Let The Freedom Of Speech Roll
By Jefferson
It sadly is too obvious SriSri/AoL are seriously worried with “bad press”. They have people policing the net for criticism, they have volunteers manipulating wikipidea to eliminate – almost daily – any negative comment about the AoL, they keep inventing attempts in the form of blogs to undermine blogs created by former members, SriSri himself states in a BBC interview that AoL is not a cult, making the obvious too obvious (in applying his own knowledge, “A fool is the one who thinks he is not a fool”, thus …), he threatens journalists in India for defamation, he/they threaten Klim for the other blog, and now, they are trying to eliminate the two blogs from the net through illegal means, and send this written letter – a loud proof of what and who AoL/SriSri are really about: a diplomatic threat entitled “Infringement of our Copyright and other rights.”
I believe no comments are further necessary. It speaks on its own. I could wrap it with a simple, “I rest my case.” But, just for the purpose of “let the freedom of speech roll!”, I hereby offer the first comments, inviting you all to hereafter exercise your first amendment.
- It is not true all teachers are trained to facilitate the Kriya. I have myself seen horrendous mistakes done by teachers while facilitating kriya and when informed to RS, he disregarded with a “does not matter. Just bring more people. Keep teaching.” They are now suddenly “worried”. Interesting.
- Most people, if not all receive, a tape after TTC, whether they are ready or not to become teachers. In fact, many take the TTC only after 3 months of having done the first basic course, and some others have even become teachers in 3 weeks of TTC1 and 2 altogether! After such a short training, most are encouraged to teach alone, even if only having assisted a few courses. There is no secret behind the Kriya nor its notes nor how to facilitate or practice it. It is all part of the show. It sounds nice to say that every teacher undergoes proper training, one that is abusive and focuses on guru-worshipping. It is more accurate to say TTC participants undergo trance induction, brain-washing and sleep deprivation.
- When receiving the SK notes (that are dictated while most resist the urge to fall asleep), noone is made to sign a letter of confidentiality. Orally one is told these notes are “sacred”, and never that they have copyrights (!). Legally, noone signs any legal document (though maybe they will start doing so hereafter).
- This statement is alarming: “We put you to notice that any misuse of the Notes by you or any visitor on your Blog could cause serious harm/injury to others in the event any attempt is made to teach the SK. You will be held personally responsible for any such injury.” Is AoL finally confirming that SK is a technique that can cause harm or is AoL worried about losing clients? I believe it is not necessary to say that noone visiting this blog holds any high regards for the SK and know about its detrimental side-effects (that the AoL does not claim responsibility for). Needless to mention, none of the studies AoL claim on the SK are proper nor complete nor truly scientific. Noone can really do kriya on their own with just these notes, and these notes do not provide any real information as to how to practice it.
- The choice of the words “injury and harm” worry me because it sounds like an expression of their “second conversation” and what they are capable of doing to those who do not agree with them.
- Have you noticed? They are quick in blaming and pointing others but never in taking responsibility for their own mistakes. Again, victories are his, failures are ours. Someone else steals, they never do (!), even if we know all his knowledge and techniques were “borrowed” from other sources.
- If something goes wrong with SK it is now the bloggers’ fault? Not the Grace of the Master? Come on. Accountability is something the AoL/RS lack in every aspect. What about all the people who have gone bad attending AoL courses and techniques? Why not just call it what it is? AoL/Sri Sri are afraid of losing power, fame, money, a better seat in Heaven. A truly spiritual person would not worry at all about criticism. A wise person would just let it be because they’d trust they are above it all, or that truth in itself speaks louder. Working too hard to cover everything shows their fear, weaknesses and true façade.
- Hand over all copies of SK to us and your name and residential address? No further comments. Maybe they want to invite us all for tea to talk about good ol’times?
- They reserve rights to sue us at our cost and consequences? It seems everything in AoL is always at someone else’s expense. Funny if you think about it.
