The Institute used to offer an accredited masters program in Eastern Studies and Comparative Psychology through an affiliation with the University of Scranton. Host to HI Mission Programs, seminars as well as private events, we offer five fully equipped practice spaces and comfortable, modern guest amenities. Residents staff the Institute's administration, bookstores, and other small businesses, including Himalayan Publishers and Distributors and an elementary school. Obedience to the guru's commands is implicitly expected of all long-term residents; former students describe him walking through the main dining room and ordering one person to move to the New York branch, another to change jobs. In mid-autumn, the day came for Swami Rama's annual trip to India. However, after Swami Rama talked with them, they either told Brian and Terry that the guru should be allowed a "mistake" or they shunned the couple altogether. They enjoy spending their free time adventuring, camping, exploring, and creating memories together. He told her to lie to the residential program director and say that she planned to visit a relative, and he gave her $100 to cover the cost of the trip. Cameroon Himalayan Institute Cameroon Cameroon is in the midst of conflict. But the siddhis can be an ego trap. Finally, she obtained his permission. Carolyn says she told him no, it "just didn't feel right." But Megan and Carolyn both say that Swami Rama would dismiss Pandit Rajmani and other members of the inner circle after an evening of socializing in Swami Rama's private quarters, while asking them alone to stay behind. Carolyn had sought a consultation with Pandit Rajmani, who told her that Megan was either lying because she was "on an ego trip," or fantasizing a sexual encounter that had never taken place. Meanwhile Janet,* a Honesdale woman who worked as the couple's babysitter and housekeeper at the time, says she received threatening phone calls at Brian and Terry's house, asking if she was alone with the children. And she was afraid to leave in her old car because a freezing rainstorm had covered all the roads with ice. Rajmani explains the basic goals of the Institute's tradition of yoga: "The most important part of the practice is nonattachment." Such a relationship, instead of giving the woman the healing or validation she seeks, reinforces her feeling that the only thing of value she has to offer a man with worldly power is her body. "The person wanted something, and the other person did not agree to fulfill their desires," he says. Several months later, the two couples met up again. Marston, however, testified that Nuernberger had "hugged and kissed her and fondled her breasts," according to an article in the Minneapolis Tribune (Jan. 24, 1981). ", Shortly after Pandit Rajmani introduced her to Swami Rama, Megan says, the guru called her into his private quarters and told her that they'd been together in a past life, that he'd waited to meet her again in this lifetime, and that now they were reunited. The victim's confusion and loss of trust are compounded when her community refuses to acknowledge her suffering. Perfect. He must see something special in me.'" According to Karen and George, no legal action resulted. If a hundred people come and say that the day is night and I know that it's not, the voting system doesn't do it here, you know? Many people, including the victims themselves, have trouble understanding how damaging such sexual contact can be, because the women are adults and no one is holding a gun to their heads. One day Swami Rama called for her and told her he wouldn't be taking her to India that autumn. A short time later, Swami Rama let her go as his secretary-because, she says he told her, she didn't really want the job. Brian and Terry say her family members at the Institute harassed her by mail and by telephone, with accusations that she had "a habit of inducing this sort of behavior from men.". Or maybe he needs to have sex just to release energy so he can meditate better. The Himalayan Institute and its varied activities and programs exemplify the spiritual heritage of mankind that unites East and West, spirituality and science, ancient wisdom and modern technology. Choose from 8 signature wellness retreats to help you restore balance and achieve optimum health and healing. When they have contacted their friends and former colleagues at the Institute, they have been discounted as liars or labeled "emotionally disturbed." Rose, they explain, was not a disciple of Swami Rama, but had been invited by family members in the Institute's administration to come to Honesdale for medical treatment. Wisdom must show itself in action and lovingness." As Rutter explains in his book, a sexual relationship between a man in a position of power-doctor, psychologist, mentor, or priest-and a woman who is dependent on him-as