But the followers of such "enlightened" men are usually reluctant to find fault with them, since to do so could invalidate the students' own years of study and devotion. Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. One evening she went out to dinner with Martha*, an old friend from East West Books Chicago. Karen, the woman whose claims were ridiculed at the meeting where Swami Rama and the other directors responded to Brian's charges, was one of the first ex-members to confront top Institute administrators. Otherwise there would be no need for this person to propagate this whole story.". Swami Rama of the Himalayas: His Life and Mission. In 1856, however, Ramkumar died. But as she spent more time around Swami Rama and his inner circle, Megan says, the guru subjected her to a barrage of sexual harassment. Not only could he die at will, but he also could bring the dead back to life. [2][3] Abuses alleged to have taken place against former students of Swami Rama in Chicago, in Minneapolis, in New York, and in India in the 1970s were documented by Patricia Ann Darling in a chapter of her 1987 University of Minnesota PhD thesis. But one by one, Trescelli says, the women backed down and decided not to pursue legal action. I am keeping this last arrow in my quiver to use at that time. The yogis, he says, have demonstrated these abilities in the past and continue to do so. Megan*, a former graduate student in the Eastern Studies program, wrote a letter to the Jesuit administration of the University of Scranton saying that Swami Rama was subjecting women students to sexual exploitation. "Rama, Swami (1925-1996) One day Swami Rama called for her and told her he wouldn't be taking her to India that autumn. Rama, Swami, Rudolph, and Swami Ajaya. His students believe he is able to read minds and manipulate physical reality with his advanced yogic powers; thus they believe he can heal sickness with the power of the "superconscious" mind. For in his previous births too he had incarnated as the Avatars Lord Rama and Krishna. "The person wanted something, and the other person did not agree to fulfill their desires," he says. His lifetime of contributing to a reconciliation of scientific and spiritual knowledge brought him the Martin Buber Award for Service to Humanity in 1977. In his short lifetime, he spread Indian culture and spirituality all over the world. "A lot of people have confused the siddhis-the powers to control body, emotions, and mind-with spirituality. '"My dear,"' she says her counselor told her, "You sound just like a sexually abused child, a little girl whose Daddy told you never to tell anyone.". The Mission conducts extensive work in health care, disaster relief, rural management, tribal welfare, elementary and higher education. The great yogi Totapuri (whose name is well known to the students of the life of Paramahamsa Ramakrishna), like many other yogis, changed his name several times. Its mission, according to the Articles of Incorporation, was "to make known to the members and people in general the real, synthetic, and harmonious view of world religions and philosophy in terms of modern scientific achievements and undertake researches for all around ethical, social, economical, and spiritual development of humanity to attain world peace, international integration, understanding, and spiritual awakening of the human race." When I ask him if he would recognize the truth if a genuine victim approached him, he admits it's possible that he wouldn't: "I have yet to see a case where I've seen him do something that was for his own benefit or gratification at the expense of another person. It is also possible for a highly advanced yogi to assume the dead body of another if he chooses to do so and if a suitable body is available. When he told her to visit him at night again, Carolyn says she did not have enough self-confidence to say no, but she hoped that this time he would treat her differently, with more sensitivity and respect. Perhaps during his visit to Asia Minor he learned these techniques from the yogis. After dismissing the other workers, she says he repeated the familiar litany, but this time he slipped in a new message. Not permitted by the Tradition.. As soon as that ashram was established, he left from there, came back to the Rishikesh ashram and earnestly set about to establish the grand hospital for the service and benefit of the mountain people. Given a mantra but little guidance, Carolyn dutifully performed her assigned practices, hoping that Swami Rama's "scientific" approach to yoga would eventually yield results. At a young age, Swami Rama is supposed to have been appointed Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham, an exalted spiritual post. [3], Swami Rama was born Brij Kiore Dhasmana or Brij Kiore Kumar,[2] to a