Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
tellyoulies
()
Date: August 13, 2013 08:50AM
here is a great link to more butler info ... this guy has done his work
[forum.survey.net]
Features of a Destructive Cult
The Science of Identity Foundation, founded in Hawaii in 1977, is centre to a network of business, political and spiritual enterprises operating throughout the world under the direction of Chris Butler (Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa).
The 'science of identity' is also the title given to a distinct doctrine, as defined by Chris Butler, centered on the concept of spiritual life being dependent on any individual discovering thier 'actual identity' and being prepared to live according to their 'true nature'.
As organisation and philosophy are entirely co-existent both are essentially referred to by the abbreviation of SoI.
SoI is based around an authoritarian pyramid structure with Chris Butler, accepted as being the only genuine spiritual authority on earth and a direct link to God, at the top.
The means for achieving 'liberation from the endless cycle of birth and death' (re-incarnation) in SoI and 'going home to Godhead' (existing in the eternal bliss of Krishna's heavenly abode) is to accept Chris Butler's teachings as the 'absolute truth' and to engage in 'bhaki yoga' (devotional service).
Devotional service includes acting as a servant in Chris Butler's mansion or his personal kitchen, working in one of the businesses owned by SoI (and 'donating' a mandatory 25% deducted directly from employees wages), serving as a political candidate or other public position under Chris Butler's instruction or acting as an armed bodyguard. Every need for Chris Butler is catered for from doing his laundry to standing up wind from wherever he is as an 'air-sniffer' on alert for toxins and offensive odours or paddling in the surf to give the impression that the beach is crowded so he may surf undisturbed.
Deceptive and co-ercive tactics are used to recruit and maintain followers (devotees) such as claiming to be non-religious and non-sectarian or to be teaching meditation for 'stress relief' and yoga for 'fitness'. Details of Chris Butler's personal history and teachings are routinely concealed or fabricated. Shunning and retribution are imposed on disobedient and former followers.
While claiming to be teaching ancient and traditional forms of meditation and yoga all disciplines within SoI are the modern creation of Chris Butler derived from various influences. "Gauranga breathing" is claimed by Butler to be able to extend one's life while "Deep Peace" meditation is identical to the practice of progressive relaxation hypnosis. SoI has progressively evolved to the level of deception of presenting the ways in which devotees are instructed to live by Chris Butler as a form of yoga. Jaya yoga (Jaya meaning 'victory') was implemented by massage entreprenuer Brandon Raynor as a means of guiding recruits to Hawaii where the largest population of devotees and Butler himself live.
Chris Butler's own training in yoga and meditation is practically non-existent. He has never acknowledged any teacher of his own despite claiming to be a world renowned yoga master and draws from a range of diverse and conflicting disciplines. One example of his lack of insight is that he claims to have experienced adverse and irreversible effects as a result of practicing Kundalini yoga, going on to teach that it is dangerous and to be avoided. At the same time he instructs his followers to teach the Chinese discipline of Qi-Gong (also called Chi-Kung) which is identical to Kundalini in every aspect.
Chris Butler 'chastises', humilates, punishes, fines and banishes those who are displeasing to him. 'Chastisement' is a common theme in his recorded lectures where he details the problems his followers have written to him about, seeking his guidance, and derides them or is heard to berate a follower speaking with him in person.
Followers live in the general community, although they maintain strict isolation. Chris Butler teaches that to associate with non-devotees, is dangerous to one's consciousness and will lead to the destruction of their spiritual life. Devotees often live co-dependently of each other, sharing houses and with younger devotees taken in by disciples. There are some small communes especially for young single women where they are kept in near total isolation until marriage.
As it is not acceptable to marry non-devotees many families are related. Marriages and divorces are ordered by Butler and he condones his male
followers having more than one wife. Women are guided to feel useless and incapable of spiritual advancement if they do not have a husband.
Family is taught to be a false identification and raising children is accepted as being 'devotional service' with the only goal of parenting to be raising souls to be followers of Chris Butler.
Once a child turns five they are considered to be of age to become serious about spiritual life and not be concerned by 'unneccessary' childish behaviour, such as playing with toys. Sending a child to public school has been declared by Butler to be the equivalent of murdering them.
Followers of Chris Butler or 'devotees' fall into categories on the descending hierachy - 'pure devotees', 'senior disciples', 'disciples', 'students' and 'new people'.
Pure devotee is a distinction reserved for Chris Butler himself and those who are his close personal associates, such as his wife Wai Lana, who he gave the initiated name of Vaishnava dasi - meaning servant of a pure devotee.
In his own teachings Chris Butler places himself on the same level of character and devotion as Jesus Christ who he claims is also a pure devotee of Krishna.
Any action of a pure devotee is deemed to be pleasing to God, even when it contradicts the standards which Chris Butler expects of his followers or the scripture he refers to and has written himself.
Senior disciples are slightly more elite than disciples, ranked according to the length of time they have served Chris Butler as 'surrendered souls' and the closer their personal relationship is to him. Those who are considered to be senior disciples have been on friendly terms with Chris Butler personally and worked on his more ambitious or lucrative 'projects'. Mere disciples have often not even met or personally communicated with Chris Butler, even on their initiation.
The signifigance of 'initiation' is that a devotee has offerred their life and every action to Chris Butler and, according to him, that he accepts them on these terms makes the relationship equal. On initiation Chris Butler bestows a 'spiritual name' which his disciples become known by, typically a Vedic word which corressponds alphabetically to their original name. He also chants a mantra on their japa beads and returns them in exchange for the promise that they will chant a set number, usually sixteen, of 'rounds' a day for the rest of their lives. A 'round' is one 'Maha' (great) mantra (ie - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) on each of a set of one hundred and eight beads which takes with takes about two hours a day.
Disciples are to be deferred to by students in the abscence of Chris Butler, which is typical as he is increasingly reclusive and uncontactable by all but a select few. They act to discipline through meeting among themselves and organise recruitment and projects.
Despite Chris Butler's personally absent spiritual guidance copious instructions are issued by him through his network of secretaries and staff in Hawaii and in his writings and recorded lectures. Disciples rely on contacting him indirectly through these means and issues which are considered important are brought to his attention through his secretary.
Students have had to demonstrate sufficient belief in Chris Butler to become progressively more exposed to his teachings, association with other devotees and involvement in his projects. Most long term students do not contribute a significant amount of money or have been displeasing to Chris Butler in some way. Not being initiated does not provide for liberation, creating an imperative to be as pleasing and devoted as possible.
Some disciples have taken advantage of this situation by soliciting money from students for investment and pyramid schemes, developing their businesses via free labour and manipulating sexual favours and money from students in exchange for recommending them for initiation. Chris Butler has shown no interest in these issues when they are brought to his attention beyond directing that all money should be sent directly to him.
New people are defined as those who are not deemed 'serious enough' by the controlling disciples to be given anymore than superficial access to the spiritual nature of the organisation and Chris Butler's teachings.
If a person becomes involved when they are aged beyond their twenties they are regarded with suspicion and may never progress above open classes simply because Chris Butler preaches that the older a person is without becoming his follower the more degraded their consciousness has become. Other factors which are considered is whether a person has a spouse or children that do not attend, whether they are regular attendants and if they have any assets or skills that are useful to service.
Chris Butler has an estimated twenty thousand 'devotees' with confirmed prescences in Australia, Belgium, Canada,China, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Phillipines, Poland,Russia, Switzerland and the United States - particularly Hawaii, California, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Washington and Texas.
SoI meditation and yoga centres, which serve as the primary means of recruitment, operate under various names. Typically titles are based on the location (eg- Australian School of Meditation) or favour the names of 'Chaitanya' or 'Gauranga' (eg- Chaitanya Mission and Gauranga School of Meditation). Names which contradict this general practice have also been documented (eg- Mantra Meditation in Hawaii and Gokula House in Melbourne,
Australia).
SoI also carries on recruitment through dedicated 'outreach' operating in public spaces, such as libraries, community and youth centres, member's private homes, university campuses, through the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms) project, Brandon Raynor Massage Schools and Down to Earth 'Lifestyle Centres'.
Subliminal indoctrination is attempted according to the belief that exposing 'karmis' (non-believers) to the sounds of Chris Butler chanting and the consumption of 'prashadam' (food that has been ritually offered to the deity
Krishna).
Based on these beliefs SoI has established Wai Lana Yoga, which features the chanting of Chris Butler - credited as Siddha, Ajita's Vege Chips, the Down to Earth food chain, Healing Noni Juice and a multitude of smaller scale food service and musical projects, including Chris Butler's own failed rock star aspirations.
