Given a mantra but little guidance, Carolyn dutifully performed her assigned practices, hoping that Swami Rama's "scientific" approach to yoga would eventually yield results. On the contrary, they sought opportunities to serve the guru's every whim, or even to be abused by him: Megan remembers one woman saying she wished the guru would kick her. And there is a statement, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.'" The Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy is an international non-profit organization, which promotes yoga and holistic health through yoga retreats, residential programs, health products and services, media publications including Yoga International magazine, and humanitarian projects.The institute's main campus is located on (1.6 km 2) in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern . But for a man of Pandit Arya's background and beliefs, the relationship with one's guru is more momentous than any merely temporal bond. "The real guru is within," Dr. Ballentine says, "that still small voice within you." She listened calmly as I admitted that I'd worried she might be a victim. One evening she went out to dinner with Martha*, an old friend from East West Books Chicago. Both came from prominent Midwestern families; each had an alcoholic parent, and they now believe they were seeking not only spiritual growth, but also a strong parental figure. But during the next three weeks, she says, she saw the Swami mistreating his disciples, especially the women, on a daily basis-yelling at them, ridiculing them, ordering them around, and occasionally kicking a woman in the buttocks when she was on her hands and knees weeding. Irwin Schneider, the lawyer for the Himalayan Institute, conceded that it was morally wrong for the Swami Rama to have sex with the woman from North Carolina, a 19-year-old student at the time she said the assaults occurred. The Himalayan Institute is a good a good model on how to do a resort perfect. Anyone can read what you share. Two months after Swami Rama left for India, Carolyn went to Chicago to visit her family for Christmas. Megan says her feelings told her that something was amiss, but because of the social environment, she began to entertain the notion that the Swami's motives might not be what they appeared to be, and that his attempts at a con job might be a spiritual test. Ag Innovation Center Business Plan. The Swami, she says, bragged to a crowd of disciples that the woman would do whatever he told her, then put his dog's collar and leash around her neck and walked her back and forth, while the others laughed. Many disciples come from alcoholic and dysfunctional families where they have learned how to deny emotional abuse directed against them or their siblings, in order to believe that their parents really love them and are acting in their best interests. Patricia Trescelli, and attorney with Parker, Chapin, Flattau, and Klimpel, agreed to consult with the women concerning possible legal action on a pro bono basis. Megan recalls that in one of her first encounters with Swami Rama, she watched as he humiliated a quiet, withdrawn woman resident. Meanwhile, Carolyn says, Swami Rama began singling her out for special attention. A report has been made to law enforcement, and I'm guessing . Since she had taken over, everything had been put in order. Brian and Terry say her family members at the Institute harassed her by mail and by telephone, with accusations that she had "a habit of inducing this sort of behavior from men.". Despite this, our rural empowerment programs continue to thrive and grow as we work towards our goal of fighting poverty, illiteracy, and inequality through education, health care, and job creation. In three months, Carolyn says, she gained 20 pounds. I ask Dr. Ballentine in a January 1990 interview why Nuernberger is still on the Institute's staff. Rose, they explain, was not a disciple of Swami Rama, but had been invited by family members in the Institute's administration to come to Honesdale for medical treatment. 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. The two couples referred to this statement in a petition to the FBI: they asked the FBI to investigate the threat letter and argued that Swami Rama could be deported by the Immigration and Naturalization Service as an undesirable alien on four grounds: possession of narcotics, sexual immorality, fraudulent financial dealings, and "affliction with [a] psychopathic personality." He laughed, Megan says, and told her that the women didn't know what they were weeding. Numerous former students say they left the Institute because they were sexually exploited by Swami Rama or knew someone who was. Residents staff the Institute's administration, bookstores, and other small businesses, including Himalayan Publishers and Distributors and an elementary school. He is supposed to have been raised by Sri Madhavananda Bharati in the sacred caves and monasteries of the Himalayan sages. Immerse yourself in a life-changing course of study and get certified in the authentic teachings of yoga and meditation. The Himalayan Institute publishes over 60 titles on yoga, spirituality, and holistic health, including the best-selling Living with the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama and Yoga: Mastering the Basics by Sandra Anderson and Rolf Sovik. She opted to forego pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology because the Institute's program allowed her to earn a degree in a related field while studying Eastern philosophy and meditation with Pandit Rajmani, who had initiated her in Chicago. Expert wellness consultations