northern Indian Brahmin family in the village of Toli in the Garhwal Himalayas. The Institute also offers a dizzying array of education programs, including a diploma program for hatha yoga teachers. Edited by Swami Ajaya [Allan Weinstein]. The mantra serves as a guide through this period of transition. He is widely respected in the East, where he held, and later renounced, the office of Shankaracharya, Indian's highest spiritual position. The guru spoiled them, they say, calling them his spiritual son and daughter, and soon invited them to come live in Pennsylvania. Living with the Himalayan Masters: Spiritual Experiences of Swami Rama. Jesus demonstrated his knowledge of these methods when he brought Lazarus back to life. In May, Swami Rama visited the area again. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Born in northern India, he was raised from early childhood by the Himalayan sage, Bengali Baba. At the same time, she says, he offered her money and told her he wanted to put her in his will. Soon after his first vision, Ramakrishna commenced on a series of sadhanas (austere practices) in the various mystical traditions, including Bengali Vaishnavism, Shakta Tantrism, Advaita Vedanta, and even Islamic Sufism and Roman Catholicism. I said, Maharaj ji, then grant me the healing power and I will use it to heal you. As the scientific interest in yoga declined through the 1980s, Swami Rama lead the Himalayan Institute until his death in 1996. For the At the Feet of a Himalayan Master books: The website of the Himalayan Institute Hospital Trust (HIHT) is http://www.hihtindia.org/ . The link for the Swami Rama Centre is http://www.hihtindia.org/SRC%20NEW/src_home.htm Years later, Rose contacted Patricia Trescelli, hoping to support a lawsuit by other women working with Trescelli and hoping to press charges against Swami Rama in her own sexual assault. Instead, he told the other board members that he believed Rose, and that they should investigate the incident for themselves. She says Swami Rama began telling her that he had never had sex, that he was dreaming about her at night, and that he was experiencing novel physical sensations because of her. These are also available through Lotus Press in USA. When she asked him what she should do with the love letters, she says, Swami Rama would laugh and say, "Oh, these goofy women! The other was at Kanpur. "I will not tolerate anyone propagating malicious stories about the Institute or its founder on the Institute's own property," Dr. Ballcntine's letter says. The letter is curt in tone. Perfect. To my relief, I could detect no flash of recognition, guilt, fear, or anger in Carolyn's eyes. But the University of Scranton didn't offer a degree program in Carolyn's area of study, so she saw a way to rationalize leaving the Institute while still saving face; she could still be considered a good disciple if she cold get the guru's blessing to go away to college. As the scientific interest in yoga declined through the 1980s, Swami Rama lead the Himalayan Institute until his death in 1996. That was why he wanted her to be his secretary. Rma is a Vedic Sanskrit word with two contextual meanings. Many of those beliefs are based on Hindu and Buddhist teachings about the nature of the guru. The death of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, the great Rishi and Avatar is a source of puzzlement for many. Swami Rama is survived by his Indian son and daughter, Mohit Dhasmana and Devyani Mungali, and his American son, Robert Walter. Halfway through their meal, Carolyn remembers, Martha hesitantly said, "I know this will sound like a weird question, but has Swamiji ever asked you to have sex with him?" The Great Raman Maharshi died of cancer. She was afraid to stay in her room, which had no lock on the door, or to use the hall telephone, because all calls had to be routed through the main switchboard. Kala Deva Reveals His True Form To Rama. It is sad to lose what we care about in life. He replied in disgust: Much earlier, I tried to organize a yajna (fire offerings ceremony) with mrityunjaya mantra for his health. The couple had been meditating together for several years. Brian didn't believe his teacher, and he spoke with several other Institute administrators and board members about Rose's claim of abuse. For a time, she says, she considered getting a pistol to carry to work. Following on the heels of Karen's and her friend's revelations, several other women and men left the Meditation Center in Minneapolis. During a series of biofeedback experiments in 1970 and 1971, Drs. Tigunait, Pandir Rajmani. Carolyn went away to college at the end of that year, as her parents expected. To the last day of his life he was doing the rounds of his hospital. Finally, on 13th November 1996 he left his body. Although the