Today we got the news that media is calling out to all politicians who have ever been in one of the exposed gurus’ events, to confirm that they did not know anything of their sexual activities. The media is searching through old footage of discourses and more and finds many high politicians and popular celebrities who have come to see them. They urge them to give a statement soon.
When I read comments from all over the world and see what people think, I can feel how bad of an image these stories have created not only for these so-called gurus but for the whole spiritual scene. In future people will be very careful. Who would like to go to a spiritual event, a discourse or a lecture, if he has to fear that in one week that Swami will be the center of a scandal and everyone asks about why he went to listen? You would think more than twice about sitting in the front row!
This whole episode has made the world, not only India, afraid and careful and maybe when you hear about a baba, Swami or guru in future, you will think of this sex scandal first. People have a certain idea about how a Swami or Guru, a spiritual leader, should be. But Swamis and Gurus are just normal people, they have normal feelings and society as well as they themselves should accept it in this way. They should not claim to be above others and others should not put them above themselves.
When listening to all these stories about Swamis and Gurus I feel that I don’t really want to listen to my name with the attribute ‘Swami’ anymore. Just call me Balendu, my birth name. I really never cared about this title, never even when I was living the life of a guru and never in the time after. Many of my friends call me Balendu, others say Swami ji and I don’t usually mind that either. People can call me how they want, if it is Swami ji, Swami Balendu or also just Balendu.
The word Swami is for me an expression for being the owner of the own senses and someone who can support you on your way. So if you feel like I can help you and you want to call me Swami, it is fine for me and I will be happy to help you in any way I can. But it will be just as fine if you call me Balendu, just as you would call your friend, someone to talk and laugh with, someone to share feelings with and someone to be close to your heart.
Related posts
Can one justify a Belief that harms the Environment? – 16 Mar 16
The sad Role of the unacknowledged Girlfriend of a celibate Guru – 10 Feb 16
Religious Traditions let Followers ignore their Gurus’ Crimes – 12 Sep 13
Evolution of Gurus from ancient Times to modern Rock Star Gurus – 23 Jul 13
Why do you want a Guru to take charge over your Life? – 22 Jul 13
The tempting Offer of Gurus to free you of any Responsibility – 3 Apr 13
How harmful can devotion be? – 12 Sep 12
The consciously cheating Guru fooling People for their Money – 31 Aug 12
The holy and mysterious Guru of Blessings – 30 Aug 12
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” ~ Mahatma GandhiBrahmacharya = remembering God always. i agree with your observations, and would add: does it really matter what any individual person does in the privacy of his bedroom? the people are angry … See Morebecause of their expectations of perfection (and of course they believed he was celibate) – and who can live up to all expectations? even the Catholics are having a huge scandal with priests having sex in the Vatican – nothing new with this. Yes, sex is one of the primitive fountains – along with food, self preservation and sleep. would we fault him for falling asleep or for eating?
Personally i see a huge violation in the hidden camera, especially with the tape being broadcast to the world. regardless of whom the tape is of, that is cruel.
One does not need to be celibate to be Self realized, though for many it is a useful practice along the journey. however one should also not deceive others nor take advantage of them – for this violates ahimsa. this world is the perfect place for Realization, or so I’ve heard, because it has just enough pleasure and pain to encourage us to look within for answers, rather than to the external world. Perhaps this scandal will encourage more people to turn to the guru and light within, rather than passively expect someone else to do it for them. after all, an external guru can point in the right direction but it is up to each one of us to actually do the work, do the practices of one’s own inclination and so forth.
I’ve enjoyed reading your diary/blog. keep it up! thank you for sharing, and thank you for reading this. love, peace and light…
om shanti shanti shanti