A system that rewards a particular behavior or person and then arbitrarily ignores or punishes that same behavior or person can quickly lead even healthy individuals to develop profound anxiety and uncertainty-the antithesis of self-confidence. she remembers him demanding. As Rutter explains in his book, a sexual relationship between a man in a position of power-doctor, psychologist, mentor, or priest-and a woman who is dependent on him-as patient, student, client, or troubled soul-almost always involves an element of coercion and a betrayal of trust. Sexual abuse by yoga gurus is the exploitation of the position of trust occupied by a master of any branch of yoga for personal sexual pleasure. A short time later, Swami Rama let her go as his secretary-because, she says he told her, she didn't really want the job. Himalayan Institute Humanitarian is a 501(c)(3) public charity supporting the educational and charitable projects of the Himalayan Institute. Megan says she squelched an urge to speak out, instead deciding, like most of the Institute's residents, to suspend judgment so she could "understand and learn" from this "great master." But something, which is truth, cannot be falsified by having one hundred witnesses. The Combined Therapy program and the outpatient branches of the Institute for Holistic Medicine combine Western medicine, homeopathy, Eastern medicine, psychotherapy, nutrition, yoga, and meditation to treat people with a variety of physical and emotional problems. Swami Rama's claims to this spiritual background have been questioned by some of his former students. Shortly after Marston filed her suit in 1978, Nuernberger moved to Honesdale, where he is currently a member of the Institute's teaching staff. By 1977, the Institute was able to purchase the Honesdale ashram, a former Catholic seminary in the rural Pocono Mountains, which now houses more than 100 residents and guests. Similarly, gurus in the Buddhist and Hindu traditions are supposed to be examples of self-mastery and right living. Its mission, according to the Articles of Incorporation, was "to make known to the members and people in general the real, synthetic, and harmonious view of world religions and philosophy in terms of modern scientific achievements and undertake researches for all around ethical, social, economical, and spiritual development of humanity to attain world peace, international integration, understanding, and spiritual awakening of the human race." Ag Innovation Center Business Plan. He bragged about his sumptuous homes in India and Japan and about his shopping sprees for designer clothes, she says. What Ballentine does not mention is that a second jury judged Nuernberger guilty of unprofessional conduct in his treatment of Nancy E. Williams, another former client, on February 17, 1981. We inspire, educate, and. In 1969, Pandit Arya met Swami Rama, who gave him "one of the highest meditation initiations," in which he experienced himself "as a being of light." And she would help him write books. Live online programs, on-demand courses, and hundreds of yoga and meditation classes. Become more involved with the projects of the ashram-seminars, residents, the patient program-in time she would be in charge of the whole thing. 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. Dr. Elmer Green says that he and his wife have heard from a number of women who said they were sexually exploited by Swami Rama. The Himalayan Institute and its varied activities and programs exemplify the spiritual heritage of mankind that unites East and West, spirituality and science, ancient wisdom and modern technology. Terry* and Brian* say they were recruited into the Himalayan Institute's inner circle for their wealth and social connections. 7,616 were here. Our members consist of a vibrant residential community of practitioners, karma yogis (service-driven seekers), and faculty-in-residence as well as a global community of seekers, committed to living their spiritual values. In my interviews with current and former members of the Institute, I heard an almost unvarying litany of beliefs about Swami Rama's abilities. "Believing such stories means disbelieving in myself. Our commitment to service both at home and abroad incorporates our global humanitarian impact through projects in Africa and India as well as a commitment to sustainable partnerships with the local community at our world headquarters in Honesdale. The Swami Rama died in 1996 at the age of 69. After dismissing the other workers, she says he repeated the familiar litany, but this time he slipped in a new message. Carolyn went away to college at the end of that year, as her parents expected. He warns against relying too heavily on the inner voice: "When we look for the guru within, we only end up finding our own samskaras-vagaries of the unconscious mind are mistaken for directions from the superconscious. 