Relevant Media Items

Discussion of cults generally - not specifically related to the SES or its related organisations.
mgormez
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Relevant Media Items

Postby mgormez » Tue May 18, 2004 2:42 pm

Often I get articles sent to me about meditation and TM and I might as well post notices here when they appear.
Last edited by mgormez on Tue May 18, 2004 2:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Gormez

mgormez
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Meditation controversy

Postby mgormez » Tue May 18, 2004 2:45 pm

http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/ ... 118tm.html

Meditation controversy

By JOY VICTORY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
(Original publication: May 18, 2004

...

Religious undertones


Bob Roth, a TM spokesman, denied that TM is in any way religious.

"I find people who don't practice TM tell me that what I'm doing is religious," Roth says. "They say it has roots in Hinduism. It predates that."

Ex-member Joe Kellett, who related the same indoctrination process as Krieger, said leaders of the movement are able to recruit new members because the teachings and practice are essentially forms of hypnotism and self-hypnotism.

"Basically, the reason you become relaxed is because you were given a suggestion to be relaxed. You're in a trance, and if you're susceptible, you will carry out the suggestion," says Kellett, a computer consultant in Castro Valley, Calif.

Kellett runs http://www.suggestibility.org, a Web site critical of TM, which he hopes will explain the unknown elements of the movement ? like the side effects of TM ? to people interested in learning the technique.

Kellett says some people are unable to fully come out of the trance after they meditate, leaving them groggy, tired and nauseous.

Krieger knows this firsthand. After meditating, he says he often struggled to stay awake, although he was getting enough sleep. (He was meditating throughout the day, rather than just twice a day.)

"They tell you it's your fault, or that you're 'unstressing.' They're not described as negative side effects," Krieger says.

Based on his experience, Krieger is completely against TM in schools.

"I certainly wouldn't recommend TM to anybody, or expose their children to it," he says. "I consider the organization to be a predatory cult ... although it's not the most malignant cult."

Boxerman fully denies the allegations that TM is a cult, and is skeptical of Web sites that criticize TM.

"It's not a cult," he says. "It's a scientifically verifiable technique where you do the practice and get the results. (The critics) are people who have crazy ideas, and that's their responsibility. I don't myself keep track of the Web sites that are critical of TM, but whatever their makeup is, they have misunderstood what is being represented. There's no question it's not a cult."

mgormez
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Future of Heavenly Mountain disputed

Postby mgormez » Fri May 21, 2004 1:47 pm

Future of Heavenly Mountain disputed

Watauga Democrat, 19 May 2004
By Jason Reagan

The man who, along with his twin brother, owns most of the land at
Heavenly Mountain Resort, has disavowed the spiritual movement that
helped establish the retreat.


David Kaplan, who owns the largest privately-owned land tract in Watauga
County, publicly repudiated the Transcendental Meditation (TM) movement
and its founder, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, in a letter released Tuesday to
Heavenly Mountain residents and the public.


In the letter, Kaplan said he and his brother, Earl, investigated
Maharishi and the TM movement closely, and subsequently could "no longer
support or be associated with Maharishi, his ideas, his knowledge or any
of his organizations in any way whatsoever."

[snip - read more on the site]

http://www.wataugademocrat.com/topic.php?tid=7&sid=4093

mgormez
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Ex-flier lands in Tories' camp

Postby mgormez » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:40 pm

Ex-flier lands in Tories' camp

The Gazette (Canada), May 27, 2004

By Andy Riga

Stephen Harper, yogic flier?

Hoping to make a breakthrough in Quebec, the Conservative leader has
recruited a founder and former candidate of the now-defunct Natural Law
Party to run in the Repentigny riding, The E-File has learned.

A former Tory, Allen Faguy said he offered himself up to the
Conservatives because he agrees with Harper's vision of a decentralized,
less-taxed Canada.




Inspired by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Natural Law claimed mass
meditation and levitation could reduce stress, crime and disease. You
won't find any of that in Faguy's 2004 platform.

"But I'm going to sort of recommend meditation" if on "a personal level
people need to know what can improve their lives individually and even
collectively," said Faguy, 48.

Faguy hasn't filed official candidacy papers, but Conservative officials
confirm he's their man.

[cut]

http://www.canada.com/montreal/montreal ... 85370bd486
Mike Gormez

mgormez
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Faith healing warning on alternative medicine

Postby mgormez » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:43 pm

Faith healing warning on alternative medicine

Belfast Telegraph, June 1, 2004
By Alf McCreary

A PRESBYTERIAN Church committee has warned people to be careful about
the term "faith healing" and also about certain other methods of dealing
with illness.

In a report to next week's General Assembly, the Divine Healing
Committee presents a survey on alternative medicines and therapies,
including reflexology, reiki, acupuncture, yoga and transcendental
meditation, aromatherapy and homeopathy.

