ourselves, these official announcements have never managed to completely turn off the hostilities between the various claimants to the succession, they just put them on hold, if not stifle them. Already, the abhyasis do not all succumb to the charisma of the designated successors. This is not without grimacing and gnashing of teeth. But one must accept the will of the guru, and then make do with it ...
Chari only appointed his successors to better calm the multiple contenders to his succession, but they are only puppets. Their legitimacy will turn off by itself after the death of Rajagopalachari. Legitimacy is acquired, it can not be decreed. The stakes are considerably higher than at the death of Babuji.
In the succession race, his son PR Krishna, the wealthy heir and great financier of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, which manages the land and the property of the Mission, as his grand-son Barghav and his granddaughter Madhuri are well placed. Santosh Khanjee, the "grey eminence" who knows all the secrets and takes an iron fist throughout the organization and the foundation, has his chances. But his henchmen often at the forefront of the force used in the ashrams (take-over) and all dirty tricks, like Uma Shankar Bajpai and Arokiasamy P Durai (retired police), are agitated also.
Not to mention the medium of Babuji (Catherine Lauret?), who predicted that Ajay Kumar Bhatter would not succeed Chari, just six months before his resignation. For a stage entrance, it was perfectly orchestrated, a total success. But beware, her prestige could be short lived. She is a woman and Chari has always said that a woman could not become guru.
As for outsiders, the grandchildren of Lalaji and Babuji, Navneet and Dinesh, see this as an opportunity that had escaped them, to take over the reins. But the recent media exposure of the son of Dr. Varadachari, KC Narayana, suggests that he intends pull his piece from the game. And although Kasturi still remains out of the power games, it may not be the same for her supporters. And what about Srinivasa Rao, the head of the Shri Ram Chandraji Maharaj Seva Trust of Cuddapah?
And in 2011, another grand-son of Babuji, Sharad Chandra, creates the Society for Babuji's Mission, because he considers that the SRCM(California - 1997) has become too imortant and has overshadowed the spiritual aspects of Sahaj Marg ...
Moreover Rajagopalachari himself was concerned and revealed this in January 2009. He stated that a cancer was eating away at the inside of Sahaj Marg and that his organization was threatened with disintegration. He has nightmares where he sees the Shri Ram Chandra Mission disintegrate into "... 240 small missions".
See also (soon):
Links:
- Chari and Sahaj Marg(tm), or the Western Industrialization of Spirituality
.
.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Another Grandson of Babuji Throws Himself Into The Adventure ... The Saga of Sahaj Marg!
Taken and translated from an article: "Un autre petit-fils de Babuji se jette dans l'aventure", by Alexis, on Elodie's blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
Society for Babuji's Mission:
Comment by 4d-Don:
It seems that this group confirms yet again our concerns about the "materialist" (not spiritual) bent of the Sahaj Marg (tm) of Chari, and his Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM - California-1997), registered in San Luis Obispo, in 1997. They (every faction) all seem to be somewhat "SPIRITUALIST" (as opposed to "spiritual").
Notice this statement on the first page of this site: "This also earned for Him from the nature the title of "Special Personality". It would appear that "nature" is now giving out "titles"!! Hmmm!!
I am sure that the disciples of other religions (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, etc...) would think that this spiritualist (with an anonymous French Lady Medium, egregores, messages from the spirits of the dead, etc...) group is also not very respectful of their religion by claiming that because Babuji "dreamed" about their "leaders", it means that Babuji and Sahaj Marg now have a "mission" from them all. (these religious leaders are all MEN ... Christians allege that their leader is the one and only "Son of God" and hence, Jesus Christ is allegedly also GOD!! )
From their site (about Sharad Chandra)
Last sitting of him with Babuji was in Paris in (August) in 1982 when he placed both his arms on his head and told "Sharad all I have , I have transferred it to you . Here after you will be the one and only powerful person".
From their site, in "HISTORY" ... Will this group build ashrams also?? The test... Let us wait and SEE (become a "seer") !!