Even more abstract attempts to introduce SoI beliefs to an unsuspecting public include the cartoons Ninjai, Karma Kula and Wai Lana's 'Little Yogis' and coveting exposure in the entertainment industry.
As Chris Butler instructs his followers in what career they should take up it is interesting to note how many dedicate themselves to modelling, and acting, especially considering that Butler preaches the superficial nature of such professions and refers to watching movies as a waste of time. Under the guidance of Chris Butler is Radha Mitchell and minor actress Satcha Bellord, a stable of young models and aspiring musicians in Hawaii and Ground Up TV in the Phillipines featuring pop culture alongside solicitous female modelling.
Butler has pursued his political interests over four decades, telling his followers that one of them will eventually be president of the United States. To date he has succeeded in having a disciple on every level of Hawaiian government.
The 70s party Independents for Godly Government which included Rick Reid, Wayne Nishiki, Kathy Hoshijo, Larry Olsen and John Moore dissolved in controversy after Reid was exposed for engaging in dirty campaign tactics, on Chris Butler's orders, by his former wife. Other attempts to manipulate the democratic process have also surfaced.
In 1998 the EarthSave party was established in Australia by disciple Brandon Raynor in which every candidate was a fellow devotee. They failed to win any influence and have since disbanded.
Chris Butler's most successful political endeavour to date has been the Gabbard family. Mike Gabbard (Krishna Kartha das) was elected Senator for Hawaii in 2006. Wife Carol Gabbard (Devaruti dasi) spent a record amount to win a place on the Hawaiian Board of Education and daughter Tulsi Gabbard-Tamayo won a seat in the House of Representatives in 2002.
Chris Butler's candidates show no party preference with Republican and Democrat candidates running simultaneously and Mike Gabbard switching from Republican to Democrat less than a year after being elected. Mike Gabbard has denied his allegiance to Chris Butler claiming to be Catholic, despite clear evidence to the contrary including 95% of his very unusual campaign contributions coming directly from SoI members. The only objective is to assure Chris Butler of as much influence as possible. With this same goal selected followers are directed to take up policing and positions with other government departments.
Various pressure groups have also been established by Chris Butler in the interests of gaining a controlling influence in the Vaishnava religious community and demonising homosexuality, with some interest extended to environmental issues. These include being a founding member and installing the president of the World Vaishnava Association, establishing and directing the Vaishnava Internet News Agency, Alliance Against Religous Vilification, Dharam Rakshak, Stand Up for America, several chapters of Stop Promoting Homosexuality and Save Traditional Marriage and the Healthy Hawaii Coalition.
Who is Chris Butler?
The youngest of three sons and a daughter born to Dr Willis Butler and his wife Barbara on 14th June 1948 Chris was born in Louisiana shorlty before the family relocated to Hawaii.
In his lectures to followers Chris does not remember his childhood fondly and as an adult became estranged from his family, apart from his brother Bruce, who became his disciple. He ordered his disciples in personal service to provide no details to his parents about where he was living refused to attend his own mother's funeral.
As an example of how unattached he is to his own 'material body' Chris Butler claimed to not realise that he was white until he was discriminated against by the local indigenous Hawaiians.
Brahman Realisation
Regardless of the different names the experience is the same. During this experience, the individual soul temporarily forgets his individual existence and merges into the impersonal Brahman effulgence. This effulgence is actually the personal bodily luster of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This effulgence is boundless and all-pervading, and is known as the brahmajyoti. In colloquial terms it is known as the "clear light" or the "white light".
The experience involved can be brought about through various methods of meditation, prayer, chanting, and in some very rare cases, through the use of psychedelic drugs combined with any of the above mentioned processes.
Footnote : The author of this thesis in no way advocates the use of psychedelic drugs. The use of psychadelic drugs can be very dangerous. In this regard, it should be noted that many persons who have experimented with psychedelic drugs, and who think that they have attained great levels of spiritual awareness, are infact simply "space cases" who are out of touch with reality, both material and spiritual.
Tusta Krishna das (David Muncie) The Quest : An Enquiry into the Existence and Nature of the Supreme Being. Page 190.
The Quest, published by The Science of Identity Foundation in 1980 and 1999 is the thesis of Chris Butler's closest personal friend and first disciple in attaining his Master of Arts degree.
Despite his disclaimer Tusta's devotion to Chris Butler did not permit him to dismiss the ability to attain "Brahman realization" through use of psychedelic drugs, since he was well aware this is what led Chris Butler to becoming a guru.
According to legend among Butler's followers it was during an LSD "trip" that he reached the "white light" and claimed that he heard a voice telling him that he needed permission to enter. With this Chris Butler had a realisation that if he needed permission that there must be a higher authority above the impersonal goal. At that point he returned to material existence to share the realisation that God existed.
Origins In ISKCON
That difference of opinion will continue, what can be done. Siddha Swarupananda Maharaja and his group, whenever they see me they give me money. So they are not against me.
-AC Bhaktivedanta Swami in a letter to his disciple Bhurijana 11th Nov 1975
In philosophy and lifestyle, in addition to sharing many critical aspects, SoI is derived from and maintains a strong resemblance to the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) 'Hare Krishna' movement.
Most of Butler's philosophy, inferred credibility as a guru and his early following stems from his relationship with ISKCON.
There is an abundance of evidence to sugguest that he had a profound effect on the organisation in defining it's more controversial aspects and instigating challenges to authority that have proven highly divisive to this day.
Chris Butler claims to be the only true representative of ISKCON founder and guru AC Bhaktivedanta Swami. He portrays himself as a matyr violently oppossed for his devotion by those who became set on corruption following AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's death.
Chris Butler arrived in ISKCON in late 1970 bringing with him a substantial donation of $18 800, property in Hawaii and between 50 to 100 of his own followers. While the estimation of numbers varies considerably it is generally
agreed that Sai, as Butler was then known, and his following where the largest group to ever join ISKCON.
Bhaktivedanta would initiate over five thousand disciples, but only one received a page in ISKCON's Back To Godhead magazine to commemorate the occassion. Butler wrote offering his obeisances (respects) to Bhaktivedanta Swami, declaring his commitment to ISKCON and lamenting his past
spiritual misjudgements.
Chris Butler was given the initiated name Siddhasvarupa - meaning 'one that is accomplished in image'in June 1971.
Just six months prior to his initiation Butler had produced Sai Speaks to promote Krishna Yoga Community, a reinvention of his pre-existing commune, which was linked to Sivananda Ashram. Sai claimed to have mastered every traditional form of yoga, although he was still only twenty years old, and to be a genuine spiritual master although, he admitted at the time, not in disciplic succession.
In his considerably revised personal history Butler would come to represent to his followers that he had attained to the highest level of enlightenment in the 'impersonal' philosophies (those which do not recognise God as an individual but within each human soul) only to encounter God himself and so become certain of his genuine existence.
At the time Butler was regularly using LSD, a fact he admits to in Sai Speaks and his publication "Drugs" and it was during a 'trip' that he experienced his divine awakening. He would later claim that the name Sai, which means 'master' was bestowed on him by Krishna. The name was actually bestowed on him by his initiating spiritual master of Sivananda Ashram as part of his full initiated name Sai Stokala Adhikari, which appears in Sai Speaks.
Hawaiian followers of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami were affronted by Sai's imitiation of their practices, including leading sankirtan (public chanting parties), collecting money and claims to be following their guru. Bhaktivedanta renounced any connection to Sai and directed his disciples to print and distribute a leaflet of his own design to inform the general public that Sai was not representing Krishna Consciousness.
At the time Hare Krishna had become a household name and being denounced by Bhaktivedanta severely restricted Sai's ability to recruit new followers as he had intended as well as challenging his authority in front of his
existing following.
Butler sent his closest friend David Muncie, who would become known as Tusta Krishna das, to study with ISKCON and began to corresspond with Bhaktivedanta in a series of letters enquiring about how he could become accepted. The offer of money and other assets was made immediately and received with much enthusiasm.
Despite their success and already having amassed considerable wealth ISKCON was involved with several very ambitious projects and experiencing some difficulty meeting debts. In particular the society's magazine Back to Godhead, founded by Bhaktivedanta in 1944, was unable to meet costs and under threat of being shut down. Butler may have been aware of this fact due to his association with regarded hallucenogenic artist Bob Schnepp who had taken up residence at Krishna Yoga Community after working for Back to Godhead.
Interestingly, under the influence of LSD Schnepp was responsible for producing Butler's 'authorised' images of Krishna. These he tells his followers are the only true and therefore acceptable depictions of God based on his own claims of having seen him in person.