- Freedom of speech is not defamation and not agreeing that AoL and Sri Sri are holy and the best do not come from malicious intent. You may like apples and we prefer watermelons. We swear it is not on purpose. It is what it is. Please do not see intention?
- When other don’t agree with “the beautiful experiences with AoL” they call that malicious, but when they fabricate, spread lies and defame their former members/teachers/other organizations and gurus … those are sweet words of blessings? Hmm … too complex to understand.
The way the AoL/RS plan to manipulate sources of information, people’s freedom of speech through intimidation and threat is a serious invasion of everyone’s freedom of speech and basic rights of democracy. Just as a body free of disease, a mind free of stress and a breath free of quiver are basic human rights, as per the words of RS, so are freedom of opinion, freedom of speech and democracy.
This letter, their activities on wikipedia and their attempt to illegally eliminate the blogs from the net only further convince us of the dangers of AoL as a cult of fanatics and totalitarian practice. Where did all that unconditional love suddenly go? The “accept people as they are”, the “don’t see intentions behind people’s mistakes, the “don’t be a football of people’s opinions”, the “faith”?
Long live freedom of speech!
Comments are closed.
Beyond The Art of Living 
Wow Jefferson,
What a perfect reply!! Quite measured and to the point.
Every cult/false guru faced the truth one day, and it is time for AOL/RS. More they attack more they will get exposed. It is a blessing in disguise that the AOL chose to confront the blogs by threats – more people aware of the existence of critiques of AOL and more than 5k hits in couple of days to prove it. As the skywalker’s quote, “Once freedom lights its beacon in a man’s heart, the gods (and gurus) are powerless against him.”, false guru’s can’t and will not take that freedom from true seekers. It is time for AOL to back out, they can’t handle one blog if they continue threaten ‘the freedom of speech’, they will face 10s of such blogs take ‘the freedom torch’.
wow… as much as I am regular visitor to this blog only to check on the facts about exaggerated claims of one of my friends, who is completely down with the AOL bug, I am now convinced beyond doubt that, these AOL guys are in the spiritual business like none other.
I did care to look at the SK notes sometime back. Neither did it pique my interest to read through completely, nor did I make any attempt to understand it. But, the overall impression felt like its an excuse for those cannot exercise everyday in their lives and therefore need a technique of hyperventilation to feel some of the benefits of regular exercise.
In the context of this threat from AOL, I really wish that the admins of this blog, kindly save the contents and material elsewhere and also stay safe. We may never know what these spiritual goondas are capable of.
and i have been noticing the no. of hits to this site has increased from 75,000+ to 77,000 odd today… wow, I am sure the link has been in circulation all throughout the world, and perhaps the first bookmark of several AOLers now 😉
Dear All:
I am so touch to see all the post. Thank you so much!! I will write a book about aol cult in my own language one day soon!
Thanks again for everything.
aol-exteacher
Swami Sadyojatha’s comments have cause more harm to their organization than any of the comments or accusations here. They have shown their vindictive nature by naming names, medical conditions, boyfriends and exposing personal details. It clearly shows they cannot be trusted, and will use any information against you if they feel you have served your purpose and you need to be taken down.
His response does not reflect the reality because he sits on a high pedestal of a swami, his response clearly shows he has no idea how things work at the volunteer level in his own organization, the pressures we have faced, what happens if expectations are not met, the dirty petty politics and how we are treated when we fall out of favor.
I say we should just keep giving them enough bits and pieces to chew on, and let them shoot themselves in the foot, and Swami Sadyojatha has already done this.
Even if this blog is closed, I’d say we’ve achieved our purpose of getting the spotlights focused on the nonsense that’s happening, far more people are aware now, and people are beginning to question things, after 30 years of his rule as supreme dictator of a psycho cult.
This 30 years is a bogus claim. AOL became a movement only from 1992. Before that there was nothing much.
The popularity came only since 2000 before that it was just a small movement.
Talking about Accountability and SSRS
He openly declares and propagates as truth, things that are grossly untrue and easily verifiable. The interesting part is most Blind Believers simply swallow all of it verbatim…..and propagate the same to others.
