A Quick Link
Here's a disturbing blog post by Jayanti.
If you haven't yet read her wonderful memoir, Cartwheels in a Sari, please go out and do so. It's a wonderful and moving read.
And if you haven't yet read my own early history with Jayanti, you can look back here.
Thanks for the post, Jayanti.
If you haven't yet read her wonderful memoir, Cartwheels in a Sari, please go out and do so. It's a wonderful and moving read.
And if you haven't yet read my own early history with Jayanti, you can look back here.
Thanks for the post, Jayanti.
Comments
It's a sad story in every way imaginable. Those who accept the truth may never find a way back to a healty outlook, and those who continue to deny it will retreat into a deeper cult-like denial, for the sake of survival.
ALL disciples would do well, indeed, to read it and take it to heart:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sri_Chinmoy_Information/
Swadhin Gary
Your comment: "It's a sad story in every way imaginable. Those who accept the truth may never find a way back to a healty outlook, and those who continue to deny it will retreat into a deeper cult-like denial, for the sake of survival."
There's a lot of truth in what you have written, but to me it's a tad pessimistic. At the very core, faith tells us that although we may not be able to accomplish something, God can make it possible.
A disciple who wants to leave the SCC just has to make a start, and they will find that assistance and resources will appear at the right time. The journey is by no means easy, but there are many people who have gone before them - at a time when there was considerably less help available and cults were less well understood.
In leaving, a person will be able not only to claim their heart and mind back, but actually deepen their spiritual life in a way that was not previously imaginable.
There are a number of good books on cults available to help a person understand what happened to them. There exist professional counsellors to talk issues through with. There are a bunch of SCC exes who are contactable by email or phone. Seek this sort of help BEFORE leaving, in order to best plan for the event.
Terra.
terraaustralis01@yahoo.com.au
I was a disciple from 1975 to 1989 & am truly thankful that I was not a part of the sexual relationships that Ghose initiated. For many years after I left (which was already difficult because I joined at 21 & was very unprepared for life outside the SCC at 35) I continued to believe Ghose was a genuine teacher. Until I read Sevika’s account of the sexual relationship Ghose had with her. I was reeling when I read hers & the other accounts but Sevika’s affected me the most because I knew her a little better than the other women.
The one thing I always believed, in spite of the many odd things that happened in the Centre, was that there was never any sexual impropriety. It was not conceivable to me, given the constant emphasis on purity & celibacy & the way we were seen as Ghose’s children, no matter our age. In spite of having seen no sign of it, Sevika’s account rang completely true even though it exploded my remaining belief in the guru.
From that moment 4 or 5 years ago, I believed the sexual relationships were incestuous & I did not really understand other people’s opinions that it was OK if Ghose had an eye for the ladies. I already felt that this was not the behaviour of a genuine teacher given the circumstances, never mind someone who claimed to be an avatar, all-seeing & all-knowing. It made me completely re-evaluate my centre experience & thoughts on his philosophy even though it had not been my experience. And now I feel sickened all over again since reading of the experiences of these young women who grew up under the pressure of absolute obedience to this teacher.
I am so sad for all of these women & hope they’re able to get the support & understanding they need & deserve. My thoughts, love & best wishes to all for a free & happy future.
Dakshina
(formerly of the Montreal SCC)
Thanks for that kind and thoughtful post.
Yogaloy
Her life is anything but sad. She's an educated and accomplished woman, and a wonderful mother.
The memoir itself is, of course, laced with sadness throughout, but I think it's ultimately a tale of redemption.
As for not mentioning her inner life, I'd have to disagree. The story is a first person narrative of almost nothing but her subjective experience growing up in a group -- and devoted to a man -- that professed love for her, but ultimately abandoned her.
Hello Dakshina, I remember you so well.
Like you I find all of this very sickening, and I hope that 1, more of those young women will now have the courage to speak out, and 2, that all of them will find a way to healing and will learn how to live their own lives at last, after waking up from this bad dream.
Subala