(...) Rev. Babuji was not interested in creating more ashrams buildings because properties create room for differences and were not required too. His wish was that every home should become like an ashram.
One can only surmise that there is no "EGO" in Sahaj Marg ;-)) : "they are all SAINTS" or demi-gods!!
ALL IN YOUR DREAMS !!
February 18, 2012
Another Grandson Of Babuji Throws Himself Into The Adventure
A Society for the Mission of Babuji
Sharad Chandra, son of Prakash Chandra Saxena and grand-son of Babuji (former candidate for the succession of Babuji in 1983-84) created a website on March 23, 2011 to promote the Sahaj Marg through the "Society for Babuji's Mission" , with a sidekick named Shubh Chintak Kishore. (www.societyforbabujismission.org.in)
They say among other things: “ (…) the Organisation grew very fast and became very big and ultimately departed from its object of concentrating on the spiritual mission, as it is involved more in organizational matters.”
But they add: “We, therefore, decided to register the Society to promote His mission "Sahaj Marg" independently, avoiding any legal hassle. Our mind set is to finally merge this Society into the SRCM, once it confines itself to the maintenance and promoting the spiritual awareness, the original mission of Rev. Babuji Maharaj.”
Alexis
.
.
.
Society for Babuji's Mission:
Comment by 4d-Don:
It seems that this group confirms yet again our concerns about the "materialist" (not spiritual) bent of the Sahaj Marg (tm) of Chari, and his Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM - California-1997), registered in San Luis Obispo, in 1997. They (every faction) all seem to be somewhat "SPIRITUALIST" (as opposed to "spiritual").
Notice this statement on the first page of this site: "This also earned for Him from the nature the title of "Special Personality". It would appear that "nature" is now giving out "titles"!! Hmmm!!
I am sure that the disciples of other religions (Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sufism, etc...) would think that this spiritualist (with an anonymous French Lady Medium, egregores, messages from the spirits of the dead, etc...) group is also not very respectful of their religion by claiming that because Babuji "dreamed" about their "leaders", it means that Babuji and Sahaj Marg now have a "mission" from them all. (these religious leaders are all MEN ... Christians allege that their leader is the one and only "Son of God" and hence, Jesus Christ is allegedly also GOD!! )
From their site (about Sharad Chandra)
Last sitting of him with Babuji was in Paris in (August) in 1982 when he placed both his arms on his head and told "Sharad all I have , I have transferred it to you . Here after you will be the one and only powerful person".
From their site, in "HISTORY" ... Will this group build ashrams also?? The test... Let us wait and SEE (become a "seer") !!
(...) Rev. Babuji was not interested in creating more ashrams buildings because properties create room for differences and were not required too. His wish was that every home should become like an ashram.
One can only surmise that there is no "EGO" in Sahaj Marg ;-)) : "they are all SAINTS" or demi-gods!!
ALL IN YOUR DREAMS !!
February 18, 2012
Another Grandson Of Babuji Throws Himself Into The Adventure
A Society for the Mission of Babuji
Sharad Chandra, son of Prakash Chandra Saxena and grand-son of Babuji (former candidate for the succession of Babuji in 1983-84) created a website on March 23, 2011 to promote the Sahaj Marg through the "Society for Babuji's Mission" , with a sidekick named Shubh Chintak Kishore. (www.societyforbabujismission.org.in)
They say among other things: “ (…) the Organisation grew very fast and became very big and ultimately departed from its object of concentrating on the spiritual mission, as it is involved more in organizational matters.”
But they add: “We, therefore, decided to register the Society to promote His mission "Sahaj Marg" independently, avoiding any legal hassle. Our mind set is to finally merge this Society into the SRCM, once it confines itself to the maintenance and promoting the spiritual awareness, the original mission of Rev. Babuji Maharaj.”
Alexis
.
.
.
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Natural Path Meditation = Sahaj Marg(tm) & Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM)
Taken From Michael's blog, "Inner Circle of SRCM" in the USA. Michael was a preceptor of SRCM under Chari. (see Michael's blog for his experience with Sahaj Marg and the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM and SRCM(California-1997), now being called "Natural Path Meditation", Natural Path Group or Natural Path Center.
