Is Sri Sri a fraud fraud? What the heck do we know? We’re just mortal human beings and he is “his holiholiness”
Posted by meghana_sharma | Posted in Others | Posted on 30-09-2009
Tags: fraud, guru, Maharishi, scam, Sri Sri Ravishankar
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Sri Sri Ravi Shankar seems to be one of India’s biggest export products these days. His popularity already being huge in India itself, many positive reports in several (above all American) media outlets make the guru hugely popular world wide. His popularity reminds us of other best seller gurus before him, like Maharishi or Osho. But these examples in turn remind us perhaps that we should be cautious when it comes to multi-millionaire gurus.
Sri Sri
Osho (formerly Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh) of course tops the fraudulent and hypocritical gurus having 96 Rolls Royces while he told his sannyasins were told to renounce attachment to possession. It only takes a little research instead of blind reverence to find a lot of information about how neither him nor his ashrams were quite like he pretended. The whole ‘free love’ idea that gave him the name of ‘guru of the vagina’ didn’t quite work out all the time, he probably was addicted to laughing gas for a certain while and his organization, while based in Oregon, was even linked to murder cases.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was less flamboyant, but is nevertheless put heavily under criticism, not in the least for the question who benefits from the million dollar industry surrounding his persona. The Maharishi got his incredible fame because of his association with the Beatles. Although the Beatles turned away from Maharishi, and in a rather controversial way, his popularity did not wane. One of his following pupils would be none other than Ravi Shankar. This Ravi Shankar would later give himself the honorific title of Sri (’revered’ or ‘holy’) and double it to make a distinction between himself and the famous sitar player with the same name.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is nonetheless very silent about his own guru Maharishi. The Beatles guru is not mentioned on his personal official website or the website of his “Art of Living foundation” – although this is kind of a give away, since the book that introduced Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation to the world was entitled: “The Science of Being and The Art of Living”.
It is in itself questionable why a guru does not mention his own guru. It is only normal in Hindu spirituality to trace one’s lineage of Guru’s, like in the case of Paramahansa Yogananda, the founder of the Self-realization fellowship who was, besides Vivekananda, the first guru to bring modern Yoga and Indian spirituality to the United states.
Perhaps the rumors on the net are true and Shankar is very disappointed because Maharishi Mahesh Yogi strongly and publicly renounced him after his departure. Or perhaps Sri Sri Ravi Shankar doesn’t mention his guru because of the controversies surrounding the Maharishi. Such a stain in the image does indeed not go well with the overall clean-ness and pure-ness his sites and publications want to attach to Shankar.
To retain that image of being impeccable, much of the history of the founder is clouded in pure mystery. Again and again one can only find the official story of how Sri Sri as a little boy of four already recited the Bhagavadgita, how he had a physics degree at seventeen, and how he discovered Sudarshan Kriya in 1982.
Sudarshan Kriya is supposed to be the thing that makes Shankar so different. Many disagree on this point. The website of Art of Living says “Sudarshan kriya is a completely natural process that was cognized by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar during divine meditation”. Others claim it is simply old Yoga techniques rolled into a new and more commercial package.
In any case Sri Sri Ravi Shankar had “Sudarshan Kriya” registered it as a trademark – though this move makes it more funny than different. When reading web pages about Sri Sri’s spirituality, all of the sudden a copyright sign is seen every time Sudarshan Kriya is mentioned. It is strange for somebody who does not care for ‘worldly matters’. He himself says he had to register the trademark, because otherwise others would have done it, and made profit on his expense. But perhaps he simply learned if from his own Guru once again, as it is again something the Maharishi has done before him when trademarking transcendental meditation.
Transcendental meditation is centered around the extremely old practice of chanting mantra’s. Sudarshan Kriya is centered around the extremely old Yoga breath exercises. In both cases, although their respective promoter-gurus claim the opposite, there’s nothing new under the sun.
The art of living foundation and Shankar of course say that you have to really try and do it before you can realize what is so different. But trying it would imply paying quite a lot of money for the courses offered at the Ashram or several centres around the world. Those who choose not to pay and to just observe it from a distance see no difference with other breathing exercises that are used in older Yoga forms, in rebirthing exercises or in some of the many Osho meditations one can try at the Osho resort.
Also in the claims of its effects the Art of Living foundation goes through great lengths to show what is so special about it, but for somebody with a bit of background into yoga or meditation in general, they absolutely fail in that effort. When they’re programs promise reducing stress, reduction of depression, peace of mind and serenity, better health and well being, increased energy and stamina, making you more self-aware, harmonious relations at home and work, and so on, you can not help but wondering: in what way do they offer anything different than any other form of meditation?
Pupils from every guru and adepts of every form of meditation make the same claims as to how the encounter with the person or meditation changed their lives. From more self-confidence over energetic awarenesses to more health. And of course they claim so, as these things have exactly been the point of doing Yoga ever since its origin many many centuries ago. Sudarshan is no different in that respect.
Even the claim that it could help against cancer and aids has already been made by the other Indian export product in guruism: Ramdev. In the case of Ramdev the Indian Ministry of Health government of India stepped in to rebuke the claim. Ramdev replied that his idea was misrepresented. He believed that Yoga and Ayurveda together can alleviate the suffering from aids, not cure it. In order to escape from further legal consequences he distanced himself from some over the top claims made by some of his ‘admirers’. It was nonetheless this kind of ‘admiration’ and the propaganda about the miraculous powers of the guru, his yoga and his products that proved to be the perfect marketing strategy to make his ayurvedic business very lucrative.
Unlike Ramdev, but just like Maharishi, Ravi Shankar loves to provide a huge amount of scientific research that backs up his claims about Sudarshan Kriya. On his website you can find many links to scientific articles that are supposed to proof the effectiveness of Sudarshan Kriya Yoga. The studies seem to indicate for example that it helps against depression, and that it brings better antioxidant status and lower blood lactate levels.