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. Anyone can read what you share. When he told her to visit him at night again, Carolyn says she did not have enough self-confidence to say no, but she hoped that this time he would treat her differently, with more sensitivity and respect. Carolyn says she feigned shock and tried to mask her distress as Martha told about a woman at the Glenview center who was confused and distraught about her alleged sexual relationship with Swami Rama. When I asked Pandit Arya about the allegations of sexual abuse, he admits that he was very disturbed when he first heard them. Had anyone spoken to her? Sexual contract between gurus and their American disciples is not a new or rare phenomenon. By this time Carolyn had gained 25 pounds from binging on sweets. But the University of Scranton didn't offer a degree program in Carolyn's area of study, so she saw a way to rationalize leaving the Institute while still saving face; she could still be considered a good disciple if she cold get the guru's blessing to go away to college. Pandit Arya reportedly alternated between disbelieving and believing the growing number of his female students who told him that Swami Rama had sexually harassed or abused them. And I feared that Carolyn-young beautiful, idealistic, and worshipful of Swami Rama, the Institute's founder and spiritual leader-could be vulnerable to such exploitation. Megan*, a former graduate student in the Eastern Studies program, wrote a letter to the Jesuit administration of the University of Scranton saying that Swami Rama was subjecting women students to sexual exploitation. "Even if I found out-how can I find out? From its beginnings 20 years ago, the Institute has expanded steadily to include some 25 branches and affiliated yoga and holistic health centers in the Midwest, the Northeast, Texas, California, and abroad. "Unpurified ego is an evil which obstructs one's own progress. Carolyn rationalized: Swamiji was her guru, so even though the prospect of having sex with him seemed morally wrong and physically revolting, he must be doing it for her own good. We are happy to bring you a combination of Zoom, In-person, and Hybrid options. She listened calmly as I admitted that I'd worried she might be a victim. Following on the wave of favorable publicity, Swami Rama founded the Himalayan Institute in Illinois in 1971. Himalayan Institute Online Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. But to accept a tuition-free second year, or even to leave the Institute quietly, Megan says, would have meant giving tacit approval to the continuing exploitation. Himalayan Institute Online Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. According to ex-members, Swami Rama often acts in ways his disciples find humiliating, but they tell each other he is humbling their stubborn egos to help them reach enlightenment faster. Our Honesdale campus continues to be home to a service-driven community of yogis, volunteers, and faculty-in-residence. ALL NEW! Early the next morning, she says, he announced to her that she was going to leave; he never set up the promised program. Gurus were supposed to have conquered their desires, but in the spiritual literature they were often portrayed as contradictory, tricking their disciples into enlightenment. The victim's confusion and loss of trust are compounded when her community refuses to acknowledge her suffering. In private sessions, ex-disciples say, Swami Rama has arranged marriages and instructed disciples to break off relationships. And there is a statement, 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.'" "If someone is a saint, celibacy would be his normal condition," Dr. Green comments. The same spirit of community and service that fuels our headquarters in Honesdale, PA, can be found in these dedicated affiliate centers of practice. Companies Himalayan Institute Tell us how to improve this page However, after Swami Rama talked with them, they either told Brian and Terry that the guru should be allowed a "mistake" or they shunned the couple altogether. He backed off, Megan says, while telling her that sex wasn't necessary-she could be his special student. And she was afraid to leave in her old car because a freezing rainstorm had covered all the roads with ice. Brian says he felt betrayed, but the knowledge that Swami Rama had financially exploited him made it easier for the couple to cut their ties to the Institute. After a sleepless night, she said she snuck out at 5:00 or 6:00 a.m. and drove to Brian and Terry's empty house in Honesdale. Megan remembers asking him why he was trying all this on her. Carolyn,* an old friend, called me collect. Outside of work, Sawana has been married to her wonderful husband since 2008 and together they have 3 beautiful sons. Yet the Institute's success comes at a high cost for many of those involved. Within a sect the guru's authority is often absolute: he rules from the pinnacle of the institutional hierarchy. Himalayan Institute Online. Experts and some inside the system say that in justifying its decision, UC perpetuated outdated claims about online learning. Those statements are on file with the cult Awareness network (formerly the citizen's Freedom Foundation) in New York. The original creator of the neti pot, the Himalayan Institute has been offering traditional and modern products for health and spirituality since 1971. The Institute used to offer an accredited masters program in Eastern Studies and Comparative Psychology through an affiliation with the University of Scranton. She opted to forego pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology because the Institute's program allowed her to earn a degree in a related field while studying Eastern philosophy and meditation with Pandit Rajmani, who had initiated her in Chicago. Anyway, he said that our relationship would be exclusive, I'd be like a spiritual courtesan. She thanked me, but assured me I had no reason for concern. A Swami, or monk, is supposed to be "one who is master of oneself: senses, body, mind." Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, is the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute and the successor of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. He also has the integrity to admit that if they were true, it would be very terrible, and a violation of the teaching that says one should treat all women as daughters. Well organized, fine atmosphere, and a strong community. The Himalayan Institute publishes over 60 titles on yoga, spirituality, and holistic health, including the best-selling Living with the Himalayan Masters by Swami Rama and Yoga: Mastering the Basics by Sandra Anderson and Rolf Sovik. She became paralyzed by her fear of angering him. Relationships are the first test of spirituality. Treat yourself to a massage, meditate in the peaceful meditation shrine, or relax in one of the many attractive community spaces available on campus. Allegations of such abuse have been made against modern yoga gurus such as Bikram . Finally I found an opportunity to broach the topic of the lawsuit with Carolyn. His response: "Listen, there are certain things which are based on witnesses-those are facts. Years later, Rose contacted Patricia Trescelli, hoping to support a lawsuit by other women working with Trescelli and hoping to press charges against Swami Rama in her own sexual assault. Since its inception in 1971, the Himalayan Institute has been at the leading edge of personal and social transformation. Pandit Arya radiates calm as he speaks. She became outraged at the residents and the professional staff who enable and legitimized the Swami's behavior. After teaching, studying, and traveling throughout India and Europe, he came to the University of Minnesota in the 1960s, where he taught Sanskrit and Indian religions. Whilst there's no hint of it on the Himalayan Institute's website, Swami Rama faced lawsuits in the 1990s over sexual abuse with his students stemming back to the 1970s. Megan says her feelings told her that something was amiss, but because of the social environment, she began to entertain the notion that the Swami's motives might not be what they appeared to be, and that his attempts at a con job might be a spiritual test. She said no: She had been on a work crew Swami Rama had ordered to week poison ivy roots for his new garden, and she was covered with oozing blisters. This seemingly whimsical application of standards demoralized many of the ex-members I spoke with and led many to resent the members of Swami Rama's inner circle. Swami Rama has a reputation among his followers as an incredible psychologist who uses his insights to help others. According to the stipulation he signed with the Board's Ethics Review Panel, Nuernberger admitted that he terminated a counseling relationship with "Victoria S." during the third session in order to enter into a "personal relationship - such relationship to include sexual contact.". Himalayan Institute Buffalo Yoga | Meditation | Wellness Yoga classes and seminars for March - April are now open for registration. Yoga seminars, retreats, and professional certifications taught by our world-class faculty, designed to bring you the best of an authentic yoga tradition. Publications Health Products Explore high-quality, unique, practice-enhancing products made for yogis everywhere. Mission Membership is an invitation to put your spiritual values into action by supporting our shared commitment to service while deepening your study and practice in the living Himalayan Tradition. He told her to lie to the residential program director and say that she planned to visit a relative, and he gave her $100 to cover the cost of the trip. And he abruptly dismissed her. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy is an international non-profit organization, which promotes yoga and holistic health through yoga retreats, residential programs, health products and services, media publications including Yoga International magazine, and humanitarian projects.The institute's main campus is located on (1.6 km 2) in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern . Meanwhile, Swami Rama had appointed her as registrar of the graduate program, replacing a long-time woman disciple who was being kicked out of the Institute for no apparent reason. The guru spoiled them, they say, calling them his spiritual son and daughter, and soon invited them to come live in Pennsylvania. What a foolish woman! Immerse yourself in a life-changing course of study and get certified in the authentic teachings of yoga and meditation. Expert wellness consultations direct to your home. In a few months time she would handle his bank account, income taxes, everything. 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