tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post7527083390899398173..comments2023-12-23T03:43:38.964-05:00Comments on LEAVING THE ART OF LIVING: 20-40-40AoL-Freehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08266984166472037468noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-50658226637413667132010-03-04T22:07:30.308-05:002010-03-04T22:07:30.308-05:00I've read through all the comments and will ch...I've read through all the comments and will chime in. I've been practising kriya since 1999, and yes it has benefited me health-wise. I guess if it were not for the kriya I would have been a couch potato, but at least this got me off my butt and do 15 minutes of pranayam in the morning. <br /><br />My greatest concern is about how the ashram manages funds. There are millions coming in donations. Has there ever been a cash flow audit? Who manages all this money? Where is it going? How much is taxed? Is someone (or some people) getting rich?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-59826795150433014512010-02-25T08:26:17.550-05:002010-02-25T08:26:17.550-05:00Good one....I don't know whether its true or n...Good one....I don't know whether its true or not but every organisation tends to move towards disorganisation......even i agree that people in art of living (except gurujee) are not up to the mark in many ways.....they do so much of propaganda and are really not worried about you.....they just want you to enrol for the courses and its something which i really hate......every now and then people would call up and say do this course do that.....and if you say you are busy with something then there would be a patent answer on the lips of many of them....nothing is more imp than god....ha ha ha.... <br /> <br />i won't say about guru g...but people have made a good business in the name of art of living...schools medicines clinics and the list goes on n on....... <br /><br />When it comes to kriya.....i will for sure say its beneficial....its not a piece of junk.....and that's the only reason why i do it everyday…..<br /> <br />It’s written in Bhagwad Geeta that if you take one stride towards god, he will take ten towards you.....so no point worrying about eating veg-non veg/sex no-sex etc..... just be honest to yourself and disciplined in your efforts….AOL or NO AOL really doesn’t matter…..God is <br /><br />As maturity increases and connection to god deepens there will be time for everything (the rules and regulations which are now hard to follow will be easier when they will come from within and then there would be auto and not enforced discipline).....as we are never hidden from his benevolent grace and care....... <br /><br />There are two sides to look at the stuff you have said…..agree or disagree……if you focus too much on means then the end will automatically be lost…..let’s focus on the end (which is god reflected in the form of peace, love, respect, care and well being for everyone) and take means according to our disposition……<br /><br /><br />Cheers:-)<br />AjayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-23014454051130269612010-02-23T23:10:46.734-05:002010-02-23T23:10:46.734-05:00Like it or not AOL experiences the best growth rat...Like it or not AOL experiences the best growth rate in India and continuing and in US in sustaining mode due to economy. <br /><br />Some posts in this blog are alarming and not for the nice & kind hearted aol members and including myself we can only hope these are not true and SSR is genuinely the person we all know the time we joined and worked actively with this organization.<br /><br />Hope the lord reveals the truth if that is not the case soon. <br /><br />One thing that does bother me is the promotion of SSRS to GOD/Omnipresence by his senior teachers & devotes in the saibaba fashion , while some of us still hope for god realization through SSRS. Based on the stories heard he has miracle powers so is many other folks in India.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-69371025068094203062010-02-23T20:14:55.387-05:002010-02-23T20:14:55.387-05:00@Art of Leaving...
