tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post582935204620941194..comments2024-02-21T07:12:46.869-07:00Comments on Guruphiliac: We Are About To Stink Up The PlaceUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-66657633358179326362008-06-21T12:36:00.000-06:002008-06-21T12:36:00.000-06:00If any Westerner voices scepticism about " merchan...If any Westerner voices scepticism about " merchants of Nirvana " of today's world ,they are branded as Christian missionaries out to malign hinduism.I am getting tired of this crying wolf tactics.<BR/><BR/>Someone like Jody is worthy of more admiration as is endowed with unconditioned thinking sans herd mentality.<BR/><BR/>Ashtavakra Samhita and Yoga Vaasishtam did not spring forth from ravishankars.<BR/><BR/>A Thinnanaar was endearingly called " Kannappa" and passionately embraced by Lord Ssiva not because of any Pranayama kriyas or charities & donations and peace peddling industries or missions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-29165137518243068802008-06-20T06:48:00.000-06:002008-06-20T06:48:00.000-06:00Bite me.Bite me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-89956169917106921532008-06-18T15:42:00.000-06:002008-06-18T15:42:00.000-06:00to betty:lets not complain about self-righteousnes...to betty:<BR/><BR/>lets not complain about self-righteousness...this (and most blogs) are highly opinionated, where opinion is regarded as truth.<BR/><BR/>I called you a cynic because you seem to think that all spiritual organizations (except the one you belong to) are scams. There are those that are scams, and those that are genuine. I'm not saying that all spiritual are bad, or all are good. organizations<BR/><BR/>And who is to be the arbiter of what is genuine and what is not. In most fields one's peers and the media hold one accountable...not opinionated bloggers like you and jody who are heavily biased against people who are doing good work in spreading knowledge in an increasingly materialistic and hedonistic world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-64328918763816951742008-06-18T11:54:00.000-06:002008-06-18T11:54:00.000-06:00anon said... I not coming from a position of naiev...anon said... I not coming from a position of naievity, but genuine faith.<BR/><BR/>..........<BR/><BR/>Your faith sems shallow when you speak in platitudes and declare that someone who stands up and points out the pitfalls in so called spiritual organizations like Ravi Shankar's is cynical. You said, "I hope I never become cynical like you." You don't know me. This kind of faith is very close to self righteousness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-84526690145461706772008-06-17T20:59:00.000-06:002008-06-17T20:59:00.000-06:00"why is the town of Fairfield, Iowa which is the T..."why is the town of Fairfield, Iowa which is the TM stronghold in the US and so full of impoverished meditators? "<BR/><BR/>I have no idea why that is...I have not met these people. I can only speak from my experience. Spirituality is not against capitalism. On the contrary one needs faith to do anything, and spiritual practices builds that faith. To say it has helped me a lot is an understatement. Maybe it is because of growing up in India, I have learned to integrate spiritual and worldly life.<BR/><BR/>I don't know. What I do know is that spiritual knowledge is valuable, both in spiritual and worldly pursuits.<BR/><BR/>As far as me being a child goes...it could also be that, you have become too rigid in your ideas and opinions. I have seen enough of the world, and spiritual organizations, to be aware of their pitfalls, I am not saying obstacles and traps are absent in the spiritual path. At the same time I not coming from a position of naievity, but genuine faith.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-61124543607696150292008-06-17T09:48:00.000-06:002008-06-17T09:48:00.000-06:00anon said...I hope I never become cynical like you...anon said...<BR/>I hope I never become cynical like you.<BR/><BR/>I am not cynical. I am simply know first hand about these kinds of groups. Whatever is true you will give to yourself. Also, if it is so easy for "seekers who have been on the spiritual path" to make money, why is the town of Fairfield, Iowa which is the TM stronghold in the US and where I saw your precious Sri Sri for the first time strutting like a little peacock, so full of impoverished meditators? Why do these kind of gurus always resort to slimy methods of getting large sums of money? Why are so many of their close supporters on the cutting edge of money making schemes that often result in large losses for those at the bottom of the pyrimid while those at the top get rich? <BR/><BR/>Instead of baby talk, why not find out what you're talking about, child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-53054100679479680162008-06-17T00:09:00.000-06:002008-06-17T00:09:00.000-06:00"The real education they offer is that your innoce..."The real education they offer is that your innocence and sincerity are seen as signs of weakness and that you are ripe for a fleecing."