Sai instructed his following who were accustomed to spending their days 'tripping', surfing and embracing the concept of 'free love' that they were joining ISKCON. All copies of Sai Speaks were directed to be burnt and the customs of ISKCON fully adhered to. Specific instructions were given about where followers were to go sugguesting that there was some intention to assume influence within ISKCON in Sai's favour.
Less than two years into initiation Butler was no longer concerned with fitting in and was running his own following benefitting significantly from the guise of being condoned by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami. Tusta Krishna das assumed control of the ISKCON temple in New Zealand while Siddhasvarupa ran ISKCON in Hawaii. He also had a controlling influence in the infamous Californian Laguna Temple which cooperated with Timothy Leary's 'Brotherhood of Eternal Love' to distribute vast amounts of LSD and hash smuggled from India. Eventually scandal would arise when Laguna was raided by the FBI.
Chris Butler was continuously brought to AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's attention by his other disciples with concern for the many ways in which he asserted his independence and ultimately assumed his own authority. Butler appealed to those who had difficulty adapting to standards of temple living such as shaving their heads and wearing orange robes. Such things Butler declared were unimportant. He never attempted to explain why such a saintly and genuine guru as he prepetuated Bhaktivedanta Swami as being would bother to make instructions which were so spiritually irrelevant as to be discarded.
Butler himself could not abide the vow of celibacy he had taken in accepting the initiation as a sanyassin and was forced to marry his secretary when it was discovered that he had been sleeping with her.
Although he maintains to this day that he is celibate and has been his entire life according to some of his former disciples he was in a relationship with his long-time friend and early disciple Kathy Hoshijo, known as Katayani dasi, and he married his 'spiritual daughter' Wai Lana in 1984.
The ISKCON religion is derived from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of India which recognises Krishna as the 'Supreme Lord' among the many gods and goddesses of the complex Hindu belief system. Although maintaining that this theology or 'revealed knowledge' is the original religion - based on the most ancient scripture in existence - Gauidiya Vaishnavism was actually defined and popularised by the Indian sage Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the early 15th century.
According to the key scripture of the Bhagavad Gita a spiritual master is situated in a disciplic succession that originated with God himself and has carried on through the tradition of students representing their departed guru in teachings and example. It is taught that there can be no spiritual enlightenment without 'submissive surrender' to him. Spiritual masters are always male in this belief system as women are deemed too inferior.
The concept of not contradicting a standard derived directly from God is upheld as a guide to authenticity of a guru. Infact each generation, beginning with Chaitanya, has made major alterations to the teachings and example of their predecessor. Chaitanya personally wrote only eight short prayers and never claimed to be God although he would be worshipped as a direct incarnation descended for the purpose of reviving devotion on earth following his death and his teachings would be voluminously declared by others.
AC Bhaktivedanta Swami was an elderly retired pharmacist when he left his native India with the mission of bringing 'Krishna Consciousness' to the Western world in 1966. He was not well regarded among his 'godbrothers' on account of his casual devotion. While he claimed to have been given the instruction to preach in english while still a young man he did not adopt the rigid constraints of his religion until his business was bankrupt, his children were grown and married life had become tiresome, just eleven years before his death. He was also criticised for assuming the title of his deceased spiritual master Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
Bhaktivedanta roundly condemned his godbrothers claiming to be the only true representative of his spiritual master, declaring that they were 'low class', less than human and had lost all meaning of their mission. The anomisity was not resolved on either side until ISKCON had become a popular and very wealthy success.
By 1966 Gaudiya Vaishnavism was an obscure sect in a land of thousands but by actively appealing to the American 'hippie' culture and aided by highly influential figures including Timothy Leary Bhaktivedanta managed to convince thousands that his was the one true religion.
ISKCON was heavily focussed towards raising money as Bhaktivedanta directed 'by hook or by crook'. Any act intended to benefit the society was deemed not only acceptable but morally superior. As such the popular image of Hare Krishnas became irretrivably linked to public solicition. Contemporary observations refer to dodging gauntlets of saffron robed preachers in every conceivable public space. The New York zoo posted signs advising not to donate to the Hare Krishnas alongside the more traditional Do not feed the animals. A lawsuit was required to remove the abundance of preachers from airport terminals.
The older generations were troubled at seeing so many young people withdrawing from society to live in temples and follow a heavily ritualised lifestyle. Claims of 'brainwashing', control, criminal enterprises and abuse began to surface almost immediately.
In a long running courtcase, beginning in 1976, a minor named Robin George and her parents pursued claims of brainwashing and false imprisonment. In 1983 they were awarded $32 million in damages by a Californian jury, which was reduced to $485 000 in 1993 and eventually finalised by a private
settlement.
ISKCON was futher tainted by widespread pick-pocketing and various street scams, drug use and dealing, abuse and repression of female members, high divorce rates, seperating parents from their children and abuse of children in their boarding schools.
Sulochana das who documented the direction of ISKCON following AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's death in his book The Guru Business was murdered in retaliation two days after publication in 1982. His killer maintained that he had acted on the orders of his guru Kirtananda, who was later jailed for racketeering.
In 2000 forty four complainants titled "children of ISKCON" filed a lawsuit for physical, emotional and sexual abuse in ISKCON boarding schools.
When AC Bhaktivedanta Swami died in 1977 he left no clear instruction as to who his successor should be. Eleven disciples making up the Governing Body Commission GBC, which Bhaktivedanta had founded himself claimed that they had been appointed. ISKCON was immediately divided by those who accepted the 'successor gurus' and those that did not. Some maintained that Bhaktivedanta had been poisoned.
Chris Butler was the first to publicly denounce the'successor gurus', claiming that they had fraudulently assumed control of the organisation since he himself was the only one qualified to continue AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's mission. Immediately following his death Chris Butler assumed Bhaktivedanta's title of 'Srila Prabhupad' - meaning he who has taken the position of the Lord.
Butler and his close followers have maintained vague and unsubstantiated claims for over three decades that 'people' within ISKCON are plotting against him determined to assassinate his character if not his person. He has never been attacked despite his many public gatherings and high profile projects, including his involvement alongside several ISKCON members in the World Vaishnava Association.
In contrast Butler's history of self-interest, disrespect and disruption within ISKCON is well documented.
The premise of being in perptual threat from ISKCON has served to convince Butler's followers that he is protecting them from 'spiritual suicide' by having any association with ISKCON members, fostering fear, mistrust and contempt which prevents them from seeking or believing any accounts of his personal history.
Followers and even former followers of Chris Butler who have maintained some element of faith along the lines of ISKCON are reluctant to examine his relationship to Bhaktivedanta Swami, or to venture any further back in history. The belief in the need for a genuine spiritual master is so pervading in Krishna Consciousness that acknowledging critical facts or enquiring into the background of Chris Butler or Bhaktivedanta severely undermines the will to believe.
Many are ultimately drawn to gurus claiming an unrelated descent in order to continue belief through denoucing Bhaktivedanta and his disciples as bogus.
Inside SoI
SoI maintains the most fundamental philosophy of ISKCON combined with Chris Butler's impersonalist and zen learnings, elements of chinese mysticism, and various psuedo-sciences.
The recognition and worship of Krishna as God, with a focus on the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
SoI does not recognise the distinctive dress code of ISKCON and Butler explicitly instructs not to resemble ISKCON devotees in anyway. There is no position of sanyassi (celibate male preachers) central in the structure of ISKCON and no attempt to follow the emphasis that Bhaktivedanta Swami placed on public chanting, maintaining temples, book distribution and charity.
Chris Butler has never built a temple or undertaken a single charitable project. Gatherings of followers typically take place in parks or on a beach.
Chris Butler's instructions are for religious practices to be cloaked in euphenisms such as 'yoga sound' for names of Krishna, mantra rock (for worshipping Krishna to loud music) and 'yoga lifestyle' for following his teachings on a daily basis.
[forum.survey.net]
Features of a Destructive Cult
The Science of Identity Foundation, founded in Hawaii in 1977, is centre to a network of business, political and spiritual enterprises operating throughout the world under the direction of Chris Butler (Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahamsa).
The 'science of identity' is also the title given to a distinct doctrine, as defined by Chris Butler, centered on the concept of spiritual life being dependent on any individual discovering thier 'actual identity' and being prepared to live according to their 'true nature'.
As organisation and philosophy are entirely co-existent both are essentially referred to by the abbreviation of SoI.
SoI is based around an authoritarian pyramid structure with Chris Butler, accepted as being the only genuine spiritual authority on earth and a direct link to God, at the top.
The means for achieving 'liberation from the endless cycle of birth and death' (re-incarnation) in SoI and 'going home to Godhead' (existing in the eternal bliss of Krishna's heavenly abode) is to accept Chris Butler's teachings as the 'absolute truth' and to engage in 'bhaki yoga' (devotional service).
