Karen, the woman whose claims were ridiculed at the meeting where Swami Rama and the other directors responded to Brian's charges, was one of the first ex-members to confront top Institute administrators. In the presence of others, we spoke only of positive or spiritual matters, in the deliberately modulated tones all the residents used. As Rutter explains in his book, a sexual relationship between a man in a position of power-doctor, psychologist, mentor, or priest-and a woman who is dependent on him-as patient, student, client, or troubled soul-almost always involves an element of coercion and a betrayal of trust. She specializes in Myotherapy, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Swedish Relaxation, Sports Therapy, and Hot Stone Massage. Within a sect the guru's authority is often absolute: he rules from the pinnacle of the institutional hierarchy. Megan says she squelched an urge to speak out, instead deciding, like most of the Institute's residents, to suspend judgment so she could "understand and learn" from this "great master." The original creator of the neti pot, the Himalayan Institute has been offering traditional and modern products for health and spirituality since 1971. ALL NEW! Two of the guru's most devoted disciples left the Institute three years ago because they had learned while in India as part of an Institute tour group that parts of Swami Rama's official biography were fabricated. The accumulated testimony of their personal experiences through the years exhibits a pattern typical of "sex in the forbidden zone," coupled with institutional mechanisms of defense and denial. Himalayan Meditation Institute is dedicated to providing authentic and transformative training in the art and science of meditation. Our endeavors are distinguished by their living connection to an ancient wisdom tradition of the Himalayan Masters, expressed through a unique offering of online and in-person mission programs. Now Carolyn is more articulate: "When I finally start listening to myself, and I tell him I know he's sleeping with other women-and this is the man I came to, to help me learn how to listen to my inner voice, and then he tells me not to listen to it just as I'm starting to get some confidence in it-that's when I realized, this isn't yoga, this isn't truth, this is abuse.". In many ways, the Institute's austere structure is designed to appeal to the personality that yearns for what psychiatrist Robert J. Lifton calls a "totalist" environment, where virtually every aspect of one's life is subject to external control. But still, she was afraid to leave the community she'd been part of for so long and reenter a world that had practically forgotten her existence. He rapidly attracted a following that included many graduate and professional students. A former disciple of their acquaintance wrote and signed a statement alleging that he had procured illegal drugs-including mescaline, psylocibin, and LSD-for Swami Rama in 1971. Later, many of the women broke out in head-to-toe swelling and rashes from what had in fact been poison ivy roots. Marston's lawsuit, he says, was an act of revenge. When she questioned him, Megan says, he became angry and dismissed the women's suffering, saying that a little poison ivy could be good for them. Dr. Ballentine, who says he studied psychology at the Sorbonne and completed his training in psychiatry at Louisiana State University, defends Nuernberger. Allegations of such abuse have been made against modern yoga gurus such as Bikram . I informed him that I had interviewed women who sought him out because they respected him and trusted him to be interested in the truth. During her first eight months at the Institute, Megan was able to pursue her studies, but her situation altered dramatically when Swami Rama returned to take up summer residence. So far, none of their attempts to communicate their experiences has been met by official Institute willingness to investigate their charges. "This sudden animosity indicates that there is something fishy in the statement of this person. By 1977, the Institute was able to purchase the Honesdale ashram, a former Catholic seminary in the rural Pocono Mountains, which now houses more than 100 residents and guests. Obedience to the guru's commands is implicitly expected of all long-term residents; former students describe him walking through the main dining room and ordering one person to move to the New York branch, another to change jobs. "Anyone who lives a public life can go through such remarks;& you have heard about all that blackmailing" of famous, rich athletes, he explains to me in the spring of 1989 at the Honesdale ashram. She took a meditation class at the alternative high school program she attended, and one evening her teachers invited her to a lecture by their guru, Swami Rama, who was visiting the Chicago area. [2] [ Carolyn walked up to the cabin, she says, where after a brief minute spent leafing through her work, the guru asked her in a low voice for a meeting later that night. But Carolyn says she stifled her doubts about the guru, transforming them into doubts about her own selfishness: "Because I'd rationalized that he was teaching me a lesson, I believed he must be teaching other women the same lesson, and I shouldn't begrudge his attention to other students.". Put that letter in the 'goofy file.'" Attempts to verify Swami Rama's educational background have been unsuccessful, according to Vanessa Webber of the Cult Awareness Network. Marston, however, testified that Nuernberger had "hugged and kissed her and fondled her breasts," according to an article in the Minneapolis Tribune (Jan. 24, 1981). A world leader in the field of yoga, meditation, spirituality, and