For eg. on Youtube you can find videos of his debate with Dr Zakir Naik where he cut a very sorry figure for the many erroneous facts he published in one of his books “Hinduism and Islam” . While I suspect that the intent may have been genuine and in the interest of social and religious integration, it still does not justify such sloppy work especially when you are ELIGHTENED, A Living God, and an example to the rest of us.
Then in another video (In Hindi) he claims that the author of the book “How to win friends and influence people” (ie Dale Carnegie) committed suicide. This is the link
If you research Dale Carnegie’s death you will find he died of Hodgkin’s disease.
To put this simply…..SSRS often passes information about other information (without verifying any of it) as knowledge which his blind followers consider authentic. I feel this is not his problem, he being who he is. The problem is with the millions of followers who DO NOT question what they hear and are so lazy that they refuse to validate all of these facts being presented to them as WISDOM by the AOL fraternity.
Now, if a believer insists that the SSRS source of knowledge is the HIGHEST source…..and that there can be no better validity for that information or knowledge that comes from HIM ; Then, I think these believers are truly and genuinely screwed. This is also the primary reason why the senior AOL fraternity will discourage you (especially the youth) from reading other books, articles, blogs.
The Classic AOL Threat (The specialist here is Bawa) — “Guys and gals, its BAD KARMA, its not good to give energy to these blogs” (hidden in the veiled threat—-your Master will become angry/upset and the Grace then stops flowing). Maan thats a might messed up life then. Imagine, No more Grace.
When you are able to see beyond all the lies (which can happen only if you are truly listening), you will find that all along its not grace but sheer disgrace, and when this moment happens, that my dears is freedom, the true AHO Niranjana moment !!!!,
You are Your only true Master.
It was osho who first falsely said that Dale carnegie commited suicide. Osho was a well informed man. No doubt. But in this case he goofed up.
Now what this peice of information shows is that Ravi Ravi plagiarizes from Osho, even the mistakes.
KLIM & Company
This is funny, it looks like a few of you are burning inside against a pretty good movement. I know most of you want or wanted access to Guruji but you didn’t get for whatever reasons. Most of you wanted fame but you didn’t get it either in your personal life or AOL life as a teacher. Maybe you spent enough time to work for AOL and didn’t get the rewards as per your expectations. You wanted to be popular like Sangeeta or Bawa or Swamiji or Rishiji but were not able to achieve that status in AOL. I can understand the pain but why are you throwing stuff on Guruji.
Why don’t you use your writing skills and time and devotion to the right cause? why not give it a right direction and start a service project. If you think you have enough supporters support and popularity why don’t you do something for the society. You will be thoroughly tested by public and only time will tell how many of you will be able to standup and keep this committment.
Lots of Love
Amithabha,
I cannot speak for others only myself but still I will try. I never went to AOL for name, fame or money. I had some of it already in my own field. I had a genuine desire to work in service projects and had taken a two week break from my scientific career and lucarative family business and decided to do something meaningful in India. It was during this time I was sucked into AOL. I genuinely beleived in all the propoganda and worked in AOL for six months before I silently dropped out. I am harrased by aol people even now for this.
During my time, it was an eye opener for me that AOL never really bothered about charity at all. It was amply clear and it was my first hand experience that they siphoned off money collected for charity to personal hedge funds controlled by the Guru and the small coteire under him (all the so called popular figures you mentioned). All they needed from the token charity was photo ops and publicity.
Apart from that the people whom you mention as popular (in AOL) they had nothing substantial in themselves and just clones repeating Ravishankar and were basically agents for controlling the followers and making them beleive in baseless glories and powers of Ravishankar. It was in short a very uptight mind control organization where abuse was rampant. This I have seen in many instances. Especially people who dedicate full time and at their mercy are exploited in all ways. I am in touch with many well meaning people in AOL who are attached to it only because they are financially dependent on it and if they leave it is an insecure world for them. All in all my experience in AOL has confirmed to me that it is a toxic organization.
