Forever Expanding Awareness In Liberation

Today I happened upon a forum on a site called www.RickRoss.com, and on there the Cult Education Forum. The message thread I was looking at was about Byron Katie and Eckhart Tolle (although it focused primarily on Katie). It was titled Byron Katie (the Work) and Eckhart Tolle Legit?? You can view it by clicking here. (warning, there are 96 pages of discussion!).

Byron Katie is the teacher of what she calls The Work. As far as I can ascertain this is essentially a process of self-enquiry that revolves around four questions and what she calls “a turn-around”. You can find out more on this at www.thework.org.

Eckhart Tolle is the author of numerous books, the first and most populate of which is called The Power Of Now. He is a spiritual teacher who is very popular and was made increasingly so when Oprah Winfrey took up his cause and promoted his teachings and online courses with him.

I have read through about 10 of the 96 pages of discussion on this topic. I read these because I found it very educational to gain insight into some of the ways in which people approach teachers like Katie and Tolle (and many others), and how certain people view the work and teachings of such teachers and authors. Please take the time to read through a few pages of the forum thread I am referring to in order to get an impression of what I am talking about.

What I discovered was what appears to be as a form of collective co-dependency. I see a collective of people playing out what is in psychological terms referred to as a co-dependant triangle. This is a model of how co-dependent relationships tend to involve three positions or rolls. These rolls are Victim, Aggressor/Victimiser, and Saviour. Co-dependant people will take up all and any of these rolls when relating to other people, events, situations, and the world in general.

On the forum at rickross.com I see people who take up the roll of saviour and who are projecting onto the world the roll of victim, and onto these teachers the roll of aggressor/victimiser. The basic assumption is that people who attend a Byron Katie workshop, or even buy one of her books, are falling pray to her abuse of their gullibility, or something to that effect. Similarly, people who get into Tolle’s teachings are falling pray to victimisation by him. That he is taking advantage of them. If people get more deeply involved in the activities of these teachers then they are getting caught up and victimised by a cult.

What I observe here are people who at some level are quite probably harbouring a deep pain-filled feeling of being a victim. A victim to what, I can not say. It is only an educated and intuitive guess that this is what’s going on for them at all, but I’d be surprised if it was not.

The basic madness involved here is the notion that people who decide to go to a Byron Katie workshop are not powerful enough to use their God given free will in a way that is ultimately in their own best interest. Even if Katie and Tolle are complete fraudsters who only wish to rip people off and make lots of money, it is completely irrelevant. Each person has the capacity to determine what is right for them in this moment. They may discover in the next moment that their awareness/consciousness has shifted and The Work or The Power of Now (or whatever) is no longer their cup of spiritual tea. They can then choose to move on. They can also discover why they choose to get into something that ripped them off (assuming that’s what they discover).

I have not met Byron Katie, but I am aware of her process and it is almost identical to one I developed myself  by the time I was 20 or so. This was a process or approach to reality I have effectively used to free myself from suffering. It is the most effective tool I have come across so far, and is included in one of my forthcoming books (Empowering Relationships). In fact, I first heard about Byron Katie a few years ago when I was explaining this particular healing approach to reality to a guy who then assumed I must have studied with Byron Katie. Since learning about her process I see we essentially came up with the same thing. So, to put it simply, I have no issue (in principle) with the crux of what she is teaching.

With regards to Eckart Tolle, I don’t concur with everything he has to say in his books, but in principle I find his approach to be very closely aligned with wholeness. I think ostracising the ego, as he does, is a mistake made all too often by way too many spiritual teachers and teachings, but perhaps this is what many people need to hear in order to grow and free themselves up, before they discover the ego is simply the seed of the Presence (or “I” of God) within them. That point aside, what little I’ve seen of Tolle’s work I feel is innately empowering for people and nothing to be afraid of. If not empowering, it is at least what I would describe as essentially harmless. Yet even if it was dark and abusive, no one is a victim to that. People make choices and then experience the consequence of those choices. If the consequences are painful they have an opportunity to wake up and be more conscious. This is life. This is a simple concept called self-responsibility. It’s not rocket science.

I am drawing your attention to this so-called cult bashing because I feel it highlights a number of very significant human dynamics that are playing out in this world, and which have been playing out for many thousands of years. Particularly:

• The global victim mentality
• Co-dependency and projection
• The fear of change
• The insanity of the collective mob trying to resist people breaking out into their own sovereignty.

My father asked me “how do we get through to people like this” (those who are found in this forum thread), with regards to assisting them to free themselves up from such madness. I said that I don’t think I need to. They are free beings, and they are free to get up in arms about whatever they like. It is only them who will reap the consequences, and grow accordingly and to their particular capacity in any given moment.