<BR/><BR/>I hope I never become cynical like you. Any seeker, who has been on the spiritual path has enough will power to make money whenever he desires. Making money is not a big deal. Living in devotion and celebration is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-38834880036981416792008-06-16T09:25:00.000-06:002008-06-16T09:25:00.000-06:00The only real "education" you are going to get by ...The only real "education" you are going to get by giving money to AOL or the TM organization or any other big time spiritual scam is that "spiritual knowledge" cannot be bought at any price. The real education they offer is that your innocence and sincerity are seen as signs of weakness and that you are ripe for a fleecing. Believe in your self. Sri Sri is the scum on your own pond of pure existence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-42792021376264841162008-06-14T17:48:00.000-06:002008-06-14T17:48:00.000-06:00Making sure he gets you sucked in, with a long str...<I> Making sure he gets you sucked in, with a long straw down your wallet. </I><BR/><BR/>Here is another perspective. How much are you willing to pay to learn say economics 101. If its a reasonably good school, for undergraduate you pay about $2000 per course. <BR/><BR/>Don't you think spiritual knowledge is valuable ? If you value it, is there any problem in paying money to learn it from a good school, and giving it time and commitment.<BR/><BR/>For people who don't value it, it might seem like a waste of money. For people who value it, money spent on education is money well spent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-10821996947816681282008-06-14T17:40:00.000-06:002008-06-14T17:40:00.000-06:00"Don't you ever feel a little rebel inside of you....<I>"Don't you ever feel a little rebel inside of you. It is quite natural to rebel against authority, be it parents, school, teachers etc. " </I><BR/><BR/>What makes you think seekers don't question. It is just your arrogance that you think you are superior to others. Somehow just because you have doubts that others don't have you are intelligent and they are stupid.<BR/><BR/>There are more questions than you can even imagine. But after a certain point only the important questions remain...and (maybe) later even they fall off and change into wonderAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-31762849870763394802008-06-13T11:15:00.000-06:002008-06-13T11:15:00.000-06:00" In that case, a devil-worshipper will aslo reach..." In that case, a devil-worshipper will aslo reach that same source.. done with devotion it will even create "healings" <BR/><BR/>Way to go using twisted logic. The statement was about saguna and nirguna upasana. Whichever form is worshipped with devotion bears fruits.<BR/> <BR/>Actually Hindu lore is full of stories of Demons and thieves who attained God. And they weren't trying to achieve God.there's an important truth there i think.Peggy Burgesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294844007826976076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-51811755746275721542008-06-13T00:26:00.000-06:002008-06-13T00:26:00.000-06:00This is my experience with Sri Sri. I hadnt known ...This is my experience with Sri Sri. I hadnt known anything remotely about spirituality or anything. I was a happy person, doing well for myself. I did the art of living course, And i ended up listening to SriSri's talks on ashtavakra gita. It raised me to such a level of bliss, and an unshakable strength in daily life. So much of peace within...anyone who has taken some sadhana on the path can realize that. For me it was sri sri who made me see this unity. That is the true miracle. You might be seeing other aspects of promotion. But if He is promoting this knowledge and brings this experience of the infinite within people , why not this ?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-68905079805152441672008-06-12T15:42:00.000-06:002008-06-12T15:42:00.000-06:00"Not it is not...this is being a good teacher and ..."Not it is not...this is being a good teacher and introducing concepts slowly and gradually, and making sure they get it"<BR/><BR/>Making sure he gets you sucked in, with a long straw down your wallet.