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Can you think of anything Swami G. has done wrong?
Anything illegal, immoral, improper, indecent, racist, sexist, homophobic or the like?
The answer is a resounding
no.On the contrary I have seen or heard of her confronting and exposing these kind of things--both with regard to her own students and those in the wider world.
Have I seen her make human errors, be difficult/exasperating, etc?, yes.
If you want something specific? Lets see. . . on a few occasions I have seen the teacher "shoot from the hip" about something and have to correct herself later, even to the point of issuing an apology.
Once I received a package where the teacher misspelled my name even though I had been a student for years.
Once the teacher cancelled a Skype appointment on short notice and I was a bit disappointed by it.
That kind of thing. . . . if people feel that these are red flags, then they are welcome to it.
Students who work closely are warned ahead of time that "ego will be challenged at every turn." Its right on her website of anyone wants to look.
Have I seen the teacher apologize? Yes.
Does the teacher allow students to question her? Yes, absolutely. In fact there is a recent video put up where the teacher answers lifestyle concerns raised by a (current) student.
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Is there an independently audited financial statement (done by an outside accounting firm) that discloses in detail the finances of Swami G.?
Do you know through such a audited and specific budget statement the total compensation received annually by Swami G. from her supporters?
Well there is no independently audited statement and to my knowledge never has been. Earlier this was a concern of mine, but honestly there can only be little to account for. Never got to the point where I was saying to myself "OMG where is all this money going?" If her living arrangements are anything like those in the area I visited last time, many here reading this would probably consider them beneath their dignity. Probably around 1,000 square feet condominium shared with another person. I heard it mentioned that it was bought for $35,000. Hardly palatial.
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How is Swami G. accountable?
In the same way you or I are legally accountable for our actions. She has also stated time and again that teachers are more accountable to the universe than anyone else.
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Does she answer to anyone? Is there any particular oversight?
This teacher has said many many times if you see any teacher do anything you think is unethical then get the heck out of there.
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Please understand that cult members may frequently seem delusional, but are actually the victims of deception and undue influence. No one knowingly joins a "cult" and agrees to be "brainwashed." It's often a subtle ongoing process, which begins with deceptive "bait and switch" tactics and subsequently relies upon manipulation in the guise of training, spiritual enlightenment, therapy, counseling, etc.
I'll let others speak for themselves. They have a right to relate their experiences, and other people have a right to read them, here or elsewhere. I can only relate mine. I believe, as does this teacher, that people should be welcomed and encouraged to read whatever negative things are said about a teacher.
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No one that died under the influence of Marshall Applewhite in the "Heaven's Gate" group suicide (1997) in California believed that they were "in as state of delusion." But the facts demonstrate that they were deceived and manipulated by Applewhite, who was a deluded and deeply disturbed man.
Yes, which is why people should be very careful. If a ANY teacher seems fishy then one should walk away.
--JL