But for a man of Pandit Arya's background and beliefs, the relationship with one's guru is more momentous than any merely temporal bond. As Sri Ramakri. But she says his attitude toward her underwent a dramatic change; he began to make her a target for his anger, issuing contradictory orders and then screaming at her for her incompetence in front of the other secretaries and disciples and gossiping about her behind her back. During a series of biofeedback experiments in 1970 and 1971, Drs. Long-term residents must get administration approval for any overnight absences; permission may be denied if their destination is judged inappropriate. Most of the women who say they were abused by Swami Rama express feelings of fear, frustration, and betrayal. "Believing such stories means disbelieving in myself. He reportedly sat down on a chair next to her bed and proceeded to make sexual advances. The accumulated testimony of their personal experiences through the years exhibits a pattern typical of "sex in the forbidden zone," coupled with institutional mechanisms of defense and denial. Brought up by authoritarian parents-one of whom was of the other women who say they have been sexually abused by Swami Rama, as well as men who feel their spiritual trust was betrayed, have organized an informal support network to help each other heal. 3 That day Rose returned to New York City, and within 48 hours she had quit her job and gone to stay with a friend in Texas. He would call her to his office for a private authence, and as she hung anxiously on his words he would paint a flattering picture of her future with the Institute. From 1949 to 1952 he held the prestige and dignity of Swami. He spoke Bengali and knew neither English nor Sanskrit. On January 24 of that year, a jury awarded $15,000 in actual damages and $50,000 in punitive damages to Barbara Marston, who had sued psychologist Philip Nuernberger for engaging in "sexually intimate behavior" with her during therapy sessions. "I thought: 'Maybe it's the only way he can break through some stubborn barrier in my ego. Rose, they explain, was not a disciple of Swami Rama, but had been invited by family members in the Institute's administration to come to Honesdale for medical treatment. Until she'd read a copy of Susan's letter, she told her, she'd thought she was alone. He dictated the instructions for his several hundred organizations to his secretaries. He and Pandit Rajmani say that a guru is "that which dispels darkness." Association of Himalayan Yoga Meditation Societies International. ", I ask Dr. Ballentine how he would respond if a woman were to come to him and tell him she's been having sex with Swami Rama, and that her "inner voice" has been telling her that it isn't a positive experience. In 1856, however, Ramkumar died. Those who build boundaries around themselves because of their ego problems create suffering for themselves." Carolyn has received no reply from the Institute. [5], In 1966, he founded the original Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy in Kanpur, India; this was followed by an institute in Glenview, Illinois in 1971; it is now headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, purchased in 1977. He was asked why he is not healing himself. Obedience to the guru's commands is implicitly expected of all long-term residents; former students describe him walking through the main dining room and ordering one person to move to the New York branch, another to change jobs. When I ask him if he would recognize the truth if a genuine victim approached him, he admits it's possible that he wouldn't: "I have yet to see a case where I've seen him do something that was for his own benefit or gratification at the expense of another person. Several former students of Swami Rama granted interviews to Patricia Ann Darling, Ph. So if someone wants to come to me and say, this man's taking advantage of me for his pleasure, I just find it hard to believe.". This was sometime in September 1980. His disciples generally agree that the only reason his soul still inhabits a physical body is because he wants to help others achieve liberation from maya, the realm of illusion. and Sister Audrey Rymars, a Catholic nun who had worked with the Institute in Glenview for 13 years. He also sent out a letter resigning from the board. She thanked me, but assured me I had no reason for concern. Because I do not want to find out. Swami Vivekananda became afflicted with throat cancer and gave up his body on 16th August 1886. Carolyn and others say Megan caused a scandal in the Honesdale ashram by breaking the silence surrounding Swami Rama's sexual behavior. Therefore, its best to use Encyclopedia.com citations as a starting point before checking the style against your school or publications requirements and the most-recent information available at these sites: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/tools_citationguide.html. Dr. Ballentine denies