12/13/2019
International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres
This is a sad day. The disturbing news of "Swami" VishnuDevananda's sexual misconduct and abuse are shocking. We are surrounded by power-hungry, desire-driven people who will not think twice and ruin your life to satisfy their momentary pleasure. We see children being sexually abused by their parents, women are abused sexually and otherwise at work and at home, men too are being abused at times. we see more and more bullies at every age.
* Beware of them no matter what clothes they wear or what they represent.
* If you are being abused get up right now pack your bag and walk away. I promise you that the unknown is not that scary and it is much safer than an abusive environment.
* Be devoted to the truth and not to a person.
I thank God for bringing me to the Sivananda Organization where I served as a Swami for 18 years. I did get what I came for and had the unique privilege of working with children all these years which I believe is the reason why I ended up at the Sivananda organization and not any other.
As per the following news... I can understand sexual desire but I cannot understand why not be open and honest about it. Swamiji was a great teacher if he wanted he could have taken his orange clothes off and gotten married and still run the organization since the teachings are above all of us instruments. I am disappointed that he chose to deceive us all and caused so much hurt in the process. Now, the fact that the EBM knew of all of this and stayed silent that is an unbearable thought. This is weak and based on fear of losing worldly possessions and safety nets. So the organization would have gone through some shaking, So What???? Stand up tall and be bold. DO THE RIGHT THING! You must come out with a statement for the sake of all past present and future students. OM and Prem
Here is the original post by Julie Salter
With all the hagiography around Swami Vishnu-devananda and his legacy, with all the wistful wishes, beliefs and projections, and looking at the “good” done, lets also face into at least a little of the hidden, the dark: can we hold these aspects also, grieve where needs weren’t met, address, perhaps re-dress where there has been abuse and cover-ups… meet each other in greater maturity.
I was Swami Vishnu-devananda’s personal assistant/secretary for the last 11 plus years of his life. I was groomed for the role, after a few years as staff in far away locations. Night after night of broken and very little sleep, few regular meals, being scolded daily etc., lines were crossed: Swami Vishnu-devananda began to use/abuse me sexually, for a period of over 3 years. All was extremely confusing; he presented and was known publicly as a celibate monk. This catapulted me into deeper and deeper states of shame and anguish (and fear) as I carried Swami V-d’s secret sexual behaviour for the remainder of time I was on staff. I rationalized, did all the stuff people are known to do in such situations when holding such a lie. Though I thought to leave, as swamiji became sicker and sicker, physically more dependant, I stayed on. Until I was too broken to even know how to leave, by the time he had passed.
As well as my own psychological patterns with which I arrived, I have had to examine the profound effects of being in such a deep group system, and the powerful forces at play to maintain secrecy.
After 21 years staff, severely compromised on all levels (physically and psychologically), I left the organization.
Soon after I left staff I mustered the courage to address this topic with board members, as I had realized that no real healing or deep long-lasting positive change would take place in the organization or for those involved without addressing Swami Vishnu-devananda’s own sexual activity: bringing this out into the light of day.
The reactions ranged from silence, to the attempt to silence, ( one member stated ''Mary Magdalene was the wife of Jesus but only talked of the teachings’’). I believe that most if not all already knew that Swami V-d. had not been celibate, even though to this day, he is revered and portrayed as such.
Swami Vishnu-Devananda was covertly sexually active, apparently with multiple young women devotees, up until 1987. There were several people who left the Sivananda organization deeply wounded, with substantial long lasting consequences to this day.
At this point in time it seems to me imperative that this come out more publicly - not for “sullying” the name of swami V.d, as has been suggested, but for the good of all, so that we all 'get real' in our practice, facilitating the possibility of open unveiled communication, of honesty and of connectedness. I believe that now, there are more ears ready to hear with the ability to deeply listen.
To those who were negatively affected by my not speaking out while I was on staff, (denial by silence), I am deeply, profoundly sorry.