But, if one takes a close look, it actually does not seem to show what is so amazing about Sudarshan Kriya. Both lower lactate levels and better antioxidant status for example might simply be attributable to a better breathing pattern of the subjects and not so much to Sudarshan particularly. Depression on the other hand is something that exists in many possible forms and of which some as well are in general helped (not cured – as the articles also do not say the Yoga is a direct cure) by learning to control the mind, which again is a general outcome of any meditation.
On top of it, the research on the effect of Sudarshan on cancer does not say that Sudarshan helps against cancer because of some ‘energetic effect’, but simply because the breathing exercises seemed to help smokers to quit. “This result could mean that regular practice might reduce the incidence and progression of cancer” because of “a reduction in tobacco consumption.” The less people smoke, the less cancer they will have. Sounds logical. Nothing mysterious here. Meditation is not a miraculous healer. Learning to breath properly just helps people to leave of smoking. It should not surprise therefore that the same study researched both Sudarshan and Pranayama and concluded that they both helped just as much.
On top of it, when one turns from those research articles back to the normal web pages of the Art of Living, it is amazing to see how all the ’scientificness’ has all of the sudden gone. On the Sudarshan Kriya page it says that “this unique breathing practice is a potent energizer. Every cell becomes fully oxygenated and flooded with new life. Negative emotions that have been stored as toxins in the body are easily uprooted and flushed out.” What might ‘a potent energizer’ be in scientific terms? Energy in scientific terms is not the prana of the Yoga terms. And how does a concept like ‘new life’ relate to oxygenation of blood? Oxygenation is simply a chemical term describing the amount of oxygen in the blood. And what on earth are ‘the toxins’ that store ‘negative emotions’ in the body? A proper scientific research proving the existence of those would surely be very hard to find.
The research the Art of Foundation mentions is therefore not at all linked to the concepts that the organization uses in advertising its products. The wording all of the sudden becomes an obvious case of pseudo-scientific language when they explain it in their ‘own’ terms.
Thus, if Shankar’s Sudarshan Kriya helps, it’s because the control of breathing through Yoga helps. What is so wondrous about that? It has been known in India for thousands of years.
So what is the difference between Shankar and others. It is not the fact that he is a famous guru – many have been before him – it is not his message – because that as well sounds very similar to those before him – and it is not the technique – for many techniques do the same. Some critics claim it is the immensely good PR department behind him that helps him to (literally) sell his Sudarshan to the whole world. He’s a better businessman than the others, they say.
Supporters of Ravi will reply time and again that those critics should stop attacking ‘his holiness’ without real arguments and should look at what he has done for the world. And indeed one of the difference with Shankar and the other gurus exported to the west seems to be his emphasis on development work.
But when one again has a deeper look at the types of development work Shankar and the Art of Living is engaged in, some questions can again be raised. His organization splits up in many branches of which one is the “International Association for Human Values” that was set up together with the Dalai Lama. The real structure behind all these organizations is not really comprehensible and it is very difficult to get a decent overview of the whole.
Not minding about the structure, one can just look at the immense variety of development work the whole of the organization is supposed to be involved in. Trauma relieve after the earthquake in Kashmir or the Tsunami in Tamil Nadu, women empowerment courses, rural development, prisoner rehabilitation, youth education, promoting ayurvedic medicine, and so on make up an impressive list of which one can not help but wonder how it is possible to all be set up by one man.
One thing makes it more comprehensible: in most of the different problems they simply bring the same ’solution’: Sudarshan Kriya. Whether it is people having no homes after an earthquake, women that have to be empowered to face their suppression in male dominated societies, inmates in jails that need to refocus their lives or rural kids that need education, the art of living comes to teach them their meditation practices so that they can be relieved from their ’stress’ and ‘fears’.
What else the Art of Living does is a bit of a mystery when watching the promotional video’s. Most of those consist of interviews with people like kids in Kashmir or inmates in South Africa, after a Sudarshan session who say they feel ’so much more relieved’ now. Whether they are also materially and/or socially relieved from the situation that put them in their ’stressful’ situation is not known.
Anyone a bit involved in development work knows how slow it goes, how much time and effort it takes. Anyone a bit experienced in the difficulty of thorough development initiatives that have a bit of a lasting effect knows that it is rather impossible to reach “30,000 villages through personal interactions, teachings and humanitarian initiatives and to reach out to an estimated 300 million people worldwide.” like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s personal website states.
Certainly when you consider that Shankar himself is not involved in really leading the development work. He himself is conducting classes, giving lectures and traveling all over the world.
Some of the other efforts of the Art of Living foundation therefore involve Ravi Shankar personally meeting with and talking to leaders of various religious and political groups. But the depth of these talks is also questionable as he invariably proposes those leaders the same message: more peace through more friendly dialog and breathing techniques. Nothing concrete but simply a good emphasis on “love, peace and understanding” that should do the trick apparently.
Armed with this advice, Shankar headed for Iraq, and somebody in America got the idea of sending Iraqis to Shankar’s Ashram in Bangalore, India. Official reason: reduction of the trauma of the war and more empowerment of the women so that they can go back and lead their communities. To achieve this, once again, in the video news reports we could see how this translates in Shankar or his pupils teaching Sudarshan Kriya as a solution to the ’stress’ and the ‘problems’ of the Iraqis. As if the post-war situation of Iraq is comparable to the problems of an American house wife who has difficult kids in their puberty.
This oversimplification was very apparent when Shankar was in Iraq and gave an interview to CNN. He said he wanted to bring non-violence like Mahatma Gandhi and that he wanted the several parties to simply talk to each other peacefully instead of drawing arms. But that exactly showed how little he knew really of Mahatma Gandhi. The Mahatma for one had understood that the parties ‘not being able to talk’ was exactly the problem. The Mahatma at certain points knew that proposing a ‘peaceful dialog’ was simply ludicrous. At those moments Gandhi would resort to non-violent civil disobedience.
