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'''Sahaj Marg''' (translated, the ''easy'' or ''natural path'') is a heart-based meditation system that is said to focus on the "cleaning" of impressions (called samskaras) and then meditating on an imagined divine light in one's heart.<ref> Elizabeth Denley, ''Australian Yoga Life,'' Issue 7.</ref> The organizational body, Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), was formally registered in 1945 by Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, its founder, commonly known as "Babuji."<ref> C. Suntharamoorthy, ''Daily News,'' Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.</ref> '''Sahaj Marg''' (translated, the ''easy'' or ''natural path'') is a heart-based meditation system that is said to focus on the "cleaning" of impressions (called samskaras) and then meditating on an imagined divine light in one's heart.<ref> Elizabeth Denley, ''Australian Yoga Life,'' Issue 7.</ref> The organizational body, Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), was formally registered in 1945 by Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, its founder, commonly known as "Babuji."<ref> C. Suntharamoorthy, ''Daily News,'' Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.</ref>.Practice of Sahaj Marg is not suitable for young people (under 18 yrs of age). <ref>http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD006507/frame.html The Cochrane Library, ''In terms of the adverse effects of meditation, reports exist suggesting that meditation can cause temporary depersonalisation and derealisation (Castillo 1990), and there exist several reports of a possible association between meditation and psychotic state (French 1975; Lazarus 1976; Walsh 1979; Chan-Ob 1999). Studies of meditation in pediatric populations are still limited. For young children, it is not considered advisable for children to sit for extended lengths of time with closed eyes which might in any case 'go against the grain' of the active nature of children. Different meditation techniques have different recommendations of meditation practice for children i.e. Sahaj Marg Meditation, a system of Raja Yoga. Sahaj Marg guru recommends a minimum age of 18 before beginning the practice of meditation, implying this technique is not suitable for younger people.'' </ref>


== History == == History ==
Line 17: Line 17:
Weekly practices include: Weekly practices include:
* A weekly meditation group;<ref> Elizabeth Denley, ''Australian Yoga Life,'' Issue 7.</ref> * A weekly meditation group;<ref> Elizabeth Denley, ''Australian Yoga Life,'' Issue 7.</ref>
* Cleaning meditations with a preceptor.<ref> C. Suntharamoorthy, ''Daily News,'' Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.</ref> * Cleaning meditations with a preceptor.<ref> C. Suntharamoorthy, ''Daily News,'' Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.</ref>


== Controversies and criticism ==


In a report published in Indian daily ] dated 12th Feb 2001, an ex-member of the group named ''Pragya Prabhati Mishra'' was quoted as saying that Sahaj Marg propagates incest relations, where family members indulge in in-appropriate relation with each other, after the daily prayer, the report further states that ''Sahaj Marg is an atheist cult which does not believe in any kind of familial ties, its only religion being open sex'', The report ends with a statement by ''Pragya Prabhati Mishra'' where she claims that during her initiation in the mission, she was raped.<ref>Incident report published in indian daily ], dated 02/12/2001. report available online in a court order http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/ILR/ilr-2004/Jan-Feb2004.pdf </ref>
The practice of Sahaj Marg is recommended for those 18 years of age and older <ref> T. Krisanaprakornkit, C. Witoonchart, & N. Piyavhatkul, ''Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,'' 2008, Issue 2. "In terms of the adverse effects of meditation, reports exist suggesting that meditation can cause temporary depersonalisation and derealisation (Castillo 1990), and there exist several reports of a possible association between meditation and psychotic state (French 1975; Lazarus 1976; Walsh 1979; Chan-Ob 1999). Studies of meditation in pediatric populations are still limited. For young children, it is not considered advisable for children to sit for extended lengths of time with closed eyes which might in any case 'go against the grain' of the active nature of children. Different meditation techniques have different recommendations of meditation practice for children i.e. Sahaj Marg Meditation, a system of Raja Yoga. Sahaj Marg guru recommends a minimum age of 18 before beginning the practice of meditation, implying this technique is not suitable for younger people.</ref> and is free.<ref> Martha Slater, ''The Herald,'' Randolph, Vermont, June 2, 2005</ref>
This report triggered a controversy and the Shree Ram Chandra Mission filed a case of defamation against the news-paper <ref>http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/ILR/ilr-2004/Jan-Feb2004.pdf Judgment for the said report.</ref>.