May we all remember to accept and honour each person’s approach to life and reality.

In many spiritual teachings and also through the words of people I know and meet, I discern what I would best describe as  form of multiple personality disorder in relationship to the ego. What I observe is a split between the apparent “self” and the so-called “ego”. Yet what is this ego that is talked about as some kind of entity separate to the self that is identifying it and talking about it? Often I hear the ego being talked about in third person — this is me and that is my ego.

In my experience this is a slightly distorted way of relating to the ego and I question the long term benefits of such an approach. The ego is simply our sense of “I”; our sense of self; our sense of I-dentity or what I sometimes call the I-entity. The word entity comes from entitas, which relates to character/nature of being also a relation establishing that a thing exists. The I-entity (our identity) is that character of self that we use to establish that “I” exists. On planet Earth the existence of the “I” is, as far as I know, unique to human beings.

Is there something wrong with people having a sense of self existence? Is there something life-taking about a person having a sense of the “I” within their awareness? In my experience, many religions and spiritual paths and New Age teachings suggest there is, yet I disagree.

I think that where we get into problems is not so much that we have ego (a sense of self) but rather that at our present level of evolution in consciousness we (the vast majority of human beings) have a relatively limited and oftentimes distorted awareness of what the “I” actually incorporates. I don’t see this as some sort of error or fault in the human psyche but rather a natural consequence of the present state of development within humanity. Would we condemn the caterpillar for identifying with the particular form it takes in that stage of its development, ignorant of the butterfly that is yet to come? Of course not.

What I would like to suggest to you is this. The ego is not something to be suppressed, denied, controlled, condemned, or destroyed. This is as mad as trying to destroy the caterpillar in order to bring about the butterfly. I’ve seen much reference to the notion of transcending the ego, and again it is so often suggest that this is done through some form of separating from the ego (in some way), possibly squashing it (in some way), and voila, we go beyond it. Yet how effective is this? Really?

Would it not be more sensible to heal the ego in its present state–to heal our sense of self in out present state–so that this sense of sense may evolve into an even higher, fuller, and more spiritually integrated Being? The problems the ego appears to create in this world are the natural result of where it is presently at within its evolution. Just as the monarch caterpillar completely ravages the Swan plant before it establishes its chrysalis and eventually emerges as a butterfly, the ego is also ravaging its world. I’ve seen caterpillars ravage a Swan plant to the degree that the chrysalis’ already formed are chewed off, so they drop to the ground and die. Just this past summer I had a Swan plant which started out with about 15 caterpillars. Eventually only one chrysalis remained hanging, to eventually produce a butterfly. Many other rotted on the ground. Each of these caterpillars was behaving selfishly (moving toward the self) yet at their present state of evolution (in terms of consciousness) their appreciation of what that self is is rather limited. Human beings have the inbuilt capacity to operate at a level well beyond that of the caterpillar.

As I was saying, the key is to heal the ego–to heal our limited, dysfunctional, and disfunctional sense of self. Our ego in its present state is setting us–individually and collectively–up with the exact challenges we require in order to evolve to the next natural state of the Human being. The question is, will a few consume the Swan plant at the expense of everyone else or will we do it some other way that incorporates the life, development, and evolution of all beings?

I think that separating from what we call the ego is a mis-take, just as much as it is a mis-take to think that our limited egoic self is the sum total of what it means (or could mean) to be human. I think one only has to look at India and America to see an example of each of these extremes playing out and the pain and suffering each approach to reality brings about. In a place like India one can find the height of development of spiritual tradition and exploration along with the denial or at least the devaluation of the ego-self. The result is a country that is on the one hand immensely “spiritual” and spiritually enriched and yet on the other hand in deeply impoverished with people suffering and dying through starvation, poverty, abuse, caste segregation, and exploitation.

In a country like America we find a very different and yet paradoxically a very similar situation. The ego rules. The ego is it, the be-all and end-all of what life is about. The resent popularity of the movie The Secret is just one tribute to this, where spiritual principles are being promoted (at great financial profit) as a means to the ultimate satisfaction of the ego’s many delude desires and addictions. I think the capitalization and commercialization of materialism in America is the commercialization of the ego in its present state of evolution–that of being identified with a purely physical (even machine-like) body and the emotions, thoughts, and desires experienced within the framework of that body. Yet here in a country of ego-maniacs and ego-gratification we again find the same situation. People dying not of starvation but of greed and obesity and health degeneration that results from such greed. Oddly, death by starvation and death by chronic gluttony are both caused by malnutrition! In the USA we find a nation of people living in relative luxury yet at the same time impoverished with debt, the relatively absence of heart, and a level of consciousness devoid of true spirituality.