It states: "There is clearly a search for a deeper spiritual reality
going on in society. However, we need to be clear that not all
spirituality is good."

[cut]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... ory=527021

mgormez
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Education Ministry denies plan for TM in schools

Postby mgormez » Thu Jun 03, 2004 6:53 pm

Education Ministry [of Trinidad and Tobago] denies plan for TM in schools

Newsday, May 26, 2004

The Education Ministry yesterday denied any plan to introduce
Transcendental Meditation (TM) into schools, as was being reported in
some media claiming TM would soon be introduced into the school's
curriculum. Responding to queries by various persons, the Ministry
yesterday issued a release advising of its policy when introducing new
elements into the school curriculum. "The process is one of
consultation, research and investigation. No one and no organisation has
approached the Ministry of Education with respect to the introduction of
Transcendental Meditation techniques in schools," the release stated.

[cut]

http://www.newsday.co.tt/stories.php?article_id=17236
Mike Gormez

mgormez
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EX-FOLLOWERS RIP 'SLEAZY' SRI

Postby mgormez » Thu Jun 03, 2004 9:03 pm

EX-FOLLOWERS RIP 'SLEAZY' SRI

NY Post, May 23, 2004

By Alex Ginsberg

Charges of sexual exploitation are being leveled against a Queens-based
guru who has presided over a worldwide spiritual empire for nearly 40
years, The Post has learned.

The 72-year-old Chinmoy Kumar Ghose - Sri Chinmoy to the faithful -
moved to the quiet Briarwood neighborhood from India in 1964 and has
since preached a philosophy of celibacy, vegetarianism and meditation to
thousands.

...


Anne Carlton, a former member for 20 years, told The Post Ghose summoned
her for sexual encounters over two extended periods - one in 1991 and
another in 1996.

Then, in 2000, Ghose called her at work and told her to have sex with
another female disciple while he watched.


[cut]

http://www.nypost.com/news/regionalnews/24443.htm
Mike Gormez

mgormez
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School Offers Transcendental Meditation for ADHD Students

Postby mgormez » Fri Jun 04, 2004 11:16 pm

School Offers Transcendental Meditation for ADHD Students

WAFF.com, June 4, 2004

June 4 - At Chelsea School in Silver Spring, 10 students with ADHD are
trying transcendental meditation. The school is part of a 3-month study
to see if meditation can help the children overcome the stresses of
their disorder.

Project director Sarina Grosswald, Ph.D. said, "TM is a mental technique
that allows the mind to settle down - when the mind settles down the
body settles down."

[cut]


http://www.waff.com/Global/story.asp?S=1918995
Mike Gormez

Tom Grubb
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Postby Tom Grubb » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:13 am

If only TM were just "a mental technique that allows the mind to settle down"! And how sickening that the TM cult should be allowed to prey upon vulnerable children in this way. Of course, the article conspicuously fails to mention that Sarina Grosswald, Ph.D, is a high-flying (pun fully intended) member of the Natural Law party in the USA. Hmm...

mgormez
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Maharishi Vedic School looks to be sold

Postby mgormez » Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:26 pm

Maharishi Vedic School looks to be sold
By BARRY FOSTER
News-Sun

AVON PARK -- While the closing draws near for the sale of Harder Hall, another area landmark is up for sale. The former Pinecrest Hotel property is on the market.

Local Realtor Robert King is handling the listing, He said it has been on the market for several months now. The asking price for the historic property has been set at $3.5 million.

Originally built as a luxury resort hotel, the facility on the shores of Lake Lotela more recently has been known as the Maharishi School of Vedic Science.

[cut]

http://www.newssun.com/4DACTION/BUILDDETAIL/5932

mgormez
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'Sleazy' swami dubbed lying sex pest

Postby mgormez » Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:28 pm

Sleazy? swami dubbed lying sex pest
GG2.NET NEWS [24/05/2004]
Chinmoy Kumar Ghose, or Sri Chinmoy


A NEW York-based swami who has headed an international spiritual movement for nearly 40 years has been accused in the New York Post newspaper of fraud and sexual exploitation.

Despite Chinmoy Kumar Ghose, or Sri Chinmoy, preaching celibacy, vegetarianism and meditation to thousands, a number of women alleged he used followers for sex.

The claims have been made in string of damning posts on a website discussion board.

The 72-year-old has also been accused of fraud by a photographer who said he was asked to airbrush photographs to exaggerate the guru`s weightlifting ability.