Devotional service includes acting as a servant in Chris Butler's mansion or his personal kitchen, working in one of the businesses owned by SoI (and 'donating' a mandatory 25% deducted directly from employees wages), serving as a political candidate or other public position under Chris Butler's instruction or acting as an armed bodyguard. Every need for Chris Butler is catered for from doing his laundry to standing up wind from wherever he is as an 'air-sniffer' on alert for toxins and offensive odours or paddling in the surf to give the impression that the beach is crowded so he may surf undisturbed.
Deceptive and co-ercive tactics are used to recruit and maintain followers (devotees) such as claiming to be non-religious and non-sectarian or to be teaching meditation for 'stress relief' and yoga for 'fitness'. Details of Chris Butler's personal history and teachings are routinely concealed or fabricated. Shunning and retribution are imposed on disobedient and former followers.
While claiming to be teaching ancient and traditional forms of meditation and yoga all disciplines within SoI are the modern creation of Chris Butler derived from various influences. "Gauranga breathing" is claimed by Butler to be able to extend one's life while "Deep Peace" meditation is identical to the practice of progressive relaxation hypnosis. SoI has progressively evolved to the level of deception of presenting the ways in which devotees are instructed to live by Chris Butler as a form of yoga. Jaya yoga (Jaya meaning 'victory') was implemented by massage entreprenuer Brandon Raynor as a means of guiding recruits to Hawaii where the largest population of devotees and Butler himself live.
Chris Butler's own training in yoga and meditation is practically non-existent. He has never acknowledged any teacher of his own despite claiming to be a world renowned yoga master and draws from a range of diverse and conflicting disciplines. One example of his lack of insight is that he claims to have experienced adverse and irreversible effects as a result of practicing Kundalini yoga, going on to teach that it is dangerous and to be avoided. At the same time he instructs his followers to teach the Chinese discipline of Qi-Gong (also called Chi-Kung) which is identical to Kundalini in every aspect.
Chris Butler 'chastises', humilates, punishes, fines and banishes those who are displeasing to him. 'Chastisement' is a common theme in his recorded lectures where he details the problems his followers have written to him about, seeking his guidance, and derides them or is heard to berate a follower speaking with him in person.
Followers live in the general community, although they maintain strict isolation. Chris Butler teaches that to associate with non-devotees, is dangerous to one's consciousness and will lead to the destruction of their spiritual life. Devotees often live co-dependently of each other, sharing houses and with younger devotees taken in by disciples. There are some small communes especially for young single women where they are kept in near total isolation until marriage.
As it is not acceptable to marry non-devotees many families are related. Marriages and divorces are ordered by Butler and he condones his male
followers having more than one wife. Women are guided to feel useless and incapable of spiritual advancement if they do not have a husband.
Family is taught to be a false identification and raising children is accepted as being 'devotional service' with the only goal of parenting to be raising souls to be followers of Chris Butler.
Once a child turns five they are considered to be of age to become serious about spiritual life and not be concerned by 'unneccessary' childish behaviour, such as playing with toys. Sending a child to public school has been declared by Butler to be the equivalent of murdering them.
Followers of Chris Butler or 'devotees' fall into categories on the descending hierachy - 'pure devotees', 'senior disciples', 'disciples', 'students' and 'new people'.
Pure devotee is a distinction reserved for Chris Butler himself and those who are his close personal associates, such as his wife Wai Lana, who he gave the initiated name of Vaishnava dasi - meaning servant of a pure devotee.
In his own teachings Chris Butler places himself on the same level of character and devotion as Jesus Christ who he claims is also a pure devotee of Krishna.
Any action of a pure devotee is deemed to be pleasing to God, even when it contradicts the standards which Chris Butler expects of his followers or the scripture he refers to and has written himself.
Senior disciples are slightly more elite than disciples, ranked according to the length of time they have served Chris Butler as 'surrendered souls' and the closer their personal relationship is to him. Those who are considered to be senior disciples have been on friendly terms with Chris Butler personally and worked on his more ambitious or lucrative 'projects'. Mere disciples have often not even met or personally communicated with Chris Butler, even on their initiation.
The signifigance of 'initiation' is that a devotee has offerred their life and every action to Chris Butler and, according to him, that he accepts them on these terms makes the relationship equal. On initiation Chris Butler bestows a 'spiritual name' which his disciples become known by, typically a Vedic word which corressponds alphabetically to their original name. He also chants a mantra on their japa beads and returns them in exchange for the promise that they will chant a set number, usually sixteen, of 'rounds' a day for the rest of their lives. A 'round' is one 'Maha' (great) mantra (ie - Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) on each of a set of one hundred and eight beads which takes with takes about two hours a day.
Disciples are to be deferred to by students in the abscence of Chris Butler, which is typical as he is increasingly reclusive and uncontactable by all but a select few. They act to discipline through meeting among themselves and organise recruitment and projects.
Despite Chris Butler's personally absent spiritual guidance copious instructions are issued by him through his network of secretaries and staff in Hawaii and in his writings and recorded lectures. Disciples rely on contacting him indirectly through these means and issues which are considered important are brought to his attention through his secretary.
Students have had to demonstrate sufficient belief in Chris Butler to become progressively more exposed to his teachings, association with other devotees and involvement in his projects. Most long term students do not contribute a significant amount of money or have been displeasing to Chris Butler in some way. Not being initiated does not provide for liberation, creating an imperative to be as pleasing and devoted as possible.
Some disciples have taken advantage of this situation by soliciting money from students for investment and pyramid schemes, developing their businesses via free labour and manipulating sexual favours and money from students in exchange for recommending them for initiation. Chris Butler has shown no interest in these issues when they are brought to his attention beyond directing that all money should be sent directly to him.
New people are defined as those who are not deemed 'serious enough' by the controlling disciples to be given anymore than superficial access to the spiritual nature of the organisation and Chris Butler's teachings.
If a person becomes involved when they are aged beyond their twenties they are regarded with suspicion and may never progress above open classes simply because Chris Butler preaches that the older a person is without becoming his follower the more degraded their consciousness has become. Other factors which are considered is whether a person has a spouse or children that do not attend, whether they are regular attendants and if they have any assets or skills that are useful to service.
Chris Butler has an estimated twenty thousand 'devotees' with confirmed prescences in Australia, Belgium, Canada,China, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Lithuania, New Zealand, Phillipines, Poland,Russia, Switzerland and the United States - particularly Hawaii, California, Arizona, New Jersey, New York, Washington and Texas.
SoI meditation and yoga centres, which serve as the primary means of recruitment, operate under various names. Typically titles are based on the location (eg- Australian School of Meditation) or favour the names of 'Chaitanya' or 'Gauranga' (eg- Chaitanya Mission and Gauranga School of Meditation). Names which contradict this general practice have also been documented (eg- Mantra Meditation in Hawaii and Gokula House in Melbourne,
Australia).
SoI also carries on recruitment through dedicated 'outreach' operating in public spaces, such as libraries, community and youth centres, member's private homes, university campuses, through the WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities On Organic Farms) project, Brandon Raynor Massage Schools and Down to Earth 'Lifestyle Centres'.
Subliminal indoctrination is attempted according to the belief that exposing 'karmis' (non-believers) to the sounds of Chris Butler chanting and the consumption of 'prashadam' (food that has been ritually offered to the deity
Krishna).
Based on these beliefs SoI has established Wai Lana Yoga, which features the chanting of Chris Butler - credited as Siddha, Ajita's Vege Chips, the Down to Earth food chain, Healing Noni Juice and a multitude of smaller scale food service and musical projects, including Chris Butler's own failed rock star aspirations.
Even more abstract attempts to introduce SoI beliefs to an unsuspecting public include the cartoons Ninjai, Karma Kula and Wai Lana's 'Little Yogis' and coveting exposure in the entertainment industry.
As Chris Butler instructs his followers in what career they should take up it is interesting to note how many dedicate themselves to modelling, and acting, especially considering that Butler preaches the superficial nature of such professions and refers to watching movies as a waste of time. Under the guidance of Chris Butler is Radha Mitchell and minor actress Satcha Bellord, a stable of young models and aspiring musicians in Hawaii and Ground Up TV in the Phillipines featuring pop culture alongside solicitous female modelling.
Butler has pursued his political interests over four decades, telling his followers that one of them will eventually be president of the United States. To date he has succeeded in having a disciple on every level of Hawaiian government.