Of course, in both situation there are exceptions. If you’re reading this it’s probable you are one of those exceptions. I don’t wish to nullify the reality of those are an exception to the norm in either of these nations. I fully acknowledge I am using two generalizations to make a point. Generalizations that I think have a great deal of basis in reality.

So, in my experience I observe that neither of these approaches is in itself the answer. Denial of ego and worship of the ego both represent a limited approach to the reality of the Self and the evolution of awareness. Each is a stepping stone along the path we are all on–”we” being humanity. Each brings important lessons in the form of challenges that move the human collective toward something that is evolving toward a greater embodiment of awareness, and a fuller expression of Divinity.

The key is to expand our sense of self–our I-entity–so that it incorporates more of what is real and less of what is unreal. What I am referring to is not about the inflation of the ego the results in egomania, but rather in each human being expand their awareness of “That which I AM” beyond the limitations it is presently faced with. Just like the caterpillar must answer the call to let go of its present sense of identity so that it might arise from that chrysalis as a butterfly.

The other day I was walking down a street and someone approached me with a white ribbon attached to a black and white card. This person was a supporter of UNIFEM NZ (United Nations Development Fund for Women). They were seeking my support, through wearing this white ribbon on my shirt.

On the card it read:

Speak Out Against Violence Towards Women

White Ribbon Day, 25 November

(okay, so it was not exactly “the other day”. Looks like it was nearly two months ago that I was handed this card)

These UNIFEM supporters also had a large stand nearby with large signs displaying the same message.

What stood out most starkly to me is that they were asking people to take a stand against the thing they wish to minimise in the world. That’s all very well, but I think it is important to realise that the unconscious mind will pick up primarily on the statement “violence towards women”. The human mind is a creative system. The word “against” does not relate directly to an act of creation and therefore the mind has to first translate it into something else before it will take on that attribute. People reading the promotion put out by these UNIFEM supporters are going to first and foremost be giving their attention to “violence toward women”.

A basic principle in Ancient Hawaiian Huna is that “energy flows where the attention goes”. By drawing peoples’ attention to “violence towards women” that is also where their energy will flow (consciously or unconsciously). I doubt this is what the UNIFEM supporters had in mind.

Why not make the most of this function within the human mind and make a statement that will inspire energy to flow TOWARD the desired outcome. How about:

“Speak out for loving relationship with women“, or

“Stand up for kindness toward women“.

When you read over these two statements what feeling does it engender within you? Now compare that to the statement the UNIFEM group were putting out there. I suspect you will find the difference quite noticeable. Food for thought…

There is a phenomena called Deeksha (also spelt Diksha—which I will use in this article) I have been aware of and observing for the last couple of years. Here in New Zealand (in Auckland to be specific) quite a few people I know and come across are giving and receiving Diksha. Various New Age magazines have large full back page advertisements for two particular people that give Diksha. My intention within this article is to address a number of points regarding Diksha, namely:

• What is Diksha, what does it involve, and how does it happen (a brief intro)
• What are the claims made about Diksha and its advocates?
• My personal experience of Diksha
• What are my views on the Oneness Movement in relation to the Path of Freedom?

What is Diksha, what does it involve, and how is it done?

Diksha giving is a phenomena started by two India Gurus, Sri Bhagavan and Sri Amma (Sri B&A). You can find out more about them and their Oneness movement at http://www.onenessmovement.org, here http://www.experiencefestival.com, and also here http://www.onenessuniversity.org. There is a detailed description of the 21-Day Diksha process outlined in the article found here http://alternativesmagazine.com/35/baumann.html. You will find more information on the history of the term Diksha on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diksha

The Diksha this articles refers to is that given by people involved in the Oneness Movement started and maintained by Sri B&A, and their students, nuns, monks, and followers. Diksha, as I have come to know through the Oneness Movement, is a process of energy transference from a Diksha giver to the recipient. As far as I understand, it usually involves the giver placing their hands on various points over the receivers head, and sometimes also over the heart. During the process the hands may be placed over the third eye point (the forehead), the back of the head, and what is commonly referred to as the crown Chakra within various spiritual traditions. The intention is that a recipient of this energy transfer will experience a physiological shift in his or her brain, that will bring the person nearer to enlightenment. It is said that Diksha “opens a hole in ones rational mind and through this hole God is able to connect with the recipient and start to form a closer relationship with him”. Receiving enough of this Diksha energy is said to lead to a person being fully enlightened.