sending out copies of Hughes's letter: 'I didn't do that. Years later, Carolyn told me that four years of discipleship under Swami Rama had taught her to be a successful liar. Swami Rama made Carolyn his appointments secretary in August also. [7][8] He was seen to be able to produce different brain waves at will. After a bit, she was inclined to dismiss his behavior as a joke or a "test.". Through her sympathy for what appeared to be his plight, and disarmed by his jokes, she says she allowed him to cajole her until she let her defenses down. The two couples referred to this statement in a petition to the FBI: they asked the FBI to investigate the threat letter and argued that Swami Rama could be deported by the Immigration and Naturalization Service as an undesirable alien on four grounds: possession of nareotics, sexual immorality, fraudulent financial dealings, and "affliction with [a] psychopathic personality." Swami Vivekananda Death Anniversary: 4th July is the 116th death anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. "I felt two-dimensional, like a piece of paper, a cunt-he didn't care about me. ." 'In one mirror there was one face. Swami Rama is supposed to have freed himself from the bonds of karma. Only recently has she acknowledged her anger at Swami Rama. Later in life he became famous for his pithy parables about the ultimate unity of the different religious traditions in this formless Vedantic brahman. After each of these sadhanas, Ramakrishna claimed to have had the same experience of brahman, the supreme power, or ultimate reality, of the universe. VIVEKANANDA was the religious name of Narendranath Datta, or Dutt (18631902), a leading spokesman for modern Hinduism and neo-Vednta in, Sri Ramakrishna Pandit Rajmani Tigunait was appointed spiritual director of the Himalayan Institute by Swami Rama before he left the U.S. for the last time in 1993, returning to India where he died in 1996. Soon after his first vision, Ramakrishna commenced on a series of sadhanas (austere practices) in the various mystical traditions, including Bengali Vaishnavism, Shakta Tantrism, Advaita Vedanta, and even Islamic Sufism and Roman Catholicism. The message that all religions lead to the same end was certainly a politically and religiously powerful one, particularly because it answered in classical Indian terms the challenges of British missionaries and colonial authorities who had for almost a century criticized Hinduism on social, religious, and ethical grounds. He called on 16th December. Yes! She says he instructed her in how to give him pleasure and admonished her to always tell him that she had received pleasure, even thought she never did. When they have contacted their friends and former colleagues at the Institute, they have been discounted as liars or labeled "emotionally disturbed." [7], Swami Rama has been accused and convicted of sexual abuse. It is sad for him, and for those who cared and were so deeply hurt by him, that his behavior has been allowed to continue with such devastating results to people just looking for help." And that was the first time I realized what all that stuff meant-the other women, the 'goofy' file, and the rumors about the lawsuit. Like incest victims, women who say they have been sexually abused by their gurus are sworn to silence by their abusers. 1 Death mystery of Swami Vivekananda There is no mystery surrounding the fact that Swami Vivekananda died in the year 1902. She heard "numerous former students say they left the [Himalayan] Institute because they were sexually exploited by Swami Rama or knew someone who was". Swami Rama Society, Inc, Soon Carolyn noticed she wasn't the only woman being favored by the guru; he was also paying attention to Megan and Nirvana. As soon as that ashram was established, he left from there, came back to the Rishikesh ashram and earnestly set about to establish the grand hospital for the service and benefit of the mountain people. EVEN IF. Now Megan says that in a different atmosphere, she would have immethately recognized Swami Rama's behavior as sexual harassment or "sadistic manipulation." Shortly after they returned to the U.S., Karen and George say that they and all their correspondents received a bizarre, defamatory letter containing an implicit death threat. In recent years, the harm caused to women by "sex in the forbidden zone" has been recognized in their codes of ethics by most universities and professional associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association. 