[cut]

http://www.gg2.co.uk/viewnews.asp?nid=5 ... d=Top%20St

mgormez
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Visit to Ananda: Believers say church misunderstood

Postby mgormez » Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:30 pm

Visit to Ananda: Believers say church misunderstood

The Westerly Sun (Rhode Island), May 22, 2004

Ryan McBride, The Sun Staff

HOPKINTON - They don bangles of silver, copper, and gold around their
upper arms, they're devoted to the teachings of a long-haired Indian
guru who stressed finding the God within, and the worshipers at Ananda
Church of Self-Realization and Retreat Center say they are misunderstood
by their critics who call them a cult.

It was a typical Saturday at the rural retreat at 312 Tomaquag Road.

Under the canopy of a green canvas yurt - an insulated, domed tent - 15
devotees, led by visiting Minister Mary Kretzmann, held up their hands
during a lesson in meditative healing techniques.

[cut]

http://www.thewesterlysun.com/

mgormez
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In search of peace

Postby mgormez » Sun Jul 04, 2004 8:01 pm

In search of peace

Montreal Gazette, Saturday, July 3, 2004
By Harvey Shepherd, Freelance

In a former bank on St. Denis St., Montreal's Brahma Kumaris are using
yoga and meditation to try to return to the source of life
Soft lighting. Soft music. Hushed voices. Pastel colours. Oriental
themes and Western cherubs in the decor.

Suzanne Hebert told me many of those who visit the old bank branch on
St. Denis St. comment on the peaceful atmosphere.

Peace - world peace and inner peace - is a big part of what Brahma
Kumaris are all about.

"We want people to recognize that central point of peace and the beauty
that is inside everyone," she said.

[ rest on their site ]


http://www.canada.com/montreal/montreal ... a487c5bfe1

mgormez
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They're Not Heavy; They're His People

Postby mgormez » Sun Jul 04, 2004 8:02 pm

They're Not Heavy; They're His People

New York Times, July 1, 2004
By Corey Kilgannon

On 164th Street in Jamaica, Queens, there is a vegetarian restaurant called Annam Brahma with a series of photographs on its rear wall showing a bald man in his 70's doing one-arm dumbbell lifts, going incrementally, over 18 months, from 40 pounds up to what is claimed to be 7,063 pounds.
It sounds like a bar bet, but it is Sri Chinmoy: powerlifter for world peace. Mr. Chinmoy is a spiritual guru and founder of a worldwide empire of meditation centers based in Jamaica.

...

At first, he struggled with 20-pound dumbbells, but quickly increased his strength thanks to "God's grace" and a tough daily fitness regimen that includes very short, very heavy lifts. He said he shoulder-presses two 500-pound dumbbells several times with each arm and does seated calf extensions with 1,600 pounds and standing ones with 2,300 pounds. He uses custom-made exercise machines for his specialized lift styles.

Some experts have called the lifts frauds and obvious physical impossibilities for anyone, much less a man in his 70's standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 170 pounds. Mr. Chinmoy's lifts are videotaped and photographed by his followers, and he insists he does not care about the pound-count enough to lie.

"I'm not a weight lifter," he said. "I'm a seeker. Weight lifting is so insignificant in my life."

He says he sleeps about 90 minutes a day and begins his morning meditation session at 2:30. He says he has done more than 14 million "peace bird" drawings, has written 1,400 books, 80,000 poems and 18,000 songs, and done 200,000 paintings. And he says he has given more than 700 concerts, including one in which he played more than 100 instruments.

...


Some disgruntled former members have called the group a brainwashing cult.

Members have been taken back by their parents. In 1979 a follower practicing a stunt for the group's annual circus was found dead in his bathtub, his head stuck in a bucket of water.


[ read the rest on their site ]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/01/nyreg ... 1089259200

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/01/nyreg ... inmoy.html?
ex=1089259200&en=28d445592e3bdac6&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE>
&en=28d445592e3bdac6&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

mgormez
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Spiritual teachings inspire architectural style

Postby mgormez » Sun Jul 04, 2004 8:03 pm

Spiritual teachings inspire architectural style

Inman News, Monday, June 28, 2004
By Glenn Roberts, Jr.

Proper orientation essential for Sthapatya Veda homes

Architectural style can bring more to a building than meets the eye, say
proponents of the Maharishi Sthapatya Veda architectural style. In fact,
they claim that properly attuned architecture can promote health,
happiness and harmony.

The design principles for Sthapatya Veda architecture, also know as
Vedic architecture, were adapted by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, an elderly
guru who now resides in the Netherlands. This style is said to have
originated in the philosophies of Vedic religion, an ancient religion of
India that predates Hinduism.

The proper directional alignment of the home is at the foundation of
Sthapatya Veda architecture. A south-facing home will bring only bad
things to its inhabitants, while an east-facing home is ideal, according
to promoters of this style.

[ read the rest on their site ]

http://www.inman.com/inmannews.aspx?ID=41834


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