Yogi Bhajan and 3HO in the early 70s

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

 

I was always very interested in Yogi Bhajan because of the amazing things I have

heard about him from my KY teachers. He seemed to be a great source of spiritual

knowledge. In my research in an effort to get as close to his teachings as

possible, I came across something concerning however (and I bring this up in

only the utmost respect to gather opinions on it).

 

There seems to be a number of court records, legal documents, etc as well as

statements from a very large number of 3HO members over the years documenting

alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of members of Yogi Bhajan's inner

circle by YB himself. Similarly, there are entire websites dedicated to ex-3HO

members to talk about their experience in it as a " cult " (may of whom were

members for 20 years before coming to the conclusion that it was a cult of

personality and then leaving). The number of members and posts on these websites

and the amount of time they've been posting (and the court documents) seem to

suggest that it's more than a mere person or few people with a grudge/grudges

that are out to slander someone (there are THOUSANDS of long detailed posts of

people who seem traumatized).

 

Once again, I don't bring this up to offend anyone, I'm just concerned as I've

been practicing KY for a while now and am *loving* it, but I don't know if I

could continue to practice something inseparable (since he allegedly revealed it

to the public and quite possibly invented it as a synthesis from other yogas --

and nobody else is teaching it in any other form that I'm aware of) from someone

who -may- have been an abusive cult leader. Any evidence to the contrary or

insights would be appreciative, since I'm somewhat heart-broken over this.

 

And yes I realize that you could type anything in with the word " cult " probably

and find *something*, but this seems to be considered " well known " information

online and is coming from some reliable sources in some instances.

 

Would definitely be interested in hearing from Guru Rattana (in addition to

anyone else) as I hear she had some interaction with Yogi Bhajan and I believe

thinks highly of him. Who better to inform me? :-)

 

Thanks all, and once again I really don't mean any offense and I hope nobody

misunderstands my intentions.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sacha,

 

I've seen some of these postings, also had the good fortune to meet with Yogi

Bhajan a few times and have been practicing Kundalini Yoga for over 15 years.

This information does not match either my experience with Yogi Bhajan or the

truth of the teachings themselves. When one meets a 3HO teacher one sees the

strength and energy of these teachers. When one meets someone who is part of a

cult one does not see strength, energy or clarity in the followers.

 

What is interesting to me is the long list of yogis who have had the same

charges leveled at them: Osho, Gurumayi, Swami Muktananda, Govindan, Nityananda,

Swami Satchinananda, Maharashi Yogi, Yogiar....only one--Amrit Desai was proven

to act in such a manner--he confessed. Somehow, it seems irrational to me that

Yogi Bhajan and all of the others did the exact same things to their followers.

 

Finally, the truth lies in the teachings--if they help you get strong and help

you to discover your true self it seems to me that should be your criteria.

 

All the best,

Deva Kaur (Linda)

 

 

" Life and living is a flow, and if we accept that flow and get into that flow,

life can be tremendously simple. " Ramesh S. Balsehar

-

Sacha

Kundaliniyoga

Thursday, March 19, 2009 11:36 AM

Kundalini Yoga Yogi Bhajan and 3HO in the early 70s

 

 

Hi all,

 

I was always very interested in Yogi Bhajan because of the amazing things I

have heard about him from my KY teachers. He seemed to be a great source of

spiritual knowledge. In my research in an effort to get as close to his

teachings as possible, I came across something concerning however (and I bring

this up in only the utmost respect to gather opinions on it).

 

There seems to be a number of court records, legal documents, etc as well as

statements from a very large number of 3HO members over the years documenting

alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of members of Yogi Bhajan's inner

circle by YB himself. Similarly, there are entire websites dedicated to ex-3HO

members to talk about their experience in it as a " cult " (may of whom were

members for 20 years before coming to the conclusion that it was a cult of

personality and then leaving). The number of members and posts on these websites

and the amount of time they've been posting (and the court documents) seem to

suggest that it's more than a mere person or few people with a grudge/grudges

that are out to slander someone (there are THOUSANDS of long detailed posts of

people who seem traumatized).

