Keep in mind that intro meetings are run by
articulate, friendly people who make a good
impression.
On one discussion venue, those still supporting
the guru claimed their experiences were suffient proof.
But, David C. Lane found that people readily
create sound and light experiences without
even being with a guru. He discovered this when
teaching a high school class. Here is his article,
the Kirpal Statistic.
[
www.ex-premie.org]
Seems the human nervous system is wired, all on its
own to create such episodes.
It is when some guru claims credit for them and fosters
serf like abasement that the problems begin.
Hines' own experience, one of many: Being the Guru's
night time body guard.
Quote
nder, you mentioned my "bodyguard" volunteer, or seva, experience with RSSB. Yes, I had some rather minimal karate background at the time. However, even if I'd been a sixth degree black belt, it wouldn't have made much difference if a van full of Sikh terrorists had pulled up with automatic weapons.
I pondered such possibilities one seva time. It was 3:00 am in the morning. I was standing outside the bedroom where Charan Singh's successor, Gurinder Singh, was sleeping, trying to walk back and forth in the darkness as quietly as possible, lurking behind some bushes so I didn't appear too obtrusive.
High quality seva. Seva that most disciples would die for. And I was prepared to. I'm pretty sure about that. I'd stand there under the stars wondering, "What would you do if, god forbid, some armed terrorists roared up the street and stormed the house?" (At the time, violent Sikh separatists in the Punjab were active and weren't friendly toward RSSB.)
I was strongly committed to Sant Mat and the guru. I had given it my all for over twenty years. I was ready to give more: my life. I couldn't conceive of cowering and remaining alive if Gurinder Singh was attacked. I'd rather die than live with that dishonor.
So again, don't tell me that I'm not justified in criticizing the group that I was more than willing to sacrifice myself for. I gave RSSB and the guru all that I was capable of for a long time, asking little in return.
As you said, Ander, I wrote three books for the organization. I've lost track of how much time I put into that seva. Seven years, probably. Many days I'd research or write for several hours. Few initiates, I bet, have committed that much to RSSB. So, yes, I feel justified.
In the course of writing those books I read every book published by RSSB from cover to cover. And believe me, there's a lot of them. I took notes on the contents and organized them. I'm as familiar with the Sant Mat philosophy as anyone. I've talked the talk and I've walked the walk.
To learn what happens to people after they
have been in an organization for a long time,
look at the trolls who show up when a former
member runs a blog or website and describes
*problems* which make the guru or group less
than perfect.
[
hinessight.blogs.com]
[
hinessight.blogs.com]
Concerns expressed by those who have
been dedicated 'satasangis'.
"Take what you like and leave the rest' does not
apply if you are not told what 'the rest' consists of.
[
hinessight.blogs.com]
In the Radhasomi Beas tradition members were
taught to meditate for 4 hours a day, including
visualization and internalization of the guru.
This will turn you into a laptop using serf if you
keep at it.
And..you will not be told all this at the beginning.
1982: A description by an Indian visitor to the Beas ahsram.
[
forum.culteducation.com]
He was troubled how followers debased themselves so as
to pedestalize the guru.
Dr Kakar also pondered the temptation to ego-inflation that
awaits the guru who is adored by legions of disciples.
Yet more, Kakar disliked how the praxis and teachings
of Radhasaomi reinforced the most backward, sexist
aspects of Indian life.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2014 01:16AM by corboy.