Siddha Yoga may be a house divided, but I still think there is a chance that those who left and those who have stayed can stake out some middle ground. It is in the best interest of both sides to do so. Many of us who have abandoned our practice still seek some kind of permanent closure to a chapter in our lives that ended as abruptly as it once began with the "big bang" of our shaktipat experience. And those who have remained are an embattled minority struggling with the same issues that caused the rest of us to leave--only they cannot talk freely and openly about their fears, doubts and questions, because of the culture of secrecy that surrounds everything having to do with the Siddha Guru.
What is needed is an honest, open dialogue minus the kind of invective that plagued many of the letters here (however slim the chance for that may be.) If we could all sit down and have that heart-to-heart, here are the hard questions I would ask of those who continue to practice.
The first big question I have is: how do you deal emotionally with the fact that Gurumayi has disappeared? She has not been seen in public since New Year's Day 2004--which is just a few months shy of the time required before a person is declared legally dead. In a spiritual path dedicated to the worship of the living perfected master (and whatever else Siddha Yoga is, it is certainly that) this is a crushing blow. Particularly given that the "official" position of the SYDA Foundation is to pretend this never happened. In this very article in Salon they write:
"For almost three decades, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, the spiritual head of the Siddha Yoga path, has guided students through her teachings."
This is a pretty piece of propaganda. Notice that they do not say Gurumayi is still in an active teaching role, rather, she guides "through her teachings." This kind of obfuscation is shameful, and you who remain faithful certainly deserve better. So, the second thing I would ask is:
How do you justify to yourself that SYDA refuses to explain where Gurumayi is, why she retired from an active role, and when, if ever, she will resume her role as Guru? Is it because you truly do find her guidance within in the form of the "inner Guru"? And has this need to accept her disappearance without any official explanation fueled your inner quest, strengthened your identification with the inner Guru, or does it ever rankle, does it ever make you question the path?
Finally, whenever SYDA is forced to address the question of the future of Siddha Yoga, it never, ever mentions Gurumayi. Instead, it performs a neat sleight of hand, inserting itself in place of the Guru with uninspiring formulations that only a lawyer could love, such as:
"The purpose of the SYDA Foundation is to protect, preserve and disseminate the teachings... for future generations."
Who are these future generations, and why do they take precedence over the current generation of young people who were orphaned by the Guru before they were old enough to understand that loss? You know, the teenagers and young adults who learned of the Guru from their mother's knees, who sat beside her chair during darshan, the fresh young faces whom Gurumayi once claimed she was concentrating on teaching? Do you remember when Gurumayi told us old-timers during her last Labor Day talk in Fallsburg that "your begging bowls are full" and it was now time to turn her attention to the next generation? Except that she didn't. Can you remember subsequent summers in South Fallsburg full of programs for young people, special Intensives held exclusively for the under 21 set, courses designed especially to help teenagers and young adults apprehend and communicate the teachings? No, of course not, because they never happened. Outside of a few satsangs that Gurumayi held for the children of ashram residents and, of course, a few treacly children's books and tapes, this new flowering of Siddha Yoga died on the vine.
20 comments:
Hi SeekHer,
I neglected to mention this in my post regarding "identity". Thank you for providing this forum. You created an open space for alot of conversation. It took courage to do and committment to maintain....I really admire what you've done here.
If you are asking questions, my basic question is this: people are constantly refering to the "teachings" of siddha yoga. What, exactly, are they talking about? Are they talking about the Vedic underpinnings of siddha yoga? Kashmir Shaivism? Texts like the Guru Gita or Kundalini Stavaha, Rudram or Shivah Mahimnah Stotra, all of which existed long before siddha yoga appeared. Are they talking about muktananda's question and answer sessions, "Satsang With Baba"? or gurumayi's talks, ram butler's correspondence course? or all of the above? What are "the precious siddha yoga teachings"? Books like Spandakarika, Pratyabhijnahrdayam or Yoga Vashistha? (all existing independentally of and prior to siddha yoga and surviving quite well without the intervention of siddha yoga trustees). I have never really understood what people mean when they use the phrase "the teachings of siddha yoga". Is it "See God in Each Other"? what IS "god"? what IS "the self"? I've never met anybody in siddha yoga who could really address these very basic concepts in a clear way. On the other hand, I have heard alot of teachers from other traditions who discuss these concepts very clearly and I've even heard regular folks discussing these concepts very clearly.