direct to your home. Explore high-quality, unique, practice-enhancing products made for yogis everywhere. Carolyn had sought a consultation with Pandit Rajmani, who told her that Megan was either lying because she was "on an ego trip," or fantasizing a sexual encounter that had never taken place. Cameroon Himalayan Institute Cameroon Cameroon is in the midst of conflict. They enjoy spending their free time adventuring, camping, exploring, and creating memories together. Most of the Institute's programs are open to the general public. By that time, Brian recollects, the other directors had adopted the line that famous and powerful men were always subject to such vicious rumors, and that the women's stories were ludicrous and unbelievable. So far, none of their attempts to communicate their experiences has been met by official Institute willingness to investigate their charges. Rose spent the next six months moving from place to place, terrified that the Institute network would track her down. Gurus were supposed to have conquered their desires, but in the spiritual literature they were often portrayed as contradictory, tricking their disciples into enlightenment. Two other women left the Institute shortly afterwards. Authentic Ashram Living "I felt two-dimensional, like a piece of paper, a cunt-he didn't care about me. But she says his attitude toward her underwent a dramatic change; he began to make her a target for his anger, issuing contradictory orders and then screaming at her for her incompetence in front of the other secretaries and disciples and gossiping about her behind her back. Of all the Institute's swamis and teachers, Pandit Arya is by far the most scholarly. Carolyn was raised Catholic, and during high school she explored Transcendental Meditation, Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, and the "Jesus freak" movement. Publications Health Products Explore high-quality, unique, practice-enhancing products made for yogis everywhere. The original creator of the neti pot, the Himalayan Institute has been offering traditional and modern products for health and spirituality since 1971. Meanwhile, the couple says, they discovered more evidence of illicit activity. They would travel together to England. Himalayan Institute Online Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. By this time Carolyn had gained 25 pounds from binging on sweets. Relax, restore, and nourish yourself with a wellness retreat. Shortly after they returned to the U.S., Karen and George say that they and all their correspondents received a bizarre, defamatory letter containing an implicit death threat. In mid-autumn, the day came for Swami Rama's annual trip to India. "We were Brahmins in the Institute's caste system," Terry recalls. In the presence of others, we spoke only of positive or spiritual matters, in the deliberately modulated tones all the residents used. Become more involved with the projects of the ashram-seminars, residents, the patient program-in time she would be in charge of the whole thing. In the United States, far from the strong cultural morality of the guru's country of origin, it is not regulated at all. She became outraged at the residents and the professional staff who enable and legitimized the Swami's behavior. Later, many of the women broke out in head-to-toe swelling and rashes from what had in fact been poison ivy roots. She specializes in Myotherapy, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Swedish Relaxation, Sports Therapy, and Hot Stone Massage. Finally I found an opportunity to broach the topic of the lawsuit with Carolyn. Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. Himalayan Institute | Honesdale PA Shortly after they started studying with Pandit Usharbudh Arya at the Meditation Center in Minneapolis, he introduced them to his guru, Swami Rama. Megan went through a brief but painful and confusing time during which she doubted her own feelings and perceptions. In her lawsuit, the plaintiff said the swami sexually assaulted her 30 times while she was attending the institute in the spring and summer of 1993. 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. Pandit Arya reportedly alternated between disbelieving and believing the growing number of his female students who told him that Swami Rama had sexually harassed or abused them. Allegations of sexual abuse by Swami Rama have followed on the heels of the Institute's success like a shadow. In 1966, he founded the original Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Kanpur, India; this was followed by an institute in Glenview, Illinois in 1971; it is now headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, purchased in 1977. When she asked him what she should do with the love letters, she says, Swami Rama would laugh and say, "Oh, these goofy women! And that did not undermine Mahatma Gandhi's work!