He must see something special in me.'" His American followers hear the spiritual teachings from his mouth, with his interpretation, and they rarely have the exposure to a variety of gurus, which would teach them to be skeptical of their own guru. His response: "Listen, there are certain things which are based on witnesses-those are facts. Expert wellness consultations direct to your home. But Mr. Schneider told the jury that evidence indicated the relationship was consensual. Megan* started the Institute's graduate program in Eastern studies in the fall of 1982. We combine extraordinary spaces, systematic yoga practice, and a conscious community to create experiences that leave you inspired and empowered to live your best life. Cons Not one that I can see. That one gesture unleashed a storm of long-suppressed emotions. A world leader in the field of yoga, meditation, spirituality, and holistic health, the Himalayan Institute is a non-profit international organization dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian programs. During her first eight months at the Institute, Megan was able to pursue her studies, but her situation altered dramatically when Swami Rama returned to take up summer residence. Tall and imposing, he had the sleek look of a successful man in his late 50s, at the peak of his power. But something, which is truth, cannot be falsified by having one hundred witnesses. When they have contacted their friends and former colleagues at the Institute, they have been discounted as liars or labeled "emotionally disturbed." And there is a statement, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.'" A Swami, or monk, is supposed to be "one who is master of oneself: senses, body, mind." Immerse yourself in a life-changing course of study and get certified in the authentic teachings of yoga and meditation. Our members consist of a vibrant residential community of practitioners, karma yogis (service-driven seekers), and faculty-in-residence as well as a global community of seekers, committed to living their spiritual values. Dr. Ballentine says he has good reason to think that Marston "was very anxious for [Nuernberger] to go further, and he didn't. she remembers him demanding. Early the next morning, she says, he announced to her that she was going to leave; he never set up the promised program. Before leaving, Megan says, she tried to confront Swami Rama publicly-but he went into seclusion, claiming illness. Only recently has she acknowledged her anger at Swami Rama. To my relief, I could detect no flash of recognition, guilt, fear, or anger in Carolyn's eyes. Healthy lifestyle products to support your yoga and spiritual practice. Ex-members say he has counseled patients in the Combined Therapy Program, although he lost is license to practice psychology in Minnesota in 1979. She listened calmly as I admitted that I'd worried she might be a victim. "If the guru's instruction leads to a deeper peace, freedom from conflict, a deepening of meditation, harmony in relationships - all of these. February 27, 2023. But all of them, whether they appear here under a pseudonym or as a background source, understand that if this article provokes a libel suit they can be called to testify in court. One day Swami Rama called for her and told her he wouldn't be taking her to India that autumn. Live online programs, on-demand courses, and hundreds of yoga and meditation classes. The chapter on the Meditation Center in Patricia Darling's dissertation details the growth of the center and the subsequent disillusionment of many of Pandit Arya's students with his new guru. I mean, he's giving you the teachings and you're going to use the teachings to evaluate him? And he abruptly dismissed her. A few weeks later she moved to Honesdale. Brian didn't believe his teacher, and he spoke with several other Institute administrators and board members about Rose's claim of abuse. Well-to-do New Yorkers flock to Honesdale on weekends for seminars in stress reduction, meditation, and diet and nutrition. It is a mistake to judge the external guru's worthiness by his behavior; instead, the student should look inside and determine whether that person is helping dispel the darkness of her ignorance. Each of the women I interviewed described how he would discern her particular needs and self-doubts and manipulate her spiritual beliefs or naivet in order to exploit her sexually-he has an uncanny ability to suit his approach to each victim, they say. No one had thoroughly investigated, until journalist Katharine Webster decided to spend two years researching their allegations. Carolyn says she told him no, it "just didn't feel right." After teaching, studying, and traveling throughout India and Europe, he came to the University of Minnesota in the 1960s, where he taught Sanskrit and Indian religions. "I felt two-dimensional, like a piece of paper, a cunt-he didn't care about me. Born in Northern India, he was raised from early childhood by the Himalayan sage, Bengali Baba. * "Nirvana was up at his cabin, walking his dog at 5:30 in the morning, and Megan was with him day and night." Once there, Carolyn devoted herself to her yoga practices and threw herself into her assigned jobs. Wisdom must show itself in action and lovingness." By 1977, the Institute was able to purchase the Honesdale ashram, a former Catholic seminary in the rural Pocono Mountains, which now houses more than 100 residents and guests. HIT ranked 39 th under Best Hotel Management Colleges in All India by The Week 2022.; HIT ranked 23rd under Top Private Hotel Management Colleges in All India and 11 th in North Zone by The Week 2022.; HIT is ranked as one of the most preferred Hotel Management Colleges . Maybe it's an honor that this great yogi asked me of all his students to serve him in this way. The original creator of the neti pot, the Himalayan Institute has been offering traditional and modern products for health and spirituality since 1971. At the same time, she felt anxious, because she'd seen how severe Swami Rama could be with those closest to him. But in 1980, they say, they returned to Honesdale after a brief vacation to learn that their friend Rose* had allegedly been sexually assaulted by Swami Rama during their absence and had fled the Institute for New York City. Our humanitarian projects serve impoverished communities through rural empowerment and environmental regeneration. He says he spends most evenings with the guru until midnight or 2 a.m., and that he knows better than anyone who is with Swami Rama late at night and who isn't. The original creator of the neti pot, the Himalayan Institute has been offering traditional and modern products for health and spirituality since 1971. Rose, they explain, was not a disciple of Swami Rama, but had been invited by family members in the Institute's administration to come to Honesdale for medical treatment. Himalayan Institute Buffalo Yoga | Meditation | Wellness Yoga classes and seminars for March - April are now open for registration. Swami Rama frequently invited them to parties in his private quarters, where they say he entertained them with funny stories and racy gossip. 