 

Once again, I don't bring this up to offend anyone, I'm just concerned as I've

been practicing KY for a while now and am *loving* it, but I don't know if I

could continue to practice something inseparable (since he allegedly revealed it

to the public and quite possibly invented it as a synthesis from other yogas --

and nobody else is teaching it in any other form that I'm aware of) from someone

who -may- have been an abusive cult leader. Any evidence to the contrary or

insights would be appreciative, since I'm somewhat heart-broken over this.

 

And yes I realize that you could type anything in with the word " cult "

probably and find *something*, but this seems to be considered " well known "

information online and is coming from some reliable sources in some instances.

 

Would definitely be interested in hearing from Guru Rattana (in addition to

anyone else) as I hear she had some interaction with Yogi Bhajan and I believe

thinks highly of him. Who better to inform me? :-)

 

Thanks all, and once again I really don't mean any offense and I hope nobody

misunderstands my intentions.

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Sacha,

 

The guru is in you regardless of what YB may or may not have done. Ask yourself

are you enjoying KY? Is the energy transforming your life in a positive way? If

it works for you then go with it. I´m grateful to YB for teaching so many great

mediations and kriyas that have helped me through tough times. I´ve been to the

Rick Ross sites too. For me the teachings are timeless and independent of the

teacher. -Chris

 

--- On Thu, 3/19/09, Sacha <nanamin wrote:

 

 

Sacha <nanamin

Kundalini Yoga Yogi Bhajan and 3HO in the early 70s

Kundaliniyoga

Thursday, March 19, 2009, 10:36 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi all,

 

I was always very interested in Yogi Bhajan because of the amazing things I have

heard about him from my KY teachers. He seemed to be a great source of spiritual

knowledge. In my research in an effort to get as close to his teachings as

possible, I came across something concerning however (and I bring this up in

only the utmost respect to gather opinions on it).

 

There seems to be a number of court records, legal documents, etc as well as

statements from a very large number of 3HO members over the years documenting

alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of members of Yogi Bhajan's inner

circle by YB himself. Similarly, there are entire websites dedicated to ex-3HO

members to talk about their experience in it as a " cult " (may of whom were

members for 20 years before coming to the conclusion that it was a cult of

personality and then leaving). The number of members and posts on these websites

and the amount of time they've been posting (and the court documents) seem to

suggest that it's more than a mere person or few people with a grudge/grudges

that are out to slander someone (there are THOUSANDS of long detailed posts of

people who seem traumatized) .

 

Once again, I don't bring this up to offend anyone, I'm just concerned as I've

been practicing KY for a while now and am *loving* it, but I don't know if I

could continue to practice something inseparable (since he allegedly revealed it

to the public and quite possibly invented it as a synthesis from other yogas --

and nobody else is teaching it in any other form that I'm aware of) from someone

who -may- have been an abusive cult leader. Any evidence to the contrary or

insights would be appreciative, since I'm somewhat heart-broken over this.

 

And yes I realize that you could type anything in with the word " cult " probably

and find *something*, but this seems to be considered " well known " information

online and is coming from some reliable sources in some instances.

 

Would definitely be interested in hearing from Guru Rattana (in addition to

anyone else) as I hear she had some interaction with Yogi Bhajan and I believe

thinks highly of him. Who better to inform me? :-)

 

Thanks all, and once again I really don't mean any offense and I hope nobody

misunderstands my intentions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I was about to say the same thing, Deva Kaur.

 

I have come across these websites, altho I pay them no attention. One can claim

anything on the web.

 

One must trust one's own experience. My experience over 20 years, of the people

practicing Kundalini Yoga according to Yogi Bhajan's teachings, is that they are

strong, independent, thinking people, especially the women!

They are the opposite of people who would be attracted to a cult.

And way too smart and full of life to be hoodwinked.

The people I know use the teachings but they really 'advocate' by their own

example. I was moved to become a Sikh because the character of the Sikhs I knew

impressed me positively.

 

[which is not to say they are all saints, I've known some people of bad

character among the Sikhs, but a minority.] In my years of living at the ashram

no one has ever prosetylized me. There probably are people who have hero worship

for Yogi Bhajan, but the long-time Sikhs, Kundalini Yoga practicing people I

know are not particularly reverent toward him. Respectful yes, reverent no.