& No, this would not be shattering, certainly not. A few weeks later she moved to Honesdale. The 10-campus system closes a loophole that could have let undergraduates piece together a degree. During this spiel, she says, he put his hand on her buttocks, but she told him she wasn't buying it. According to Karen and George, no legal action resulted. Within a sect the guru's authority is often absolute: he rules from the pinnacle of the institutional hierarchy. Together we ate superb vegetarian meals in the Institute's dining commons and chanted evening prayers. Experts and some inside the system say that in justifying its decision, UC perpetuated outdated claims about online learning. Or, in the words of Rudolph Ballentine, M.D., president of the Himalayan Institute and Swami Rama's designated successor, "to take the wisdom of the ancients and couch it in terms that are intelligible to modern man.". At the Himalayan Yoga Institute we believe in providing you with a broad yogic education to empower you to make the best possible choices for your students and create a modern yoga class that respects yoga's traditions and foundation while taking into account the unique personal needs of your students. We inspire, educate, and. Williams, however, did not sue Nuernberger himself; she sued the clinic where he worked, alleging that the clinic "knew or should have known" that Nuernberger was engaging in harmful sexual activity while treating her. A pearl necklace that Brian had bought from Swami Rama as an "investment" was appraised at roughly one-third of the $100,000 he had paid for it. Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, is the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute and the successor of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Brian didn't believe his teacher, and he spoke with several other Institute administrators and board members about Rose's claim of abuse. Carolyn rationalized: Swamiji was her guru, so even though the prospect of having sex with him seemed morally wrong and physically revolting, he must be doing it for her own good. He is also head of the Institute's Holistic Studies (formerly Eastern Studies) program and has written a number of scholarly books on yoga philosophy. In his enlightened state, they believe, he could never commit any selfish acts, which would create new karmic burdens. "By their fruits you shall know them," he says, paraphrasing the Bible. A world leader in yoga, meditation, and holistic health, we are dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian programs. That was why he wanted her to be his secretary. Following on the heels of Karen's and her friend's revelations, several other women and men left the Meditation Center in Minneapolis. Although the jury entered a judgment against Nuernberger, it also found that the clinic was not liable for his actions, so Williams failed to recover damages. First, Robert Tuttle of The Reason Files 2 is reporting the same thing I am hearing from multiple sources. The Greens' experiments caused a furor in the scientific community because they gave powerful support to autogenic biofeedback research, which 10 years earlier had begun demonstrating that body functions which had formerly been considered involuntary could be controlled. Even so, it was a blow to find out that she wasn't particularly special: Swami Rama apparently had other "spiritual courtesans." Whether youre retracing the footsteps of sages through pilgrimage in the Himalayas, or immersing yourself in the most incredible spaces the US has to offer, you will experience the life-changing power of yoga in action. Brian sued Swami Rama, and eventually the guru settled out of court for the full amount. I ask him. A world leader in yoga, meditation, and holistic health, we are dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian programs. According to ex-members, Swami Rama often acts in ways his disciples find humiliating, but they tell each other he is humbling their stubborn egos to help them reach enlightenment faster. kono oto tomare main character; best supported football clubs in europe; rolling ridge conference center During my weekend visit, Carolyn and I took long walks on the Institute's wooded grounds while talking about her compulsive eating patterns and her disastrous relationships with men suggested as possible husbands by Swami Rama. His American followers hear the spiritual teachings from his mouth, with his interpretation, and they rarely have the exposure to a variety of gurus, which would teach them to be skeptical of their own guru. In recent years, the harm caused to women by "sex in the forbidden zone" has been recognized in their codes of ethics by most universities and professional associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association. According to the stipulation he signed with the Board's Ethics Review Panel, Nuernberger admitted that he terminated a counseling relationship with "Victoria S." during the third session in order to enter into a "personal relationship - such relationship to include sexual contact.". There he founded the Meditation Center. Sexual abuse by yoga gurus is the exploitation of the position of trust occupied by a master of any branch of yoga for personal sexual pleasure. He reportedly sat down on a chair next to her bed and proceeded to make sexual advances. Swami Rama, she says, would extol his own sexual abilities but tell her she was bad at making love. * "Nirvana was up at his cabin, walking his dog at 5:30 in the morning, and Megan was with him day and night." 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.". Carolyn says she feigned shock and tried to mask her distress as Martha told about a woman at the Glenview center who was confused and distraught about her alleged sexual relationship with Swami Rama. Everyone said you had to surrender to the guru, so she would simply have to follow through with whatever he ordered her to do. When I asked Pandit Arya about the allegations of sexual abuse, he admits that he was very disturbed when he first heard them. Well-to-do New Yorkers flock to Honesdale on weekends for seminars in stress reduction, meditation, and diet and nutrition. Pandit Rajmani says he also has concrete reasons to know that Swami Rama could not be sleeping with his disciples. During the next few months, Carolyn says, Swami Rama bade her visit him in his private quarters once every couple of weeks, either after lunch or after evening prayers; he also made it her job to buy condoms. The same spirit of community and service that fuels our headquarters in Honesdale, PA, can be found in these dedicated affiliate centers of practice. 