My 2 cents worth on self-styled swami Vishwananda

I went to see Vishwananda, more than once in 2004 - initially I did believe his hype, but it didn't take too long before the cracks started to show. Vishwananda has certainly been very successful in creating a stir about him; supposed reincarnation of Yogananda has undoubtedly been the initial drawcard. There's been a lot of opinions of this youngish man from Mauritius reputed to do all sorts of miraculous acts apparently through his kriya yoga practices. Miracles of themselves are not so unusual of themselves - there are countless people throughout the world from all religious backgrounds who have displayed comparable 'miraculous' acts. This does not make them any less or more enlightened than the next person.

 

Respect to a swami or 'guru' should really be dependent on the ability to show sincerity and commitment to the needs of average people especially within their own communities. I believe that those who have a 'gift' of some sort have a duty to pass that on to those who are deserving and/or needy. I also believe that socio/political concerns form a fundamental part of spiritual life and no spiritual being can afford to ignore this or operate outside of this dimension.

 

Vishwananda comes from Mauritius which is still a 'third world' or developing country. Judging from his firm seating in the West and reports of houses and centres etc given to him, this raises many questions about what he is doing for his own country which should be a priority for his direction of service. One of the alarming things is his charging for 'darshan' at his American services (available on his US website). Charging for merely sitting in his presence must be a sure sign of his intentions to materially progress in the West. Aside from a Shirdi Baba temple years back in Mauritius, there is no evidence of significant service activities within his home country.

Just as an example of the widespread activities that are worthy of being looked at in Mauritius, some of you may have watched a programme in the UK some years ago on Diego Garcia. This little island was home to a group of people of mixed ethnicity largely whose ancestors had been indentured labourers from India in the 19 century who were sent to the chagos islands, South Africa and the West Indies to work on the sugar plantations. In the 1960s, the US (in alliance with UK) took the Chagos islands to construct a military base. These islanders were subsequently forced off the homeland and now have refugee status in Mauritius living in near poverty.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/835963.stm

 

My point is that there is so much within Mauritius and neighbouring islands that needs upliftment and social change. Someone with influence could greatly assist in numerous ways. Without proving his concern, knowledge and care to his community and home country, Vishwananda is openly displaying his material interest in the West as well as the lack of maturity consistent with his age and lack of education (as he left school at '14'). People choosing to follow his should consider the wider implications more fully otherwise you may also be showing a great deal of ignorance in the spiritual journey.

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I am grateful that Sathya Sai Baba accepted my manuscript on the Violet Flame in August 2010.

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