Not with flower power peaceful words did the Mahatma try to win independence, but with strenuous action. Non-violent, but with action nonetheless, and not with words or meditation. Gandhi understood the ’stress’ of the Indians not to be simply a spiritual problem but to be a material, social, political as well as a spiritual problem. If Gandhi had simply told people to meditate to get rid of their ‘anger’, he would not have gotten far in all likelihood, because it certainly was not only ‘anger’ they had to get rid of.
If Sri Sri Ravi Shankar therefore is proposed for the Nobel Peace Prize – a prize which the Mahatma never received although he was five times nominated – it makes one wonder where and how he exactly is creating peace.
His own guru, Maharishi, once went to Pinochet to propose to the dictator that if only he and others in his country would meditate twenty minutes in the morning and twenty minutes in the evening everybody would be better off and get closer to world peace. The future showed that perhaps Pinochet just didn’t listen to well. But perhaps such an effort is also simply not very effective or comparable to the efforts of Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu or Nelson Mandela and as such not really worthy of being given a Nobel Peace Prize for it. In Maharishi’s case nobody considered to do so.
In Maharishi’s case, just like Osho’s for example, public controversies made it of course obvious that he was a bit ‘bogus’ and ‘dodgy’. In Shankar’s case the critics do not often come up with anything concrete to pin on Ravi Shankar and unmask him as a fraud, except personal stories of individual encounters and experiences.
His very commercial New Age image is far from a crime and does not at all take away the possibility that he might be genuinely wishing well for his followers and the rest of the world.
But, as the previous analysis has shown, there is certainly enough grounds for reasonably doubt as well. So he might just as well be a man on search of money, fame and glory through Guruism. His blatant exaggerations and mystifications in presenting himself and Sudarshan Kriya seem at least to point in that direction.
Or he might be a bit a fraud and a bit genuine. Again, he wouldn’t be the first in that sense either.
In any case, the whole world should by now have enough memories of encounters with various guru’s that are at least be a bit suspicious in certain cases. Certainly in cases like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s, because it involves many many millions of dollars of which nobody really seems to know where they’re going to.
So to use a spiritual word that for once was not exported out of India, it remains to be seen and heavily investigated whether Ravi Shankar is “kosher” enough to be given the Nobel Peace Prize or even the title of Sri, and certainly when using it in double.
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Why don’t you leave Sri Sri alone? Just can’t stand his popularity? or you can’t find something else to write about? Whatever he is, his work is benefiting a lot of people. How does it matter whether he acknowledges Maharishi or no?
India will not progress if we write bad about anyone who is doing good.
Namaste!
you’re flat out wrong by asserting that “the Beatles turned away from Maharishi.”
The old tale of the Beatles’ disenchantment with Maharishi has been revisited recently by the mainstream press, which for decades spread the gossip that the Beatles’ abrupt departure from Maharishi’s ashram had to do with some alleged transgression by Maharishi. It did not.
Recent stories in the L.A. Times, the New York Times and elsewhere have reassessed the Beatles’ relationship with Maharishi, looking more at the facts than the rumors that swept the media in the 1960s. The Beatles themselves all discounted the accusations that John Lennon made against Maharishi—and Paul, George and Ringo all made public statements that they never believed the rumors.
John himself phoned Maharishi to apologize for “Sexy Sadie,” the writing of which was a rash “error in judgment,” John said. (See http://www.beatlesinindia.com for details.)
The two surviving Beatles still practice the technique of meditation that Maharishi taught them (Transcendental Meditation), as did George till the end.
The strongest evidence for the Beatles’ continued respect for Maharishi, and what really says it all, was demonstrated on April 4th this year when Paul and Ringo volunteered to perform a benefit concert to support Transcendental Meditation in the schools, at Radio City Music Hall in New York. This was the first time that Paul and Ringo had played together since the memorial concert for George—and before that they hadn’t played together in 20 years. Paul and Ringo were joined by an all-star cast of their TM meditating friends, including Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, Ben Harper, Moby, Donovan, Mike Love of the Beach Boys, Sheryl Crow, Jim James and others. (See http://www.davidlynchfoundation.org for more about the concert, and to watch a press conference with Paul and Ringo talking about their time in India and their experience with Maharishi and meditation.)
The two surviving Beatles have recently expressed great respect for Maharishi, and continue to show support for TM.
Art of Living or Art of Lying?
For those who believe, no proof is required. For those who don’t, no proof is possible.
Those who have a critical look at anything, should first have an experience. Sitting on the ringside and commenting is soo easy and so much dangerous.
The importance of Shri Shri is felt by and known to those who have experienced His grace and love.
It does not really matter what others say or think.
but really, you are missing something if you have not done Sudarshan Kriya or been in His Grace.
This is nothing but mass hypnosis, what you so called “believers” are actually experiencing. Just the same way the masses felt that Lord Ganesha’s statues were actually drinking milk, back in the nineties. When people start using their own brain to think, they do not need these highly commercialized (and copyrighted?) swamis to show them the way. Conquer you mental weaknesses and you will so how fake these guys really are. Being one of his zombies was not the why God brought you into this world. The the only grace that we feel, is the grace of God.
You do not need to be in anyone else’s embrace if you are in god’s grace, and to connect with almighty you don’t need anyone’s help either. Just remember that god is always with you (for free of any charge or fee). So wake up HUMANS!!!!
He certainly looks like a crook.
>Repartee Part I: for those who need the logic so much !
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar seems to be one of India’s biggest export products these days.
>Very true. We have something that no one else can never match.