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. I just don't know that it makes sense to go run around trying to evaluate other people, when you haven't evaluated yourself.". 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. After a bit, she was inclined to dismiss his behavior as a joke or a "test.". Healthy lifestyle products to support your yoga and spiritual practice. 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. Trained to meditate and educated in the scriptures from early childhood, he was able to translate and interpret any of the 20,000 verses from the Vedas by the age of 13, according to a biographical pamphlet put out by the Meditation Center. The lawsuit I heard rumors about in New York City never materialized. Most of the former members of the Institute who agreed to be interviewed for this article were also afraid to have their identities revealed; they appear under pseudonyms, marked with an asterisk. Megan*, a former graduate student in the Eastern Studies program, wrote a letter to the Jesuit administration of the University of Scranton saying that Swami Rama was subjecting women students to sexual exploitation. The FBI has confirmed the existence of a file documenting the agency's investigation, but at the time of publication the file had not yet been released under the Freedom of Information Act. Our Honesdale campus continues to be home to a service-driven community of yogis, volunteers, and faculty-in-residence. They resided in their own house in Honesdale, unencumbered by the strict rules of the residential program. This seemingly whimsical application of standards demoralized many of the ex-members I spoke with and led many to resent the members of Swami Rama's inner circle. Pandit Rajmani says he did not feel any responsibility, as spiritual counselor to the women who had approached him for help, to investigate their complaints or question his guru. The man, she says, informed her of Swami Rama's long history of alleged sexual misconduct. To judge by their price tags, these and other Institute programs must bring in a considerable income. Pandit Arya radiates calm as he speaks. Similarly, a woman who had been repeatedly abused by Sri Swami Rama of The Himalayan Institute when she was 19 years old was awarded $1.9 million. She never received a response. Himalayan Institute Humanitarian is a 501(c)(3) public charity supporting the educational and charitable projects of the Himalayan Institute. Rose told Brian and Terry that she was afraid to seek help from the family members who'd invited her to the Institute-they were unquestioningly loyal to Swami Rama-and she knew no one else there. Most rapists threaten women with physical violence. His actions are rarely questioned by his followers, because his every deed is thought to flow from his union with godhead. Brian says he refused to tell Rose's story in such an atmosphere. Donate Help Our Cause US$20.00 In some states, a patient has the right to sue her doctor or psychotherapist for malpractice even if she originally consented to sex, because people under psychological or medical treatment are considered too vulnerable and dependent to give free and full consent. Yet the Institute's success comes at a high cost for many of those involved. Community, Courses, and Content. "I only needed one person to corroborate my experience," Megan says now. A system that rewards a particular behavior or person and then arbitrarily ignores or punishes that same behavior or person can quickly lead even healthy individuals to develop profound anxiety and uncertainty-the antithesis of self-confidence. The Institute also offers instruction to counselors and psychotherapists in the application of yoga and meditation techniques to therapy. Both women and men say they blamed themselves and their own spiritual obtuseness when they repeatedly failed to discern and follow the shifting rules. Discover our new online platform for community, courses, and content. In March 1978, she says, Swami Rama came to Glenview and initiated her. Himalayan Institute Online. But one by one, Trescelli says, the women backed down and decided not to pursue legal action. $1.9 Million Awarded In Swami Sexual Case, https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/06/us/1.9-million-awarded-in-swami-sexual-case.html. Rather than being a saint, according to Green, Swami Rama is an advanced yogi and "a mortal with some ego problems.". When the couple confided their resulting marital troubles to Karen and George, Karen confirmed her friend's experience by revealing that she, too, had had a supposedly exclusive and spiritual sexual relationship with Swami Rama before her marriage. Then, later on, when the right man came along, she would marry and be very happy. He warns against relying too heavily on the inner voice: "When we look for the guru within, we only end up finding our own samskaras-vagaries of the unconscious mind are mistaken for directions from the superconscious. But after they started saying all these things, I never trusted them anymore. 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. At that, she says, he raged at her until she was sobbing, unable to speak a word in her own defense: No! 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. 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. 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