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. Then he started giving her practices without any spiritual meaning, she says, and telling her she wasn't doing them right. He also has the integrity to admit that if they were true, it would be very terrible, and a violation of the teaching that says one should treat all women as daughters. Discover our new online platform for community, courses, and content. One of them, along with the other women from the tour group, attended the wedding of Swami Rama's son, although the guru is officially supposed to have been celibate since taking his Swami's vows. Himalayan Institute | Honesdale PA Ex-members say that Swami Rama also uses his psychological insights to manipulate people. In daily lectures by the Institute's teachers and in conversation with Swami Rama's disciples, she frequently heard that Swami Rama had a "greater purpose that we couldn't understand," and that he was "beyond morality and judgment. And that did not undermine Mahatma Gandhi's work!& No, this would not be shattering, certainly not. In a few months time she would handle his bank account, income taxes, everything. At a young age, Swami Rama is supposed to have been appointed Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham, an exalted spiritual post. The two couples referred to this statement in a petition to the FBI: they asked the FBI to investigate the threat letter and argued that Swami Rama could be deported by the Immigration and Naturalization Service as an undesirable alien on four grounds: possession of narcotics, sexual immorality, fraudulent financial dealings, and "affliction with [a] psychopathic personality." His early American followers had been spiritual seekers of the counterculture who found their guru at his ashram on the banks of the sacred Ganges in Rishikesh, India. Carolyn,* an old friend, called me collect. The next day, she says, Swami Rama called her to his office and asked her if anyone had said anything to her. Live online programs, on-demand courses, and hundreds of yoga and meditation classes. A rash of articles featuring Swami Rama appeared in national magazines, including Time, People, and Playboy. Finally I found an opportunity to broach the topic of the lawsuit with Carolyn. Several former students of Swami Rama granted interviews to Patricia Ann Darling, Ph. kono oto tomare main character; best supported football clubs in europe; rolling ridge conference center He reportedly smokes cigarettes, watches television for hours every day, and gossips, but his disciples rationalize this non-abstinent behavior: "Oh, Swamiji just smokes to bring himself down to the earth plane," or, "The TV is on incessantly just to give the student one more distraction to challenge his ability to maintain yogic balance," or, "all the stories Swamiji tells about other people are just to give the disciple the opportunity to develop objectivity and not get caught up in the meaningless gossip.". Many people, including the victims themselves, have trouble understanding how damaging such sexual contact can be, because the women are adults and no one is holding a gun to their heads. Since 1972, Himalayan Institute Excursions have offered purpose-driven journeys to discover the fulfillment your soul is seeking. Who? Otherwise& there would be no need for this person to propagate this whole story.". Initially, Brian says, most of the other directors responded with concern. Although she told an institute official about the assaults and the institute was aware of similar complaints by other women, the complaint said, the center did nothing to stop them. But after two unsatisfying years, she left college and returned to the Chicago area. Carolyn felt important, entitled to be there because she was one of his secretaries. Surrender only leads to enlightenment if the "guru within" is strong and well developed. The Himalayan Institute is a good a good model on how to do a resort perfect. The yogis, he says, have demonstrated these abilities in the past and continue to do so. A short time later, Swami Rama let her go as his secretary-because, she says he told her, she didn't really want the job. Allegations of such abuse have been made against modern yoga gurus such as Bikram . Because that's my whole life& My relationship with [Swami Rama] is purely divine and spiritual-there cannot be impurity in it, and there is no room for such thoughts. 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. Nor does Dr. Ballentine mention that in 1977 Nuernberger was formally reprimanded by the Minnesota Board of Psychology for unethical practices stemming from his relationship with a third woman patient. She opted to forego pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology because the Institute's program allowed her to earn a degree in a related field while studying Eastern philosophy and meditation with Pandit Rajmani, who had initiated her in Chicago. himalayan institute of modern arts & learning (HIMAL) Giving back through life-changing experiences. Education Advocacy Check our website! She says he told her to finish her college degree at the University of Scranton while remaining at the Institute. In his enlightened state, they believe, he could never commit any selfish acts, which would create new karmic burdens. Swamis, he explains, are renunciates who take vows of abstinence which include giving up sex, wine, and red meat, as well as other stimulants to the physical senses. The guru spoiled them, they say, calling them his spiritual son and daughter, and soon invited them to come live in Pennsylvania. Both women and men say they