FYI ... (For Your Information)
FYI ... (For Your Information)
SRCM and Sahaj Marg Renamed as Natural Path Meditation
Since late 2010, several SRCM centers in the US and possibly abroad, appear to have changed references to SRCM in their public meeting announcements on the MeetUp.com and other public Internet sites, using instead a new name of either "Natural Path Meditation Group" or "Natural Path Meditation Center". They also appear to be replacing the term Sahaj Marg with the brand, "Natural Path Meditation" to describe their meditation practice.
For quite some time now, a web search of "SRCM" or "Sahaj Marg" results in one or more blogs critical of SRCM showing up in the early search results. One can easily theorize that such a concerted deception is an attempt to keep prospective members from being informed prior to attending an introductory workshop. Interestingly, many of these Internet meetup invitations also neglect to mention any spiritual Master by name or title.
I am not aware of any official announcement of the re-naming of Sahaj Marg, however, I will honor the SRCM leaderships apparent push to quietly re-brand SRCM/Sahaj Marg. Going forward I will refer to Sahaj Marg as Natural Path Meditation and the SRCM or Shri Ram Chandra Mission as either the Natural Path Meditation Group or the Natural Path Meditation Center.
I hope this clears up any confusion folks my have in their quest to understand more about this organization and its meditation practice.
Alexis Reported:
Sahaj Sandesh No: 2011.32 Sunday, 2 October 2011
1. Mission's official presence on Facebook
It has been brought to our notice that several abhyasis have opened pages / groups related to the Mission on various social networking sites like Facebook, etc. Please kindly note that the Mission is formally present on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sahajmarg. Therefore all abhyasis who have opened such pages / groups on Facebook as well as other social networking sites are requested to kindly remove the same immediately and desist from doing so in future.
Please also note that SRCM, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, and the Emblem are registered trademarks of the Mission. Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation and the Foundation’s flag are the registered trademarks of the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation. Therefore, by law, the Mission and the Foundation are required to protect their respective trademarks against unauthorized infringements. Therefore, abhyasis are requested to kindly refrain from unauthorized use of these trademarks which are protected under international Trademark laws.
http://www.facebook.com/sahajmarg
=================================
Natural Path Meditation Center, Natural Path Meditation Group Club, Stanford.edu
18 meetup group: http://www.meetup.com/find/?keywords=Natural+Path+Meditation&op=search
Cleveland: http://www.meetup.com/Cleveland-Natural-Path-Meditation-Center/about/
Houston: http://www.meetup.com/Natural-Path-Meditation-Houston/
Wayne: http://www.meetup.com/NaturalPathMeditation/
Dekalb: http://www.meetup.com/Natural-Path-Meditation-DeKalb-Sycamore/
Columbia: http://www.meetup.com/Naturpath-meditation-Columbia-SC/
Jacksonville: http://www.meetup.com/natural-path-meditation-jacksonville/
Etc.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sahaj Marg(tm) and the Urgency of Spiritual Realization!
Taken and translated from an article by Elodie: "L'urgence de la realization spirituelle", on her blog in Europe: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
The Urgency of Spiritual Realization
One must believe that I was not yet ready to hear and understand the analysis of Michael when he published it. Yet it is irrefutable and relentless.
Michael was a U.S. abhyasi (and preceptor) from 1979 to 1988. He lived the sad transition from Babuji to Chari from very closely having been involved in the committee for dissemination and censorship of the speeches of Chari. He paid the price of the power struggles within the circle of the closest disciples of Chari.
The full testimony is posted on his blog http://innercircleofsrcm.blogspot.com/
While Sahaj Marg is synonymous with the "natural way", it is actually a practice that cheats nature by force of will to accelerate a "natural" development. It is based on the acceptance that we start from a level of spiritual insufficiency, which requires an external force to rectify the situation.
Babuji's message is that we are not spiritually developed enough and that there is an urgency to do so, the divine realization becomes complete when we reach the Central Region, a brighter world.