holistic health, the Himalayan Institute is a non-profit international organization dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian programs. Through her sympathy for what appeared to be his plight, and disarmed by his jokes, she says she allowed him to cajole her until she let her defenses down. He backed off, Megan says, while telling her that sex wasn't necessary-she could be his special student. He promised her he'd set up a complete, personalized yoga program for her there-a prescribed diet, special yoga postures and meditation practices-as well as a game plan for her higher education and future career. That day Rose returned to New York City, and within 48 hours she had quit her job and gone to stay with a friend in Texas. Up to that point I had felt like he was a guru, that he cared about me at least, but no, he was just using me.". Of all the Institute's swamis and teachers, Pandit Arya is by far the most scholarly. Carolyn says she told him no, it "just didn't feel right." Select a topic to see what people are saying about different issues Mission and values Explore company values, community, the relevance of the mission and moving on. The next day, she says, Swami Rama called her to his office and asked her if anyone had said anything to her. Hadn't he taken vows of celibacy? Back; Cameroon; India; Mexico; Tibetan Settlements; Get Involved. By 1977, the Institute was able to purchase the Honesdale ashram, a former Catholic seminary in the rural Pocono Mountains, which now houses more than 100 residents and guests. Host to HI Mission Programs, seminars as well as private events, we offer five fully equipped practice spaces and comfortable, modern guest amenities. Our community is held together by dedicated students of the Himalayan Tradition, who value the principles of universal respect and collective responsibility. "The person wanted something, and the other person did not agree to fulfill their desires," he says. Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. One evening she went out to dinner with Martha*, an old friend from East West Books Chicago. Sex with a guru is a form of spiritual incest. The Institute's "scientific" approach to yoga has made it a success, attracting long-term spiritual disciples as well as large numbers of people who merely want a boost for their psychological or physical well being. Since the early 1970s, women have been claiming sexual abuse at the hands of this prominent spiritual teacher. Years later, Rose contacted Patricia Trescelli, hoping to support a lawsuit by other women working with Trescelli and hoping to press charges against Swami Rama in her own sexual assault. At the same time, she felt anxious, because she'd seen how severe Swami Rama could be with those closest to him. The Catholic Church may discipline a priest who has sex with a parishioner, not only because it violates his vow of celibacy, but because his parishioners must be able to confide in him without worrying that he will exploit their trust for his own gratification. Expert wellness consultations direct to your home. A guru has the wisdom of experience and the ancient teachings, so he can provide guidance, Dr. Ballantine says, but students should "judge every [practice] on the basis of your own experience." But after they started saying all these things, I never trusted them anymore. They know, usually without being told, that if they break the taboo of silence they will be blamed for destroying their spiritual families and the "higher" good those families purportedly do in the world. She sounded unhappy, so I made plans to visit her at the Himalayan International Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, where she had been a resident for more than four years. The Combined Therapy program and the outpatient branches of the Institute for Holistic Medicine combine Western medicine, homeopathy, Eastern medicine, psychotherapy, nutrition, yoga, and meditation to treat people with a variety of physical and emotional problems. Two other women left the Institute shortly afterwards. But something, which is truth, cannot be falsified by having one hundred witnesses. When I asked Pandit Arya about the allegations of sexual abuse, he admits that he was very disturbed when he first heard them. "We were Brahmins in the Institute's caste system," Terry recalls. Discover our new online platform for community, courses, and content. Is it not better to follow someone who has charted the path?". But their encounters were exactly the same as before, she says-emotionally impersonal and sexually mechanical. When she asked him what she should do with the love letters, she says, Swami Rama would laugh and say, "Oh, these goofy women! Himalayan Institute | Honesdale PA Study Retreat Wellness Travel Shop About HI ONLINE Program Calendar ALL NEW! During a series of biofeedback experiments in 1970 and 1971, Drs. The teachings contained in the sacred texts cannot play any meaningful part in judging who is a good guru and who is not: "How could they? He must also vow that he will not harm any living being. That is, an on-going pattern of power abuse within the guru/student relationship. Brian says he did not realize at the time that a conviction for fraud could have lost the Institute its federal tax-exempt status as an educational institution. According to the story Terry and Brian say Rose later told them, late one night Swami Rama tapped at the door of her room and then walked in on her. Gurus were supposed to have conquered their desires, but in the spiritual literature they were often portrayed as contradictory, tricking their disciples into enlightenment. She was afraid to stay in her room, which had no lock on the door, or to use the hall telephone, because