So......what are the "teachings of siddha yoga"??
The other question I would ask is:...where is the proof of and what is the justification for siddha yoga's claim that Nityananda of Ganeshpuri is the "lineage head" of siddha yoga? As far as anyone knows, Nityananda never had a lineage nor did he give some kind of mandate to muktananda to form a lineage. Giving someone intiation by putting your sandals on his head and sticking your hand down his throat is not how a "lineage" is passed on; many people have this particular transmission or initiation and very very very few of them become "lineage heads". When an official "lineage" is passed on, it's public enough (within the "organization") that there are witnesses. There is a ceremony; it follows certain long-established tradition. Nityananda never claimed to have a lineage, never set up a lineage and never passed on a lineage.... So?? what's up with that?
I guess those two questions would be the first ones I would ask...not to make people feel bad or start an argument but because I am genuinely interested in how people would address these issues in an honest way.
just wondering ,
sadhvi
Sadhvi
These are great questions; I would love to see them put to a Trustee, but of course, like the Wizard of Oz, they are very good at pulling the levers and maintaining a powerful public face while cowering behind the velvet curtain.
My questions were an attempt to put the troubled past of Siddha Yoga aside for a moment, since there can never be a middle ground between those who believe in the abuse and cover up and those who don't.
What I'm much more interested in now is what current practitioners think about the present and future of Siddha Yoga. It is here that there is an opportunity to not only find common ground but forge common cause. I can't believe anyone still practicing Siddha Yoga is content to be kept in the dark by SYDA. In fact, I would imagine most current students despise the SYDA Foundation for its constant attempts to interject itself in place of the Guru. I imagine, but don't know, and hence the question.
Also, I would imagine that any Siddha Yoga parent trying to raise kids on the path would grow quickly tired of the party line that SYDA exists to protect the teachings for future generations---when the current generation of students is being utterly ignored. The Guru's teachings are not TARP funds---they will not run out if they are used. Why, for instance, are all of the thousands of hours of Guruamyi's unreleased talk tapes being "preserved" for some unknown future instead of made available to young seekers who are hungry for spiritual sustenance right now? It would not be hard to edit those tapes into books with messages aimed directly at young adults. This, after all, was how all of Gurumayi's books were "written"--as compilations of her teaching talks. In Gurumayi's absence, a steady diet of her teachings could continue to be made available for years, if SYDA had any intention of doing so.
That SYDA actually has a policy to NOT make further teachings available is the only possible conclusion.
And that, as a wonderful commenter observed back in June, "...is evidently in keeping with all other current policies that are designed to allow everything about 'the path' to be slowly and discretely forgotten, vanishing finally with a Cheshire smile of nostalgia for what never really was. "
>>>"My questions were an attempt to put the troubled past of Siddha Yoga aside for a moment, since there can never be a middle ground between those who believe in the abuse and cover up and those who don't.
What I'm much more interested in now is what current practitioners think about the present and future of Siddha Yoga. It is here that there is an opportunity to not only find common ground but forge common cause"<<<
Ah, I get it now! thanks for the clarification and you are right..this could actually lead to real conversation.
best,
s.
No, Sadhvi, I'm afraid it's no use, there will be no real conversation. I didn't frame my questions in the right way, I was too combative even if my stated intention was to ask hard questions.
The trouble is, I would like to offer a hand in rapprochement to those who remain on the path, like I did when I began this blog stating that it was meant to be a place where those who believe and those who question could mix with those who have come to believe no more. But, I just can't. I feel no kinship with those who still practice; I want to shake them until they wake up. And they won't come near anyone who feels this way, it's too threatening, and they have invested far too much in not being threatened at this point.
When I came to unbelief I took no pride from it. Yes, I had chosen the red pill and saw at last how deep down the rabbit hole I had really gone. But, I felt, I could just have easily picked the blue pill and remained in that dream world and been happy. What I mean to say is, I didn't feel that different from my friends who were still on the path.
That's not true anymore. I can no longer pretend to understand how someone can BLITHELY IGNORE THAT GURUMAYI HAS BEEN M.I.A. FOR SEVEN YEARS.