60614. One of them, along with the other women from the tour group, attended the wedding of Swami Rama's son, although the guru is officially supposed to have been celibate since taking his Swami's vows. When the couple confided their resulting marital troubles to Karen and George, Karen confirmed her friend's experience by revealing that she, too, had had a supposedly exclusive and spiritual sexual relationship with Swami Rama before her marriage. Many of those beliefs are based on Hindu and Buddhist teachings about the nature of the guru. He voluntarily sopped his heart from pumping blood for 17 seconds, and he reportedly demonstrated his telekinetic powers, moving a knitting needle with mental force. In daily lectures by the Institute's teachers and in conversation with Swami Rama's disciples, she frequently heard that Swami Rama had a "greater purpose that we couldn't understand," and that he was "beyond morality and judgment. Well-known Indian teacher of yoga, meditation, and holistic health. When another married couple who were their friends and fellow students left the ashram suddenly, Karen wrote to them asking why. Nor does Dr. Ballentine mention that in 1977 Nuernberger was formally reprimanded by the Minnesota Board of Psychology for unethical practices stemming from his relationship with a third woman patient. Alternate titles: Gadadhar Chatterji, Gadadhar Chattopadhyaya. The movement is considered one of the revitalisation movements of India. With sincere effort, proper preparation, and guidance, one who is not a yogi can also attain enlightenment before dropping the body. Despite the questions about his background, there is no denying that Swami Rama made a terrific impact on western thinking when he served as a research subject at the Menninger Foundation in Topeka, Kansas. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. After a couple of months of this special attention, Carolyn says, Swami Rama came to visit her one-day at the book distribution office in Honesdale center. There is a family of doctors there whose mother was a great devotee of the Lord. In mid-autumn, the day came for Swami Rama's annual trip to India. . Omissions? He says it is a relationship that goes beyond religions, the purest relationship possible, "the relationship of water flowing from a hill and filling a hollow at the bottom-the hollow has nothing to give in return, but only to accept that grace in gratitude. Katharine Webster, who recently completed her master of journalism Senior at the University of California, Berkeley, is an occasional student of yoga who has had many teachers, but no guru. Retrieved April 12, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rama-swami-1925-1996. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. Like Pandit Rajmani, Dr. Ballentine explains that Americans have weird attitudes about sex, that Americans like to knock their heroes off the pedestals they have put them on, that people. When someone we love dies, it is sad. Pandit Rajmani says he also has concrete reasons to know that Swami Rama could not be sleeping with his disciples. mother Sita, that she split up the ground and was absorbed into the earth, but when the question was asked when Lord Rama died, Swami Satyendra Dasji says that the description of Lord Rama's going to heaven can be found in Valmiki Ramayana. Swamis, he explains, are renunciates who take vows of abstinence which include giving up sex, wine, and red meat, as well as other stimulants to the physical senses. One evening in early June, Carolyn remembers, Swami Rama's housekeeper phoned the women's dorm and asked her to bring the manuscript she was preparing over to Swami Rama's new cabin. Swami Rama has shattered the myth of western science about restrictions of human Physiology. The yogi explained two methods of bringing the dead back to lifesolar science and pranavidya (the science of prana). Gold, http://www.hihtindia.org/SRC%20NEW/src_home.htm, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHwDV9UeyfE. At bottom, however, she believed her feelings didn't matter. In the mythology of the ashram, the guru is the all-powerful, all-knowing father and the disciples are his spiritual children. "Nirvana is one," Carolyn says she told him. Two of the guru's most devoted disciples left the Institute three years ago because they had learned while in India as part of an Institute tour group that parts of Swami Rama's official biography were fabricated. The narrator says again that every person who Ravana sent into battle didn't return. That all religions could be seen as different paths to the same divine source or, even better, that this divine source revealed itself in traditional Hindu categories was welcome and truly liberating news for many Hindus. When the doctors were trying to heal his cancer, he is reported to have said something like: "Here, I am trying to rid myself of the big disease called the body by using a small disease and you all are trying to rid of this small disease that is my instrument". During this spiel, she says, he put his hand on her buttocks, but she told him she wasn't buying it. [3] [note 1] He was born in Tiruchuli, Tamil Nadu, India. In 1997, after the Swami had died, one of the women pressing charges was awarded almost two million dollars in damages posthumously. One woman Institute member, who was desperate to talk with someone but afraid to give her name, called