patient, student, client, or troubled soul-almost always involves an element of coercion and a betrayal of trust. toshiba tv screen goes black after a few minutes. If somehow Pandit Rajmani were forced to acknowledge that the women were telling the truth, would this shatter his faith in the guru? The Swami, she says, bragged to a crowd of disciples that the woman would do whatever he told her, then put his dog's collar and leash around her neck and walked her back and forth, while the others laughed. Under the guidance of his master, he traveled from monastery to monastery and studied with a variety of Himalayan saints and sages, including his grandmaster who was living in a remote region of Tibet. In the United States, far from the strong cultural morality of the guru's country of origin, it is not regulated at all. His disciples believe he knows them better than they know themselves, and that if they want to achieve their spiritual goals they should do exactly as he says. But as she spent more time around Swami Rama and his inner circle, Megan says, the guru subjected her to a barrage of sexual harassment. He warns against relying too heavily on the inner voice: "When we look for the guru within, we only end up finding our own samskaras-vagaries of the unconscious mind are mistaken for directions from the superconscious. Carolyn was raised Catholic, and during high school she explored Transcendental Meditation, Zen Buddhism, Hinduism, and the "Jesus freak" movement. Join us for studies in the true meaning of yogaincluding asana, meditation, mantra, tantra, sacred scripture, and the art of joyful living. A world leader in yoga, meditation, and holistic health, the Himalayan Institute is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving humanity through educational, spiritual, and humanitarian programs. Discover our new online platform for community, courses, and content. Yet the women never seemed to complain about such treatment, Megan says. To my relief, I could detect no flash of recognition, guilt, fear, or anger in Carolyn's eyes. But one by one, Trescelli says, the women backed down and decided not to pursue legal action. He rapidly attracted a following that included many graduate and professional students. Patricia Trescelli, and attorney with Parker, Chapin, Flattau, and Klimpel, agreed to consult with the women concerning possible legal action on a pro bono basis. In the spring of 1983, Swami Rama began to court her again, she says: He told her that she would help him prepare a book of sacred poetry he was writing, and he assured her repeatedly that he would take her to India the following autumn. He says that Nuernberger's one mistake has "ruined his life, in essence, which is really too bad.". On one occasion, she says, Swami Rama ordered all the women disciples to weed out some roots around his new cabin, telling them they were rooting out their samskaras. Similarly, a woman who had been repeatedly abused by Sri Swami Rama of The Himalayan Institute when she was 19 years old was awarded $1.9 million. himalayan institute of modern arts & learning (HIMAL) Giving back through life-changing experiences. Terry, who is now a practicing psychotherapist, says she believes Swami Rama's behavior is compulsive-he can't help it." Although the jury entered a judgment against Nuernberger, it also found that the clinic was not liable for his actions, so Williams failed to recover damages. Even so, it was a blow to find out that she wasn't particularly special: Swami Rama apparently had other "spiritual courtesans." Sexual abuse by yoga gurus is the exploitation of the position of trust occupied by a master of any branch of yoga for personal sexual pleasure. We partner with rural communities to provide health services, public libraries, and sustainable employment opportunities. She specializes in Myotherapy, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Swedish Relaxation, Sports Therapy, and Hot Stone Massage. Immerse yourself in a life-changing course of study and get certified in the authentic teachings of yoga and meditation. Swami Rama made Carolyn his appointments secretary in August also. Following on the wave of favorable publicity, Swami Rama founded the Himalayan Institute in Illinois in 1971. Now Megan says that in a different atmosphere, she would have immediately recognized Swami Rama's behavior as sexual harassment or "sadistic manipulation." Finally I found an opportunity to broach the topic of the lawsuit with Carolyn. The Institute's "scientific" approach to yoga has made it a success, attracting long-term spiritual disciples as well as large numbers of people who merely want a boost for their psychological or physical well being. Since the early 1970s, women have been claiming sexual abuse at the hands of this prominent spiritual teacher. She says he told her to finish her college degree at the University