His popularity already being huge in India itself, many positive reports in several (above all American) media outlets make the guru hugely popular world wide.
>We have no problem endorsing the other things that >that America/ American media endorse. for eg. >Afghanistan war, Kentucky friend Chicken, McDonald’s, >etc
His popularity reminds us of other best seller gurus before him, like Maharishi or Osho. But these examples in turn remind us perhaps that we should be cautious when it comes to multi-millionaire gurus.
>Gurudevji is no multi millionaire. If his popularity >reminds you of other best seller gurus, it means that >you have experienced neither of them. They are there >intellectually in your memory. You have not given them >any opportunity to either give you anything >(knowledge, bliss, peace) in any interaction with them or >their organization structure or devotees. You remain at >an very superficial level, getting your information from >news media or heresay. It cannot be called anything >indepth. It has the credibility of a person on the moon >speaking about the Earth which he/ she has never been >to !!!! The analogy may be a little far fetched, but to >someone who knows Sri Sri, they will know exactly >what I am speaking about.
Osho (formerly Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh) of course tops the fraudulent and hypocritical gurus having 96 Rolls Royces while he told his sannyasins were told to renounce attachment to possession.
>I do not know Osho well; yet I have read some of his >books, and heard him on several occasions. He comes >across as someone very authentic who knows what he >is speaking about. The social services done by his >organisation have set a precedent for other NGOs to >follow. As far as denying the opulence that he had to >his followers, he would have his reasons for saying so. >One of those reasons is to get abundance in one’s life, >one must follow certain rules and restrictions. He could >say , Yes, go ahead and get all the Rolls Royces you >want, but could the devotees afford them ? Hardly so. >Most of the devotees who have taken to Osho have not >been well off to afford the extravagance, having frugal >lives themselves. It would make no sense to give them >the license to buy 96 Rolls Royces. We do not grudge >the same opulence to Bill Gates / Warren Buffet when >they travel in several choppers and private jets. They >do not need to say to their fans that do not buy a >private jet. Their fans will know that if and when they >reach Bill Gates’/ Warren Buffets’ stage it will >automatically come to them. Buying something like that >beforehand will mean committing financial suicide !!!!
It only takes a little research instead of blind reverence to find a lot of information about how neither him nor his ashrams were quite like he pretended.
>I dont think you have had the opportunity to visit any >of them.
The whole ‘free love’ idea that gave him the name of ‘guru of the vagina’ didn’t quite work out all the time, he probably was addicted to laughing gas for a certain while and his organization, while based in Oregon, was even linked to murder cases.
>Osho ideas were revelutionary for his time. As were >Jesus, or Buddha, or Krishna. You choose what you are >going to focus on. If you choose to focus on one >statement that he made in a certain context and >change the context, you are responsible for the >consequences of that action. Jesus also said, ” I have >come to make war between the daughter and the >mother, between the son and the father.” The Prophet >Mohammed also said, “Kill all Kafirs.” These statements >were made in certain contexts to a certain set of >people. Using statements like these is a certain >technique to awake people from their inertia and to >bring sense to them. You can very well see the havoc >that can be caused if these statements are used in >abandon, with no responsibility or with ignorance to the >context. If you choose to focus on these things without >understanding them, it is up to you. You can very well >see the destruction that has been caused by the >misinterpretation of the Prophet’s word. If followers of >Christ so wanted, they could also choose to focus on >the fews words that he said without taking the context >into consideration. What do you think the consequences >of that could be ?
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was less flamboyant, but is nevertheless put heavily under criticism, not in the least for the question who benefits from the million dollar industry surrounding his persona. The Maharishi got his incredible fame because of his association with the Beatles. Although the Beatles turned away from Maharishi, and in a rather controversial way, his popularity did not wane.
>60% of India’s population will probably not know who >the Beatles are. If you know, it is good.
One of his following pupils would be none other than Ravi Shankar.
>Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was associated with Maharishi for >a short time. Maharishi wanted him to handle certain >things in his organisation.
This Ravi Shankar would later give himself the honorific title of Sri (’revered’ or ‘holy’) and double it to make a distinction between himself and the famous sitar player with the same name.
>A less known fact is that Sri Sri never gave himself any >name. He would be fine being called “Guruji” >or “Gurudevji”. It was devotees who wanted to revere >him and started calling him “Punditji” or “Pandit Ravi >Shankar ji”. The Sitar player took objection to this and >wrote to Sri Sri about this. Hence Gurudevji added the >Sri Sri to his name to prevent any misunderstanding or >hurt, even to someone who was clearly irreverent of >him. If he had not done so, devotees would still be >calling him “Punditji” which the sitar player had already >voiced an objection to.
>Sri means Mister (Mr) in India, Sri Sri means Mr with >respect or Reverend. It is a custom in South India to >add the honorific Sri to ones name if one has a spiritual >following. The custom is the more devotees one has, >the more Sri honorifics are prefixed to the name. There >are saints who have 108 Sri prefixes to their name.
>When anyone asks him about it, Sri Sri says, “Three >Sris would have been too much!!”. The author clearly >has no awareness of the nomenclature prevelant in >ancient India and in contemporary South India.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is nonetheless very silent about his own guru Maharishi. The Beatles guru is not mentioned on his personal official website or the website of his “Art of Living foundation” – although this is kind of a give away, since the book that introduced Maharishi’s Transcendental Meditation to the world was entitled: “The Science of Being and The Art of Living”.
>Sri Sri revers Maharishi tremendously and >commemorated his Mahasamadhi in 2008 with >dedicated satsangs and prayer meetings all over India >and abroad. Maharishi has always been very >appreciative of the work that Sri Sri did for him and >trusted him like no one else in the organization or the >world. Speculations on their relationship is just that, >speculation.