Sahaj Marg has also been subjected to heavy criticism in ] media as well,<ref>http://www.info-sectes.ch/presse-ram-mission.html#H</ref>,<ref>http://www.prevensectes.com/shriram.htm </ref> Most of cases reported in French newspapers were about various divorce cases, triggered due to involvement of females in the group, Michel Gilbert in his video testimony stated that illicit relations are encouraged during birthday celebration of the leader held yearly between 22nd July-26th July.<ref>http://www.info-sectes.ch/videos/Ciel-mon-mardi-2001.avi Video testimony</ref> Group was also attacked by parents for child abduction <ref>http://www.info-sectes.ch/presse-ram-mission.html#H The latter requires an absolute devotion to its fans and wants to "educate the masses and spread among them the art and science of yoga." For seven months, Michel sees this growing influence. In December 1998, the report Vivien class Shri Ram Chandra among the sects. 2 000 people were members. The father is concerned. In January 1999, the group makes him feel that it is undesirable. At the end of February, Fran篩se spoke of separation, made room apart. He realizes that it is preparing a trip to India for the anniversary of the master, and then she had an affair with another follower. On 29 June, Michel was hospitalized for an ulcer. It brings children in Spain. On August 15, Michel Gilbert attack the sect for child abduction. On Dec. 21, an order to entrust custody to the mother. Since then, he has been able to get to see them in a point-rencontre. He had no information about their address, their school. "When I see, my son is as off. I tried to get in touch with the sect in India: I had no response. " </ref>. The Belgiun government has listed Sahaj Marg in its list of secte nuisibles (Harmful cults)<ref>http://www.ciaosn.be/biblior.htm </ref>. Sahaj Marg is also listed in ]'s list of cults<ref>http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_grp/grp_sriramchandramission.asp ICSA listing</ref><ref>http://www.icsahome.com/idx_grp.htm List of groups</ref>. In report 2468 from ], in december ] group is listed as ]<ref>http://www.cftf.com/french/Les_Sectes_en_France/cults.html cftf report on cults</ref> and again in ] report of ]<ref>http://www.miviludes.org/IMG/pdf/Report_MIVILUDES_2003.pdf See footnote on page 81</ref>


== Controversies and criticism == == Court Case ==
*
*
*
*
*


== Achievements ==
There have been several disputes over the control, domain and trademark names of the group since the death of the founder (Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur) in 1983.<ref> Steven Bonisteel, ''Newsbytes,'' September 21, 2001, Alexandria, Virginia. "Despite the latitude provided by the "in rem" provision, recent cases from that court have made it clear that trademark holders must still attempt to alert domain-name registrants to a pending lawsuit, using e-mail, postal mail and publications. In April of this year in Alexandria, Judge Claude Hilton refused to proceed with an action against Sahajmarg.org unless the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, which sought the domain, published notices of the lawsuit in U.S. and Indian newspapers."</ref>
Main proponent of Sahaj Marg, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, is registered in the UN’s DPI program, main activity of the group as per United Nation’s website is its association with religion and freedom of belief.<ref>http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/asp/form.asp?RegID=--&CnID=all&AcID=0&kw=Ram%20Chandra%20Mission&NGOID=3717 UN Listing</ref>. Apart from registration in UN, the group also runs a school in India named after the alleged founder of the mission Lalaji, called Lalaji memorial omega school. <ref>http://www.omegaschools.org/</ref>. The school is run mainly on donation and charity given to the group.<ref>http://www.srcm.com/literature/recent.speeches/050225_Chennai.jsp So, we need generosity of our people. Parents of children should not only give fees, they should also consent to giving a donation. Receipts will be issued; there is no black money transaction-no trustees following the money. I am here to see to that. So you see, to provide adequate resources, I propose to start a scheme of donations, say, a minimum of three lakhs which will go to a corpus fund called the Scholarship Fund. The funds will be invested suitably and the interest will be used to provide scholarship for deserving children, for children from what we call the section of people who cannot really afford education, provide facilities for them: free food, clothes, books, the whole thing. So this scheme will open today in the ashram. Those who are willing to give may bring their cheques-three lakhs, which will be gratefully received. The cheques must be in the name of Baal Vatika Educational Trust. Remember, the Trust receives the money, the Society spends the money. </ref>.