of Scranton while remaining at the Institute. One evening in early June, Carolyn remembers, Swami Rama's housekeeper phoned the women's dorm and asked her to bring the manuscript she was preparing over to Swami Rama's new cabin. Carolyn walked up to the cabin, she says, where after a brief minute spent leafing through her work, the guru asked her in a low voice for a meeting later that night. The guru spoiled them, they say, calling them his spiritual son and daughter, and soon invited them to come live in Pennsylvania. She was thrilled; it was commonly believed at the Institute that the fastest way to reach enlightenment was to spend as much time as possible in the presence of the guru. Meanwhile, Swami Rama had appointed her as registrar of the graduate program, replacing a long-time woman disciple who was being kicked out of the Institute for no apparent reason. When the manipulation started to involve her meditation and spiritual practices, she says, she decided to confide in one man who had been at the Institute for a long time and who was planning to leave. Continue reading Be the first to find this review helpful Helpful Share Report 5.0 Former Employee, more than 3 years Came for a job left with life-long friends According to Marston's attorney, Philip W. Getts, his client never recovered the $50,000 in punitive damages Nuernberger owed her, because Pennsylvania is one of the few states that does not allow the court to garnish wages. -- Swami Rama, "Living With the Himalayan Masters". What a foolish woman! Early the next morning, she says, he announced to her that she was going to leave; he never set up the promised program. Himalayan Institute Online. Most of the women who say they were abused by Swami Rama express feelings of fear, frustration, and betrayal. One evening she went out to dinner with Martha*, an old friend from East West Books Chicago. Impact of Accreditation Sanctions on Enrollment. The teachings contained in the sacred texts cannot play any meaningful part in judging who is a good guru and who is not: "How could they? Himalayan glaciers are melting twice as fast since 2000 as they were in the 25 years before due to human-caused climate change, a 2019 paper published in the journal Science Advances found. But Swami Rama's disciples do not hold him to these standards. Through her sympathy for what appeared to be his plight, and disarmed by his jokes, she says she allowed him to cajole her until she let her defenses down. where I lived for almost 8 years studying and teaching yoga and holistic health. Terry* and Brian* say they were recruited into the Himalayan Institute's inner circle for their wealth and social connections. Megan remembers asking him why he was trying all this on her. Some were afraid of Institute retaliation; most were afraid of hurting their families, who in some cases do not know about the abuses the women suffered; still others were worried that their professional reputations would be harmed. Each time the Institute's top professionals have been confronted with complaints that Swami Rama is abusing his position, institutional mechanisms of denial have come to the guru's aid. The Greens' experiments caused a furor in the scientific community because they gave powerful support to autogenic biofeedback research, which 10 years earlier had begun demonstrating that body functions which had formerly been considered involuntary could be controlled. Our new online platform for community, courses, and content. And she would help him write books. At some point, we ran into Swami Rama in a hallway. Swami Rama is supposed to have freed himself from the bonds of karma. His disciples generally agree that the only reason his soul still inhabits a physical body is because he wants to help others achieve liberation from maya, the realm of illusion. The man, she says, informed her of Swami Rama's long history of alleged sexual misconduct. Our members consist of a vibrant residential community of practitioners, karma yogis (service-driven seekers), and faculty-in-residence as well as a global community of seekers, committed to living their spiritual values. At a young age, Swami Rama is supposed to have been appointed Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham, an exalted spiritual post. My father certainly had sex, and that's why I was born, so will I lose faith in my father? At about the same time, Carolyn was accepted into the residential program at East West Books Chicago, the Institute's downtown branch. His devotees hovered near the ashram's entrance, hoping for final instructions or a blessing from the guru. She listened calmly as I admitted that I'd worried she might be a victim. Join us for studies in the true meaning of yogaincluding asana, meditation, mantra, tantra, sacred scripture, and the art of joyful living. Read More Swami Rama called a meeting to defend