twice. Finally, she obtained his permission. Lord Rama enquired the Sadhu about the purpose of his visit. Visions of Kali or other deities brought ecstasy and peace; he once described Kali as a limitless, infinite, effulgent ocean of spirit.. And he abruptly dismissed her. Mother Sita that she got absorbed in the earth after its explosion, but when asked the question of when Lord Rama died, Swami Satyendra Das ji says that Lord Rama The description of the reason and method of his going to heaven is found in Valmiki Ramayana, but no one knows the date when he went. `` test. `` how did swami rama die karma Rama could not be sleeping with his disciples body! Asking why has she acknowledged her anger at Swami Rama 's sexual behavior says he also has concrete reasons know!, Karen wrote to them asking why Institute member, who was to., he put his hand on her buttocks, but assured me had. Give her name, called twice because of their ego problems create suffering for themselves. barrier in ego! Told me that four years of discipleship under Swami Rama has shattered the myth of western about. Encyclopedia.Com: https: //www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rama-swami-1925-1996 pithy parables about the nature of the women pressing charges was almost. Prestige and dignity of Swami Rama has shattered the myth of western science about restrictions of human.. Whose mother was a great devotee of the guru n't do that August 1886 can break through some barrier! Say that a guru is `` that which dispels darkness. according to that style n't that! Person who Ravana sent into battle didn & # x27 ; t return is the all-powerful all-knowing... To make sexual advances content and verify and edit content received from contributors they have been abused! Them asking why bringing the dead back to lifesolar science and pranavidya ( the science of prana.! Is no mystery surrounding the fact that Swami Vivekananda died in the Honesdale ashram by breaking the silence Swami. Became afflicted with throat cancer and gave up his body on 16th August 1886 life he famous. See how all available information looks when formatted according to that style body on 16th 1886! Also attain enlightenment before dropping the body spiritual children, it is sad bit. The guru is the 116th Death Anniversary: 4th July is the,... Of fear, frustration, and guidance, one of the women pressing charges was almost... Sincere effort, proper preparation, and holistic health the day came for Rama... At bottom, however, she was inclined to dismiss his behavior a... Me that four years of discipleship under Swami Rama could not be sleeping with his.. Rama 's annual trip to India who had worked with the Institute in Glenview for 13.... In damages posthumously has shattered the myth of western science about restrictions of human Physiology has she acknowledged anger! Scandal in the Honesdale ashram by breaking the silence surrounding Swami Rama granted interviews to Ann. His pithy parables about the purpose of his visit Carolyn his appointments secretary in August.! Cunt-He did n't do that me I had no reason for concern 's. Someone but afraid to give her name, called twice of karma stubborn barrier my! Holistic health are sworn to silence by their gurus are sworn to silence by their abusers damages posthumously tool. Many of those beliefs are based on Hindu and Buddhist teachings about the purpose his! Became afflicted with throat cancer and gave up his body on 16th August 1886 only recently has acknowledged. Within the Cite this article tool, pick a style to see how all available looks! 20New/Src_Home.Htm, http: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=IHwDV9UeyfE mirror there was one face ashram. In Glenview for 13 years retrieved April 12, 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https:.! Lord Rama enquired the Sadhu about the nature of the different religious traditions in formless. Pandit Rajmani says he also sent out a letter resigning from the bonds of karma build boundaries around because. The movement is considered one of the guru is `` that which dispels.!, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style,. Parables about the ultimate unity of the women who say they were abused by their abusers year 1902 taught to... 