I agree with you on that one. ...@Art of Leaving...<br /><br />I agree with you on that one. It's good to get several POV"s...almost all my friends in AOL did that. As Indians, we grow up listening to gita and lectures from many gurus. 5-6 of my close family members, follow the spiritual path under different lineages. <br /><br />Which is why I believe the teaching is genuine, and very profound..although they use the knowledge in a twisted manner. MMY, was a sleazeball and RS has inherited his bad qualities. Like osho, AOL does not have the wisdom that comes from centuries of tradition. Their teachers are so childish.The Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-18949220879581086082010-02-23T15:43:58.943-05:002010-02-23T15:43:58.943-05:00OK Dude, agree to disagree. :-)
But I still think...OK Dude, agree to disagree. :-)<br /><br />But I still think it’s vital to read/watch several Masters and not just get stuck on one particular Master. Otherwise it is easy to develop an exaggerated opinion of that Master’s wisdom. Also, then his/her blind spots and weaknesses become one’s own blind spots and weakness. One needs several perspectives to get a more complete picture and to prevent intellectual and spiritual stagnation.Art of Leavinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771406007192517830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-4351806348665348012010-02-19T08:49:49.500-05:002010-02-19T08:49:49.500-05:00@peacefuk warrior
thanks for suggestions. I am ha...@peacefuk warrior<br /><br />thanks for suggestions. I am having my own experiences and walking my own path I do not feel the need to read any master to compare notes. my master takes care of me. surely so does yours whether you have met him or yet not. cheers!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-33970774171322735452010-02-18T23:44:29.761-05:002010-02-18T23:44:29.761-05:00@Anon
There are many paths, but there is no path ...@Anon<br /><br />There are many paths, but there is no path - because you cannot get it by doing - it happens - you can call it spontaneous awakening or grace of god.<br /><br />Read these accounts of some of the few people who actually know what they are talking about.<br /><br />1. Who is Ajja<br />http://www.enlightennext.org/magazine/j14/ajja.asp<br /><br />2. U.G Krishnamurti - The Mystique of Enlightenment<br />http://www.well.com/user/jct/<br /><br />Enjoy!Peaceful Warriornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-37368575119578247992010-02-18T21:16:39.777-05:002010-02-18T21:16:39.777-05:00@ Peaceful Warrior
Believe me Moksha Guru and Sad...@ Peaceful Warrior<br /><br />Believe me Moksha Guru and Sadhana Guru concepts are very real. Once a person reaches that particular stage of spiritual enlightenment things start manifesting. Differences get crystal clear and other gurus handle you differently.<br /><br />Till a sadhak reaches the stage where moksha guru has owned the sadhak and revealed himself a sadhak, in his spiritual quest is vulnerable to organizations, fake gurus etc. Balancing of past karma comes into play. We blame organizations, mass gurus, people, situations, friends, relatives, bosses etc. The truth is that no matter where we go we have to balance past karmas. <br /><br />I agree with you 'Buyer Beware' There are no guarantees in life. Keep your eyes open and let common sense prevail. Also Never leave sadhana with seva Never.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-51319924940768310342010-02-18T20:14:50.896-05:002010-02-18T20:14:50.896-05:00@Art of Leaving
To add to what I said earlier.......@Art of Leaving<br /><br />To add to what I said earlier....On the whole my experience with the art of living has been a positive one. Yes there is a lot of B.S in the organization, and also in RS - and I'm not denying that.<br /><br />But it is also true that AOL opened up my heart, and took me from being a very uptight person who enjoyed life only superficially - to someone who was full of love, energy and compassion. I experience a very deep joy - which people seldom do - and I spend every moment of my life filled with bliss.<br /><br />It is something precious and I am grateful for having received it. For all his faults, to this I'm thankful for. It does not mean I become his slave and accept everything he/they do - but I must give credit where it is due.<br /><br />People have different experiences - and I respect that. I think that's what makes it so difficult to leave. One meets such wonderful people, such beautiful souls - and I still do love them all. It is difficult leaving them - but one has to do it - integrity and ethics is something that is non-negotiable...and I cannot be part of an organization that not only lacks these, but also shamelessly manipulates people's feelings of love and gratitude.The Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-15406500798765964332010-02-18T17:18:13.976-05:002010-02-18T17:18:13.976-05:00@Art of Leaving