==Activities== ==Activities==


'''Marriages'''
The SRCM is a non-governmental organization registered with the ].<ref></ref>.

Sahaj Marg encourages its members to get married inside the group only. Marriages are solemnized mostly during birthday celebration of its previous leader's. recently strapped leader of the group also encourages members to marry inside the group.
<ref>{{cite speech
| title = Lalaji birthday celebration
| author = Rajagopalachari, P
| first = P
| last = Rajagopalachari
| authorlink =
|date=2nd February 2007
| location = ], ]
}}</ref>

{{Cquotetxt|Lalaji Maharaj, whose birth anniversary we are celebrating today has ordained–it was not merely an expression of his wishes–has ordained that abhyasis should marry amongst each other, so that in two or three generations we have an exploding Sahaj Marg population. The population already prepared genetically because parents are both people who are meditating, people who have learnt to cultivate their souls, people who have learnt the art of communicating with their inner selves, which is God, in silence, in happiness, in blessedness. Hopefully, these children will form the core groups of emerging Sahaj Marg societies everywhere in this world.|Rajagopalachari, P|<ref>''{{cite speech
| title = Lalaji birthday celebration
| author = Rajagopalachari, P
| first = P
| last = Rajagopalachari, P
| authorlink =
|date=2nd February 2007
| location = ], ]
}}http://www.srcm.org/literature/recent.speeches/070202_Tiruppur.jsp</ref>}}

'''Divorces'''

European media has reported few cases of divorces, which were triggered due to involvement of partners in the group. Similar cases were also reported in print media from France and Switzerland <ref>http://www.info-sectes.ch/presse-ram-mission.html#H Incident report published in Le Nouvel Obs, n°1861, 6th July 2000 </ref><ref>http://www.info-sectes.ch/secte-sriram.html#haut</ref>


== See also == == See also ==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ]


==References== ==References==

Revision as of 12:48, 7 May 2008

Sahaj Marg (translated, the easy or natural path) is a heart-based meditation system that is said to focus on the "cleaning" of impressions (called samskaras) and then meditating on an imagined divine light in one's heart. The organizational body, Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), was formally registered in 1945 by Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, its founder, commonly known as "Babuji.".Practice of Sahaj Marg is not suitable for young people (under 18 yrs of age).

History

In 1945, Babuji founded Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM) and registered in India. Babuji was born on April 30, 1899 in Shahjahanpur, a large town in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Babuji passed away in April 1983 at the age of 83. As part of the Sahaj Marg spiritual practice, Babuji adopted a technique called Pranahuti or yogic transmission, whereby the "divine essence" was said to be transmitted directly into the practicants' hearts to speed their spiritual evolution.

Practice

The daily practice includes:

  • Morning meditation on divine light in the heart (30-60 minutes);
  • Cleaning of impressions of the day (i.e., imagining the day's events evaporating out one's back and being replaced with divine light; 30 minutes);
  • A prayer-meditation at bedtime;


Weekly practices include:

  • A weekly meditation group;
  • Cleaning meditations with a preceptor.

Controversies and criticism

In a report published in Indian daily The Pioneer dated 12th Feb 2001, an ex-member of the group named Pragya Prabhati Mishra was quoted as saying that Sahaj Marg propagates incest relations, where family members indulge in in-appropriate relation with each other, after the daily prayer, the report further states that Sahaj Marg is an atheist cult which does not believe in any kind of familial ties, its only religion being open sex, The report ends with a statement by Pragya Prabhati Mishra where she claims that during her initiation in the mission, she was raped. This report triggered a controversy and the Shree Ram Chandra Mission filed a case of defamation against the news-paper .