Maybe, in retrospect, there really was a difference between me and them. I remember the summer Gurumayi ordered us all to write a dissertation on the subject "What is the ashram?" Many people were more terrified at being commanded to write than they would have been if Gurumayi told them to stand up during a satsang and share before a thousand people. Not me. I'm a writer. Nothing could be easier than to write about what I care about. But, that's the thing. I didn't care to explore what the ashram is. It's a bunch of buildings that make up the Guru's home. Or, if you prefer, the ashram is the extended body of the Guru principle. THE END. I never turned in my "dissertation" even after they began hounding people to do so at satsangs, and I never felt a moment's twinge of guilt about it.
Looking back, there were other signs that I had not sufficiently mortified my ego to be a true blue believer. An unquestioning-at-all-costs believer. And I am proud of that now. My ego is proud to have never knuckled under that far. I like my ego. It is my friend, my companion, my protector, mySELF.
I don't think those who have stuck around Siddha Yoga this long have much ego left. They may think that is a sign they are that much closer to enlightenment; I just think it is pathetic.
There's something I'd like to add to what you and Sadhvi have written here, SeekHer, related to the potential "teachings" that could be offered by the SYDA Foundation. I think most people who served in the ashrams or on tour in close proximity to Gurumayi, attending meetings with her where policies were created or projects initiated or guided, would be able to tell you unequivocally that the decisions of the foundation were always Gurumayi's decisions. No body in SY--including the foundation trustees or officers, the top players in the teachings area, the swamis--bossed her around, nobody went behind her back or tried to get around her. Personally, I can't imagine that has changed since I left in 2004. If current devotees (however many there are, certainly not anywhere near 70,000, as the fellow posting comments on the Salon pieces keeps mentioning) hold the foundation responsible for not producing recordings or books from her talks, they would almost surely be placing responsibility at the wrong feet. Others have always taken the flak for her bad decisions, and offered her the credit for their own good ideas.
I've seen it so many times--GM ignoring or dismissing people's objections to a course of action or project she was excited by, only to later publicly chastise those who implemented the decision, as if it was their decision, when the idea turned out to be unmanageable or just a bad idea. Often those she chastised were those who had objected to the particular course of action in the first place.
The foundation trustees never had autonomy. People have always "blamed Fallsburg" for bad decisions, as long as I can remember--back to 1984 for me. But those in the supposed "power positions" know better. They cover for her, that's why they are IN those positions. Those I knew thought it a privilege to cover for her. The number one requirement for leadership in SY is personal loyalty to GM. It might be phrased as loyalty to the teachings or the path, but really, it's about her.
I suppose she could have more recently abdicated even in the area behind the velvet curtain, but I seriously doubt it.
I think the reason I was moved to write this is that I feel a lot of compassion, empathy even, for those people who are putting out the official "word" of the SY "path". They have put their faith in her, in the person. All their obfuscations are products of their faith. They are trying to protect their relationships with GM, who they still see as the source of grace and potential realization in their lives. To me, that's very sad, an almost tragic misplacement of trust. To others, it might seem merely pathetic.
older but wiser
There's something I'd like to add to what you and Sadhvi have written here, SeekHer, related to the potential "teachings" that could be offered by the SYDA Foundation. I think most people who served in the ashrams or on tour in close proximity to Gurumayi, attending meetings with her where policies were created or projects initiated or guided, would be able to tell you unequivocally that the decisions of the foundation were always Gurumayi's decisions. No body in SY--including the foundation trustees or officers, the top players in the teachings area, the swamis--bossed her around, nobody went behind her back or tried to get around her. Personally, I can't imagine that has changed since I left in 2004. If current devotees (however many there are, certainly not anywhere near 70,000, as the fellow posting comments on the Salon pieces keeps mentioning) hold the foundation responsible for not producing recordings or books from her talks, they would almost surely be placing responsibility at the wrong feet. Others have always taken the flak for her bad decisions, and offered her the credit for their own good ideas.
I've seen it so many times--GM ignoring or dismissing people's objections to a course of action or project she was excited by, only to later publicly chastise those who implemented the decision, as if it was their decision, when the idea turned out to be unmanageable or just a bad idea. Often those she chastised were those who had objected to the particular course of action in the first place.
The foundation trustees never had autonomy. People have always "blamed Fallsburg" for bad decisions, as long as I can remember--back to 1984 for me. But those in the supposed "power positions" know better. They cover for her, that's why they are IN those positions. Those I knew thought it a privilege to cover for her. The number one requirement for leadership in SY is personal loyalty to GM. It might be phrased as loyalty to the teachings or the path, but really, it's about her.