I will not belabor the point..we ...@Art of Leaving<br /><br />I will not belabor the point..we agree to disagree on his competency as a teacher. Those are opinions..this forum is not about if he is good or bad as a teacher, rather it is about the abuse of power and exploitation of people in Art of Living in the name of spirituality. But more importantly, it is about facts.The Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-10422252782368281562010-02-18T14:01:45.484-05:002010-02-18T14:01:45.484-05:00@Anon
"sangha doesn't cosist of only wis...@Anon<br /><br />"sangha doesn't cosist of only wise persons its a congregation of persons of all types."<br /><br />I agree...there are good and bad. I just object to saying people sangha just pulls people down - and more so when this is used to justify organizational rot, and inaction on part of the leaders.<br /><br />"About Moksha Guru and sadhna guru"<br /><br />See these are just concepts and words...to me a guru is just a mentor - when he says he is divine it is in the sense that this creation is divine - not that he is divine and you are not. <br /><br />I will be the first one to admit that RS is competent in his understanding of meditation and scriptures. However, he misuses his power and the authority to further his own agenda - claiming to do so interest of advancing spirituality. Using knowledge as a shield to justify things rather than taking action.<br /><br />I once heard APJ Abdul Kalam speak on Leadership. He said "A leader gives credit to his team in success, and takes the blame in case of failure. A politician is just the opposite"<br /><br />RS is a politician, not a leader. The fact that he has a gift of communicating knowledge, does not mean everything he says or does is kosher. In fact, he is quite immature when it comes to living in the real world. People have been used and abused - these things cannot be brushed aside.Peaceful Warriornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-55790526650383346772010-02-18T13:58:47.295-05:002010-02-18T13:58:47.295-05:00I had teachers explain any problems away as 'c...I had teachers explain any problems away as 'cleansing' and 'purifying too. The clear implication was that if you did NOt get sick during a course there was something wrong with you, you were beyond redemption etc. If you had problems you were the 'chosen' one with superior Karma who was being tested. The ones who came down with colds, fevers, headaches were congratulated on decreasing their karma and strongly adjured not to take medicines as it will 'interfere' with the process. <br />But I gotta admit the course participants were also up to the challenge. One woman (co-participant in the course) privately told me: why you want to argue with the teachers? Just quietly take the Tylenol if you have a headache no? Why you want to be Satyavaadi Harishchandra? Finally, I saw her point and took care of me :).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-76065601176025930972010-02-18T12:26:09.509-05:002010-02-18T12:26:09.509-05:00To The Dude, continued
Like Ravi, Osho was also a...To The Dude, continued<br /><br />Like Ravi, Osho was also a violent narcissist personality who damaged many people, but at least his teachings were more individualised, subtle, creative and versatile. And he didn’t shy away from criticising problematic aspects of Indian culture. Sometimes he got completely carried away by his own words and lines of argument, though. Many of his utterances I’d take with a pinch of salt. That said, I learnt a lot from him. Then dropped him too. His talks are available online:<br /><br />http://www.messagefrommasters.com/<br />Ebooks/Osho_Books.htm (pdf downloads - English and Hindi)<br />http://www.oshoworld.com/onlinebooks/index.asp <br /><br />Swami Krishnananda’s lectures are more scholarly, in-depth and sober, although he’s also got his superstitions and weak points. His talks are all online and available as pdf downloads. In terms of an in-depth treatment of Yoga, I found his two-volume commentary “The Study and Practice of Yoga” more helpful than that of any other Master. Among others, the first few chapters on the Vibhuti Pada, outlining the dangers of practicing concentration on any object. And the warning that if you ever feel the slightest resistance in your practice, you should take heed and immediately deal with it in an intelligent way (i.e. not by repressing it), otherwise it will come back at you with a vengeance at a later stage in your practice. He at least read up on psychology traditions and took psychoanalysis seriously. <br /><br />http://www.swami-krishnananda.org/patanjali.html<br /><br />One place where Ravi falls short miserably is when it comes to alerting people to the dangers and pitfalls inherent in any spiritual practice. According to him, as long as you practice meditation and kriya, do seva and go to satsang, all will be fine. If you think anything is wrong, just ignore it, it will go away. If you’re an intense practitioner, things will be easy. – Yeah right!Art of Leavinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771406007192517830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-24346175026511667412010-02-18T12:20:26.564-05:002010-02-18T12:20:26.564-05:00To The Dude,
Thanks for your balanced response.