The whole process may take just a few minutes or longer, such as 10 – 45 minutes. Usually if larger amounts of Diksha energy are wanted or required it will be given in multiple rounds rather than one long transference. Some diksha givers organise weekend intensives where the participants will receive multiple successive rounds of diksha energy transference over the course of one or two days. The recipient is normally advised (directly or implied) that one Diksha session is generally not enough, and more will be required in order to clear out the person’s karma, blocks, complexes, and/or make the necessary shift in brain state permanent and thus achieving full enlightenment. I have heard people talk about getting Diksha top-ups and the like. I know some people that feel the need to get Diksha every week or every few weeks, or at least once a month.

From what two Diksha givers relayed to me, I understand it is standard practise (as recommended by the Gurus that started this phenomena) for a sum of money to be given as a donation in exchange for Diksha. I understand that Diksha givers are encouraged not to make a habit of giving Diksha away free as it is important that the exchange of energy go both ways. Based on research on the Internet I see that the request for a donation and the amount of money suggested varies a great deal from one Diksha giver to the next. To do what is called the 21-Day Enlightenment process with Sri B&A costs US$5500. This includes a US$500 non-refundable deposit.

There is also a 10-Day Deepening Process available from Sri B&A that costs US$1500.

What are the claims made about Diksha and its advocates?

I have read a wide range of claims and statements as to what this Diksha process will do for the recipients. I shall touch on some of there here, quoting from various sources as necessary.

“Sri Bhagavan talks of diksha (energy transfer) as a “rewiring of the brain” that allows for a permanent state of enlightenment. He says it is a neuro-physiological change that involves decreased activity in the parietal lobes (the area of the brain responsible for discursive thought and our sense of separation), and increased activity of the frontal lobes (the area associated with ethics and higher states of awareness). According to Sri Bhagavan, though a person may experience enlightened states from time to time, stable enlightenment requires these changes in the brain to become permanent. He goes on to say that one enlightened person can positively affect one million people through the thought field. In a rough restatement of the 100th Monkey theory, his goal is to create the conditions for some 64,000 beings to become enlightened by 2012. That is roughly one in ten thousand people on Earth. Once this number is reached, he says, enlightenment will spread like wildfire across the face of the planet.” (from http://alternativesmagazine.com/35/baumann.html”

The following quotes are from the onenessmovement.com website regarding the 21-Day Enlightenment process:

“The mission and vision of Sri Bhagavan and Sri Amma is to enlighten 64,000 people on this planet to oneness, which is our true nature. These will then be the channels to transfer the seed of enlightenment to the rest of the world. We invite you to be one of them.”

“Participants will experience some or all of the following:

• Removal of blocks from the chakras and higher bodies
• Removal of negative life patterns and impressions
• Fire rituals (homas/havans) for karmic purification
• Powerful meditations, sutras and teachings
• Deekshas for fulfilment of desires
• Deekshas to receive the states of higher consciousness
• Initiation to transfer the seed of enlightenment to others”

The following are quotes from a long-term Oneness Movement following and supporter who has since recanted his support. His name is Freddy Nielsen, and he claims to be Sri B&A’s first Western disciple (since 1991). You can read his full story on his website at http://www.freewebs.com/dikshainfo/hiddenfacts.htm

“Bhagavan often promises people enlightenment, healing and miracles. In most cases these promises are not fulfilled (Bhagavan often mentions by when it should happen). Disciples usually try to cover up theses lies. Naturally many have become extremely disappointed, depressed or angry.
• They want as many as possible to realize that A&B created this Universe, that A&B are God in flesh and blood, that they are the true saviors of mankind.
• The otherwise kind dasas (A&B’s monks and nuns) mostly speak, think and do exactly what they are told to. They can tell any lie, even straight up in someone’s face, as long as A&B benefit from that lie.
• Many devotees have become fanatics and are prepared to sacrifice all they have, incl. their lives and do absolutely anything for A&B.
• Bhagavan/dasas say that if mankind does not cooperate with A&B, it is likely to soon be the end of the world. Bhagavan once said something like this: “If mankind will not cooperate with me, let it just drown in its own soup of misery”.
• Exaggerations are common. In Dec 2003, Anandagiri promised that all on the 21 days courses would get fully enlightened. On a DVD (by M.J.Rabin), Bhagavan told that every participant except 3 got enlightened in the 21 days course (Sept. 2004). Several times, Bhagavan started to give “mass enlightenment” and even declared many enlightened (1993 etc.), until he suddenly changed his mind saying that the real thing will begin later instead”

There is plenty of information on the Diksha process and the Oneness Movement at the various site links given throughout this article. If you want more information check those links out or do a search on Google.com

My personal experience of Diksha

Late in 2005 I felt moved to contact two Diksha givers I knew about. I didn’t know much at all about Diksha at that time. Via a number of different relations and co-incidences these two people came to my attention, and on this day I felt to contact them. I did, and they invited me over to experience Diksha. I felt to go, so I did.