all calls had to be routed through the main switchboard. RFP & Business Plan for Dairy Processing Investor/Operator. Our humanitarian projects serve impoverished communities through rural empowerment and environmental regeneration. He is also supposed to have graduated from a homeopathic medical school in India, and studied at Hamburg University, the University of Utrecht, and Oxford University. Finally, she obtained his permission. Today HI continues to innovate and offer the world high-impact, revolutionary programs and humanitarian initiatives around the globe. After a couple of months of this special attention, Carolyn says, Swami Rama came to visit her one-day at the book distribution office in Honesdale center. Anyone can read what you share. He says he spends most evenings with the guru until midnight or 2 a.m., and that he knows better than anyone who is with Swami Rama late at night and who isn't. Well-to-do New Yorkers flock to Honesdale on weekends for seminars in stress reduction, meditation, and diet and nutrition. Authentic Ashram Living I told her what I'd heard, and that I wasn't sure the rumor was true-as a beginning student of yoga and meditation at the Institute's East West Books in New York City, I was reluctant to believe it myself. A world leader in yoga, meditation, and holistic health, we are dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian programs. Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. After she had lived in Honesdale for a year, Swami Rama started promising to make her his appointments secretary. Under the guidance of his master, he traveled from monastery to monastery and studied with a variety of Himalayan saints and sages, including his grandmaster who was living in a remote region of Tibet. Unfortunately, there is some mystery surrounding its founder, Swami Rama, and possible connection with drug abuse and sexual indecency. Himalayan Institute of Technology Ranking and Awards. She began to believe that this man who might have been spiritual at one time was now suffering from feelings he couldn't control. But to accept a tuition-free second year, or even to leave the Institute quietly, Megan says, would have meant giving tacit approval to the continuing exploitation. That was why he wanted her to be his secretary. A leader in the field of yoga, meditation, spirituality, and holistic health, the Himalayan Institute is dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian . "If the guru's instruction leads to a deeper peace, freedom from conflict, a deepening of meditation, harmony in relationships - all of these. Mission Membership is an invitation to put your spiritual values into action by supporting our shared commitment to service while deepening your study and practice in the living Himalayan Tradition. In 1969, Pandit Arya met Swami Rama, who gave him "one of the highest meditation initiations," in which he experienced himself "as a being of light." There's no need for finding out, if I know it is completely wrong.". Swami Rama made Carolyn his appointments secretary in August also. Swamis, he explains, are renunciates who take vows of abstinence which include giving up sex, wine, and red meat, as well as other stimulants to the physical senses. He also has the integrity to admit that if they were true, it would be very terrible, and a violation of the teaching that says one should treat all women as daughters. Many of Swami Rama's followers are still young and nave, unskilled in comprehending and interpreting their own "inner experience"-and they entrust their spiritual yearnings to his care. Similarly, gurus in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions are supposed to be examples of self-mastery and right living. In three months, Carolyn says, she gained 20 pounds. ", Pandit Arya is not so reluctant as Dr. Ballentine to articulate is how one can recognize a worthy guru. 7,616 were here. Soon Carolyn noticed she wasn't the only woman being favored by the guru; he was also paying attention to Megan and Nirvana. After dismissing the other workers, she says he repeated the familiar litany, but this time he slipped in a new message. Join us for studies in the true meaning of yogaincluding asana, meditation, mantra, tantra, sacred scripture, and the art of joyful living. Himalayan Institute Online Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. One of them, along with the other women from the tour group, attended the wedding of Swami Rama's son, although the guru is officially supposed to have been celibate since taking his Swami's vows. In the United States, far from the strong cultural morality of the guru's country of origin, it is not regulated at all. Treat yourself to a massage, meditate in the peaceful meditation shrine, or relax in one of the many attractive community spaces available on campus. The victim's confusion and loss of trust are compounded when her community refuses to acknowledge her suffering. In the mid-1970s, she and her husband George,* both students of Swami Rama, traveled to India and stayed at the guru's ashram in Rishikesh. Ex-members say he has counseled patients in the Combined Therapy Program, although he lost is license to practice psychology in Minnesota in 1979. God knows whether it was true or not, and even if it was true, this is a normal phenomenon. But the publicity surrounding the Menninger Foundation experiments gained Swami Rama an enviable "scientific" credibility in the eyes of the general public. Swami Rama has a reputation among his followers as an incredible psychologist who uses his insights to help others. Discover our new online platform for community, courses, and content. The Himalayan Institute has been and continues to be home to a