The 70s party Independents for Godly Government which included Rick Reid, Wayne Nishiki, Kathy Hoshijo, Larry Olsen and John Moore dissolved in controversy after Reid was exposed for engaging in dirty campaign tactics, on Chris Butler's orders, by his former wife. Other attempts to manipulate the democratic process have also surfaced.
In 1998 the EarthSave party was established in Australia by disciple Brandon Raynor in which every candidate was a fellow devotee. They failed to win any influence and have since disbanded.
Chris Butler's most successful political endeavour to date has been the Gabbard family. Mike Gabbard (Krishna Kartha das) was elected Senator for Hawaii in 2006. Wife Carol Gabbard (Devaruti dasi) spent a record amount to win a place on the Hawaiian Board of Education and daughter Tulsi Gabbard-Tamayo won a seat in the House of Representatives in 2002.
Chris Butler's candidates show no party preference with Republican and Democrat candidates running simultaneously and Mike Gabbard switching from Republican to Democrat less than a year after being elected. Mike Gabbard has denied his allegiance to Chris Butler claiming to be Catholic, despite clear evidence to the contrary including 95% of his very unusual campaign contributions coming directly from SoI members. The only objective is to assure Chris Butler of as much influence as possible. With this same goal selected followers are directed to take up policing and positions with other government departments.
Various pressure groups have also been established by Chris Butler in the interests of gaining a controlling influence in the Vaishnava religious community and demonising homosexuality, with some interest extended to environmental issues. These include being a founding member and installing the president of the World Vaishnava Association, establishing and directing the Vaishnava Internet News Agency, Alliance Against Religous Vilification, Dharam Rakshak, Stand Up for America, several chapters of Stop Promoting Homosexuality and Save Traditional Marriage and the Healthy Hawaii Coalition.
Who is Chris Butler?
The youngest of three sons and a daughter born to Dr Willis Butler and his wife Barbara on 14th June 1948 Chris was born in Louisiana shorlty before the family relocated to Hawaii.
In his lectures to followers Chris does not remember his childhood fondly and as an adult became estranged from his family, apart from his brother Bruce, who became his disciple. He ordered his disciples in personal service to provide no details to his parents about where he was living refused to attend his own mother's funeral.
As an example of how unattached he is to his own 'material body' Chris Butler claimed to not realise that he was white until he was discriminated against by the local indigenous Hawaiians.
Brahman Realisation
Regardless of the different names the experience is the same. During this experience, the individual soul temporarily forgets his individual existence and merges into the impersonal Brahman effulgence. This effulgence is actually the personal bodily luster of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This effulgence is boundless and all-pervading, and is known as the brahmajyoti. In colloquial terms it is known as the "clear light" or the "white light".
The experience involved can be brought about through various methods of meditation, prayer, chanting, and in some very rare cases, through the use of psychedelic drugs combined with any of the above mentioned processes.
Footnote : The author of this thesis in no way advocates the use of psychedelic drugs. The use of psychadelic drugs can be very dangerous. In this regard, it should be noted that many persons who have experimented with psychedelic drugs, and who think that they have attained great levels of spiritual awareness, are infact simply "space cases" who are out of touch with reality, both material and spiritual.
Tusta Krishna das (David Muncie) The Quest : An Enquiry into the Existence and Nature of the Supreme Being. Page 190.
The Quest, published by The Science of Identity Foundation in 1980 and 1999 is the thesis of Chris Butler's closest personal friend and first disciple in attaining his Master of Arts degree.
Despite his disclaimer Tusta's devotion to Chris Butler did not permit him to dismiss the ability to attain "Brahman realization" through use of psychedelic drugs, since he was well aware this is what led Chris Butler to becoming a guru.
According to legend among Butler's followers it was during an LSD "trip" that he reached the "white light" and claimed that he heard a voice telling him that he needed permission to enter. With this Chris Butler had a realisation that if he needed permission that there must be a higher authority above the impersonal goal. At that point he returned to material existence to share the realisation that God existed.
Origins In ISKCON
That difference of opinion will continue, what can be done. Siddha Swarupananda Maharaja and his group, whenever they see me they give me money. So they are not against me.
-AC Bhaktivedanta Swami in a letter to his disciple Bhurijana 11th Nov 1975
In philosophy and lifestyle, in addition to sharing many critical aspects, SoI is derived from and maintains a strong resemblance to the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) 'Hare Krishna' movement.
Most of Butler's philosophy, inferred credibility as a guru and his early following stems from his relationship with ISKCON.
There is an abundance of evidence to sugguest that he had a profound effect on the organisation in defining it's more controversial aspects and instigating challenges to authority that have proven highly divisive to this day.
Chris Butler claims to be the only true representative of ISKCON founder and guru AC Bhaktivedanta Swami. He portrays himself as a matyr violently oppossed for his devotion by those who became set on corruption following AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's death.
Chris Butler arrived in ISKCON in late 1970 bringing with him a substantial donation of $18 800, property in Hawaii and between 50 to 100 of his own followers. While the estimation of numbers varies considerably it is generally
agreed that Sai, as Butler was then known, and his following where the largest group to ever join ISKCON.
Bhaktivedanta would initiate over five thousand disciples, but only one received a page in ISKCON's Back To Godhead magazine to commemorate the occassion. Butler wrote offering his obeisances (respects) to Bhaktivedanta Swami, declaring his commitment to ISKCON and lamenting his past
spiritual misjudgements.
Chris Butler was given the initiated name Siddhasvarupa - meaning 'one that is accomplished in image'in June 1971.
Just six months prior to his initiation Butler had produced Sai Speaks to promote Krishna Yoga Community, a reinvention of his pre-existing commune, which was linked to Sivananda Ashram. Sai claimed to have mastered every traditional form of yoga, although he was still only twenty years old, and to be a genuine spiritual master although, he admitted at the time, not in disciplic succession.
In his considerably revised personal history Butler would come to represent to his followers that he had attained to the highest level of enlightenment in the 'impersonal' philosophies (those which do not recognise God as an individual but within each human soul) only to encounter God himself and so become certain of his genuine existence.
At the time Butler was regularly using LSD, a fact he admits to in Sai Speaks and his publication "Drugs" and it was during a 'trip' that he experienced his divine awakening. He would later claim that the name Sai, which means 'master' was bestowed on him by Krishna. The name was actually bestowed on him by his initiating spiritual master of Sivananda Ashram as part of his full initiated name Sai Stokala Adhikari, which appears in Sai Speaks.
Hawaiian followers of AC Bhaktivedanta Swami were affronted by Sai's imitiation of their practices, including leading sankirtan (public chanting parties), collecting money and claims to be following their guru. Bhaktivedanta renounced any connection to Sai and directed his disciples to print and distribute a leaflet of his own design to inform the general public that Sai was not representing Krishna Consciousness.
At the time Hare Krishna had become a household name and being denounced by Bhaktivedanta severely restricted Sai's ability to recruit new followers as he had intended as well as challenging his authority in front of his
existing following.
Butler sent his closest friend David Muncie, who would become known as Tusta Krishna das, to study with ISKCON and began to corresspond with Bhaktivedanta in a series of letters enquiring about how he could become accepted. The offer of money and other assets was made immediately and received with much enthusiasm.
Despite their success and already having amassed considerable wealth ISKCON was involved with several very ambitious projects and experiencing some difficulty meeting debts. In particular the society's magazine Back to Godhead, founded by Bhaktivedanta in 1944, was unable to meet costs and under threat of being shut down. Butler may have been aware of this fact due to his association with regarded hallucenogenic artist Bob Schnepp who had taken up residence at Krishna Yoga Community after working for Back to Godhead.
Interestingly, under the influence of LSD Schnepp was responsible for producing Butler's 'authorised' images of Krishna. These he tells his followers are the only true and therefore acceptable depictions of God based on his own claims of having seen him in person.
Sai instructed his following who were accustomed to spending their days 'tripping', surfing and embracing the concept of 'free love' that they were joining ISKCON. All copies of Sai Speaks were directed to be burnt and the customs of ISKCON fully adhered to. Specific instructions were given about where followers were to go sugguesting that there was some intention to assume influence within ISKCON in Sai's favour.
Less than two years into initiation Butler was no longer concerned with fitting in and was running his own following benefitting significantly from the guise of being condoned by AC Bhaktivedanta Swami. Tusta Krishna das assumed control of the ISKCON temple in New Zealand while Siddhasvarupa ran ISKCON in Hawaii. He also had a controlling influence in the infamous Californian Laguna Temple which cooperated with Timothy Leary's 'Brotherhood of Eternal Love' to distribute vast amounts of LSD and hash smuggled from India. Eventually scandal would arise when Laguna was raided by the FBI.