I received Diksha from both of these people during an intensive session that lasted for a length of time I can no longer recall. It must have been at least 20 minutes, yet may have been longer. I can not say for sure. The two givens took turns at imparted the Diksha energy into various points on my head and chest. I won’t bother describing the actual process in more detail that this as it will make this too wordy for my liking.

So, what did I feel? What did I experience?

The process put me into a state of consciousness that is quite familiar to me. One where the rational mind has ceased to have an influence, and where my sense of witness awareness takes the forefront of my mind. Time stands still in this state—there is only Now. In this state I feel light, empty, full, relieved of the mind and its banter, and prone to laughing. Normally what takes me into this state is certain forms of meditation experience, and shifts in perception that occur when I decide to lessen the fixation of my awareness on ordinary reality, and allow it to slide into non-ordinary perception. It is a state I can induce in myself most of the time, yet it was definitely a lot stronger or more intense after receiving Diksha. The full intensity of it lasted for a few hours, and slowly waned from that point onward, until I was back to normal a few days later. Although, as mentioned, normal for me does include slipping in and out of a less intense experience of this Oneness state.

I found the whole experience rather pleasant and enjoyed it. I did not feel that it somehow enlightened me. I did feel that it enhanced and intensified the state of consciousness I experience much of the time. I am aware that my exploring and practising many forms of Yoga, meditation, and other spiritual practices since my teens has created in me a state of consciousness that is somewhat calmer, more peaceful, and more intuitively alert than most people who have not applied themselves in this way. My sense was that if this process can induce this state in people who are not familiar with this condition it may be very useful for them in opening up their senses and their awareness to a state of mind and being that is beyond the normal hum-drum most people live within.

I have not been back for more Diksha, simply because I have not felt moved to do so. I feel grateful for the experience at the time.

What are my views on the Oneness Movement in relation to The Path of Freedom?

Since receiving Diksha from these two people I have had a lot more exposure to the Oneness Movement, including pro- and anti- perspectives on it and on Sri B&A. Much of what I have read about the Oneness Movement—which includes the information they put forward themselves, and information put forth by past and present advocates of this movement—gives me some cause for concern. I am going to break this down into two areas. One is the actual Diksha itself, the other is the movement or religious following that surrounds this (namely The Oneness Movement and the teachings of Sri Bhagavan and Sri Amma). I’ll address these in that order.

1) The experience I had from receiving Diksha did not leave me with the sense that anything “negative” or life-taking had taken place. I enjoyed it and, as mentioned, I found that it was very much an intensification of a state of consciousness I feel quite familiar with. I have not, at any time since receiving Diksha, felt like something “negative” took place. I presume that if Diksha is able to have this same effect on other people then it would be of benefit to most people to experience this state of consciousness, particularly if it is not one they are used to.

I have read, however, the views and options of various “seers” (clairvoyants, psychics, etc) who claim that they see a negative outcome from the Diksha process. Some of this information can be found at http://www.freewebs.com/dikshainfo/possiblesideeffects.htm. I suggest having a good look around that site and other’s on the net.

I have also read the comments of a large number of people who claim that Diksha has changed their life, made them feel better, more free, helping them beyond ego-identity, and many other perceived benefits. I am in no position to comment on the authenticity of these experiences, how long lasting they are, and what effect the Diksha has ultimately had on these people. I am aware that many express an attitude in their writing that to me indicates they felt somewhat powerless to do anything about the state of the world, that they had little hope for the world coming to a place of harmony, etc., and that they now think/feel that Diksha and the work of Sri B&A is the answer to all this. So be it.

2) The other side of this is for me a question of whether the teaching and information behind this movement is in alignment with what I personal experience as the Path of Freedom, and have had confirmed as the Path of Freedom through the work and wisdom of my pairs on this path. In addition to this we must consider whether or not this “state” that Diksha recipients come to has anything to do with them being empowered in the truest sense of the world, and whether it sets them up to walk the path of freedom—stalking their power, awakening to the Dreamer, being impeccable, and fulfilling their destiny and fate. I am aware that without talking to these people in person, and stalking them in that way, I am not well positioned to comment on these points. I can, however, stalk what I read in their words and in the words of those behind and involved in the Oneness Movement. The accuracy of such stalking is impeded by only being able to take their words at face value, without being able to dive into the mind of the people that spoke/wrote the words.