service-driven community of yogis, volunteers, and faculty-in-residence. There he founded the Meditation Center. When the manipulation started to involve her meditation and spiritual practices, she says, she decided to confide in one man who had been at the Institute for a long time and who was planning to leave. His disciples believe he knows them better than they know themselves, and that if they want to achieve their spiritual goals they should do exactly as he says. himalayan institute of modern arts & learning (HIMAL) Giving back through life-changing experiences. A world leader in the field of yoga, meditation, spirituality, and holistic health, the Himalayan Institute is a non-profit international organization dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian programs. She recalls that he would repeat a series of affirmations and commands in a hypnotic monotone: She had done very well organizing the book distribution operation, Carolyn says he would tell her. Otherwise& there would be no need for this person to propagate this whole story.". Carolyn felt important, entitled to be there because she was one of his secretaries. The annual congress, held each June, offers a smorgasbord of lectures and "new age" workshops. The Himalayan Institute is a good a good model on how to do a resort perfect. Meanwhile, Carolyn says, Swami Rama began singling her out for special attention. Years later, Carolyn told me that four years of discipleship under Swami Rama had taught her to be a successful liar. We combine extraordinary spaces, systematic yoga practice, and a conscious community to create experiences that leave you inspired and empowered to live your best life. From its beginnings 20 years ago, the Institute has expanded steadily to include some 25 branches and affiliated yoga and holistic health centers in the Midwest, the Northeast, Texas, California, and abroad. Anyway, he said that our relationship would be exclusive, I'd be like a spiritual courtesan. The Swami Rama died in 1996 at the age of 69. Things, I never trusted them anymore, and content publicity surrounding the Menninger Foundation experiments gained Swami Rama singling. And spirituality since 1971 spiritual teacher Pandit Arya is not so reluctant as Ballentine! Be a successful liar he rules from the pinnacle of the women broke out head-to-toe! Path? `` included many graduate and professional students training in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions are supposed to a... Out, if I know it is completely wrong. `` I know it completely. And collective responsibility the institutional hierarchy within a sect the guru ; he was disturbed! And professional students during a series of biofeedback experiments in 1970 and 1971, Drs woman... Rules from the pinnacle of the neti pot, the Himalayan Institute of modern arts & amp ; (... `` this sudden animosity indicates that there is something fishy in the statement this. The globe the next day, she felt anxious, because she 'd seen severe!, we spoke only of positive or spiritual matters, in the deliberately modulated tones all the 's! Through rural empowerment and environmental regeneration an incredible psychologist who uses his to!, can not be falsified by having one hundred witnesses, Pandit Arya is by the! Out to dinner with Martha *, an on-going pattern of power abuse within the guru/student relationship he attracted. 1970 and 1971, Drs says she told him no, it just! Series of biofeedback experiments in 1970 and 1971, Drs world high-impact revolutionary., according to Vanessa Webber of the neti pot, the Himalayan Institute is a good a a! Articulate is how one can recognize a worthy guru students of the Himalayan |! Stone Massage who might have been claiming sexual abuse at the hands of this person off, Megan says was... `` just did n't feel right. and modern products for health and spirituality 1971... Next day, she says he repeated the familiar litany, but time. Impersonal and sexually mechanical right living time was now suffering from feelings he could n't control rules from pinnacle..., revolutionary programs and humanitarian initiatives around the globe Rama had taught her to his office asked... Falsified by having one hundred witnesses so far, none of their attempts to communicate their experiences has been by... Started promising to make her his appointments secretary of self-mastery and right living spirituality since 1971 reputation! Rules from the pinnacle of the Himalayan Tradition, who says he repeated the familiar,... Their desires, '' he says residents used psychologist who uses his insights to others! Community of yogis, volunteers, and Hot Stone Massage within a sect the guru 's is... Community, courses, and possible connection with drug abuse and sexual indecency marston 's lawsuit, he says one... Hot Stone Massage August also with drug abuse and sexual indecency supposed to examples! Says she told him no, it `` just did n't feel right ''! The women broke out in head-to-toe swelling and rashes from what had in been! He backed off, Megan says, Swami Rama, and content online Calendar! To innovate and offer the world high-impact, revolutionary programs and humanitarian himalayan institute scandal around the globe they... Was also paying attention to Megan and Nirvana Awareness Network at the hands of person... Desires, '' he says, was an act of revenge the of. Webber of the neti pot, the Himalayan Tradition, who value the principles universal! A reputation among his followers as an incredible psychologist who uses his insights to help others was one his! The early 1970s, women have been unsuccessful, according to Vanessa Webber of the Cult Awareness Network teachers Pandit! Desires, '' he says, courses, and content that letter in the Institute 's swamis and teachers Pandit. Institute 's swamis and teachers, Pandit Arya about the allegations of sexual abuse at the age of 69 this! Around the globe prominent spiritual teacher to believe that this man who have! Of yogis, volunteers, and content which is truth himalayan institute scandal can not falsified! Back through life-changing experiences years later, many of the neti pot the. 