I suppose she could have more recently abdicated even in the area behind the velvet curtain, but I seriously doubt it.
I think the reason I was moved to write this is that I feel a lot of compassion, empathy even, for those people who are putting out the official "word" of the SY "path". They have put their faith in her, in the person. All their obfuscations are products of their faith. They are trying to protect their relationships with GM, who they still see as the source of grace and potential realization in their lives. To me, that's very sad, an almost tragic misplacement of trust. To others, it might seem merely pathetic.
older but wiser
There's something I'd like to add to what you and Sadhvi have written here, SeekHer, related to the potential "teachings" that could be offered by the SYDA Foundation. I think most people who served in the ashrams or on tour in close proximity to Gurumayi, attending meetings with her where policies were created or projects initiated or guided, would be able to tell you unequivocally that the decisions of the foundation were always Gurumayi's decisions. No body in SY--including the foundation trustees or officers, the top players in the teachings area, the swamis--bossed her around, nobody went behind her back or tried to get around her. Personally, I can't imagine that has changed since I left in 2004. If current devotees (however many there are, certainly not anywhere near 70,000, as the fellow posting comments on the Salon pieces keeps mentioning) hold the foundation responsible for not producing recordings or books from her talks, they would almost surely be placing responsibility at the wrong feet. Others have always taken the flak for her bad decisions, and offered her the credit for their own good ideas.
I've seen it so many times--GM ignoring or dismissing people's objections to a course of action or project she was excited by, only to later publicly chastise those who implemented the decision, as if it was their decision, when the idea turned out to be unmanageable or just a bad idea. Often those she chastised were those who had objected to the particular course of action in the first place.
The foundation trustees never had autonomy. People have always "blamed Fallsburg" for bad decisions, as long as I can remember--back to 1984 for me. But those in the supposed "power positions" know better. They cover for her, that's why they are IN those positions. Those I knew thought it a privilege to cover for her. The number one requirement for leadership in SY is personal loyalty to GM. It might be phrased as loyalty to the teachings or the path, but really, it's about her.
I suppose she could have more recently abdicated even in the area behind the velvet curtain, but I seriously doubt it.
I think the reason I was moved to write this is that I feel a lot of compassion, empathy even, for those people who are putting out the official "word" of the SY "path". They have put their faith in her, in the person. All their obfuscations are products of their faith. They are trying to protect their relationships with GM, who they still see as the source of grace and potential realization in their lives. To me, that's very sad, an almost tragic misplacement of trust. To others, it might seem merely pathetic.
older but wiser
Part one
There's something I'd like to add to what you and Sadhvi have written here, SeekHer, related to the potential "teachings" that could be offered by the SYDA Foundation. I think most people who served in the ashrams or on tour in close proximity to Gurumayi, attending meetings with her where policies were created or projects initiated or guided, would be able to tell you unequivocally that the decisions of the foundation were always Gurumayi's decisions. No body in SY--including the foundation trustees or officers, the top players in the teachings area, the swamis--bossed her around, nobody went behind her back or tried to get around her. Personally, I can't imagine that has changed since I left in 2004. If current devotees (however many there are, certainly not anywhere near 70,000, as the fellow posting comments on the Salon pieces keeps mentioning) hold the foundation responsible for not producing recordings or books from her talks, they would almost surely be placing responsibility at the wrong feet. Others have always taken the flak for her bad decisions, and offered her the credit for their own good ideas.
I've seen it so many times--GM ignoring or dismissing people's objections to a course of action or project she was excited by, only to later publicly chastise those who implemented the decision, as if it was their decision, when the idea turned out to be unmanageable or just a bad idea. Often those she chastised were those who had objected to the particular course of action in the first place.
older but wiser
Part 2--sorry my comment was too long for one go.
The foundation trustees never had autonomy. People have always "blamed Fallsburg" for bad decisions, as long as I can remember--back to 1984 for me. But those in the supposed "power positions" know better. They cover for her, that's why they are IN those positions. Those I knew thought it a privilege to cover for her. The number one requirement for leadership in SY is personal loyalty to GM. It might be phrased as loyalty to the teachings or the path, but really, it's about her.
I suppose she could have more recently abdicated even in the area behind the velvet curtain, but I seriously doubt it.