Chris Butler was continuously brought to AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's attention by his other disciples with concern for the many ways in which he asserted his independence and ultimately assumed his own authority. Butler appealed to those who had difficulty adapting to standards of temple living such as shaving their heads and wearing orange robes. Such things Butler declared were unimportant. He never attempted to explain why such a saintly and genuine guru as he prepetuated Bhaktivedanta Swami as being would bother to make instructions which were so spiritually irrelevant as to be discarded.
Butler himself could not abide the vow of celibacy he had taken in accepting the initiation as a sanyassin and was forced to marry his secretary when it was discovered that he had been sleeping with her.
Although he maintains to this day that he is celibate and has been his entire life according to some of his former disciples he was in a relationship with his long-time friend and early disciple Kathy Hoshijo, known as Katayani dasi, and he married his 'spiritual daughter' Wai Lana in 1984.
The ISKCON religion is derived from the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of India which recognises Krishna as the 'Supreme Lord' among the many gods and goddesses of the complex Hindu belief system. Although maintaining that this theology or 'revealed knowledge' is the original religion - based on the most ancient scripture in existence - Gauidiya Vaishnavism was actually defined and popularised by the Indian sage Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in the early 15th century.
According to the key scripture of the Bhagavad Gita a spiritual master is situated in a disciplic succession that originated with God himself and has carried on through the tradition of students representing their departed guru in teachings and example. It is taught that there can be no spiritual enlightenment without 'submissive surrender' to him. Spiritual masters are always male in this belief system as women are deemed too inferior.
The concept of not contradicting a standard derived directly from God is upheld as a guide to authenticity of a guru. Infact each generation, beginning with Chaitanya, has made major alterations to the teachings and example of their predecessor. Chaitanya personally wrote only eight short prayers and never claimed to be God although he would be worshipped as a direct incarnation descended for the purpose of reviving devotion on earth following his death and his teachings would be voluminously declared by others.
AC Bhaktivedanta Swami was an elderly retired pharmacist when he left his native India with the mission of bringing 'Krishna Consciousness' to the Western world in 1966. He was not well regarded among his 'godbrothers' on account of his casual devotion. While he claimed to have been given the instruction to preach in english while still a young man he did not adopt the rigid constraints of his religion until his business was bankrupt, his children were grown and married life had become tiresome, just eleven years before his death. He was also criticised for assuming the title of his deceased spiritual master Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
Bhaktivedanta roundly condemned his godbrothers claiming to be the only true representative of his spiritual master, declaring that they were 'low class', less than human and had lost all meaning of their mission. The anomisity was not resolved on either side until ISKCON had become a popular and very wealthy success.
By 1966 Gaudiya Vaishnavism was an obscure sect in a land of thousands but by actively appealing to the American 'hippie' culture and aided by highly influential figures including Timothy Leary Bhaktivedanta managed to convince thousands that his was the one true religion.
ISKCON was heavily focussed towards raising money as Bhaktivedanta directed 'by hook or by crook'. Any act intended to benefit the society was deemed not only acceptable but morally superior. As such the popular image of Hare Krishnas became irretrivably linked to public solicition. Contemporary observations refer to dodging gauntlets of saffron robed preachers in every conceivable public space. The New York zoo posted signs advising not to donate to the Hare Krishnas alongside the more traditional Do not feed the animals. A lawsuit was required to remove the abundance of preachers from airport terminals.
The older generations were troubled at seeing so many young people withdrawing from society to live in temples and follow a heavily ritualised lifestyle. Claims of 'brainwashing', control, criminal enterprises and abuse began to surface almost immediately.
In a long running courtcase, beginning in 1976, a minor named Robin George and her parents pursued claims of brainwashing and false imprisonment. In 1983 they were awarded $32 million in damages by a Californian jury, which was reduced to $485 000 in 1993 and eventually finalised by a private
settlement.
ISKCON was futher tainted by widespread pick-pocketing and various street scams, drug use and dealing, abuse and repression of female members, high divorce rates, seperating parents from their children and abuse of children in their boarding schools.
Sulochana das who documented the direction of ISKCON following AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's death in his book The Guru Business was murdered in retaliation two days after publication in 1982. His killer maintained that he had acted on the orders of his guru Kirtananda, who was later jailed for racketeering.
In 2000 forty four complainants titled "children of ISKCON" filed a lawsuit for physical, emotional and sexual abuse in ISKCON boarding schools.
When AC Bhaktivedanta Swami died in 1977 he left no clear instruction as to who his successor should be. Eleven disciples making up the Governing Body Commission GBC, which Bhaktivedanta had founded himself claimed that they had been appointed. ISKCON was immediately divided by those who accepted the 'successor gurus' and those that did not. Some maintained that Bhaktivedanta had been poisoned.
Chris Butler was the first to publicly denounce the'successor gurus', claiming that they had fraudulently assumed control of the organisation since he himself was the only one qualified to continue AC Bhaktivedanta Swami's mission. Immediately following his death Chris Butler assumed Bhaktivedanta's title of 'Srila Prabhupad' - meaning he who has taken the position of the Lord.
Butler and his close followers have maintained vague and unsubstantiated claims for over three decades that 'people' within ISKCON are plotting against him determined to assassinate his character if not his person. He has never been attacked despite his many public gatherings and high profile projects, including his involvement alongside several ISKCON members in the World Vaishnava Association.
In contrast Butler's history of self-interest, disrespect and disruption within ISKCON is well documented.
The premise of being in perptual threat from ISKCON has served to convince Butler's followers that he is protecting them from 'spiritual suicide' by having any association with ISKCON members, fostering fear, mistrust and contempt which prevents them from seeking or believing any accounts of his personal history.
Followers and even former followers of Chris Butler who have maintained some element of faith along the lines of ISKCON are reluctant to examine his relationship to Bhaktivedanta Swami, or to venture any further back in history. The belief in the need for a genuine spiritual master is so pervading in Krishna Consciousness that acknowledging critical facts or enquiring into the background of Chris Butler or Bhaktivedanta severely undermines the will to believe.
Many are ultimately drawn to gurus claiming an unrelated descent in order to continue belief through denoucing Bhaktivedanta and his disciples as bogus.
Inside SoI
SoI maintains the most fundamental philosophy of ISKCON combined with Chris Butler's impersonalist and zen learnings, elements of chinese mysticism, and various psuedo-sciences.
The recognition and worship of Krishna as God, with a focus on the teachings of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
SoI does not recognise the distinctive dress code of ISKCON and Butler explicitly instructs not to resemble ISKCON devotees in anyway. There is no position of sanyassi (celibate male preachers) central in the structure of ISKCON and no attempt to follow the emphasis that Bhaktivedanta Swami placed on public chanting, maintaining temples, book distribution and charity.
Chris Butler has never built a temple or undertaken a single charitable project. Gatherings of followers typically take place in parks or on a beach.
Chris Butler's instructions are for religious practices to be cloaked in euphenisms such as 'yoga sound' for names of Krishna, mantra rock (for worshipping Krishna to loud music) and 'yoga lifestyle' for following his teachings on a daily basis.
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
dabcult
()
Date: August 13, 2013 10:02AM
Here is another video ...on my review of the book of Shyam Dodge
Shyam had refer to Butler only as SAI .....I outed Sai as BUTLER
now the cult fanatics might bother Shyam again
If they do please contact me ....I will get a lawyer and go for Jagad Guru with all my power and focus
we must stop this guy from fucking with people minds and hearts once and for all
[www.youtube.com]
tellyoulies...THANK YOU ...thats a fabulous in a nutshell description of BUTLER
THATS THE TYPE OF FOCUS THAT WE NEED .....lets not review the NEW VRINDAVAN horrors on this site
Shyam had refer to Butler only as SAI .....I outed Sai as BUTLER
now the cult fanatics might bother Shyam again
If they do please contact me ....I will get a lawyer and go for Jagad Guru with all my power and focus
we must stop this guy from fucking with people minds and hearts once and for all
[www.youtube.com]
tellyoulies...THANK YOU ...thats a fabulous in a nutshell description of BUTLER
THATS THE TYPE OF FOCUS THAT WE NEED .....lets not review the NEW VRINDAVAN horrors on this site
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
Vera City
()
Date: August 13, 2013 03:59PM
JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW. At one time there were concerned people going to great lengths and expense to get kids out of the New V Krishna cult. Some attempts were successful. My point is ~ "Who is doing that now for the children in Butler's cult!?"
One of the reasons why this is not happening is that this cult is so difficult to penetrate due to its secretive nature. It is known that Butler studied ISKCON's mistakes coupled with tactics used by some of the original "deprogramers". He read books about cults and mind control as far back as the '70's. He is also a master at following and monopolizing upon popular cultural trends, such as the "yoga lifestyle". He uses the same protean abilities with his political puppets. (e.g., Running some on Republican tickets, while others with the Democrats).