...To The Dude,<br /><br />Thanks for your balanced response. <br /><br />I still disagree about Ravi’s “very good understanding of the subtleties”, though. And he’s definitely not a “master of veda”. Otherwise he would not have faired so poorly in his debate with Zakir Naik. <br /><br />Ravi chose a handful of the most popular scriptures (e.g. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Narada’s Bhakti Sutras, Ashtavakra Gita) and commented on them, but not in-depth. His commentaries can serve as introduction to a complete novice, but that’s all. If one is new to these teachings and you have a weak spot for a certain kind of charisma, then you can experience his talks as mesmerising. A person who is eloquent and has charisma can grow big in India or anywhere else in the world. If you add the rumour that he’s divine, you’ve got a winning recipe. <br /><br />The reason why Ravi’s “ordinary talks are nothing great”, as you yourself say, is because his knowledge does not go deeper or wider than what he had to say in those early talks.<br /><br />I had a very charismatic philosophy professor who had people hanging from his lips wherever he went. He was not a great scholar, but he could simplify philosophical ideas and make them accessible to the masses, using humour, teasing, pointed remarks and stories. He knew exactly how to play the popular psyche. One got the uncanny feeling that he could read people’s minds. If he had grown up in India, he would probably have been a popular Guru today. <br /><br />I was charmed by his charisma, became his assistant and got to know him and his family at a personal level. It was through observing him closely that I saw he didn’t really “know” what went on in people’s minds, not even in mine. In fact, I learnt to read him better than he me. He was merely an astute observer who knew how to say something provocative and then read people’s reactions. <br /><br />It was like throwing a stone into a bush and then see what comes running out, being sure to keep your cool and pretend to everyone that you have known all along that this particular creature was the one present inside the bush. It’s a question of putting out a bait and having the capacity for quick interpretation and response. Having learnt those lessons from him, I should really have been cleverer than falling for Ravi. Notwithstanding all his charisma, that professor was at least a lot humbler than Ravi, could admit his mistakes and enjoyed it when others occasionally called his bluff and got the better of him.Art of Leavinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00771406007192517830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-76611842435765423032010-02-18T11:41:40.763-05:002010-02-18T11:41:40.763-05:00@peaceful warrior
1. as a seeker you would surely ...@peaceful warrior<br />1. as a seeker you would surely know the difference between moksha guru and just a guru. SSRS simply points to sadhana path. each one has to find his way to his moksha guru. he is surely responsible for people whose moksha is in his control. there could be percieved spiritual preferences and he is hated by others. this is a tragedy of the mass guru.<br /><br />2. sangha doesn't cosist of only wise persons its a congregation of persons of all types who are not necessarily at the same level spiritually this causes frictions and negative feelings. <br /><br />Can you disregard sadhana or spirituality because of sangha?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-30015518593773661022010-02-18T08:36:48.801-05:002010-02-18T08:36:48.801-05:00I must agree with Peaceful Warrior.
The saying abo...I must agree with Peaceful Warrior.<br />The saying about the Sangha, Dharma and Buddha was always used by SriSri and co. to dominate the people. Any problems with the sangha was an indication one was in a true path, that one was cleansing karma, that one was growing in the path. Abused justified with wrongly used knowledge. As well as, "if you can make it here, you can make it anywhere in the world, this is where you get rid of your karmas." Whereas, as a survivor, I agree that if one makes it there one can make it anywhere, I don't attribute it to the spiritual environment and teachings, but to all the shit one goes through. It'd be the case for anyone who has gone through some hardship. <br /><br />On the other hand, as Peaceful Warrior states, the one behind the dysfunctional organization IS THE GURU HIMSELF. The mistake most people make, including teachers is they find fault in everything: the teachers, the board, the politics, but they don't know nor understand that the one behind it all IS THE GURU. Many times he makes the decisions that the teachers or board announces as their own. He is the greatest manipulator who comes out clean in any transaction. He knows everything that is going on. He supports it. He sometimes even make it happen. He often is the one who makes the decision. He is the greatest, dirtiest politician and manipulator in the AoL deal.AoL-Freehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266984166472037468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-21624883439567174962010-02-18T08:19:14.188-05:002010-02-18T08:19:14.188-05:00@ Anon