I completely agree with Klim and company and whoever is behind this blog and many of the commentators here. They are bringing in light and clear thinking to many who have been abused by this cult. They are exposing many of the machinations on the way this cult operates. Anyone with intelligence can see this. It is a great seva they are doing. Making people aware of a exploitative movement.
BTW what makes you think that people here are not doing any good service work. Some of us beleive that service can be done without any photo op and publicity stunts. Some of us also beleive that service should not be a means to siphom money but to give some thing back to soceity. If at all Ravishankar has inspired me in the field of social service, it is in the area of what not to do. I really thank my parents who had given me the core values of honesty and truthfullness, which enabled me to get out of this fraud organization.
Vinaya – thanks for taking the time to share your experience and thoughts.
Amitabha – This blog itself is a huge social service. It is helping many people keep their sanity, and helping them make their own decision as to where they should spend their time and money.
lol…it is funny how you say lots of live but don’t really mean it. It’s just a mask over your hatred, which clear in your insinuations. You make hypothetical claims about klim and others, without knowing them or their stories. It just goes to show your bias and is so typical of AOL. A mask of love and a fake smile, which hides hatred and intolerance inside.
Introspect a little bit – maybe the thing ruining is their own actions. They are too proud and arrogant to listen to any criticism ( I would even say afraid), so the bullshit gets worse and worse.
Another lackey, who refuses to think. Why do you come and read if you do not want to put 2+2=4 or at least keep open mind to listen to alternate views. Did you ask permission from your ‘God-incarnate’? It is bad ‘Karma’ to read negative stuff go and do more SK. ‘Ignorance is bliss’.
“Hand over all copies of SK to us and your name and residential address? ”
How would you hand it over. Do they want the orginal CD. According to AOL lore the copied CDs are not of any use as it is personally not blessed by Guruji’s grace.
“Hand over all copies of SK to us and your name and residential address? ”
The name and residential address is dangerous. AOL goons had harrased a former teacher Rangaraju when he dropped out of aol. Even if the teachers give back the CD do not give your residentail address to AOL. If they already know it change it as these folks will come and get you.
Let me chip in my own experience about the quality of “training” given to teachers and their ethical standards.
I had organized a basic course at my place in Mumbai. Harish was the basic course teacher. After the first Kriya one of the participants started trembling violently. Initially, the teacher insisted that it was normal. However, when this continued for some time, everyone including the teacher became worried. Someone brought cold water and splashed on his head. Someone else started massaging his feet. All along, the teacher was clueless. All he did was to put three flowers on the student’s chest and waited. Fortunately, his trembling stopped on its own and no untoward incident happened. This was again cited as one of the proofs of Guruji’s powers!
Second instance is about another teacher from Mumbai – Manisha Mehta. She was conducting a course in a high rise apartment in South Mumbai. Many people came for the course and they were using elevators. These elevators were of the old design and they stopped if someone had left the door open. May be some course participant left the door open inadvertently. Secretary of the housing society came to us to complain. When he saw about 20 people sitting in the room, he was a bit alarmed. He said that if we were conducting some course or workshop we should have taken permission from the housing society. (AOL was not so famous in those days). Our teacher Manisha Mehta replied that her grandmother had died and these people came for her shraadha ceremony. Since every one was in a mourning mood, it did not occur to her to get permission. Poor fellow believed her lie. He even expressed his condolence and apologized for disturbing us in the middle of our “mourning”.
Abhilash,
The first case you mentioned is a typical case of hyper-hyperventilation. After the initial trembling body comes back to normal on its own when the oxygen level stabilizes.
Good grace, and AOL calls this as “proof of Guruji’s powers!”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperventilation
Looks like after their little sweet attempt toward freedom of speech, AOL -ers are now back to the safety of JGD.
Only a few posts of this blog could get a place in Kashi’s blog under the heading “Negative Blogs” – the extract of posts not the link to this blog. It seems this strategy has also ackfired and therefore they have stopped updating their site for new posts on this blog. Now no more negativity.