I have observed within myself and the world around me that people are often very ready and willing to project their own spiritual gold onto a teacher or Guru. For myself, I do this when I am not ready or willing to own the reality of my own spiritual nature in some way. Essentially this is the effect of a low spiritual self-esteem. What I don’t hold in high esteem in myself I will project out onto another whom I feel I can hold in high esteem. In my experience, the Diksha / Oneness Movement is no exception to this scenario. I have met and read the writings of many people who are in my opinion giving their power away to this organisation and the people leading it-namely Sri Bhagavan and Sri Amma.

To these people I would ask, what is it you don’t wish to own and embrace regarding your own Divine nature? What is it about who and what you perceive yourself to be in this moment that you do not feel at ease with and do not accept? What is it you expect Sri B&A to save you from?

The Path of Freedom is a path that returns each person entirely back to themselves. On the Path of Freedom there are no saviors, and there is no one to be saved. We are each an aspect of the Divine creating a particular experience for the purpose of evolving awareness.

This is about all I feel to say on this matter for now. I leave you with a copy of an article Freddy Nielsen wrote regarding his experience of The Oneness Movement. I understand he was their first non-Asian student and supporter.

With love and blessings,

FEAL

Some additional links:

• Some interesting email discussion Deeksha movement – Janneke.htm
• http://www.globalserve.net/~sarlo/Ykalki.htm
• Guruphiliac.blogspot.com

The information at the Janneke.htm page is also available here on this FEAL site, in case the other source ceases to be available.

Some hidden facts about the founders of Dikshas

by Freddy Nielsen

“I knew that Amma and Bhagavan (A&B) had a gift to share and I gave my life for that.
Fearing broken dreams, I closed my eyes for the shadows. One day the house of cards crumbled down – I saw all the lies, empty promises, exaggerations, fanaticism and greed hidden behind A&B’s well kept façade. I felt I’d been trapped in a religion, maybe even a sect. My trust in A&B and their great plans went away.

For 15 years all over the world I’d been promising people that A&B were the truest and most divine one could imagine. Many believed me and followed my example. I feel it is my responsibility now to inform all these people that I have changed my mind. Not to inspire them to blindly swallow my truth or discovery – it is only beautiful when we discover the truth for ourselves.

Below I will share some of the shadows that I had closed my eyes for – I became “hypnotized” as years went by (in this as well as other religions there are, apart from the shadow sides, also positive sides). I don’t expect people to believe what has become my own personal insight and I do not claim it to be objective either. But would it be fair to hide it? Probably not – at least not from the people whom I inspired to believe in A&B.

A&B created the “Oneness Movement”. Many efforts have been made to make it popular and appealing to modern man; they do much to appear scientific and not as a religion or a sect.
I have seen a lot behind the scenes and what Bhagavan speaks informally to his disciples over the years – I happened to be his first Western disciple, from 1991. I do not share my truth to harm A&B or their followers. If anyone gets helped by what Life or God offer through A&B (dikshas etc.), that is wonderful. One thing is to get benefited from what A&B offer (such as dikshas); but it is another story to become a member of their Movement/religion.

Here are some “shadows” and/or sectarian elements in A&B’s Movement (in my personal opinion) and things Bhagavan has told in my presence:
• Bhagavan often promises people enlightenment, healing and miracles. In most cases these promises are not fulfilled (Bhagavan often mentions by when it should happen). Disciples usually try to cover up theses lies. Naturally many have become extremely disappointed, depressed or angry.
• They want as many as possible to realize that A&B created this Universe, that A&B are God in flesh and blood, that they are the true saviors of mankind.
• The otherwise kind dasas (A&B’s monks and nuns) mostly speak, think and do exactly what they are told to. They can tell any lie, even straight up in someone’s face, as long as A&B benefit from that lie.
• Many devotees have become fanatics and are prepared to sacrifice all they have, incl. their lives and do absolutely anything for A&B.
• Bhagavan/dasas say that if mankind does not cooperate with A&B, it is likely to soon be the end of the world. Bhagavan once said something like this: “If mankind will not cooperate with me, let it just drown in its own soup of misery”.
• Exaggerations are common. In Dec 2003, Anandagiri promised that all on the 21 days courses would get fully enlightened. On a DVD (by M.J.Rabin), Bhagavan told that every participant except 3 got enlightened in the 21 days course (Sept. 2004). Several times, Bhagavan started to give “mass enlightenment” and even declared many enlightened (1993 etc.), until he suddenly changed his mind saying that the real thing will begin later instead.
• Dasas (and many devotees) easily become uneasy when the word “God” is used. Their only focus is on A&B. A Swedish TV star once asked Anandagiri (in July 2002): “What is God for you?”, and Anandagiri said: “Bhagavan”.
• Not so rarely, especially to disciples or coordinators, Bhagavan has criticized, ridiculed or spoken bad of other spiritual teachers or paths (Osho, TM:s Mahesh Yogi, Poonjaji-Papaji, Gurumayi/Muktananda, Islam etc.) or commented that someone like Ramana Maharshi or Buddha would have needed A&B’s samskarashuddhi treatments to become free from some childhood traumas.
• Bhagavan has often said (in the Dubai Q/A video, etc.) that most dasas are in a divine state hundreds of times higher than enlightened masters like Buddha; some dasas are even (faaaaar?) above the divine Incarnations in history (Krishna, Rama, Christ etc).
• Bhagavan has repeatedly said (often with irritation) that Americans are useless people and that they have zero sacredness etc. Their first coordinator for USA (Rani) has said this often too. I went to USA in 2005 with this information, and was therefore surprised to see how wonderful the Americans are – they are also wonderful seekers. As many Americans are rich and influential, disciples will probably try to deny this fact.

