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The Royal Line
So in a nutshell......
She doesn't say sannyas and celibacy are required to attain Realisation.
Only that she feels they are helpful.
It may be helpful for you and those reading the Guru Swami G thread on this forum to learn more about the characteristics of a cult, the behaviors of a cult leader and the processes whereby persons involved in these groups and with these leaders undergo thought reform.
Following are the eight methods that Robert Jay Lifton, a psychologist who studied brainwashing and mind control, identified as being used in thought reform.
Brief examples for Guru Swami G will be added after each method.
Milieu controlAll communication with outside world is limited, either being strictly filtered or completely cut off. Whether it is a monastery or a behind-closed-doors cult, isolation from the ideas, examples and distractions of the outside world turns the individuals attention to the only remaining form of stimulation, which is the ideology that is being inculcated in them. This even works at the intrapersonal level, and individuals are discouraged from thinking incorrect thoughts, which may be termed evil selfish, immoral and so on.
[Guru Swami G has been accused of restricting her students to reading only certain books, as well as publicly condemning those that speak against her, the group or leave her group with criticisms. This can set up a situation where her students may feel guilty for speaking with anyone that does not support, believe in or agree with Guru Swami G or her group, not to mention reading material that may go against the core of her doctrine.]Mystical manipulationA part of the teaching is that the group has a higher purpose than others outside the group. This may be altruistic, such as saving the world or helping people in need. It may also be selfish, for example that group members will be saved when others outside the group will perish. All things are then attributed and linked to this higher purpose. Coincidences (which actually may be deliberately engineered) are portrayed as symbolic events. Attention is given to the problems of out-of-group people and attributed to their not being in the group. Revelations are attributed to spiritual causes. This association of events is used as evidence that the group truly is special and exclusive.
[The guru-disciple relationship is such that mystical manipulation not only can happen, but often does. The student is told they are ignorant or unable to reach a higher level of understanding without the aid of the guru. If that guru has selfish intentions then this type of relationship is ripe for all manner of abuses. Guru Swami G is of the belief system that "realization" or "enlightenment" is a viable happening, but only by the aid of her presence. In order to reach the higher state, the student must accept and follow the directions of the guru who is presumed to be in a higher state (which Guru Swami G does claim). By her own admission, Guru Swami G has many rules that her students must follow which include diet, intimacy rules, confession, practices, etc. If a person does not follow these rules, they are declared to "not want realization", as she declared in a recent statement in her video regarding celibacy being only for those "that want to go the whole way to realization". This can instill the belief in the student that if they do not follow certain requirements enforced by Guru Swami G that they are not worthy of the higher level of understanding or are being dishonest. Guru Swami G also claims that those not familiar with her beliefs or teachings are not able to understand her behaviors and is thus implying that her actions are higher, more spiritual or more mystical than the average person has the capacity to comprehend.]ConfessionIndividuals are encouraged to confess past 'sins' (as defined by the group). This creates a tension between the person's actions and their stated belief that the action is bad, particularly if the statement is made publicly. The consistency principle thus leads the person to fully adopt the belief that the sin is bad and to distance themselves from repeating it. Discussion of inner fears and anxieties, as well as confessing sins is exposing vulnerabilities and requires the person to place trust in the group and hence bond with them. When we bond with others, they become our friends, and we will tend to adopt their beliefs more easily. This effect may be exaggerated with intense sessions where deep thoughts and feelings are regularly surfaced. This also has the effect of exhausting people, making them more open to suggestion.
[Guru Swami G not only encourages full disclosure by her students, but has proven to share those disclosures as a means to shame, in retaliation for criticisms, or to send a message of fear in order to suppress the students ability to voice complaints or concerns.]Self-sanctification through purityIndividuals are encouraged to constantly push towards an ultimate and unattainable perfection. This may be rewarded with promotion within the group to higher levels, for example by giving them a new status name (acolyte, traveller, master, etc.) or by giving them new authority within the group. The unattainability of the ultimate perfection is used to induce guilt and show the person to be sinful and hence sustain the requirement for confession and obedience to those higher than them in the groups order of perfection. Not being perfect may be seen as deserving of punishment, which may be meted out by the higher members of the group or even by the person themselves, who are taught that such atonement and self-flagellation is a valuable method of reaching higher levels of perfection.