We all know that over the years Butler has became more and more obscure and secretive. He is a master at covering his tracks. Now the cult is into the third generation. Relatives who have left the cult live in fear of their lives or permanent loss of loved ones. Grandparents and Parents outside of the cult are decieved and lied to about the cult. There are no outward signs of cult involvment such as clothing and large group compounds (e.g., New V). If contact is maintained with "karmi relatives" it is limited to just enough to gain financial support. Members futher disguise their beliefs, as the Gabbards have, by taking on a veneer of being a Hindu or a Catholic, thus making it all seem more socially acceptable to outsiders.
The rescue contingency has been artfully blockaded by Butler. He has imbued cult members with cynicism, "learned complacency" and fear. If anyone even imagines to rescue any children, this programming kicks in... Butler also knows child custody laws and how to incite parent alienation against non-cult members. A non-cult parent would need to pay at least a 100K to get their child back and then pay for years of therapy. After all that, the indoctrination would be so deep that they still could lose their child back into the cult once they reach a certain age. (For example, in some states, once a child reaches age 14, they have the right to live with the parent of their choice.)
The reasons for shipping children off to a third world country and out of the reach of US law is obvious. What is not so obvious, and these are the invisible disorders put upon followers, are the learned phobias and dependencies upon the cult. This is why newly liberated cult members can not or will not expose Butler. They say, "I just want to get on with my life and put this all behind me." They do not become advocates for freedom. Shyam was exceptional, but it came about through great pain and loss. I am not saying this to judge anyone, only to point out that exers may need to look at the fact that Butler planned for detractors and those that leave the path in his teachings.
Yes, I was deeply saddened and indignant at the fate of Samadi. But she is just one of many stories... How many Samadi's and Shyam's are still being harmed??
If I have learned anything from years on this forum is how important it is to get this information out to the media. The thousands of hours on research, writing, and making videos is invaluable. Thanks to you all. You know who you are.
To paraphrase Will Smith from the movie "After Earth", the danger is real, but fear is a choice. Keep up the good work.
One of the reasons why this is not happening is that this cult is so difficult to penetrate due to its secretive nature. It is known that Butler studied ISKCON's mistakes coupled with tactics used by some of the original "deprogramers". He read books about cults and mind control as far back as the '70's. He is also a master at following and monopolizing upon popular cultural trends, such as the "yoga lifestyle". He uses the same protean abilities with his political puppets. (e.g., Running some on Republican tickets, while others with the Democrats).
We all know that over the years Butler has became more and more obscure and secretive. He is a master at covering his tracks. Now the cult is into the third generation. Relatives who have left the cult live in fear of their lives or permanent loss of loved ones. Grandparents and Parents outside of the cult are decieved and lied to about the cult. There are no outward signs of cult involvment such as clothing and large group compounds (e.g., New V). If contact is maintained with "karmi relatives" it is limited to just enough to gain financial support. Members futher disguise their beliefs, as the Gabbards have, by taking on a veneer of being a Hindu or a Catholic, thus making it all seem more socially acceptable to outsiders.
The rescue contingency has been artfully blockaded by Butler. He has imbued cult members with cynicism, "learned complacency" and fear. If anyone even imagines to rescue any children, this programming kicks in... Butler also knows child custody laws and how to incite parent alienation against non-cult members. A non-cult parent would need to pay at least a 100K to get their child back and then pay for years of therapy. After all that, the indoctrination would be so deep that they still could lose their child back into the cult once they reach a certain age. (For example, in some states, once a child reaches age 14, they have the right to live with the parent of their choice.)
The reasons for shipping children off to a third world country and out of the reach of US law is obvious. What is not so obvious, and these are the invisible disorders put upon followers, are the learned phobias and dependencies upon the cult. This is why newly liberated cult members can not or will not expose Butler. They say, "I just want to get on with my life and put this all behind me." They do not become advocates for freedom. Shyam was exceptional, but it came about through great pain and loss. I am not saying this to judge anyone, only to point out that exers may need to look at the fact that Butler planned for detractors and those that leave the path in his teachings.
Yes, I was deeply saddened and indignant at the fate of Samadi. But she is just one of many stories... How many Samadi's and Shyam's are still being harmed??
If I have learned anything from years on this forum is how important it is to get this information out to the media. The thousands of hours on research, writing, and making videos is invaluable. Thanks to you all. You know who you are.
To paraphrase Will Smith from the movie "After Earth", the danger is real, but fear is a choice. Keep up the good work.
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
Vera City
()
Date: August 13, 2013 04:09PM
dabcult, here is the correct link for your new video Jagad Guru Siddhaswarupananda Paramahansa O.C.D
KUDOS!Thank you for your bravery and persistence.
KUDOS!Thank you for your bravery and persistence.
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
Vera City
()
Date: August 13, 2013 05:19PM
Yes, Butler planned very well to suppress those thoughts that may lead to leaving the cult and seeing reality. He made sure to install fear, guilt, bitterness, and cynicism into his culture. He used humor and hipness to do this. The cool, surfer guru appealed to the idealistic, artistic, intelligent, and those that questioned authority. The disgusting irony is that they ended up with a Super Authoritarian figure.
So if anyone became naturally depressed or suffered PTSD from leaving the cult, it would be blamed on this miserable material world and confirm Jagged Prabhufraud's predictions. If you got sick, or were unhappy it was because you displeased your master. This is a hard knot from which to extricate oneself.
There is a rubber band effect that happens when you leave a cult and this was calculated by Butler. What was suppressed gets expressed. The "expression" is usually in breaking the rules of conduct of the cult. The "expression" is often to the same degree of suppression in the opposite direction. The rules of conduct may get broken, but the subconscious program keeps running. From one extreme to another, stretching and contracting until finally one is either broken or comes to peace. Some return to the cult after falling into the predicted depths, some have commited suicide, while others are fortunate enough to exit and go on to live healthy and wonderful lives free from this pathetic little shmuck called Butler.
So if anyone became naturally depressed or suffered PTSD from leaving the cult, it would be blamed on this miserable material world and confirm Jagged Prabhufraud's predictions. If you got sick, or were unhappy it was because you displeased your master. This is a hard knot from which to extricate oneself.
There is a rubber band effect that happens when you leave a cult and this was calculated by Butler. What was suppressed gets expressed. The "expression" is usually in breaking the rules of conduct of the cult. The "expression" is often to the same degree of suppression in the opposite direction. The rules of conduct may get broken, but the subconscious program keeps running. From one extreme to another, stretching and contracting until finally one is either broken or comes to peace. Some return to the cult after falling into the predicted depths, some have commited suicide, while others are fortunate enough to exit and go on to live healthy and wonderful lives free from this pathetic little shmuck called Butler.
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
corboy
()
Date: August 13, 2013 09:28PM
(Grim)
As many members and former members reportedly live in Hawaai, its probably easy for Butler and his trusties to track which defectors have come to grief.
Very likely the ones still in the group are told only the names of those persons who left and ran into hardships. And are never told about the ones who have left who are happy they have left and are doing well.
And the problem with this kind of total group is every hardship will be attributed to a 'spiritual' cause--as in you are failing at devotion to God or to the guru or both. Or dared to disobey.
To live with this kind of magical thinking is terrifying.
And if one leaves and does not get the right kind of advice, one cannot know which of oens emotions are part of bereavement, that come from leaving any relationship, even a harmful one, and those emotions and physicial reactions that are part and parcel of totalitarian indoctrination.
And which of one spectrum of emotions may come from feelings suppressed BY entering Butler's totalist environment.
If a person was mourning a loss and suppressed those emotions upon entering the Butler orbit, he or she may have to re-encounter suppressed mourning when leaving Butler's group--as well as mourn the loss of associates one made while in the Butler group--a double burden. If one doesnt know that this is human, not a spiritual penalty, this adds to ones suffering.
If a person was depressed and suppressed this by entering the Butler environment that may return after one leaves. And that too can easily be interpreted as a spiritual penalty unless one is given a post Butler exit education to provide a framework for understanding ones situation--and how to care for oneself.
Caring for oneself after years of looking outward to a guru and group may be a long process.
Final note. If a person grew up in a family where childhood survival depended upon reading the moods of an inconsistent parent or caregiver, such as an alcoholic or addicted parent, one grows up normally and easily looking outward to scan the moods
and sense the needs and desires of authority figures.
One does this without even being aware of it. One may even keep secrets without being told to do so, if in a family where keeping unspoken secrets was the norm.