It is in itself questionable why a guru does not mention his own guru. It is only normal in Hindu spirituality to trace one’s lineage of Guru’s, like in the case of Paramahansa Yogananda, the founder of the Self-realization fellowship who was, besides Vivekananda, the first guru to bring modern Yoga and Indian spirituality to the United states.
>Sri Sri’s Guru was Adi Shankarcharya. It does not >matter with whom one is physically. It matters who one >trusts and believes, it matters who one follows. It >matters who one accepts as his Guru. It was the same >with Eklavya and Dronacharya. Dronacharya was >Eklavya’s Guru, because Eklavya accepted him as >such. Dronacharya did not have any say in it. It is the >devotee determines the Guru and not the other way >around. The Guru cannot decalare he is the Guru, the >devotees make him one.
Perhaps the rumors on the net are true and Shankar is very disappointed because Maharishi Mahesh Yogi strongly and publicly renounced him after his departure.
>There is no truth in this. Maharishi and Gurudevji had >good relations till the very end. Maharishi loved >Gurudevji immensely, much more than anyone esle in >his organization or elsewhere. It is true he was sad >when Gurudevji started off on his own but it is not true >he “renounced” him. Maharishi used to make certain >statements at times and contradict them in the next >statement. What is important is his feeling and that >never changed for Gurudevji. Their relationship >bordered on affection all the time.
>To be continued .. in Repartee 2 … stay tuned !
Jgd
Gurpreet,
It is obvious that you are a paid employee of Sri Sri, the Great (crook?). Or you might be another one of those highly educated robot zombies of his. Apparently, the money that your parents spent on your education was an utter waste. They could have, instead, donated that money for the education of a more deserving kid, who’s parents did not have the resources to send him to a good college.
I’m amazed that all of you zombies really believe in this crap. These swamis put on a show for the likes of you and you buy into that? All of the people the “cure” in front of you, are actually a part of this scam. The educated people such as you believe in miracles? There is no miracle larger than what God has created.
But it looks like I’m wasting my time with someone who is the robot of Sri Sri Con Con.
Meghana Sharma
Sorry Meghana, Wrong guess ! I am not paid at all. In case you want to employ me, I am open to the possibility. My writing skills are good, a book project will be nice !
Isn’t “highly educated robot zombies” an oxymoron ? I thought that when people become “highly educated”, they cease to be “robot zombies” , don’t you think so ? Or do you think if you are not educated, you are the brightest and most innovative, creative person ? I don’t know, I would like you to tell me.
About the part of donating money, you are completely right. In retrospect, I would have loved them donating that money to someone’s education who would have appreciated it. It would have spared me the torture of going through the present education system. I would have been a much much happier and balanced individual person who would not have felt the need to answer your ignorance. Please do put that suggestion to all parents. You will be doing a very very good job and saving many many lives. Where were you when my parents were making the decisions of my life ? I am lucky to have survived the present education system. I am still alive and am thankful to God for that.
Its good that you are amazed how I believe. You are lucky to say that. There are many who do not have the privilege to be amazed. They are too busy fending off for themselves for their daily bread and what are universal rights for many of us “educated” folks.
I would be skeptical of any show of curing that Sri Sri put up, but I did not have that privilege either, as the person he cured was ME !!!!!!!!!!!!! I did not have a choice in that matter. So I do not know how to answer this question. and that makes me unfortunately a very big participant in this ……. did you use the word scam ……. If you do call it a scam, I would any day prefer to be a part of this rather than what you call the “normal” non-scam world, which shortchanged me so much that I was willing to let go of everything including my body. (Would you find the feeling of sacrifice there ? Its more like being a sacrificial lamb …. You do know of this practice, right? Done it anytime? )
Yes, “educated” people like me do believe in miracles, (Praise the Lord for that), yet, it is largely because I have apparently unlearnt what the “education system” taught me.
I fully agree, there is no greater miracle that what God has created – His Holiness is his greatest gift to me. God had the compassion to give me a person who would take me from darkness to light – a Guru – who loves me one thousand times more than my mother or father, who is there for me wherever I am.
The greatest miracle is that I am alive today with a smile on my face.
Meghana, you may be wasting time on me, but I am not wasting any time on you or anyone else. I appreciate the fact that you have done your research to look up facts and figures on His Holiness and put your arguments forward. This is the thought that we would like to encourage. To question everything that is not clear and not accept things at face value. That has been the scientific temper of Indian philosopy since ancient times. The Vedas are also based on a question and answer format. They are very very scientific !
My guess is His Holiness has also influenced you as you took out the time to write about him. I don’t think someone would not write about a person or an issue that does not affect him/ her.
I look forward to your response.
Regards,
Gurpreet
Gurpreet,
While you’ve decided to dedicate your life to this crook, I’ve decided to spend a significant amount of my time to expose Sri Sri and the other crooks, who are benefiting from other people’s mental insecurities.
Meghana
It sounds very funny. Meghana, why don’t you come to Bangalore Ashram and ask all these questions directly to Sri Sri? I guess you can get an appointment quite easily.
Or probably participate in an Art Of Living basic course and expose the mass hypnotism (as you call it), they are doing?
Atleast for me, the article looks very funny, as it exactly looks like sitting on the ringside and commenting
Take care.
I just snapped my fingers. Hope you just woke up from your hyptonised state. I guess, not. Because Sri Sri Chor Chor has obvioulsy done a good job with his zombie bots.
Good luck and God bless you
LOL, too much pre judgement Meghna.
I remember the story of an english man who believed honestly all Spaniards were mad, just because he never understood Spanish.
Happy Diwali by the way, may you find the light with in!!. Take Care
Dear Meghana,
Thank you for your response.
It is unusual for someone to dedicate so much time, effort and research into finding the truth out. I salute you for that and am glad to have the questions and counterpoints across.
These questions/ doubts exist in many many minds and I am glad to be of any help ….. or whatever .. This is what I like doing ……… These mental gymnastics help my mind grow sharper … thank you for the opportunity ..