jury entered a judgment against Nuernberger, it also found that the clinic was not liable for his actions, so Williams failed to recover damages. A guru has the wisdom of experience and the ancient teachings, so he can provide guidance, Dr. Ballentine says, but students should "judge every [practice] on the basis of your own experience." The man, she says, informed her of Swami Rama's long history of alleged sexual misconduct. In the year 1938 when I was sent to Benares to stay with a Bengali couple, I was informed that the couple would drop their bodies at the same time. In the spring of 1983, Swami Rama began to court her again, she says: He told her that she would help him prepare a book of sacred poetry he was writing, and he assured her repeatedly that he would take her to India the following autumn. Both came from prominent Midwestern families; each had an alcoholic parent, and they now believe they were seeking not only spiritual growth, but also a strong parental figure. Swami Rama has shattered the myth of western science about restrictions of human Physiology. She believes Swami Rama was trying to buy her collusion, as he had bought the collusion of the Institute's staff and many residents. She became outraged at the residents and the professional staff who enable and legitimized the Swami's behavior. [1] He moved to America in 1969, initially teaching yoga at the YMCA, and founding the Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Illinois in 1971; its headquarters moved to its current location in Honesdale, Pennsylvania in 1977. The Swami, she says, bragged to a crowd of disciples that the woman would do whatever he told her, then put his dog's collar and leash around her neck and walked her back and forth, while the others laughed. by Swami Veda Bharati, Glory to All Saints (interview) -- Swami Veda Bharati, Parents, Children, and Spirituality by Swami Rama, 50 Kids in a Memorable 4-day Program by David Rodrigo, Yes! According to Marston's attorney, Philip W. Getts, his client never recovered the $50,000 in punitive damages Nuernberger owed her, because Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not allow the court to garnish wages. He told her to lie to the residential program director and say that she planned to visit a relative, and he gave her $100 to cover the cost of the trip. ." The Swami. At the same time as he dismissed her, Swami Rama also gave her a Sanskrit name. Anyway, he said that our relationship would be exclusive, I'd be like a spiritual courtesan. Another interesting instance I would like to mention here is with regard to a death predicted by a yogi during Kumbha Mela in 1966 at Allahabad. Before the wedding, Carolyn and her fiance went to see a couples counselor both separately and together. Initially, Brian says, most of the other directors responded with concern. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. But to accept a tuition-free second year, or even to leave the Institute quietly, Megan says, would have meant giving tacit approval to the continuing exploitation. Kamapukur, India Swami Rama created his first ashram near Kathmandu in Nepal, apparently in the late 1950s. One of my friends, Vinaya Maharaj, sent a messenger to my camp informing me that he was going to drop his body and I should come to witness it. Rajmani explains the basic goals of the Institute's tradition of yoga: "The most important part of the practice is nonattachment." The ant came back to life and started crawling. Carolyn remembers being amazed: Could Swami Rama possibly be talking about sex? Meanwhile, Carolyn says, Swami Rama began singling her out for special attention. He must also vow that he will not harm any living being. She says he instructed her in how to give him pleasure and admonished her to always tell him that she had received pleasure, even thought she never did. Terry, who is now a practicing psychotherapist, says she believes Swami Rama's behavior is compulsive-he can't help it." ", I ask Dr. Ballentine how he would respond if a woman were to come to him and tell him she's been having sex with Swami Rama, and that her "inner voice" has been telling her that it isn't a positive experience. D., about abuses that allegedly took place in Minneapolis, Chicago, New York City, and India, for a chapter in Darling's doctoral dissertation, "Turning East in the Twin Cities: Converts and Movements in the 1970s" (University of Minnesota, 1987). Megan says her feelings told her that something was amiss, but because of the social environment, she began to entertain the notion that the Swami's motives might not be what they appeared to be, and that his attempts at a con job might be a spiritual test. Ravana stands in a tower and watches the battle for a while. Why did Carolyn say these things? He performs ritual