So without consciously wanting to do so, some persons may gravite toward situations that having a similar emotional vibe to their families of origin and a guru led cult full of secrets may have a vibe identical or very close to that of a family centered upon catering to the moods of an addicted parent.
If one grows up attentive to the needs of parents who are trauma survivors (parents who are war refugees, survivors of political persecution, the Shoah, parents who are chroncially ill or disabled) one will also acquire similar attentiveness to the needs of a parent or authority figure. And without recognizing it, easily transfer this to guru devotion. (Corboy: I have landed in such enabling situations repeatedly)
An Adult Child of an Addict may with no conscious awareness, glide into compatiblity with a Guru led group such as Butler--because the enabling behavior for ACA and guru disciple has so many similarities.
If an ACA leaves a guru led group, he or she would do very well to learn both about the process of exiting cults and then, as part of long term recovery, examine his or her family of origin.
I bring up the ACA angle because for many ACA's, to protect the addicted parent is to protect oneself.
All this is done unconsciously. And can easily lend itself to various 'karmic' or 'past life' rationalizations.
Learning ones family circumstances will be part of advanced recovery and perhaps break the secret keeping bond that forms around Butler.
If many of his disciples are from families where one grew up protecting a fragile parent, they will have been trained in enabling and secret keeping--and being with and under Butler will aggravate this bondage.
Am bringing this up to speculate on why so many who have left Butler are afraid to speak out.
They may not only fear Butler and for good reason. They may have been trained in shame and secret keeping before they met Butler--by having grown up in families where they learned to enable fragile parents.
Am not writing to say its impossible to speak out but to point out that part of recovery is to face:
1) Where you were and how you were feeling right at the time you became involved with Butler's group.
2) Did you protect a family member, make explanations for a family member the way you did for Butler?
As many members and former members reportedly live in Hawaai, its probably easy for Butler and his trusties to track which defectors have come to grief.
Very likely the ones still in the group are told only the names of those persons who left and ran into hardships. And are never told about the ones who have left who are happy they have left and are doing well.
And the problem with this kind of total group is every hardship will be attributed to a 'spiritual' cause--as in you are failing at devotion to God or to the guru or both. Or dared to disobey.
To live with this kind of magical thinking is terrifying.
And if one leaves and does not get the right kind of advice, one cannot know which of oens emotions are part of bereavement, that come from leaving any relationship, even a harmful one, and those emotions and physicial reactions that are part and parcel of totalitarian indoctrination.
And which of one spectrum of emotions may come from feelings suppressed BY entering Butler's totalist environment.
If a person was mourning a loss and suppressed those emotions upon entering the Butler orbit, he or she may have to re-encounter suppressed mourning when leaving Butler's group--as well as mourn the loss of associates one made while in the Butler group--a double burden. If one doesnt know that this is human, not a spiritual penalty, this adds to ones suffering.
If a person was depressed and suppressed this by entering the Butler environment that may return after one leaves. And that too can easily be interpreted as a spiritual penalty unless one is given a post Butler exit education to provide a framework for understanding ones situation--and how to care for oneself.
Caring for oneself after years of looking outward to a guru and group may be a long process.
Final note. If a person grew up in a family where childhood survival depended upon reading the moods of an inconsistent parent or caregiver, such as an alcoholic or addicted parent, one grows up normally and easily looking outward to scan the moods
and sense the needs and desires of authority figures.
One does this without even being aware of it. One may even keep secrets without being told to do so, if in a family where keeping unspoken secrets was the norm.
So without consciously wanting to do so, some persons may gravite toward situations that having a similar emotional vibe to their families of origin and a guru led cult full of secrets may have a vibe identical or very close to that of a family centered upon catering to the moods of an addicted parent.
If one grows up attentive to the needs of parents who are trauma survivors (parents who are war refugees, survivors of political persecution, the Shoah, parents who are chroncially ill or disabled) one will also acquire similar attentiveness to the needs of a parent or authority figure. And without recognizing it, easily transfer this to guru devotion. (Corboy: I have landed in such enabling situations repeatedly)
An Adult Child of an Addict may with no conscious awareness, glide into compatiblity with a Guru led group such as Butler--because the enabling behavior for ACA and guru disciple has so many similarities.
If an ACA leaves a guru led group, he or she would do very well to learn both about the process of exiting cults and then, as part of long term recovery, examine his or her family of origin.
I bring up the ACA angle because for many ACA's, to protect the addicted parent is to protect oneself.
All this is done unconsciously. And can easily lend itself to various 'karmic' or 'past life' rationalizations.
Learning ones family circumstances will be part of advanced recovery and perhaps break the secret keeping bond that forms around Butler.
If many of his disciples are from families where one grew up protecting a fragile parent, they will have been trained in enabling and secret keeping--and being with and under Butler will aggravate this bondage.
Am bringing this up to speculate on why so many who have left Butler are afraid to speak out.
They may not only fear Butler and for good reason. They may have been trained in shame and secret keeping before they met Butler--by having grown up in families where they learned to enable fragile parents.
Am not writing to say its impossible to speak out but to point out that part of recovery is to face:
1) Where you were and how you were feeling right at the time you became involved with Butler's group.
2) Did you protect a family member, make explanations for a family member the way you did for Butler?
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
Vera City
()
Date: August 13, 2013 11:04PM
Quote
corboy
As many members and former members reportedly live in Hawaii, its probably easy for Butler and his trusties to track which defectors have come to grief. Very likely the ones still in the group are told only the names of those persons who left and ran into hardships. And are never told about the ones who have left who are happy they have left and are doing well.
No doubt. And if they get wind of some former member being a success, they will say they are just in Maya or in the "mode of ignorance". They will be told that they are only in the delusion of being happy. They can never be as happy and fulfilled as all the good devotees who please their guru.
Quote
corboy
And the problem with this kind of total group is every hardship will be attributed to a 'spiritual' cause--as in you are failing at devotion to God or to the guru or both. Or dared to disobey. To live with this kind of magical thinking is terrifying. And if one leaves and does not get the right kind of advice, one cannot know which of ones emotions are part of bereavement, that come from leaving any relationship, even a harmful one, and those emotions and physicial reactions that are part and parcel of totalitarian indoctrination.
Quote
corboy
If a person grew up in a family where childhood survival depended upon reading the moods of an inconsistent parent or caregiver, such as an alcoholic or addicted parent, one grows up normally and easily looking outward to scan the moods and sense the needs and desires of authority figures. One does this without even being aware of it. One may even keep secrets without being told to do so, if in a family where keeping unspoken secrets was the norm.
The whole culture of the group is focused on the pleasure of the guru and one's personal status and ranking within. Keeping secrets is the norm. It is a learned behavior. Protecting the guru is also part of the group pathology.
Quote
corboy
...Learning ones family circumstances will be part of advanced recovery and perhaps break the secret keeping bond that forms around Butler. If many of his disciples are from families where one grew up protecting a fragile parent, they will have been trained in enabling and secret keeping--and being with and under Butler will aggravate this bondage. Am bringing this up to speculate on why so many who have left Butler are afraid to speak out. They may not only fear Butler and for good reason. They may have been trained in shame and secret keeping before they met Butler--by having grown up in families where they learned to enable fragile parents.
Quote
corboy
Am not writing to say its impossible to speak out but to point out that part of recovery is to face:
1) Where you were and how you were feeling right at the time you became involved with Butler's group.
2) Did you protect a family member, make explanations for a family member the way you did for Butler?
That may apply more to the original followers since the cult is already into the third generation. For kids born into the cult, I think it will be much more difficult to track.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/13/2013 11:12PM by Vera City.
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
dabcult
()
Date: August 14, 2013 03:33AM
Here is my last comments on SHYAM books
I decided to use TELLYOULIES title "KATHY HOSHIJO one of the leading dogs of Chris Butler cult "
if you know more stuff on Kathy and her gun loving husband ...let me know
she might be eisier to kill her cult than BUTLER cult "
[www.youtube.com]
Comments welcome
I decided to use TELLYOULIES title "KATHY HOSHIJO one of the leading dogs of Chris Butler cult "
if you know more stuff on Kathy and her gun loving husband ...let me know
she might be eisier to kill her cult than BUTLER cult "
[www.youtube.com]
Comments welcome
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
dabcult
()
Date: August 14, 2013 06:49AM
Re: Chris Butler, Jagad Guru, Science of Identity
Posted by:
Vera City
()
Date: August 14, 2013 07:07PM
Quote
dabcult
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwT_oW0rjfc
This is the right link ...I am told
Thanks
Excellent expose of the phony guruette Katyayani.
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