God has been limitlessly generous to me, I have no words to express my gratitude.
Due to God’s Grace, I now see God everywhere – there is only eternity and peace. God has united me with Life and the Source.
I wish you all to unite with the divine – the Source of all life, the Source of all love and joy.
If God wishes for me to share His Grace with other people like I did before, I will of course do that.”
Freddy Nielsen (allinjoy@hotmail.com)
May 4, 2006

* * *

Additional information after response from people (May 21):

• Some people have asked me if I am discouraging people to take dikshas. No, not at all! I have no intention to recommend something or to influence people. What has been written above, is only to let people have a chance to see both sides of the medal regarding the organization and the founders, not the dikshas in themselves, which can be both healing and otherwise useful (at least for some people).
• A man wrote that he took for granted Anandagiri could only speak the truth. I replied to him that Anandagiri has a great talent of looking totally innocent and convincing, even while lying. I know for sure that he is told by Bhagavan to drag me in the mud – they actively spread many lies about me. It is done very subtly, so that it will appear convincing. I cannot understand that they need to use lies to manipulate people.
• An insider of the Indian Oneness Movement describes how he was cheated: Click Here

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Here’s some interesting reading about the author’s perspective on some of the less known (forgotten by many) history of humanity. Enjoy…

Lemuria and Atlantis  by Tara Mata

Ubuntu (ideology) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ubuntu

Here is Ubuntu as defined in the Wikipedia:

Ubuntu (ideology)
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Ubuntu (IPA: /ùbúntú/) is a sub-Saharan African ethic or ideology focusing on people’s allegiances and relations with each other. The word has its origin in the Bantu languages of Southern Africa. Ubuntu is seen as a traditional African concept.

A rough translation in English could be “humanity towards others,” or “I am because we are,” or “A person ‘becomes human’ through other persons”, or also, “A person is a person because of other persons”. Another translation could be: “The belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.” [1].

An attempt at a longer definition has been made by Archbishop Desmond Tutu:

A person with ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, for he or she has a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed.

Ubuntu is seen as one of the founding principles of the new republic of South Africa, and is connected to the idea of an African Renaissance. In the political sphere, the concept of ubuntu is used to emphasise the need for unity or consensus in decision-making, as well as the need for a suitably humanitarian ethic to inform those decisions.

Louw (1998) suggests that the concept of ubuntu defines the individual in terms of their several relationships with others, and stresses the importance of ubuntu as a religious concept, stating that while the Zulu maxim umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (“a person is a person through other persons”) may have no apparent religious connotations in the context of Western society, in an African context it suggests that the person one is to become by behaving with humanity is an ancestor worthy of respect or veneration. Those who uphold the principle of ubuntu throughout their lives will, in death, achieve a unity with those still living.

Hi recently came across the word “Ubuntu” whilst exploring options for running my computers on free opensource linux based operating systems. There is a linux distribution called Ubuntu which I will be trying out. Anyway… I liked the sound of what this Zulu word “Ubuntu” refers to. Below is a small snippet from one site on this topic (I will post another next):

20th WCP: Ubuntu: An African Assessment of the Religious Other
(1) Ubuntu and religion

Ubuntu (a Zulu word) serves as the spiritual foundation of African societies. It is a unifying vision or world view enshrined in the Zulu maxim umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, i.e. “a person is a person through other persons” (Shutte, 1993:46). At bottom, this traditional African aphorism articulates a basic respect and compassion for others. It can be interpreted as both a factual description and a rule of conduct or social ethic. It both describes human being as “being-with-others” and prescribes what “being-with-others” should be all about. As such, Ubuntu adds a distinctly African flavour and momentum to a decolonized assessment of the religious other. In fact, the various overlaps between such an assessment and the African way of life as described/prescribed by Ubuntu, make this assessment nothing but an enactment of the African Ubuntu.