<BR/>Good for you.. if it makes you happy. Don't you ever feel a little rebel inside of you. It is quite natural to rebel against authority, be it parents, school, teachers etc. <BR/><BR/>"While in one's mind there is no duality,... " - you've got it wrong. Have you heard about no-mind? The purpose of meditation is to bring mind to a standstill, bringing the incessant duality to one-pointednes.<BR/><BR/>Do you know that by meditating you can find that treasure of gold you have been sitting on all the time you were in Aol. That joy and that bliss that comes with this realization is unmistakable. It is all yours, right now. Not after so many courses, so much knowledge, so much being in the presence of the guru. Try it..<BR/><BR/>I have simply realized (still am), by questioning, by popping so many illusions (AoL being one of them) -and the more illusion-popping and pain, the more stillness, joy and peace.<BR/><BR/>You know who is my greatest teacher? - only one - LIFE with its winds of change.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-36405734263612296692008-06-12T14:31:00.000-06:002008-06-12T14:31:00.000-06:00It still is, as anyone who travels in internationa...<I>It still is, as anyone who travels in international airports will tell you -- those people never leave you alone until you buy their books.</I><BR/><BR/>So if they give you one for free like the gideons people it becomes a spiritual endeavor. Books cost money, they are trying to spread knowledge...their methods are a bit unpalatable to many, but I don't doubt their intent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-13344605226556225902008-06-12T14:28:00.000-06:002008-06-12T14:28:00.000-06:00THIS is looking DOWN from ABOVE... Not it is not.....<I> THIS is looking DOWN from ABOVE... </I><BR/><BR/>Not it is not...this is being a good teacher and introducing concepts slowly and gradually, and making sure they get it.<BR/><BR/>While in one's mind there is no duality, the world outside is full of dualities..teacher student, parent child. One should have the bhaav that we are all the same, but at the same time, one has to navigate the world of duality as well.<BR/><BR/>ANd i'm sure you are the only person in the world who has been brought up with a spiritual upbringing. Only you can interpret the upanishads and your interpretation is the only correct interpretation. FYI, SSRS is well regarded amongst his peers as possessing a firm grasp of vedanta. But maybe you should go and teach him, and others coz you obviously are the only one who has studied scriptures from childhood and know better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-82115584104524168832008-06-12T14:19:00.000-06:002008-06-12T14:19:00.000-06:00" In that case, a devil-worshipper will aslo reach...<I>" In that case, a devil-worshipper will aslo reach that same source.. done with devotion it will even create "healings" </I><BR/><BR/>Way to go using twisted logic. The statement was about saguna and nirguna upasana. Whichever form is worshipped with devotion bears fruits. <BR/><BR/> Please understand that this discussion in the context of hindu spiritual traditions. guru is the ishta in many traditions (including shankara), while some traditions worship is of a diety.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-79363075344490314042008-06-12T10:17:00.000-06:002008-06-12T10:17:00.000-06:00What better way for conmen to make a fortune than ...What better way for conmen to make a fortune than the ashram guru business. They can teach some mantra japa (like TM) or some modified kriya pranayam (like AoL) for a short while, then get free slave sevaks and volunteer teachers to do all the work and handing over the big fees collected to the godman gurus. The followers were fooled into believing they are earning merit or grace of their godman guru by their devoted slavery. What other business you get unpaid slaves doing whatever they are told day and night, never question anything!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-3193082981139202252008-06-12T10:09:00.000-06:002008-06-12T10:09:00.000-06:00"Some of them were, indeed, from very good homes/f..."Some of them were, indeed, from very good homes/families, but, again, they were mentally imbalanced, and so left, ran away from their responsibilities. SSRS encouraged them to do so. You can accept this or not. But it is the truth."<BR/><BR/>End of critical thought for you-you already seemed to be closed to examination. Whether you dogmatise Sri Sri or you dogmatise your own belief rendering it unquestionable-both are in the same boat. To the degree that enquiry is allowed and transparency is encouraged, there is a dialog, a possiblity to investigate the truth of the matter. The moment you start imposing your personal belief touting it as "truth" you stand the risk of what happens to lot of these people who get damaged by their own dogmatisation.