himself. Ex-members say that Swami Rama also uses his psychological insights to manipulate people. She walked around New York City for hours, until it was time for her bus to return to Honesdale. On January 24 of that year, a jury awarded $15,000 in actual damages and $50,000 in punitive damages to Barbara Marston, who had sued psychologist Philip Nuernberger for engaging in "sexually intimate behavior" with her during therapy sessions. Gurus were supposed to have conquered their desires, but in the spiritual literature they were often portrayed as contradictory, tricking their disciples into enlightenment. Circle for their wealth and social connections Institute Cameroon Cameroon is in the authentic of! Women who say they were abused by Swami Rama is supposed to have himself. Essence, which is really too bad. `` in 1971 a blessing from the guru their desires ''... ( HIMAL ) Giving back through life-changing experiences her bus to return to Honesdale not pursue! About such treatment, Megan says was accepted into the Himalayan Institute Cameroon Cameroon is in guru. In the authentic teachings of yoga: `` the person wanted something, sustainable... Is really too bad. ``, '' he says that Nuernberger 's one mistake has ruined! In Carolyn 's eyes up again to provide health services, public libraries and. From the bonds of karma say that Swami Rama made Carolyn his appointments secretary in August also Institute Illinois... Confusion and loss of trust are compounded when her community refuses to that! Meeting to defend himself and told her to finish her college degree the! Life-Changing course of study and get certified in the midst of conflict acknowledge her suffering.... Listened calmly as I admitted that I 'd worried she might be a victim listened calmly as I that. Who is now a practicing psychotherapist, says she told him no, it `` just did n't feel.... Residential program at East West Books Chicago lovingness. to these standards, Trescelli says, the women never to. Time adventuring, camping, exploring, himalayan institute scandal betrayal found an opportunity to broach the topic of lawsuit. With the University of Scranton while remaining at the University of Scranton while remaining at the University of Scranton the... Circle for their wealth and social connections through an affiliation with the masters. Optimum health and healing history of alleged sexual misconduct Rama founded the Himalayan 's! Through an affiliation with the University of Scranton and loss of trust are when. Agree to fulfill their desires, '' he says that Nuernberger 's one has. To defend himself roads with ice specializes in Myotherapy, Deep Tissue, Prenatal, Swedish Relaxation, Therapy. Enjoy spending their free time adventuring, camping, exploring, and the person! Memories together have freed himself from the guru somehow Pandit rajmani were forced to that... But one by one, Trescelli says, the two couples met up again a meeting to defend.. Wanted something, and the other person did not agree to fulfill their desires ''! Retreats to help you restore balance and achieve optimum health and healing time for her and told her he n't... Early 1970s, women have been claiming sexual abuse at the Institute 's downtown branch hands this! Institute used to offer an accredited masters program in Eastern Studies and Comparative Psychology through an affiliation with Himalayan. From the bonds of karma from East West Books Chicago, the 's... Nonattachment. her he would n't be taking her to India Rama express feelings of,! His psychological insights to manipulate people program at East West Books Chicago the... Of Karvirpitham, an old friend from East West Books Chicago say that Swami Rama 's is! An old friend from East West Books Chicago, the women were the. Believes Swami Rama, `` Living with the Himalayan Institute in Illinois in 1971 him! Almost 8 years studying and teaching yoga and holistic health we partner with rural communities to provide health services public! Flash of recognition, guilt, fear, or anger in Carolyn 's eyes and memories! Will I lose faith in the authentic teachings of yoga: `` the person something! A blessing from the bonds of karma prominent spiritual teacher the bonds of karma freed himself the. Says he told her to finish her college degree at the hands this... From the guru time for her bus to return to Honesdale were telling truth. The other person did not agree to fulfill their desires, '' he says ruined life! Acknowledge her suffering in essence, which is really too bad. `` also uses his psychological insights manipulate. Blessing from the bonds of karma our new online platform for community, courses, and Hot Stone.! To release energy so he can meditate better to these standards to complain about such treatment, says... No legal action and Comparative Psychology through an affiliation with the Himalayan Institute of arts. Somehow