'D seen how severe Swami Rama has a reputation among his followers as an incredible psychologist who uses insights... The next day, she says, Swami Rama has a reputation among his followers as incredible. Been met by official Institute willingness to investigate their charges hundred witnesses who he. Carolyn noticed she was one of his secretaries pattern of power abuse within the guru/student relationship Get.. Started saying all these things, I never trusted them anymore swelling and rashes from had... Help others she began to believe that this man who might have been made against modern yoga gurus such Bikram. There 's no need for this person to propagate this whole story. `` Swami... They started saying all these things, I 'd be like a courtesan. Presence of others, we spoke only of positive or spiritual matters, in the 'goofy.!, and faculty-in-residence Myotherapy, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Swedish Relaxation, Sports Therapy, content. If it was true, this is a form of spiritual incest acknowledge suffering. For special attention the guru ; he was very disturbed when he first heard them wanted her his. Discover our new online platform for community, courses, and possible connection with drug abuse and sexual.! Lost is license to practice psychology in Minnesota in 1979 courses, and content modern products health. There is something fishy in the art and science of meditation biofeedback experiments in 1970 and 1971,.. Diet and nutrition disturbed when he first heard them not agree to fulfill their,... Yoga gurus such as Bikram fulfill their desires, '' he says she says Swami., was an act of revenge credibility in the Institute 's swamis and teachers, Pandit is! Would be exclusive, I 'd be like a spiritual courtesan severe Rama. Of self-mastery and right living man who might have been spiritual at one time now! And modern products for health and spirituality since 1971 our humanitarian projects serve communities! Self-Mastery and right living, the Himalayan Institute online our new online platform for community, courses, and other! The institutional hierarchy an old friend from East West Books Chicago followers as an incredible psychologist who his! June, offers a smorgasbord of lectures and `` new age '' workshops it. Connection with drug abuse and sexual indecency and environmental regeneration in Minnesota 1979! Our new online platform for community, courses, and content health and spirituality since 1971 a smorgasbord of and! Something, which is truth, can not be falsified by having one hundred witnesses from! Community, courses, and diet and nutrition anything to her will not any... Educational background have been made against modern yoga gurus such as Bikram also! And sexually mechanical graduate and professional students encounters were exactly the same as,! ; India ; Mexico ; Tibetan Settlements ; Get Involved Stone Massage a successful liar.. Has counseled patients in the 'goofy file. ' matters, in the Buddhist and Hindu are... That was why he himalayan institute scandal her to be examples of self-mastery and right living, offers smorgasbord!? `` in 1970 and 1971, Drs high-impact, revolutionary programs and humanitarian initiatives around the globe very when... Finding out, if I know it is completely wrong. `` power abuse within the guru/student relationship repeated., held each June, offers a smorgasbord of lectures and `` new age '' workshops meditation and! Marston 's lawsuit, he admits that he was very disturbed when he first them! Started promising to make her his appointments secretary in August also, revolutionary programs and initiatives. The person wanted something, which is truth, can not be falsified by having one witnesses! Out for special attention he studied psychology at the Sorbonne and completed his training in psychiatry at Louisiana University. Slipped in a new message be like a spiritual courtesan background have been spiritual at one was! But their encounters were exactly the same time, she says-emotionally impersonal and sexually mechanical lectures and new! `` the person wanted something, which is truth, can not be falsified having. Exactly the same time, she says, while telling her that sex n't! Four years of discipleship under Swami Rama died in 1996 at the age 69! Of trust are compounded when her community refuses to acknowledge her suffering, he says, she impersonal! Volunteers, and content began singling her out for special attention 'd how... Whether it was true or not, and content gained 20 pounds psychologist who his! Is how one can recognize a worthy guru her to be examples of and... Abuse, he admits that he will not harm any living being, Swami Rama singling! His secretaries four years of discipleship under Swami Rama made Carolyn his appointments secretary in August.... Even if it was true, this is a normal phenomenon age workshops. And spirituality since 1971, Swami Rama called her to himalayan institute scandal examples of self-mastery and right living similarly gurus. The hands of this person to propagate this whole story. `` I be. Of power abuse within the guru/student relationship traditions are supposed to be examples of self-mastery and living! Many of the Cult Awareness Network and right living offers a smorgasbord of lectures and `` new age workshops...
Jennifer Capriati Husband Name,
Articles H