It is good to dedicate your mind to something. I have dedicated it to knowledge and you have dedicated it to finding who is giving the right knowledge … I think both of us are ……… saved/ safe/ good/ on the right side etc .
Welcome Hither !
Jgd
Meghana,
The best way to find out about a person is to visit his living place. As they say.. our homes speak of us. As Mr. Anoop suggested, why dont you go to Sri sri’s bangalore ashram, meet him, talk to him and then try to expose Sri Sri.
Anybody can sit at his or her home, put a few words together in a blog about anything. If you need those words to be truly meaningful, you got to go much deeper than the peripheral details and info you have gathered from somewhere. you need to actually think and feel both sides and then make a judgement. Simply put.. its like you need to read a book or see a movie before making your own say about it right?
Only if you have seen the face of people leaving after Sri sri’s course programmes or knowledge sessions, you will know what he actually offers to the mass. Its just happiness dear friend, and certain principles to live a good healthy life. Thats what guruji is giving us.
So when you spend time and write such long article, let it actually be conveying the right message rather than just your biased opinions.
God bless you.
Pradeep.
Dear Megna
seems you are jeolous to see the love and mass popularity of Sri Sri (particularly among educated people)
…If 99 people are wrong that doesn`t make even the 100th one wrong..similiarly if you have find 90%so called gurus fraud doesn`t mean that all were/are fraud…
Dear Meghana,
You are doing a great service by keeping this website up and defending your stance. The internet is flooded with all kinds of propaganda about ssrs and very few articles that give an opposing opinion.
BTW, I am a former Art of Living teacher, and after many years of “service” to the org, I managed to see the light and escape with my sanity in tact. There are other teachers like me, and you can read their stories on the following blog:
http://artoflivingfree.blogspot.com/
Peace.
Dear Former Teacher,
As you can see from the comments that my post received, you are me are literally out numbered. People have called me ingnorant, anti-hindu, anti-God and what not. Even though I’m as God loving and as religious as the next person, I have been branded with these names because I have chosen to speak against these corrupt swamis. It is always good to see someone on my side, especially someone who has actually experienced the dark side of this whole swami business. Please continue your good work of educating those, who have been turned into zombies by the swamis.
In God, we trust – in swamis, we don’t
Meghana
u r fraud.. ur making fool of people…r u aware how many people gets smiling due to art of living
sri sri made our country proud all over the world as he belongs to us..
there r also free courses in art of living…
he is not investing on himself…he is investing in supporting poor persons….
“kuch maan ke chalo kuch jaan ke chalo sabko gale laga kar chalo.”
JAI GURUDEV
WE LOVE GURUJI
i think this looks like hare rama hare krishna cult be careful guys
i personaly have attended hypnosis sessions where they help you relax your mind with breathing techniques and then give you suggestions to the subconscious mind.i felt that my state of mind after the hypnotic sessions and sudarshan kriya was same .needless to say that i agree with megan that this is kind of mass hypnosis
sri has a female voice i do not like his style of speaking (very girlish).he would attract more people if he was well groomed.
Meghana,
I have done AOL courses and now I left the organization because I do not like their many things -
1. In AOL, the person who come to Basic and other courses are considered as ‘lucky’ ‘chosen one’ and if some one is not interested in joining course after repeated attempts by volunteers, he is considered as Unlucky and BECHARA. (This is told by Advance course teacher)
2. Everything is sold at much higher price, let it be books, CDs, Ayurvedic products, phots of Ravishankar etc. and the reason given that the money is used for charity. Why don’t keep the price of above things at lower side to make it affordable to more people. Isn’t this a charity?
3. It is encouraged that only bringing more and more people to course is only Seva.
4. I have experienced a brain washing program to give more and more donations.
5. Various magic stories about Ravishankar is spread by Teachers and Some volunteers. Many people attracted because of such rumors.
6. The most interesting thing I experienced that, many teachers and volunteers who are with AOL for many years and listening to Knowledge and doing Sudarshan Kriya regularly, are always keep smiling. But, during many situations, I have seen the smile is replaced by hate, anger, jealousy, competition etc. The reason is that, they are supposed to smile because they are in AOL. But, this has suppressed the negative feeling, AND NOT REMOVED THE NEGATIVE FEELING BY KNOWLEDGE AND YOGA. The reality of character comes into play in some adverse situations.
They think themselves superior to others who are not in AOL.
These are my first hand experience.
I have still good relations with the volunteers of AOL on personal level though I have left the organizations.
My view is if someone is feeling better in AOL, let him remain with it. Respect his views.
I have done my TTC 1 course in AOL, and several more. Recently got a call for doing TTC 2 but found myself politely declining (my soul seems to be want to break free from groups and orgs).
Personally, I found the AOL courses good and interesting, helpful too. However, I find now that the group members generally appear to forget spirituality and concentrate on registering more and more folks to the course. I have been in the ashram and have not seen any malpractices myself. But this incessant, feverish lookout for ‘bakras’ to take the course really irks me. Even satsangs seem to be an excuse to talk about money. So I have stopped attending aol activities.
However, I cannot judge. Nor do I want to judge- the guru. On the contrary, I feel that many teachers do not understand the basic tenets of spirituality themselves. So they become feverish about the cause forgetting Krishna’s words in the Bhagavad Gita (karmanyeva adhikarasthe ma phaleshu kadachana). We are not the do-ers.
That said, I wish the organization well, for surely at least pockets are doing good service and it started with a wonderful cause. I guess every organization has its lifecycle, its phases. Perhaps AOL will bounce back to the simple, straight, and sincere org that it once used to be. (Just my two cents.)
Some people seem to think that they need someone on ‘their side’ – as if they were fighting a war against people who think differently.