I think the reason I was moved to write this is that I feel a lot of compassion, empathy even, for those people who are putting out the official "word" of the SY "path". They have put their faith in her, in the person. All their obfuscations are products of their faith. They are trying to protect their relationships with GM, who they still see as the source of grace and potential realization in their lives. To me, that's very sad, an almost tragic misplacement of trust. To others, it might seem merely pathetic.
older but wiser
older but wiser:
the thing that tells me you are right about the trustees fronting for Gurumayi is that I truly despise the trustees, and I don't despise Gurumayi. And I should.
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feel free to ignore it; it's a blip, no need to cut and paste and repost.
The "Siddha Yoga responds to Salon story" makes them sound unhinged.
First of all: to deny that GM has disappeared? LOLZ
The flat denial of the notion GM withdrew amidst a flurry of accusations, with no explanation: Ironically makes it appear true and emphasizes the point.
The language of the reply appears stilted and robotic. It seems like a pro forma flat denial, written by a lawyer.
One aspect the Salon writer got wrong: GM is in no way "University educated." She barely made it out of the India equivalent to our High School.
And you could tell by her talks.
Baba was self - educated. Always reading when he was younger. And Nityananda, Baba's first chosen successor, is somewhat similar - at least, not as smugly and unself-consciously anti - intellectual as GM.
"Gurudev" was on the same path of self-education, last time I checked; Compelled and curious to learn.
GM University educated?! Maybe she received an honorary degree once upon a time?!
" The number one requirement for leadership in SY is personal loyalty to GM. It might be phrased as loyalty to the teachings or the path, but really, it's about her."
Dear older but wiser,
Your post reflects my experience which was observing an extremely high-level person in siddha yoga and what happened to him. His "loyalty" was constantly tested by gurumayi. She gave him information and told him it was "for his eyes only", that, under no circumstances should he tell anyone, including his wife. I watched their marriage unravel as he held more and more "privileged information". I watched the guru play favorites with this person's children, focusing her attention on one, excluding the others. I watched this high-level person struggling to maintain his integrity and lose and I saw the entire family consumed by separation and competition for "the guru's love". It was a very sad thing to see and had alot to do with why I left siddha yoga. I remember having a conversation with this person one afternoon about "loyalty" to the guru, how it was "paramount". This person was such a truly compassionate and ethical human being and I still wonder what deep sickness could have driven gurumayi to destroy his integrity. It's as though she has a moral "slime gun" and goes after the best of her followers until she "destroys their egos" and they become just like their guru.
Frankly, I have to say that gurumayi does not seem to have a clue about what "No Ego" really means.
sadhvi
Could this be Sally Kempton? She signs off as s.k. on the Salon SY Letter comments on page 48.
<<"Baba Was An Authentic Shaktipat Guru
I was in staff in the Ganeshpuri, South Fallsburg and Oakland Ashrams for 18 wonderful years of my life. I was "on the inside" for sure, very close to Gurumayi and the inner clique so to speak. Baba clearly had the unique mystic abilty to transmit energy to others. Gurumayi's incredible devotion to Baba allows her to "channel" his kundalini energy. It is a profound and real process. I experienced it countless times, attending over 100 two-day intensives.
But, I never changed really. I would "fill up" on the kundalini, feel good, but never really change. So after many years of meditation and chanting: ego, fear, suffering entirely intact.
Siddha Yoga does not teach actual Enlightenment. They teach obedience to the guru and to Siddha Yoga, and the most rudimentary, simplistic, even common yogic practices.
The Guru's influence is the source of visions, blisses and pleasure, but actual Enlightenment eludes all--Gurumayi, the swamis and devotees. Literally no one has "Awakened" to the Transcendental Condition. Of this I am certain.
In terms of actual Enlightenment training, Siddha Yoga is like nursery school, compared to some Buddhist and Advaita Vedanta paths--they being much more serious, with very clearly defined practices that can take the practitioner beyond the personal "ego" or "I" into the transcendental realm.
I "graduated" from Siddha Yoga without regrets. All the naysaying is useless and even ridiculous. I saw "worse" things and experienced even more amazing things than have been mentioned in these letters, as a loyal and happy devotee of the beautiful Gurumayi.
I wish her and all her friends well on their path to Enlightenment.
Thanks,
s.k.
-- balancedInsider"">>
balancedinsider
I doubt it is Kempton, the writing is too sloppy for one thing, and I'm certain she was hit with an iron-clad non-disclosure agreement when she fled, for another.
This "sk" person is reprehensible: "...all the naysaying is useless and even ridiculous. I saw "worse" things and experienced even more amazing things than have been mentioned in these letters, as a loyal and happy devotee of the beautiful Gurumayi.