prayers, dresses in his armor, and when he's dressed, he looks very heroic. In that letter, Hughes had told Swami Rama why marriage and parenthood were probably not for him. I like to believe that somewhere inside of him, he is the good person I believed him to be. "Anyone who lives a public life can go through such remarks; you have heard about all that blackmailing of famous, rich athletes," he explains to me in the spring of 1989 at the Honesdale ashram. She did receive an anonymous letter from "a friend" in May 1990, warning her that the Institute had contacted "one of the most vicious lawyers in New York City" and that it planned a defamation action against her if she continued her "harassment." He also sent out a letter resigning from the board. But after they started saying all these things, I never trusted them anymore. God knows whether it was true or not, and even if it was true, this is a normal phenomenon. Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps, Encyclopedia of Occultism and Parapsychology. There they became priests in a temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. Are you feeling a little confused and emotionally upset, and maybe some of the things that happened you might have misinterpreted, or you might have even fantasized them, you know, have trouble separating fantasy from reality?" There's no need for finding out, if I know it is completely wrong.". Elmer and Alyce Green observed that Swami Rama could produce different brain waves at will, including theta and delta (sleep) waves, while remaining aware of his environment. But their encounters were exactly the same as before, she says-emotionally impersonal and sexually mechanical. What a foolish woman! Six months before her death, she decided to live in a room by herself remembering the Lords name and meditating. Sex with a guru is a form of spiritual incest. When someone we love dies, it is sad. . Similarly, gurus in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions are supposed to be examples of self-mastery and right living. ." She heard "numerous former students say they left the [Himalayan] Institute because they were sexually exploited by Swami Rama or knew someone who was". Is it not better to follow someone who has charted the path?". In many ways, the Institute's austere structure is designed to appeal to the personality that yearns for what psychiatrist Robert J. Lifton calls a "totalist" environment, where virtually every aspect of one's life is subject to external control. In the presence of others, we spoke only of positive or spiritual matters, in the deliberately modulated tones all the residents used. Two other women left the Institute shortly afterwards. [34] [35] [36] Slavery Dr. Elmer Green says that he and his wife have heard from a number of women who said they were sexually exploited by Swami Rama. she wondered. Reprinted from Sacred Journey, an HIHT publication. From an early age he was raised in the Himalayas by his master Bengali Baba and, under the guidance of his master, traveled from temple to temple and studied with a variety of Himalayan . Honesdale, Pa.: Himalayan Institute, 1978. But Swami Rama's disciples do not hold him to these standards. Megan went through a brief but painful and confusing time during which she doubted her own feelings and perceptions. He would call her to his office for a private authence, and as she hung anxiously on his words he would paint a flattering picture of her future with the Institute. The Institute's program is no longer accredited by the University of Scranton. [2] [3] During his American tours Swami Rama Tirtha spoke frequently on the concept of 'practical Vedanta' [4] and education of Indian youth. He was asked why he is not healing himself. She never received a response. She couldn't make sense out of his behavior, because she found it impossible to believe that it was really about sex-and she repeatedly told him so. Dr. Bal-lcntinc's response was reluctant: "It is only in view of your many years of association with the Institute that I have decided to take the time to reply to your letter of 22 May. (April 12, 2023). The carnage makes him exceptionally angry. In the mythology of the ashram, the guru is the all-powerful, all-knowing father and the disciples are his spiritual children. In his new book, At the Eleventh Hour, Pandit Tigunait chronicles the 20-year period that he spent with his . window.__mirage2 = {petok:"rwoMEcu4d12i7H7r9Hc2xEPruriDZ_W2Qh9qgscL6JQ-86400-0"}; From the 1970s onwards, there were persistent allegations of sexual abuse of his followers;[2] in 1997 a woman won a lawsuit against him for multiple sexual assaults. YOGANANDA (18931952) was one of the earliest and most influential of the Hindu gurus to come to the West. 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