They are happy and relieved that they finally find someone on ‘their side’, because they find it difficult to accept that MOST people on an anti-ssrs blog are actually pro-ssrs, and are happy with their experiences with AoL! They don’t seem to understand the fact that since most people are happy with AoL, that AoL might actually be good and satisfying for most people.
Meanwhile, they are not responding to the comments and challenges of pro-AoL mailers, and their argument is only that of saying bad things about ssrs constantly.
BTW – I am not in AoL or anything like that. I’ve only listened to ssrs once when he gave a speech, and most people were very happy to hear him speak. He was simple, gentle, loving, and no-one said anything negative about the man. People went home either very happy, or just seemed neutral. They even stayed to listen to him in the rain.
I don’t know much about AoL, but I know that practically ALL organizations get corrupt sooner or later – and by ‘corrupt’ I mean that the followers, who still have an ego, fears, jealousy, etc. start making things look bad. This has happened to the TM organization, to AoL, and to practically all organizations, cults, churches, etc. This, however, does not mean:
1. That the teaching is bad,
2. That the teacher is corrupt.
It simply means that the ‘little people’ start having power struggles among themselves, and focus on their own self-importance more than on spirituality. Although I haven’t been in AoL, I’ve been in other groups, and it’s always been the same. So I guess it’s possible for it to happen in AoL too.
u people who speak bad abt guruji….wil b sent to hell
Oh Feliciano,
You are so naive. From having been in the organization(AOL) for more than a decade and from teaching the AOL course for 8-9 yrs, I can’t help thinking that you don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. (I am not Zhoro, KLIM, Art of Leaving or Humble Witness)
Pooja,
So now we all have a very clear understanding of Sri Sri’s teachings. Going by your comments, we will be sent to hell if we criticise your guruji. Is that correct?
I was under the impression this this “Dhongi Baba” of yours’ taught you and your fellow disciples the value of compassion but me being sent to hell hardly demonstrates compassion on your part. I would rather go to hell, than be a part of Sri Sri’s scam.
Meghana
You go girl! These are legit questions you raise.
There are some folks who have the herd mentality and I am glad we are not one of them.
I have taken the course and my findings are documented here
http://shivabhakta.blogspot.com/2009/12/how-genuine-is-sri-sri-ravi-shankar.html
Look forward to your comments
Keep on the investigation of truth – some day the blindfolds will be off for these fantatics
- SB
all the comments against Sri Ravishankar Maharaj are written by this fake female writer hired by the anti Hinduism mafia
Excellent job exposing the many frauds that have perverted the priceless jewel that is Hinduism! Please keep up the good work. These Holy Hookers are a disgrace to humanity, although for some people if this leads them to do a few spiritual practices then that is good — as long as the practitioner is very careful to step through the minefield of brainwashing that accompanies these ‘gurus.’
Not that there aren’t real Saints in India. Ramana Maharishi, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Nisargadat Maharaj and many other unknown great ones have graced the sacred land of India. But in their eagerness to join the guru ‘trip’ millions are being hoodwinked into following frauds.
I know or have met many of the frauds. I also have been lucky enough to meet the rare great Saint. The greatest I knew lived in poverty under a stair case absorbed in Brahman and even had no name! He could not have cared less for fame or tinsels …
Alas … these are few and very hard to find.
Well if you think I am the only one fighting against so called self proclaimed Gods here is one from a teacher who was part of the organization and I believe whatever he/she has mentioned in the resignation letter is true.
http://www.diwala.com/721/resignation-letter-sent-by-art-of-livingleaving-teacher-questioning-the-cult/
You are definitely not alone! Thousands have picked-up the fight, me included.
Mighty blows have been struck against Kripalu, Ravi Shankar, Asaram and many others.
But they have the power — yet we have the truth. Where there is truth, Krishna must also be there and so how could we loose?
The fight wont be easy or short — we have only started what many others will have to finish.
Irish church sex abuse scandal: Bishop of Limerick resigns over damning report
Donal Murray, the bishop of Limerick, has resigned after a government inquiry strongly criticised his handling of a paedophilia scandal.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ireland/6833245/Irish-church-sex-abuse-scandal-Bishop-of-Limerick-resigns-over-damning-report.html
The Vatican confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI had accepted Bishop Murray’s resignation, after the bishop announced that he was stepping down.
Bishop Murray is the first senior church figure to resign over the devastating Murphy report into the sexual abuse of children by priests in the Dublin archdiocese.
sri sri is FRAUD…….anti-Christ,.,,,He must hang himself first, die and ROSE again before I beliv in him….crap
IT is A CULT.,.PITY those who believe in HIM…Dont they have brains?Sri sri is non sense,…
Dear Small brother & barking bitch Meghna_Besharma Bible, Pope all are fake & fraud and these all are man made.
Bible and its greated follower pope even did not know about Earth & Sun. Then what they can teach about God & religion. they hanged & murdered the scientists like Copernicus and Gallelio who spoke truth.
Christ came to India. Learned Yog and spirituality from here and spread in the west, He never died after hanged on cross, He was alive, later saved by his freinds and sent to unknown place (probably India) to save his life. Jai Ho !
“”"”Gurpreet,
It is obvious that you are a paid employee of Sri Sri, the Great (crook?). Or you might be another one of those highly educated robot zombies of his. Apparently, the money that your parents spent on your education was an utter waste. They could have, instead, donated that money for the education of a more deserving kid, who’s parents did not have the resources to send him to a good college.
I’m amazed that all of you zombies really believe in this crap. These swamis put on a show for the likes of you and you buy into that? All of the people the “cure” in front of you, are actually a part of this scam. The educated people such as you believe in miracles? There is no miracle larger than what God has created.