I wish her and all her friends well on their path to Enlightenment."
Yes, (s)he saw worse things than the rape of underage disciple by the Perfect Bastard, er, Perfected Master Muktananda? And she wishes Gurumayi well on her quest for enlightenment, while decrying those who point out the very reason her lovely experiences never led to anything? I don't doubt such a psychopath was once part of the "inner circle". She should never have left.
Christ, what a bitch.
Wow, this went from crickets to omg explodeded! Count me among those that feel divided. I am happy for my experiences and i cherish them, however i can't but help notice the absence of the guru and the about face syda has done. Once it was "Yay we are blessed to learn the teachings from the living guru" to "how lucky we are to have her teachings but not her herself" Get over yourself syda! No one is going to come to your organization and give generously if all they get is dogma. Without a flower there will be no bees. If you want to exist you must attract devotees, you will not attract them with such dry legaleze. The heart is gone from syda and what remains is a dry husk. Well, it was nice while it lasted.
On Salon's Letter from SYDA, current ashram dwellers are starting to open up and tell the truth about the lies. I am appalled that women scream rape and the Kool-aid drinkers try and shut them down. I am really feeling sad for the Malti Shetty who lived in this atmosphere growing up. If M went after the beauties then I believe she was one of them and is a victim who protects her perpetrator. Especially with so much land and money involved. GM was always nice to me, but I will not discount other's realities. I did not live at SMA but went there on certain holidays or weekends. I felt the sevites were out of control and controlling to the max. I was gossiped about online via my seva supervisor who stupidly send me her nasty email talking about me to another sevite. I busted her to everyone including the steering committee and to her face and let them know how awful their lies and gossip were to me. The head of the steering committee told me that there were a billion email wars going on in my center. I dropped out after that.
This discussion has sparked some memories in me related to the “unchanging” guru, the one who never leaves, who loves us whether we know it or not. What first attracted me to Siddha Yoga was the idea that it offered certainty, a place of refuge that would remain reliable throughout life. The flyer that brought me to my first intensive in 1985 had a quote on it from Gurumayi that said something along the lines of “what we want is something that stays with us, something that doesn’t change, something that never goes away.” At the time that was incredibly compelling to me, the possibility of that. It was the promise of enduring refuge that kept me involved. I experienced a big opening during my first darshan with Gurumayi, a classic shaktipat experience, and took that as evidence of her perfection, her reliability.
Ironically at this point in my life I see that as the essential delusion of life—the belief that there is anything out there that is reliable, that doesn’t change.
I’m not sure I would have stopped looking for that if I had not become fully invested in Siddha Yoga for 20 years. I might still be looking for a magic bullet. I’m grateful to SY for opening my eyes to that delusion. I see many people leave SY still looking for a magic bullet, and I’m sorry to see that. Embracing the tumult of this life as it is, with all its pains and pleasures both, may be much less comforting than a dream of uninterrupted bliss and peace (whether in this life or “the next”), but it is also the way to true freedom, I believe, a freedom that doesn’t depend on anything being “reliable”.
older but wiser
older but wiser--
Your experience is so much like my own. A friend kept begging me to come see Gurumayi and I kept saying no until they day he told me "Just come once, and you'll have her protection forever."
Forever. What a wonderful thing to promise people, a way to soar up and above the essential tumult of life into a clear and unchanging sky. And what a false hope that turns out to be after all. I am with you, I am also no longer a believer in anything other than my own self, little s. I will never again join up, enlist, turn over my mind and allow someone else to fill it up, just for the privilege of not having to think and toil and suffer.
"The Guru's influence is the source of visions, blisses and pleasure, but actual Enlightenment eludes all--Gurumayi, the swamis and devotees. Literally no one has "Awakened" to the Transcendental Condition."
I met M in '80. An amazing experience over 3 years until he died. Never became part of the SY community. I don't like joining groups. Used meditation/chanting on my own + attending programs, and 3 intensives w/Baba. After his death, I immediately came to the conclusion above: GM and her brother were not 'realized.' I'm sure after years of being with M, they were able to channel enough energy to dazzle, but it was only a matter of time before that would evaporate without serious spiritual study and commitment which they did not do as they were committed to travel and holding programs. I'm not surprised at all by the turn of events w/GM. I've watched, from a distance, it all evaporate.
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