[It has been claimed that Guru Swami G has often changed the rules of her group, which included the rules of celibacy. This is a prime example of creating an environment where the stakes are always raised and the students may feel as if they are never giving enough, doing enough or showing their dedication to the leader, Guru Swami G, enough. It is a process whereby the leader, Guru Swami G, demands higher and higher stakes be placed in order to prove one's devotion and purity.]Aura of sacred scienceThe beliefs and regulations of the group are framed as perfect, absolute and non-negotiable. The dogma of the group is presented as scientifically correct or otherwise unquestionable. Rules and processes are therefore to be followed without question, and any transgression is a sin and hence requires atonement or other forms of punishment, as does consideration of any alternative viewpoints.
[Guru Swami G not only does not permit any questioning of her beliefs or teachings (as evidenced by her videos), but publicly condemns those (either students or the general public) for attempting to do so. Guru Swami G claims to be a perfect state of "realization" and, by this claim, is untouchable or unaccountable for any behavior because the silent message being sent is that all she does is "divinely inspired". This can create and sustain a false image of the leader held by the students whereby nothing the leader does can be seen as incorrect, harmful or unwanted. The student is forced to accept that the leader, Guru Swami G, is doing all for them and all is in their best interest, regardless of how that may appear.]Loaded languageNew words and language are created to explain the new and profound meanings that have been discovered. Existing words are also hijacked and given new and different meaning. This is particularly effective due to the way we think a lot though language. The consequence of this is that the person who controls the meaning of words also controls how people think. In this way, black-and-white thinking is embedded in the language, such that wrong-doers are framed as terrible and evil, whilst those who do right (as defined by the group) are perfect and marvellous. The meaning of words are kept hidden both from the outside world, giving a sense of exclusivity. The meaning of special words may also be revealed in careful illuminatory rituals, where people who are being elevated within the order are given the power of understanding this new language.
[Guru Swami G seems to have created much of her own vocabulary, as well as using a variety of different words found in many different spiritual ideologies but which do not always match the definitions that she applies to them. Another phenomena is noted in the comments on her videos, in her videos or in various places given by her students which also share not only the same vocabulary, but the manner of speaking, their approach to dialogue and their lack of individuality and original ideas or thoughts outside of the group's tightly contained process of interaction.]Doctrine over personThe importance of the group is elevated over the importance of the individual in all ways. Along with this comes the importance of the the group's ideas and rules over personal beliefs and values. Past experiences, beliefs and values can all thus be cast as being invalid if they conflict with group rules. In fact this conflict can be used as a reason for confession of sins. Likewise, the beliefs, values and words of those outside the group are equally invalid.
[The fact that diet, intimate relationships, ability to study alternate ways of thinking, and others are enforced in Guru Swami G's group sends the message to the student that their personal ideas, beliefs, values or autonomy are to be replaced with the groups ideals, beliefs, values and identity.]Dispensed existenceThere is a very sharp line between the group and the outside world. Insiders are to be saved and elevated, whilst outsiders are doomed to failure and loss (which may be eternal). Who is an outsider or insider is chosen by the group. Thus, any person within the group may be damned at any time. There are no rights of membership except, perhaps, for the leader. People who leave the group are singled out as particularly evil, weak, lost or otherwise to be despised or pitied. Rather than being ignored or hidden, they are used as examples of how anyone who leaves will be looked down upon and publicly denigrated. People thus have a constant fear of being cast out, and consequently work hard to be accepted and not be ejected from the group. Outsiders who try to persuade the person to leave are doubly feared. Dispensation also goes into all aspects of living within the group. Any and all aspects of existence within the group is subject to scrutiny and control. There is no privacy and, ultimately, no free will.
[Those that have left Guru Swami G or have spoken out against her are cast in a light of evil, insane or dishonest. This is a multi-layered message which instills fear in the students that remain that they must not repeat the mistakes of the former students or general public (by speaking out), must not speak or interact with these former students or general public, and must enmesh themselves even further in group life in an effort to avoid being cast aside or cast out in similar vein.]There are many great books available on the subject of though reform, brain washing and the common characteristics of a cult and cult leader. There are also many great books available on the study of the guru-disciple relationship and how these relationships are inherently open to abuses by leaders with ulterior motives, known or unknown by them.