<BR/><BR/>I think Jody would agree that as long as there is enquiry and trnsparency there is some hope for the authenticity of the master...<BR/>dont you think jody? what , as per you are the ideal tenets of a guru - cozs it looks like if you were around in adi shankara's time you would have criticised him as well for miracle mongering...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-73872075677192239122008-06-12T06:41:00.000-06:002008-06-12T06:41:00.000-06:00To Bhaskar,you said "You will find lot of teachers...To Bhaskar,<BR/><BR/>you said "You will find lot of teachers in AOL come from well educated middle class backgrounds. Sri Sri himself is from a middle class family."<BR/><BR/>Not true -- he is from a destitute family who fled Tamil Nadu to find work in Bangalore. His father dabbled in this and that, broke some laws, made some money doing so, offended a lot of people, and then got government land (purportedly for a school) and put his son in the Ashram Business. You know only the rest -- they became middle class, and are now rich as a result of his "Business". You obviously don't know the family very well, or anyone who really knew them "when". <BR/><BR/>As for those who are educated and with SSRS, many are having terrible family problems as a result of their association with this man (I know some of them). The association itself has caused mental imbalances and in some cases nearly caused divorce. Many were already having marriage or kid problems, and so ran away to SSRS for "help". He got their money. You won't find any happy, well-settled, prosperous people really close to him, or if you do, you will find it short lived. They see the folly in it fairly quickly.<BR/><BR/>You will find young men around him who left their homes, broke their families' hearts, and refused to marry as a result of SSRS's company. Some of them were, indeed, from very good homes/families, but, again, they were mentally imbalanced, and so left, ran away from their responsibilities. SSRS encouraged them to do so. You can accept this or not. But it is the truth. I know of several cases, and the families as well.<BR/><BR/>you also said:<BR/><BR/>"from history...Swami Sivanand (Divine Life society), was a doctor before he started teaching. Swami Prabhupad (Hare Krishna) was from an upper middle class background as well, He even had a business of his own."<BR/><BR/>Both are dead. Please tell me of one such example today. Also, Swami Prabhupad's endeavor was just that -- a business. It still is, as anyone who travels in international airports will tell you -- those people never leave you alone until you buy their books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-84012840147943158512008-06-12T06:05:00.000-06:002008-06-12T06:05:00.000-06:00they can get the positive mirroring they crave Wel...<I> they can get the positive mirroring they crave </I><BR/><BR/>Well experience sharing inspires novices only. People who are firmly set on the path are beyond experiences.<BR/><BR/><I> There is no such thing as a "taste" of the Atman.</I><BR/><BR/>For sure, and one can get even more technical till one comes to realize words are inadequate....some (buddhists) may even argue that atman does not exist. This conversation is not about that. By taste I mean "anubhuti" and insight which comes when past samskraras are cleared by sadhna. <BR/><BR/><I>I can fault him for pouring gallons of nondual truth-occluding Kool-Aid down the throats of these "novices" in his attempts to build an empire.</I><BR/><BR/>That is your (twisted) interpretation. Free speech being what it is...you have every right!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-37220906816599368132008-06-12T03:27:00.000-06:002008-06-12T03:27:00.000-06:00"novices are not revealed the most complicated abs..."novices are not revealed the most complicated abstract truth...rather simple things they can digest." <BR/><BR/>HOLY COW-DUNG! THIS is PROFANE.. some of us have been spiritual since early childhood, and I will tell you that I find AoL kicking and screamin' in the kindergarden of spirituality, compared to other teachings. THIS is keeping it INFANTILE. THIS is looking DOWN from ABOVE... this is what I find SICKENING with the AoL. Run away as fast as you can - this kind of thinking does not come from an enlightened source - glad my doubt got cleared completely.<BR/><BR/>Some sensitive people see everyone as enlightened (children and adults alike), some people sense the wind and the trees as manifestations of the divinity surrounding every atom of exsistence. As you align with the source of being, that is 'enlightened being', then your whole world gets enlightened and you have NO NEED WHAT SO EVER FOR THE STUPID DE-GRADED KNOWLEDGE that is simply 'stolen' from ancient scriptures that gets poisoned by people who can think this way..