Dear friends,

.....Now. Because of some responses that have popped up, I'd like to comment on another subject: Why My Guru, Swami Nithyananda, Is Being Attacked. No Kirby, it isn't just your comment, there have been other questions.

I have no idea whether the videos are real or not. It's actually none of my business. The point here is that the way these videos were 'leaked" and then backed up by paid mob violence indicates a financed conspiracy. There are now rumors that other video "leaks" were planned, one allegedly connecting him to a murder and another "proving" drug dealing. However, the "supplier' of these has turned himself over to police protection, claiming fear for his life. Whether he has actually admitted fabricating the stuff isn't clear yet.

The conspiracy clearly has political origins. SwamiJi has bravely and openly opposed the established government and has launched sweeping social outreach projects, including a functional literacy program for women so they can navigate ATMs, legal forms and public assistance offers;a vocational training program free to women who need to find an independent trade and support themselves; youth counseling and drug rehab; and religious reform. This last has been especially controversial and has enlisted a faction against him that otherwise might not have paid attention.

Traditional Hinduism does not allow women to participate much in any ritual, and bans them entirely from temple during menstruation. My guru is one of the first to allow women equal status with men and to permit attendance during their periods. It has garnered him passionate devotion, but also intense and vicious opposition from the conservative quarter.

Further, my guru allows the general public to participate in some rituals which historically were limited to priests. I think he is the only one who allows worshippers to bathe the great Shiva lingam and to help with other ceremonies. It is fabulous for us to participate, but obviously it has made him strong and powerful enemies.

The timing of this "leak" -- on the eve of the Kumbha Mela, which he was scheduled to lead and which he had to cancel out of, costing the ashram thousands of dollars in refunds since nearly 1000 of us had paid to accompany him, tells me any footage we see must be a crock. The hired mobs that broke windows, set life-threatening fires and hurled rocks and verbal abuse at us gives further reason to see a conspiracy.

But in any case, SwamiJi's private life doesn't impair his brilliance as a teacher, his amazing social vision, his fabulous ritual nor his wonderful loving personality.

I myself am a piece of the social vison, and have participated in the rituals with joy. I'va also experienced intense and positive personal change from his programs and meditation techniques.
That is so much more than I had in my life one year ago that I will give thanks every day until I leave the planet, for his presence upon it.

It's not my place to draw conclusions nor to stand in judgment. I know who he is: he is a great, saintly and beautiful being.

And that's the news from Bangalore today, *grin*

with love Sophia/Nithya Sarvavidyaa