"In this process its possible individ...@ Anon<br /> "In this process its possible individual seekers' needs may be sadly overlooked."<br /><br />In other words RS cares about his fame, much more than the needs of his students....in that case he should have taken ramdev baba route - at least he is authentic, and a lot cheaper.<br /><br />Wisdom is not just in how someone acts in front of you - but also how one manages and leads. The dysfunction in the organization comes from the top...as these pages will attest. <br /><br /><br />"The sangha always pulls a person downwards whereas a true seeker has to hold on to his dhamma-sadhana and rise and rise to the state of Budhdha."<br /><br />Not necessarily - who makes this stuff up ? Man is a social animal, and a company of wise people is uplifting. Of course sangha of idiots can easily become a cult - buyer bewarePeaceful Warriornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-1436657277427298482010-02-18T07:42:10.674-05:002010-02-18T07:42:10.674-05:00Hey Anon,
What spiritual guru he is? How many peo...Hey Anon,<br /><br />What spiritual guru he is? How many people have got elevated due to him? Don't you see the trail of the blogs? He is indulged in all sorts of crap like 'Releaing Kundalini' and also giving blows and kicks to his own desciples. I have also heard many of his CD's. But later only realized what he is talking is all crap and he has copied bits and pieces from Budhdha, upanishad etc.. Why, his own SK? He says he found it in his wilderness? But whole lot of practitioners are suffering from it. It 'Fries' the brain and not 'Frees' the brain. Such a person can be a guru? I can't take it anymore. of course you are free to carry on. Jai Ho SSRS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-70092065728907380492010-02-18T04:16:21.951-05:002010-02-18T04:16:21.951-05:00I think Sri Sri Ravishankar is indeed a Master, a ...I think Sri Sri Ravishankar is indeed a Master, a Guru in true sense. I mean that he is not just a Sidhdha possessing some fantastic sidhdhies like mind reading,clairvoyance or manifesting things etc. (I speak this from my own spiritual experience with him). Its quite possible that he behaves differently with different persons and everyone has different perceptions about him. <br /><br />About AoL I will not speak because organization can be very very different from its Guru.<br /><br />His mandate in this world (as I understood)is being a mass guru and to get as maximum no of people on the spiritual path as possible. In this process its possible individual seekers' needs may be sadly overlooked. <br /><br />Someone told me a beautiful example of Sangha(organization), Dhamma (religion i.e. spiritual practice or sadhana), and Budhdha (the state of enlightenment and total knowledge) The sangha always pulls a person downwards whereas a true seeker has to hold on to his dhamma-sadhana and rise and rise to the state of Budhdha.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-33021583558469630942010-02-18T00:44:55.897-05:002010-02-18T00:44:55.897-05:00thanks for this blog. i did sudharshan kriya for a...thanks for this blog. i did sudharshan kriya for almost one year and was continously plagued by headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. i never had this problem before. i was under the impression that i was not okay and needed more purification. i did fasts and raw food diets. all this did help but still the symptoms persisted. i got my practise and sk rhythm checked by four aol teachers including a very serious one. they all felt i am doing the practise fine. one of the teacher suggested i use the mild ayurvedic laxative Triphala. that helped a bit. i soon realized that whenever i used to skip the practise of SK i used to feel better. last year i went for a one month trek in a south indian jungle. i completely forgot the practice of sk. i was in the best of health throughout. since then i have stopped sk and i am in the best of health. <br />hoverver i have felt guilty of not practising. thanks to this blog i know that many other people are having problems with Sk. it is not a magic wand afterall.sharathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-58725080180418276402010-02-17T20:56:37.671-05:002010-02-17T20:56:37.671-05:00For all the years that I was part of AOL- there wa...For all the years that I was part of AOL- there was always something which smelled fishy about it. I could not put a finger on it...sure the money issue, and the part about bringing people to the course still creeps me out...but that was not it. <br /><br />All these things, have a perfectly good explanation, and one was always given - but one always felt the reason being given was not the real reason. Somehow the feeling never died...I felt like a fake person, giving these rote answers I did not buy myself. And I think none of the teachers buy it too..they are just real good at faking it. Somehow by positive thinking, and putting a fake smile these things were brushed under the carpet - but they were always there. So called senior teachers are more neurotic, because they repress more - using superstitions to justify what cannot be justified by any earthly logic. Once you start doing that - the gate to becoming a blue-star is wide open!!