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-16711491252145801032008-06-12T02:51:00.000-06:002008-06-12T02:51:00.000-06:00Hi there, this upasana! - have no clue what that i...Hi there, this upasana! - have no clue what that is.. could you explain it pls.<BR/><BR/>So if sri sri says that who ever you pray to, it kind of doesn't matter!!! In that case, a devil-worshipper will aslo reach that same source.. done with devotion it will even create "healings"!!<BR/><BR/>It does matter who & what you worship.. it has to do with the intrinsic level of purity in that which you worship. Sri sri might have been pure, but he seem to be clouding his past is some mysterious fog,- and I wonder why?<BR/><BR/>I can just as easily fall in awe with a pebble, a mountain, a stream or a singer etc. It is through that wonder and innocence something gets created. And this is what I believe happens around an enlightened master. He/she does transmit a certain purity of the essense that we all are parts - and that is why people fall in love with a guru.<BR/><BR/>So the question will be, - how pure is Ravi?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-78382804237548211972008-06-12T01:05:00.000-06:002008-06-12T01:05:00.000-06:00sri sri has said that in many many talks...not to ...<I> sri sri has said that in many many talks...not to get stuck in some experiences you've had.</I><BR/><BR/>And yet...<BR/><BR/><I>it is okay to talk about one's positive experiences to inspire people to come on to the spiritual path</I><BR/><BR/>You mean, get folks to share their experiences in the presence of the group so that a), they can believe they are making progress, b), they can get the positive mirroring they crave, the reason they've adopted Sri Sri as their space-daddy in the first place, and c), so Sri Sri can reinforce the idea that he and/or his techniques are responsible, as well as to sell folks on the idea that they will advance quickly through the advanced courses, after their bank accounts get tapped for the advance deposit.<BR/><BR/><I>so they can taste the reality that lies beyond experiences.</I><BR/><BR/>There is no such thing as a "taste" of the Atman. It's always here, always on. It cannot be perceived, it can only perceive itself. When that happens, the ahamkara is broken, and it's on. Your "tastes" are nothing more than self-generated fantasy fulfillment based on suggestions supplied by Sri Sri, again as a marketing ploy rather than a genuine attempt to help.<BR/><BR/><I>novices are not revealed the most complicated abstract truth...rather simple things they can digest.</I><BR/><BR/>Keep 'em stupid so they keep coming back to Sri Sri.<BR/><BR/><I>You cannot fault the guru for giving a simple but approximate truth to novices.</I><BR/><BR/>I can fault him for pouring gallons of nondual truth-occluding Kool-Aid down the throats of these "novices" in his attempts to build an empire.guruphiliachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07196278871433195577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-27509363738014463972008-06-11T23:02:00.000-06:002008-06-11T23:02:00.000-06:00If you want to do seva, go help those truly need ...If you want to do seva, go help those truly need your service: e.g. meals on wheels for the sick and disabled, shelters for the homeless, etc. <BR/><BR/>Seva for a big business (like Art of Living) making big money defrauding the public makes no sense to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11379073.post-88132472950605613232008-06-11T20:41:00.000-06:002008-06-11T20:41:00.000-06:00But gurus like Sri Sri use the idea of providing e...<I> But gurus like Sri Sri use the idea of providing experience to sell themselves, essentially making much of their spiritual teaching little more than trash.</I><BR/><BR/>Yes and sri sri has said that in many many talks...not to get stuck in some experiences you've had. <BR/><BR/>However the fact is many people have had authentic spiritual experiences and transformations. And while one must not hold on to one's experience good or bad, it is okay to talk about one's positive experiences to inspire people to come on to the spiritual path, so they can taste the reality that lies beyond experiences.<BR/><BR/>In any field, be it spirituality or economics, novices are not revealed the most complicated abstract truth...rather simple things they can digest. The more complicated and abstract knowledge is for later. You cannot fault the guru for giving a simple but approximate truth to novices.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com