Sahaj Marg has also been subjected to heavy criticism in European media as well,, Most of cases reported in French newspapers were about various divorce cases, triggered due to involvement of females in the group, Michel Gilbert in his video testimony stated that illicit relations are encouraged during birthday celebration of the leader held yearly between 22nd July-26th July. Group was also attacked by parents for child abduction . The Belgiun government has listed Sahaj Marg in its list of secte nuisibles (Harmful cults). Sahaj Marg is also listed in International Cultic Studies Association's list of cults. In report 2468 from French Parliamentary Commission on Cults, in december 1995 group is listed as cult and again in 2003 report of MIVILUDES

Court Case

Achievements

Main proponent of Sahaj Marg, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, is registered in the UN’s DPI program, main activity of the group as per United Nation’s website is its association with religion and freedom of belief.. Apart from registration in UN, the group also runs a school in India named after the alleged founder of the mission Lalaji, called Lalaji memorial omega school. . The school is run mainly on donation and charity given to the group..

Activities

Marriages

Sahaj Marg encourages its members to get married inside the group only. Marriages are solemnized mostly during birthday celebration of its previous leader's. recently strapped leader of the group also encourages members to marry inside the group.

Lalaji Maharaj, whose birth anniversary we are celebrating today has ordained–it was not merely an expression of his wishes–has ordained that abhyasis should marry amongst each other, so that in two or three generations we have an exploding Sahaj Marg population. The population already prepared genetically because parents are both people who are meditating, people who have learnt to cultivate their souls, people who have learnt the art of communicating with their inner selves, which is God, in silence, in happiness, in blessedness. Hopefully, these children will form the core groups of emerging Sahaj Marg societies everywhere in this world.

— Rajagopalachari, P,


Divorces

European media has reported few cases of divorces, which were triggered due to involvement of partners in the group. Similar cases were also reported in print media from France and Switzerland