The method of Sahaj Marg achieves this goal through meditation on the heart, but it requires a living Master so as to be accelerated, which will promote the spiritual transmission. This is the first crucial point, the dependence vis-à-vis a teacher but there is another, it is the (claimed) exclusivity of the method of Sahaj Marg, which will lead one to serve the Mission.
Doubly blind and total dependence on the Master and the Mission, of the disciple who wants to progress.
Babuji has instilled the idea that we are spiritual midgets, and that it is urgent to progress, and that he has a method to achieve in an ordinary lifetime, the merger with the Divine in the Central Region. If we as spiritual aspirants, want to grow spiritually, we need an all-powerful master and a method incarnated in the SRCM Mission.
The result? The abhyasis jostle for spiritual favors from the Master, in the hope of getting an improvement in return, their just reward. The goal of the spiritual aspirant becomes blind service to the mission, total obedience to the Master for his favor. In theory, the action of the disciple is disinterested, in practice, it is the opposite: he/she is terribly interested, he/she seeks a spiritual reward.
As the spiritual aspirant is not alone, he/she must surpass his/her co-disciples, his/her competitors, to better attract the attention of the Master and get more out of him, enjoying his favor.
The urgency of the result to be achieved, (and) the need to go through a Master to do so, create a competitive atmosphere where all jostle for his (the Master) attention. It's a fierce and selfish competition.
The other result is that in theory there is spiritual transmission from the master to the disciple, but in reality there is only one transfer: the power of the disciple to the Master, the sole beneficiary of this vast spiritual fraud.
Some time ago, I asked these questions at the end of my reflection on the theme of: "Chari, Spiritual Mafiosi"?
What does it serve to join a spiritual group, to follow the teaching of a master and to be supported by a preceptor? Is it just to go faster and to not get lost on the path of spirituality?
How does one choose a good spiritual teacher? How does one recognize him without being misled by false pretenses? How does one trust him without alienating one's freedom and losing one's free will?
The analysis of Michael brings some good answers: let us leave the spiritual nature happen (naturally) without trying to speed it up, so we will not have to lose our freedom. Chari took the power that we gave him, and used it for his own personal ends.
Why always want to go faster, including in spirituality? This concept of urgency, constantly picked up by Babuji and Chari, has nothing spiritual, it is even contradictory. Urgency is instead a modern and materialist concept, an idea that is largely responsible for all the ills of our society.
The SRCM is a wonderful example of our frenzy to reach a goal, a spiritual realization which leads us to the most selfish and competitive conduct.
I remind you that the debate continues and you can get involved by posting a comment on
http://pourquevivelesahajmarg.blogspot.com/2011/10/chari-un-spirituel-mafieux.html
Elodie
Michael said...
.
.
The Urgency of Spiritual Realization
One must believe that I was not yet ready to hear and understand the analysis of Michael when he published it. Yet it is irrefutable and relentless.
Michael was a U.S. abhyasi (and preceptor) from 1979 to 1988. He lived the sad transition from Babuji to Chari from very closely having been involved in the committee for dissemination and censorship of the speeches of Chari. He paid the price of the power struggles within the circle of the closest disciples of Chari.
The full testimony is posted on his blog http://innercircleofsrcm.blogspot.com/
While Sahaj Marg is synonymous with the "natural way", it is actually a practice that cheats nature by force of will to accelerate a "natural" development. It is based on the acceptance that we start from a level of spiritual insufficiency, which requires an external force to rectify the situation.
Babuji's message is that we are not spiritually developed enough and that there is an urgency to do so, the divine realization becomes complete when we reach the Central Region, a brighter world.
The method of Sahaj Marg achieves this goal through meditation on the heart, but it requires a living Master so as to be accelerated, which will promote the spiritual transmission. This is the first crucial point, the dependence vis-à-vis a teacher but there is another, it is the (claimed) exclusivity of the method of Sahaj Marg, which will lead one to serve the Mission.
Doubly blind and total dependence on the Master and the Mission, of the disciple who wants to progress.