 

Ask yourself where do the teachings take you? If it is a good place, then feel

comfortable.

 

Sat nam,

Kartar Kaur

 

 

Kundaliniyoga , " Linda Callanan " <annaicenter wrote:

>

> Hi Sacha,

>

> I've seen some of these postings, also had the good fortune to meet with Yogi

Bhajan a few times and have been practicing Kundalini Yoga for over 15 years.

This information does not match either my experience with Yogi Bhajan or the

truth of the teachings themselves. When one meets a 3HO teacher one sees the

strength and energy of these teachers. When one meets someone who is part of a

cult one does not see strength, energy or clarity in the followers.

>

> What is interesting to me is the long list of yogis who have had the same

charges leveled at them: Osho, Gurumayi, Swami Muktananda, Govindan, Nityananda,

Swami Satchinananda, Maharashi Yogi, Yogiar....only one--Amrit Desai was proven

to act in such a manner--he confessed. Somehow, it seems irrational to me that

Yogi Bhajan and all of the others did the exact same things to their followers.

>

> Finally, the truth lies in the teachings--if they help you get strong and help

you to discover your true self it seems to me that should be your criteria.

>

> All the best,

> Deva Kaur (Linda)

>

>

> " Life and living is a flow, and if we accept that flow and get into that flow,

life can be tremendously simple. " Ramesh S. Balsehar

> -

> Sacha

> Kundaliniyoga

> Thursday, March 19, 2009 11:36 AM

> Kundalini Yoga Yogi Bhajan and 3HO in the early 70s

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> I was always very interested in Yogi Bhajan because of the amazing things I

have heard about him from my KY teachers. He seemed to be a great source of

spiritual knowledge. In my research in an effort to get as close to his

teachings as possible, I came across something concerning however (and I bring

this up in only the utmost respect to gather opinions on it).

>

> There seems to be a number of court records, legal documents, etc as well as

statements from a very large number of 3HO members over the years documenting

alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse of members of Yogi Bhajan's inner

circle by YB himself. Similarly, there are entire websites dedicated to ex-3HO

members to talk about their experience in it as a " cult " (may of whom were

members for 20 years before coming to the conclusion that it was a cult of

personality and then leaving). The number of members and posts on these websites

and the amount of time they've been posting (and the court documents) seem to

suggest that it's more than a mere person or few people with a grudge/grudges

that are out to slander someone (there are THOUSANDS of long detailed posts of

people who seem traumatized).

>

> Once again, I don't bring this up to offend anyone, I'm just concerned as

I've been practicing KY for a while now and am *loving* it, but I don't know if

I could continue to practice something inseparable (since he allegedly revealed

it to the public and quite possibly invented it as a synthesis from other yogas

-- and nobody else is teaching it in any other form that I'm aware of) from

someone who -may- have been an abusive cult leader. Any evidence to the contrary

or insights would be appreciative, since I'm somewhat heart-broken over this.

>

> And yes I realize that you could type anything in with the word " cult "

probably and find *something*, but this seems to be considered " well known "

information online and is coming from some reliable sources in some instances.

>

> Would definitely be interested in hearing from Guru Rattana (in addition to

anyone else) as I hear she had some interaction with Yogi Bhajan and I believe

thinks highly of him. Who better to inform me? :-)

>

> Thanks all, and once again I really don't mean any offense and I hope nobody

misunderstands my intentions.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

---- Original Message ----

" chris charles " <ccharles79

<Kundaliniyoga >

Friday, March 20, 2009 8:43 AM

Re: Kundalini Yoga Yogi Bhajan and 3HO in the early 70s

 

> For me the teachings are timeless and independent of the

> teacher.

 

.......... " Don't love me, love my teachings. Become ten times greater than

me " ........ Yogi Bhajan

 

Blessings!

 

Sujan S.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sujan S. This covers it.

 

" Don't love me, love my teachings. Become ten times greater than me " ........

Yogi Bhajan

 

It is time to move on to another topic. The Sun went into Aries this AM. How

about what WE can do to with OUR LIVES to become more conscious and make our

contributiion.

 

Blessings!

 

Guru Rattana :+)