I'm sorry but I know nothing of the organization becoming secret and cult like, perhaps too far removed here in Oz? But from here it seems to me to be opening up more to the world with Youtube, online meditations and numbers growing like never before in history. Brother Chidananda is a progressive from what I can see and he talks of millions of members in the coming years.
I don't know much about Kriyananda, I read his autobiography years ago and was taken aback by the presence of a fairly prevalent ego singing from the pages. I dumped the book at local opp shop shortly after finishing it, and was even reluctant to do that. It was afterwards when I learned of his betrayal and other matters and did regret that I didn't just trash the book.
I think like many spiritual leaders he is very advanced but has some quite large obstacles holding him back. I read something from one of his devotees recently where before he passed on the devotee tried to tell Kriyananda he was the devotees guru. Kriyananda told him it couldn't be as he wasn't a perfected being. To hear of such a candid reply was a positive as I see it.
Thanks so much for your observational reply. I have much to be grateful for with the Self-Realization Fellowship Web. Babaji said; ‘for the imperfections of a few do not judge the whole.’ And so I am reluctant to say much more. If you are interested I will explain. However I think you have a well rounded view of our similar backgrounds in spiritual practice. I would just note here that I’ve been around the presidents, the groups, the monastics and hundreds if not thousands of the members so I had a unique way to experience my life with spiritual organizations and not just ours; that is why this site was created. However like most of us, i yet have much to learn and experience and I’m happy you shared yours with us!
I never remember Kriyananda saying he was a Master so it is no surprise to me that you sensed the presence of ego. My evaluation is quite different than yours because I see that he accomplished what Master wanted and that is to create communities and spiritual colonies. And since I have not seen SRF doing that perhaps he needed to leave the organization to accomplish Masters wish. I have found that his book about the future in many ways is now coming true today. ‘Batrayal’ is a harsh word Web, that I do not associate with him. And once again I will express my gratitude for his making the Autobiography of a Yogi accessible to all. I often go to it on line and copy and paste long lines from it which would take hours to write out.
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