Babuji has instilled the idea that we are spiritual midgets, and that it is urgent to progress, and that he has a method to achieve in an ordinary lifetime, the merger with the Divine in the Central Region. If we as spiritual aspirants, want to grow spiritually, we need an all-powerful master and a method incarnated in the SRCM Mission.
The result? The abhyasis jostle for spiritual favors from the Master, in the hope of getting an improvement in return, their just reward. The goal of the spiritual aspirant becomes blind service to the mission, total obedience to the Master for his favor. In theory, the action of the disciple is disinterested, in practice, it is the opposite: he/she is terribly interested, he/she seeks a spiritual reward.
As the spiritual aspirant is not alone, he/she must surpass his/her co-disciples, his/her competitors, to better attract the attention of the Master and get more out of him, enjoying his favor.
The urgency of the result to be achieved, (and) the need to go through a Master to do so, create a competitive atmosphere where all jostle for his (the Master) attention. It's a fierce and selfish competition.
The other result is that in theory there is spiritual transmission from the master to the disciple, but in reality there is only one transfer: the power of the disciple to the Master, the sole beneficiary of this vast spiritual fraud.
Some time ago, I asked these questions at the end of my reflection on the theme of: "Chari, Spiritual Mafiosi"?
What does it serve to join a spiritual group, to follow the teaching of a master and to be supported by a preceptor? Is it just to go faster and to not get lost on the path of spirituality?
How does one choose a good spiritual teacher? How does one recognize him without being misled by false pretenses? How does one trust him without alienating one's freedom and losing one's free will?
The analysis of Michael brings some good answers: let us leave the spiritual nature happen (naturally) without trying to speed it up, so we will not have to lose our freedom. Chari took the power that we gave him, and used it for his own personal ends.
Why always want to go faster, including in spirituality? This concept of urgency, constantly picked up by Babuji and Chari, has nothing spiritual, it is even contradictory. Urgency is instead a modern and materialist concept, an idea that is largely responsible for all the ills of our society.
The SRCM is a wonderful example of our frenzy to reach a goal, a spiritual realization which leads us to the most selfish and competitive conduct.
I remind you that the debate continues and you can get involved by posting a comment on
http://pourquevivelesahajmarg.blogspot.com/2011/10/chari-un-spirituel-mafieux.html
Elodie
Michael said...
Thank you Elodie!
You inspired me to engage in the debate years ago when you created your blog and encouraged me to document my experiences and analysis. I appreciate you and your persistence in pursuit of Truth.
I concluded in my analysis years ago that:
- There is no spiritual practice, there is only embracing our spiritual existence or IS-Ness.
- There is no goal, but only our individual and unique Infinite Journey that has been placed before us by Creator.
- We need not travel down some spiritual garden path when we can embrace the fact our very existence is divine NOW.
I believe these conclusions apply well beyond SRCM.
Best Regards,
Michael
.
.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
For Sahaj Marg(tm), a New Court Episode?
Taken and translated from an article by Elodie: "Nouveaux Episodes Judiciaires", on her blog: Pour Que Vive Le Sahaj Marg.
It seems that this is a continuation of the old feud between the two (or more) Sahaj Marg's and the two or more SRCM's ... Because SRCM is registered as a charity, we all share in paying their legal expenses with our "tax exempt" subsidies to charities, under the "education" misnomer. Let your taxation offices know your concerns.
God and His Godmen does not need to be "TAX EXEMPT"!! Support your own spiriutalist (and homophobic) beliefs by yourselves, not with society's tax exempt incentives meant for real CHARITIES.
The male God of Sahaj Marg (tm) (or His representatives) can pay HIS taxes like every other PERSON !! The adherents to Sahaj Marg(tm) System are free to put their faith in their alleged "all powerful God", and not rely in the secular (tax) systems of man! No more "tax exempt" for Religion and Spritualism under the misnomer of "education"... Most religions indoctrinate the children with fantasy presented as truth!