The first important overlap between Ubuntu and a decolonized assessment of the religious other, has to do with a fundamental presupposition of this assessment, viz. a respect for the other as a religious other. While Western Humanism tends to underestimate or even deny the importance of religious beliefs, Ubuntu or African Humanism is resiliently religious (Prinsloo, 1995:4). For the Westerner, the maxim “A person is a person through other persons” has no obvious religious connotations. He/she will probably interpret it as nothing but a general appeal to treat others with respect and decency. However, in African tradition this maxim has a deeply religious meaning. The person one is to become “through other persons” is, ultimately, an ancestor. And, by the same token, these “other persons” include ancestors. Ancestors are extended family. Dying is an ultimate homecoming. Not only the living must therefore share with and care for each other, but the living and the dead depend on each other (Van Niekerk, 1994:2; Ndaba, 1994:13-14).

Money, money makes the world go round…

Money is an extremely important topic for any person wishing to even remotely get along in this world. Money impacts on most of us in one way or another. Yet it is perhaps one of the most misunderstood “things” in this world. Money, sex, love, and power… are perhaps all as misunderstood as each other. Oddly enough, all of these things are intricately connected within the human story.

In this article we will first briefly explore the nature of money, and then move on to healthy and unhealthy relationship to money. Let’s start with the most obvious question…

In this article we shall explore a few aspects of establishing a healthy relationship with Spiritual Teachers, Gurus, Masters and Healers. Many of the people I meet carry distorted perceptions of what it means to be in relationship with people who are apparently there to help them with their spirituality. For some it is an innate fear of being taken advantage of, for others it’s co-dependency, whilst for some there is an unhealthy sense (or lack of sense) as to what a fair and reasonable exchange of energy might look like—issues pertaining to money, time, service, and even sex.

I get the distinct impression that within the collective Dream there is really not a lot of time left. As far as time goes, the part in the script where “the shit hits the fan” and those who are ready to move on do so and those who believe themselves to be deeply stuck in darkness dissappear down that hole, is getting very near.
I’ve been aware of this break point since I was a child. I’ve been patiently waiting. Sometimes not so patiently. I remember counting up the years and figuring out how old I might likely be when “the world ends”.

There are many talking about the end of the world—and that kind of talk is nothing new. There’s hardly been a time in history where someone hasn’t been referring to the “end of the world”, to “judgement day”, “armagadon” etc. It’s possible I’m just another one of these people stirring things up with the idea that we have very little time left. It’s possible. You’ll have to be the one to decide what’s what. I only share that which I feel is of significance to the people I am sharing it with. My purpose is sharing what I do is to arouse awareness, not to generate fear.

All I know is that I get the distinct impression that the “world” (as created by human kind, as opposed to the Earth itself) is collapsing rapidly. There is also a large awakening taking place. People are now aware of things that I simply couldn’t talk about in my youth. When I did I’d find myself facd with anger and antagonism. People felt judged by me—yet I was simply talking about what I saw within society… nothing specifically about the person I was talking to. Now days, I can sit back and listen to other’s telling me these things. That shift has really taken place in a big way just in the last couple of years—as far as I can tell.
When I relate to “the end of the world” I don’t see this as some kind of doom and gloom scenario where the world will blow up or life on earth will be eradicated by some massive asteroid . That’s not how I see it at all.

Rather, what I see is that the collective ego-mind will split off into two or more Stories. One of these stories will be the darkest possible manifestation of all the life-taking bullshit anyone can these days look around the world situation and see. The other Story will be one of Heaven on Earth. Whether we all end up on two different planets or whether those creating heaven on Earth simply moved into a parallel reality—I can’t yet say.

What I do feel strongly is that there is not long to go, as far as time is concerned.

I invite you to take heed of this timing. How much longer will you wait and sit on the fence? How much longer will you keep telling yourself you’re not ready to step into your role as a presence of Light in the world? How much longer will you hang onto the idea that you still have heaps of stuff to heal before you’re ready to get on with the show?

Ask yourself these things and make some conscious decisions.

The perfect time is Now.

With love,