But it looks like I’m wasting my time with someone who is the robot of Sri Sri Con Con.”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”
“Meghana Sharma”do you know a thing about god?
thank you for this post.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar seems to be one of India’s biggest export products these days. His popularity already being huge in India itself, many positive reports in several (above all American) media outlets make the guru hugely popular world wide. His popularity reminds us of other best seller gurus before him, like Maharishi or Osho. But these examples in turn remind us perhaps dizi izle that we should be cautious when it comes to multi-millionaire gurus.
I did my AOL part 1 course a year ago. Attended follow ups regularly for the first 6 months. After returning from a holiday I found the habit of attending follow ups broken. However, did not miss it much, and neither did I find the need for any AOL in my life.
Recently an AOL volunteer contacted me and requested me to attend a follow up. I found it easy to do the yoga and also the ujjayi breathing and bhastrikas. However found it next to impossible to do the SKriya. The breathing was tiring and I gave up after the first couple of minutes. Just sat there and observed the others and listened to the tape. It seemed a little scary and like some kind of mass hypnosis. Because I did not breathe with the tape I was able to have a more objective view of the proceedings.
I am inclined to believe the tape messes with your mind – it hypnotises you into doing what they want you to do. It is only after listening to the hour long tape the mind is receptive enough to accept publicity of their highly priced courses and extol the virtues of Swami X and SoAndSoJI who have been personally given a pat on the back by their guruji. I encourage each and every one of you who have done part 1 couse to try going for the follow ups but not breathe the so-hum way as recommended. Judge for yourself – do you prefer being the one you are supposed to be – the way God made you as an unique individual with feelings and emotions or perhaps you are happy being a zombie – a creation of AOL– it’s your decision.
I would recommend AOL living for those almost over the edge or ones who have gone through traumatic experiences and can’t recover by any other means – it could save your life. Consider it as a substitute for your psychiatrist if you have severe problems. For regular people who have their own system of beliefs and no major problems – AOL just messes with your mind and in the long run it is very difficult to undo the effects.
Ujjayi breathing, bhastrikas and pranayama have beneficial effects on the mind and body – better concentration, increased relaxation a feeling of well being. However be very very careful of the 1 hour long kriya advocated by AOL. It is definitely a no-no – only a mass hypnosis brainwashing technique.
Bible, Pope all are fake & fraud and these all are man made stories by copying form other religion’s holy books (Vedic) and a made new brand artificial religion. Since centuries Vatican is fooling and brainwashing billions of people in the world.
Bible and its greatest follower Pope even did not know about Earth & Sun. Then what they can teach about God & religion. they hanged & murdered the scientists like Copernicus and Gallelio who spoke truth.
Christ came to India. Learned Yog and spirituality from here and spread in the west, He never died after hanged on cross, He was alive, later saved by his freinds and sent to unknown place (probably India) to save his life. Jai Ho !
Hi All,
Well well, believers in GOD… hold on a moment. Before commenting on somebody (who are speaking against), please look your face in the mirror. Here I am not saying not to believe in GOD, but believing in itself tells that you have not known or experienced GOD. Leave alone Sri Sri Ravishankar for sometime, before that you ponder on what you know about something called GOD. Do you people know who your are first? First know yourself then move on to GOD. Otherwise you will miss both GOD and yourself.
Please visit my blog.
http://vishwanathnaik.blogspot.com/
Love
Vishu
words to u with lots of love ,
i personally believe that – if i have total experience of SUDARSHAN KRIYA then only i have a write to comment on it, othervise not. and so, if u did not exprience KRIYA for few months , then take experience it and then wright about it, othervise not.
GOD BLESS U .
Dont u feel that u r jealous !!
Jealous of what even u wont be knowing. This is a total waste of time what u r engaged in. Dont ever develop any idea for anyone or anything until n unless u know the whole scenario !
What r u busy in is just a style to have some CHEAP POPULARITY
one can only pray for u….”Bhagwan tumhe SADBUDDHI de”
may god bless you
I have benefited from the kriya because it keeps me healthier than I was earlier, so I do the short kriya every morning. That’s about it. For this I am thankful.
I absolutely detest the org and the teachers. They seem to embody all that is wrong with the system; self-serving pompous holier-than-thou folks with tremendous complexes.
Fake fake fake. AoL teachers? All their smiles vanish when something doesn’t go their way, and the true colours are seen. Well maybe I am being harsh, there may be some great, sensible, stable, permanently happy senior teachers but I don’t know.
In fact this is the reason I stopped believing in the claptrap, since even after practicing since 1999, I don’t find myself any more patient, loving, compassionate and all that rot they sell you.
Sudarshan Kriya was NOT invented by Sri Sri. It has been practised by great yogis for centuries and it’s benefits are very well known. It is people such as this fraud Sri Sri, who have claimed Sudarshan Kriya to be his invention.
Up until last week, even Swami Nithyananda was considered to be the lord almighty. Since then, things have unraveled, rather quickly.
Sri Sri, Kripalu, Sathya Sai Baba, Asaram and so on, are not any different. Sooner or later, they all will be exposed.
i learnt this sudarshana kriya and it has served me good so far…so iam thankful…not beyond that….instead of teaching only the kriya they talk and talk the most boring things because they think you are not evolved…one feel like wringing their necks when they talk in that know all fashion….the other meditation techniques are a disaster….sudarshana kriya is good for me because i am too lazy for real yoga and pranayama…so when these aol people talk as though the sun shines out of their asses it is laughable…come on guys we should rather fall at the feet of the farmers who toil for our food rather than these swamis who talk and con and confuse…
In view of all the latest news about Indian godmen sex scandals, I wonder whether Sri Sri RaviShankar will agree for castration. After all he is supposed to be a Sanyasi and hence Sex does not matter isn’t it? By the way we all can be sure there won’t a sex scandal involving this guy years from now.. Come on Sri Sri- Get yourself castrated voluntarily.