See also

References

  1. "A Flexible Mind," Elizabeth Denley, Australian Yoga Life, Issue 7.
  2. "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.
  3. http://mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD006507/frame.html The Cochrane Library, In terms of the adverse effects of meditation, reports exist suggesting that meditation can cause temporary depersonalisation and derealisation (Castillo 1990), and there exist several reports of a possible association between meditation and psychotic state (French 1975; Lazarus 1976; Walsh 1979; Chan-Ob 1999). Studies of meditation in pediatric populations are still limited. For young children, it is not considered advisable for children to sit for extended lengths of time with closed eyes which might in any case 'go against the grain' of the active nature of children. Different meditation techniques have different recommendations of meditation practice for children i.e. Sahaj Marg Meditation, a system of Raja Yoga. Sahaj Marg guru recommends a minimum age of 18 before beginning the practice of meditation, implying this technique is not suitable for younger people.
  4. "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.
  5. "A Flexible Mind," Elizabeth Denley, Australian Yoga Life, Issue 7. "In Sahaj Marg raja yoga the cleaning of the mind is a part of the daily practice or sadhana. Cleaning can also be done by the guru for the practitioners. Yoga – union with the ultimate – is only possible when the samskaras are cleaned away. In fact, before any higher spiritual states can be reached, the cleaning must be done. Otherwise the tendencies and habits of the past pollute and continually pull the aspirant backwards."
  6. "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003. "At 9.00 p.m., every abhyasi, wherever he or she may be, should meditate for 15 minutes thinking that all the people of the universe who are already my brothers and sisters, may all their hearts be flooded as my heart is being flooded with spiritual craving, love and devotion for the Divine Master and real faith is growing in them. O Master! Thou art the real goal of human life. We are yet but slaves of wishes. Putting bar to our advancement. Thou art the only God and Power. To bring us up to that state. This prayer meditation is done for about 10-15 minutes by repeating the prayer a few times and meditate on the meanings of the statements therein. Immediately thereafter one is advised to retire to bed so that there will be constant remembrance Unlike the traditional Prayer hymns or songs, the Sahaj Marg Prayer does not ask for anything; it consists of three statements of facts."
  7. "A Flexible Mind," Elizabeth Denley, Australian Yoga Life, Issue 7.
  8. "Sahaj Marg System of Meditation," C. Suntharamoorthy, Daily News, Sri Lanka, August 4, 2003.
  9. Incident report published in indian daily The_Pioneer, dated 02/12/2001. report available online in a court order http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/ILR/ilr-2004/Jan-Feb2004.pdf
  10. http://www.allahabadhighcourt.in/ILR/ilr-2004/Jan-Feb2004.pdf Judgment for the said report.
  11. http://www.info-sectes.ch/presse-ram-mission.html#H
  12. http://www.prevensectes.com/shriram.htm
  13. http://www.info-sectes.ch/videos/Ciel-mon-mardi-2001.avi Video testimony
  14. http://www.info-sectes.ch/presse-ram-mission.html#H The latter requires an absolute devotion to its fans and wants to "educate the masses and spread among them the art and science of yoga." For seven months, Michel sees this growing influence. In December 1998, the report Vivien class Shri Ram Chandra among the sects. 2 000 people were members. The father is concerned. In January 1999, the group makes him feel that it is undesirable. At the end of February, Fran篩se spoke of separation, made room apart. He realizes that it is preparing a trip to India for the anniversary of the master, and then she had an affair with another follower. On 29 June, Michel was hospitalized for an ulcer. It brings children in Spain. On August 15, Michel Gilbert attack the sect for child abduction. On Dec. 21, an order to entrust custody to the mother. Since then, he has been able to get to see them in a point-rencontre. He had no information about their address, their school. "When I see, my son is as off. I tried to get in touch with the sect in India: I had no response. "
  15. http://www.ciaosn.be/biblior.htm
  16. http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_grp/grp_sriramchandramission.asp ICSA listing
  17. http://www.icsahome.com/idx_grp.htm List of groups
  18. http://www.cftf.com/french/Les_Sectes_en_France/cults.html cftf report on cults
  19. http://www.miviludes.org/IMG/pdf/Report_MIVILUDES_2003.pdf See footnote on page 81
  20. http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/asp/form.asp?RegID=--&CnID=all&AcID=0&kw=Ram%20Chandra%20Mission&NGOID=3717 UN Listing
  21. http://www.omegaschools.org/
  22. http://www.srcm.com/literature/recent.speeches/050225_Chennai.jsp So, we need generosity of our people. Parents of children should not only give fees, they should also consent to giving a donation. Receipts will be issued; there is no black money transaction-no trustees following the money. I am here to see to that. So you see, to provide adequate resources, I propose to start a scheme of donations, say, a minimum of three lakhs which will go to a corpus fund called the Scholarship Fund. The funds will be invested suitably and the interest will be used to provide scholarship for deserving children, for children from what we call the section of people who cannot really afford education, provide facilities for them: free food, clothes, books, the whole thing. So this scheme will open today in the ashram. Those who are willing to give may bring their cheques-three lakhs, which will be gratefully received. The cheques must be in the name of Baal Vatika Educational Trust. Remember, the Trust receives the money, the Society spends the money.
  23. Rajagopalachari, P (2nd February 2007). Lalaji birthday celebration (Speech). Tiruppur, India. {{cite speech}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  24. Rajagopalachari, P, P (2nd February 2007). Lalaji birthday celebration (Speech). Tiruppur, India. {{cite speech}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)http://www.srcm.org/literature/recent.speeches/070202_Tiruppur.jsp
  25. http://www.info-sectes.ch/presse-ram-mission.html#H Incident report published in Le Nouvel Obs, n°1861, 6th July 2000
  26. http://www.info-sectes.ch/secte-sriram.html#haut
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