Notice the tricky use of SRCM (Shahjahanpur), the society of the Babuji family, which is allegedly presided by Navneet, Babuji's grandson) in the WIPO deposition ... as sneaky as a lawyer!! Does the Sahaj Marg (tm) system offer: Divinity or dishonesty, a state away from our "animal state" ? And all these battles for the corrupt "material", as animals for a carcass of the temporal realm; is that the SPIRITUALISM of Sahaj Marg (tm)??
New Court Episodes?
In the legal battle between the two (2) SRCM's, a new court decision was taken on September 14, 2011.
Read about it: http://www.ipab.tn.nic.in/151-2011.htm
It opposed the SRCM of Shahjahanpur, represented by Puneet Chandra Saxena, grand-son of Babuji and brother of Navneet, and the registered trademark (Sahaj Marg(tm)) of SRCM(California) of Chari.
I'm not sure I understand, but it seems that the authority of the Justice has found itself not competent to rule on the question of who is able to represent the Shri Ram Chandra Mission.
Your opinion, and especially your information are welcome.
Another decision was made November 25, 2011. Read here:
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/text/2011/d2011-1573.html
It opposed the SRCM of Shahjahanpur, represented by lawyers of Chari (?) to the creators of the website (Sahaj Marg Systems.com ... now off-line). SRCM of Chari is presented as the custodian of the brand "Sahaj Marg" in India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, in the Benelux countries and on the Island of Mauritius.
If I understand the decision of the Arbitration Commission correctly, the creator of the site is ordered to give the domain name to the SRCM (California) of Chari.
Thank you for your insights on these issues.
Elodie.
.
.
It seems that this is a continuation of the old feud between the two (or more) Sahaj Marg's and the two or more SRCM's ... Because SRCM is registered as a charity, we all share in paying their legal expenses with our "tax exempt" subsidies to charities, under the "education" misnomer. Let your taxation offices know your concerns.
God and His Godmen does not need to be "TAX EXEMPT"!! Support your own spiriutalist (and homophobic) beliefs by yourselves, not with society's tax exempt incentives meant for real CHARITIES.
The male God of Sahaj Marg (tm) (or His representatives) can pay HIS taxes like every other PERSON !! The adherents to Sahaj Marg(tm) System are free to put their faith in their alleged "all powerful God", and not rely in the secular (tax) systems of man! No more "tax exempt" for Religion and Spritualism under the misnomer of "education"... Most religions indoctrinate the children with fantasy presented as truth!
Notice the tricky use of SRCM (Shahjahanpur), the society of the Babuji family, which is allegedly presided by Navneet, Babuji's grandson) in the WIPO deposition ... as sneaky as a lawyer!! Does the Sahaj Marg (tm) system offer: Divinity or dishonesty, a state away from our "animal state" ? And all these battles for the corrupt "material", as animals for a carcass of the temporal realm; is that the SPIRITUALISM of Sahaj Marg (tm)??
New Court Episodes?
In the legal battle between the two (2) SRCM's, a new court decision was taken on September 14, 2011.
Read about it: http://www.ipab.tn.nic.in/151-2011.htm
It opposed the SRCM of Shahjahanpur, represented by Puneet Chandra Saxena, grand-son of Babuji and brother of Navneet, and the registered trademark (Sahaj Marg(tm)) of SRCM(California) of Chari.
I'm not sure I understand, but it seems that the authority of the Justice has found itself not competent to rule on the question of who is able to represent the Shri Ram Chandra Mission.
Your opinion, and especially your information are welcome.
Another decision was made November 25, 2011. Read here:
http://www.wipo.int/amc/en/domains/decisions/text/2011/d2011-1573.html
It opposed the SRCM of Shahjahanpur, represented by lawyers of Chari (?) to the creators of the website (Sahaj Marg Systems.com ... now off-line). SRCM of Chari is presented as the custodian of the brand "Sahaj Marg" in India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, in the Benelux countries and on the Island of Mauritius.
If I understand the decision of the Arbitration Commission correctly, the creator of the site is ordered to give the domain name to the SRCM (California) of Chari.
Thank you for your insights on these issues.
Elodie.
.
.
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