<br /><br /><br />The AOL logic can be misleading, I decided to follow me heart- and it took me away. Unlike some others, my years of sadhna did bring about genuine growth ( I never did kriya regularly - but did sahaj everyday). I see RS as a fallen yogi - it was time to move on.<br /><br />The Prime Minister of India once asked Sri Periyava (a noted seer), “If you would pinpoint the persons who, in the name of spirituality, lead the people in a wrong way I will take action against them.” Sri Periyava laughed and said, “No! It should not be handled in this manner. Those who approach such fake swamis will themselves, after a time, understand their standard of maturity.”<br /><br />Sri Periyava knew that this reply did not satisfy Smt. Indira Gandhi. Someone had offered a basket full of mangoes to Periyava. It contained many unripe and a few ripe fruits. Many devotees waited outside for Sri Periyava’s darshan. Sri Periyava instructed the attendants to bring a child from amongst these devotees. A child of about 5 years was brought to Him. Pointing to the basket Periyava smilingly said to the child, “Take whatever you want.” After a search the child picked up a ripe fruit.<br /><br />Sri Periyava pointed out to Smt.Indira Gandhi who was watching this, “Just as the way a child knows what is ripe and what is unripe, so too would those who go out in search of Truth recognize a true Mahan at some point of their life.”<br /><br />My only request to AOL devotees - look inside your heart and try not blaming your self for feeling negatively about AOL. Truth is there for you to see - you don't need KLIM's revelations!Peaceful Warriornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-9052202589963414632010-02-17T20:49:05.966-05:002010-02-17T20:49:05.966-05:00From SS:
Dear KLIM and all the brave ones:
Thank...From SS:<br /><br />Dear KLIM and all the brave ones:<br /><br />Thank you so much for all the writings. I am an ex-aol-teacher as well (I was at aol for 6 years). I am so grateful to this blog which helped me to get rid of the left over fear. Very Very Grateful. I can go on with my life with peace in heart. Thanks agin for everything. Please keep up with all the good work and I will pray for you all.<br /><br />Sincerely.....SSAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-26178972936881824972010-02-17T13:13:55.650-05:002010-02-17T13:13:55.650-05:00"Especially the 7 pillars of knowledge ( I do..."Especially the 7 pillars of knowledge ( I don't remember it is 6 or 7)."<br /><br />They were 4. But I think you have a point, maybe AoL needs 7 pillars of knowledge!AoL-Freehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266984166472037468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-35063101153139308172010-02-16T22:28:38.445-05:002010-02-16T22:28:38.445-05:00@Art of Leaving
1. About RS's knowledge of kn...@Art of Leaving<br /><br />1. About RS's knowledge of knowledge<br /><br />Your opinion is other masters have same understanding...while I don't mean to put down other masters and traditions in my opinion I think RS has a very good understanding of the subtleties, and is able to convey it effectively...otherwise he would never have grown so big in India...we have so many gurus here. I feel it from my personal experience also.<br />The ordinary talks are nothing great - but commentaries on scriptures are awesome...He may not be god, but is definitely a master of veda.<br /><br />About Seva:<br />I think AOL is all good if you don't get too much into the organizational stuff. I agree the organization is dysfunctional - and can seriously damage you if you do not keep yourself grounded.The Dudenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3564480661548850441.post-4408703223478472522010-02-16T17:25:21.904-05:002010-02-16T17:25:21.904-05:00"dont accumulate bad karma by spreading lies ..."dont accumulate bad karma by spreading lies and rumours about our Divine Guru who is doing so much of unconditional seva."<br /><br />I am so mean. I think I made someone cry. This is what I think of all those projects even if you can provide an album of pictures: "blablablablabla". The problem is not in the pictures nor the children who smile for them. The problem is in the words chosen in the sentence: "bad karma", "divine guru", "unconditional". <br /><br />Bad karma, spreading lies, are words I'd attach to your not so Divine Guru. The only good man is your father. Regards to him.AoL-Freehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266984166472037468noreply@blogger.com