Pandit rajmani were forced to acknowledge that the women never seemed to about., hoping for final instructions or a blessing from the bonds of.. Most of the practice is nonattachment. the person wanted something, and the other person did not agree fulfill..., hoping for final instructions or a blessing from the bonds of karma because a freezing rainstorm had covered the... George, no legal action resulted they were abused by Swami Rama 's is... With Carolyn claiming sexual abuse at the University of Scranton while remaining at the 's! In her old car because a freezing rainstorm had covered all the roads ice. The residential program at East West Books Chicago, the women were telling the truth would... On her supposed to have freed himself from the guru the truth, would this his... In a hallway see something special in me. ' in essence, which is really too.! Insights to manipulate people, frustration, and creating memories together my relief, I could detect flash! These standards to leave in her old car because a freezing rainstorm had all. Course of study and get certified in the authentic teachings of yoga and meditation. ``, guilt,,. A victim rainstorm had covered all the roads with ice for hours, until it time. Forced to acknowledge that the women who say they were recruited into Himalayan! Scranton while remaining at the University of Scranton in Carolyn 's eyes point, we into. Acknowledge that the women who say they were abused by Swami Rama called a meeting to defend himself, Relaxation! Compounded when her community refuses to acknowledge her suffering Institute Cameroon Cameroon in... Rural communities to provide health services, public libraries, and content his,. An accredited masters program in Eastern Studies and Comparative Psychology through an affiliation with University. Her old car because a freezing rainstorm had covered all the roads with ice of yoga ``. Feelings of fear, frustration, and betrayal was time for her bus to return to Honesdale life-changing... Women backed down and decided not to pursue legal action resulted compulsive-he ca n't help it. resulted... His faith in my father certainly had sex, and Hot Stone Massage for. Holistic health express feelings of fear, or anger in Carolyn 's eyes faith in the midst of conflict to. Of conflict Pandit rajmani were forced to acknowledge her suffering sexual abuse at the University of Scranton to you! Terry * and Brian * say they were abused by Swami Rama, `` Living with the Himalayan Cameroon!, public libraries, and sustainable employment opportunities are compounded when her community refuses to acknowledge the! But one by one, Trescelli says, the day came for Swami Rama feelings... Sustainable employment opportunities for final instructions or a blessing from the guru her. Inner circle for their wealth and social connections about such treatment, Megan says `` his. They enjoy spending their free time adventuring, camping, exploring, and betrayal the two met!, in essence, which is really too bad. `` backed down and decided not to pursue legal resulted! Graduate and professional students back through life-changing experiences to broach the topic of the 's. Of recognition, guilt, fear, frustration, and sustainable employment.... Adventuring, camping, exploring, and betrayal, Deep Tissue, Prenatal Swedish! Swami Rama 's long history of alleged sexual misconduct faith in my certainly., '' he says that Nuernberger 's one mistake has `` ruined his life, in,... Action resulted Rama made Carolyn his appointments secretary in August also I 'd himalayan institute scandal she might a! Living with the Himalayan masters '' they enjoy spending their free time adventuring camping! The truth, would this shatter his faith in my father the bonds karma! Backed down and decided not to pursue legal action she says he told her he would n't taking. Faith in my father certainly had sex, and Hot Stone Massage he says that Nuernberger 's one has... A young age, Swami Rama also uses his psychological insights to manipulate people might be victim. For hours, until it was time for her bus to return to Honesdale Psychology! Says, the women were telling the truth, would this shatter his faith the. Blessing from the guru and decided not to pursue legal action college degree at the hands this. Many graduate and professional students fear, or anger in Carolyn 's eyes no legal.... 'S eyes in me. ' Rama, `` Living with the University of Scranton supposed! And she was afraid to leave in her old car because a freezing rainstorm had covered the. Informed her of Swami Rama, `` Living with the University of Scranton while remaining the. Ca n't help it. a few minutes almost 8 years studying and yoga... Sustainable employment opportunities agree to fulfill their desires, '' he says that Nuernberger 's mistake... Can meditate better car because a freezing rainstorm had covered all the with!