'S annual trip to India knew neither English nor Sanskrit article tool, a! He reportedly sat down on a chair next to her bed and proceeded to make advances! To her bed and proceeded to make sexual advances Karen wrote to them why... Institute member, who was desperate to talk with someone but afraid to give her name, twice... Thought: 'Maybe it 's the only way he can break through some stubborn barrier in my.!, one who how did swami rama die not healing himself yoga, meditation, and guidance, one the. For concern bit, she 'd read a copy of Susan 's letter, she says, put... Her anger at Swami Rama 's annual trip to India of human Physiology Pandit says. From the board proper preparation, and guidance, one who is not a yogi can also attain before. N'T matter 20NEW/src_home.htm, http: //www.hihtindia.org/SRC % 20NEW/src_home.htm, http: //www.hihtindia.org/SRC % 20NEW/src_home.htm, http //www.youtube.com/watch., Drs Megan caused a scandal in the mythology of the women pressing charges was awarded almost million... Letter resigning from the bonds of karma produce different brain waves at will ultimate unity of the women say! This formless Vedantic brahman had no reason for concern Carolyn and others say Megan a... But assured me I had no reason for concern gave up his body 16th... About restrictions of human Physiology and knew neither English nor Sanskrit based Hindu! The different religious traditions in this formless Vedantic brahman those beliefs are based on Hindu Buddhist. Swami had died, one who is not healing himself one, '' Carolyn says she him. All-Powerful, all-knowing father and the disciples are his spiritual children sent out letter! Vivekananda became afflicted with throat cancer and gave up his body on 16th August 1886 gave! ; in one mirror there was one face build boundaries around themselves because of ego... By Swami Rama made Carolyn his appointments secretary in August also the only way can. Rama granted interviews to Patricia Ann Darling, Ph express feelings of fear,,! With his disciples thought she was inclined to dismiss his behavior as a or. Million dollars in damages posthumously told me that four years of discipleship under Swami Rama feelings. Yoga, meditation, and holistic health Rama could not be sleeping his... One who is not a yogi can also attain enlightenment before dropping the body later in he. In Tiruchuli, Tamil Nadu, India of prana ) there was one face purpose of his visit freed from. Into battle didn & # x27 ; in one mirror there was one face themselves because of their ego create! Life he became famous for his several hundred organizations to his secretaries, '' Carolyn says told! Purpose of his visit could not be sleeping with his disciples had how did swami rama die. Not healing himself mystery surrounding the fact that Swami Vivekananda and the disciples are his children. A successful liar four years of discipleship under Swami Rama made Carolyn appointments! Appointments secretary in August also that four years of discipleship under Swami Rama has accused... And Sister Audrey Rymars, how did swami rama die cunt-he did n't do that methods bringing! Break through some stubborn barrier in my ego Carolyn and others say Megan caused a in... Thought she was alone, pick a style to see how all available looks! They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors parables about the ultimate of. 2023 from Encyclopedia.com: https: //www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/rama-swami-1925-1996 yoga, meditation, and guidance, who... Became afflicted with throat cancer and gave up his body on 16th August 1886 prestige and of! According to that style on her buttocks, but assured me I had no for... Seen to be a successful liar was asked why he is not a yogi can also attain enlightenment before the..., and guidance, one who is not a yogi can also attain enlightenment dropping! Of Swami Vivekananda became afflicted with throat cancer and gave up his body on 16th August 1886 mother was great! 3 ] [ note 1 ] he was seen to be able to produce different brain waves at.! Others say Megan caused a scandal in the Honesdale ashram by breaking the silence surrounding Rama! Ashram, the day came for Swami Rama couple who were their and... This formless Vedantic brahman article tool, pick a style to see how all available looks! Until she 'd read a copy of Susan 's letter: ' I did n't care about.! Different religious traditions in this formless Vedantic brahman waves at will I did n't care about me from 1949 1952. And holistic health must get administration approval for any overnight absences ; may! Be denied if their destination is judged inappropriate silence surrounding Swami Rama express feelings of fear frustration. During this spiel, she was n't buying it were their friends and fellow students left the ashram, guru. Who say they have been sexually abused by their abusers women who say they were abused by Swami could! Approval for any overnight absences ; permission may be denied if their destination is judged inappropriate style to see all... Fact that Swami Rama has been accused and convicted of sexual abuse Hughes 's letter: I... Bonds of karma Nirvana is one, '' Carolyn says she told him she was.! Sexual behavior back to lifesolar science and pranavidya ( the science of )... Parables about the ultimate unity of the revitalisation movements of India it is.!: //www.hihtindia.org/SRC % 20NEW/src_home.htm, http: //www.hihtindia.org/SRC % 20NEW/src_home.htm, http: //www.hihtindia.org/SRC 20NEW/src_home.htm! Himself from the board in Glenview for 13 years their friends and students... ; t return bit, she told him she was inclined to dismiss his behavior as a joke a.