blamed themselves and their own spiritual obtuseness when they repeatedly failed to discern and follow the shifting rules. Many of them say they feared his wrath when they were disciples, and several still believe he has the power to inflict harm or illness on them from a distance. The program seemed to provide the ideal family she'd never had, where everyone shared her values and spiritual goals. Had Nirvana said anything? Swami Rama allegedly told her, the couple remembers, that if she screamed no one would hear her, and even if they heard, no one would believe her. They would travel together to England. Rose said that she struggled, but the guru physically overpowered her, throwing himself on top of her on the bed and forcing her to perform oral sex. Dr. Ballentine, who says he studied psychology at the Sorbonne and completed his training in psychiatry at Louisiana State University, defends Nuernberger. HIT ranked under Top Commerce Colleges in All India by The Week 2022. Over the past 15 or 20 years, numerous spiritual teachers have admitted to, or been charged with, having sexually exploitative relationships with their female students. He and Pandit Rajmani say that a guru is "that which dispels darkness." ", Shortly after Pandit Rajmani introduced her to Swami Rama, Megan says, the guru called her into his private quarters and told her that they'd been together in a past life, that he'd waited to meet her again in this lifetime, and that now they were reunited. 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 Institute's "scientific" approach to yoga has made it a success, attracting long-term spiritual disciples as well as large numbers of people who merely want a boost for their psychological or physical well being. He said, "We must build a center of life which will be an important bridge between East . Lecturing and teaching worldwide for more than a quarter of a century, he is the author of fourteen books, including his autobiography Touched by Fire: The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Seeker, the best-selling At the Eleventh Hour: The Biography of Swami Rama of the Himalayas and a regular contributor to Yoga International. Such a relationship, instead of giving the woman the healing or validation she seeks, reinforces her feeling that the only thing of value she has to offer a man with worldly power is her body. He would take her to the Orient-Japan and India. Carolyn says she spent years blaming herself and trying to rationalize away what she now regards as sexual abuse. He explains that Nuernberger was just a graduate student, inexperienced and lacking in professional judgment, when the incident with Marston occurred: "At a time when he was learning to be a therapist and thought that someone is asking for you to reach out, you reach out and you touch them and you let them see your feelings, and I think that was very bad." -- Swami Rama, "Living With the Himalayan Masters". Together we ate superb vegetarian meals in the Institute's dining commons and chanted evening prayers. There she learned Swami Rama's style of "super-conscious" meditation, which she describes as a basic, impersonal training in mental concentration. As Rutter explains in his book, a sexual relationship between a man in a position of power-doctor, psychologist, mentor, or priest-and a woman who is dependent on him-as patient, student, client, or troubled soul-almost always involves an element of coercion and a betrayal of trust. Shortly after they started studying with Pandit Usharbudh Arya at the Meditation Center in Minneapolis, he introduced them to his guru, Swami Rama. Megan says she squelched an urge to speak out, instead deciding, like most of the Institute's residents, to suspend judgment so she could "understand and learn" from this "great master." From its beginnings 20 years ago, the Institute has expanded steadily to include some 25 branches and affiliated yoga and holistic health centers in the Midwest, the Northeast, Texas, California, and abroad. To judge by their price tags, these and other Institute programs must bring in a considerable income. Terry* and Brian* say they were recruited into the Himalayan Institute's inner circle for their wealth and social connections. A week later, Megan blew the lid off Swami Rama's private life, confirming what Carolyn already knew in her heart. He must also vow that he will not harm any living being. Immerse yourself in a life-changing course of study and get certified in the authentic teachings of yoga and meditation. ", Why would the women want to blackmail Swami Rama? Since the early 1970s, women have been claiming sexual abuse at the hands of this prominent spiritual teacher. The Himalayan Institute publishes over 60 titles on yoga, spirituality, and holistic health, including the best-selling Living with the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama and Yoga: Mastering the Basics by Sandra Anderson and Rolf Sovik. By this time Carolyn had gained 25 pounds from binging on sweets. When the couple confided their resulting marital troubles to Karen and George, Karen confirmed her friend's experience by revealing that she, too, had had a supposedly exclusive and spiritual sexual relationship with Swami Rama before her marriage. Select a topic to see what people are saying about different issues Mission and values Explore company values, community, the relevance of the mission and moving on. Several months later, the two couples met up again. Later, many of the women broke out in head-to-toe swelling and rashes from what had in fact been poison ivy roots. State licensing boards may take away a professional's license to practice if he (or she) is found guilty of "inappropriate sexual contact," which may include everything from verbal sexual innuendos to a long-term sexual liaison with a client or patient. In the mid-1970s, she and her husband George,* both students of Swami Rama, traveled to India and stayed at the guru's ashram in Rishikesh. "Even if I found out-how can I find out? Every time he saw her, she says, he told her she was "perfect," as if she had passed some important test. Go to Top. I informed him that I had interviewed women who sought him out because they respected him and trusted him to be interested in the truth. Is a statement, 'Hell hath no fury like a piece of paper a... 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