Tag Archives: Shiva Ashram

Mount Eliza Ashram starts marketing on the internet

The Shiva Ashram (now calling itself the Sri Nityananda Ashram in Mount Eliza) has started marketing itself on the internet again with no less than 3 new websites seen here:

http://www.swamishankarananda.com/
https://devimasaraswati.com/
http://www.srinityanandaashram.com.au/

Naturally there’s no mention of the on-going legal case against the ashram / Kruckman or any hint of an apology or responsibility for the many people harmed by this abusive group. Their method, as always, is to act like it never happened.

What now for the Guru Model?

The Shiva Ashram features in this month’s edition of Australian Yoga Life as Melbourne’s Alice Williams looks at the recent investigations into ashrams in Australia.

Australian Yoga Life

“How, can we ask, in yoga communities built on the tenets of non-violence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya) and sexual ethics (Bramacharya), can abuse still occour; let alone remain hidden for decades?” (Australian Yoga Life Issue 47, pg 34).

Another interesting article also appeared this month on the Maddypap website entitled  “Swami’s secrets dividing opinions of yoga but not the Mount Eliza name.” – You can read it here:

https://maddypap.wordpress.com/2015/05/29/swamis-secrets-dividing-opinions-of-yoga-but-not-the-mount-eliza-name/

Ashram reopens despite liquidation.

Barely a week after the official organisation Shiva Yoga Inc. went into voluntary liquidation, a senior leader of the group announced on social media that the Shiva Ashram would reopen and begin offering programs to the public again, causing confusion and anger among the many ex-members still grappling to come to terms with recent events there.

Predictably, the remaining members have vowed to continue despite the liquidation process and have set up several Facebook Pages in recent weeks and also sent letters to a local newspaper suggesting that the Shiva Ashram and its leaders are the victims of a conspiracy organised by “a few disgruntled people with an agenda to close the Ashram.”

In response, we would like to invite readers to review the article posted by The Age newspaper, dated March 18, 2015, and in particular to note the number of alleged primary and secondary victims mentioned by Helen Last, chief executive of In Good Faith and Associates:

Alleged victims of Shiva School were previously sexually assaulted

Many ex-members of the Shiva Ashram that we have spoken to believe that they suffered emotional and psychological trauma as a result of their involvement with this group and are now receiving regular counselling with CASA and other services, including a special support service offered by Integrative Psychology in Melbourne specifically for people trying to leave the  Shiva Yoga group.

 

Two new documents uploaded

Integrative Psychology in Melbourne has kindly sent in two more documents to add to our resources section. The first explains in detail the psychology of the charismatic leader and is highly recommended reading. The second outlines the process of exit counselling for those who feel they might be in need of that kind of professional support after leaving Shiva Yoga. You can view them by clicking on the links below:

The charismatic leader fact sheet

Exit counselling for former members of cults and other abusive groups for clients

“Cult leaders can exhibit problems with impulse control (otherwise referred to as acting out). This acting out normally takes a number of forms, the most common of which are sexual and physical abuse. This behavior is often known only to a select few yet when it is publicly known complex explanations are offered… Thus there is often a claim to a special kind of teaching; this is particularly the case in sexual exploitation…” – Integrative Psychology

“It is well-known that our lineage is a Tantric path, involving worship of the Goddess with strict disciplines. Swamiji has never claimed to be a sexual renunciant nor demanded celibacy from any of his students, and until now Swamiji has kept aspects of the teaching and his personal activities secret in line with age-old Hindu Tantric scriptures.” – Stephen & Vani on behalf of the Management Committee, Shiva Yoga Inc.

You decide.

 

 

Independent Mediator

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Today Shiva Yoga sent out the following email (below). For those confused about what mediation is we recommend reading this page, and in particular note this:

“Mediation is a structured negotiation process in which an independent person, known as a mediator, assists the parties to identify and assess options and negotiate an agreement to resolve their dispute. Mediation is an alternative to a judge imposing a decision on the parties.”

And:

“If the matter is not fully settled there may be discussion about what needs to be done to prepare for trial and the file will return to the judge. The mediator will notify the judge of the outcome but not the content of the mediation. Even when a matter does not settle clarification of the issues often occurs. Mediating a dispute does not mean there will be a delay in it being heard by a judge.”

But essentially, mediation is meant to try to resolve the issue by discussion rather than by a legal battle or legal investigation into criminal wrong doing.

Shiva Ashram’s email below:

Dear Ashram community member,

For the benefit of the Ashram community, the Shiva Yoga Management Committee has engaged an independent mediator, Callum Campbell (CV is attached). We have asked him to conduct a Mediation Process regarding any issues referred to in our “Statement to the Community” issued on 22/12/2014. This email is asking for expressions of interest to participate in this Mediation Process.

To register your interest to participate, please call 1300 633 428. Registrations will close on Tuesday 27 January 2014 at 6pm EST.

We would like to reassure you that this process is entirely voluntary and will be handled with the utmost confidence. Specifically, all your communications will be within the independent facilitator’s office or with the independent facilitator directly and you will not be identified to Shiva Yoga Inc. or your participation shared with anyone, unless specifically requested by you.

Upon receipt of all relevant information, Mr Campbell will then report back to the Management Committee with recommendations as to how best address the issues raised. Please forward this email to any person for whom you believe it may be relevant.

We are very committed to this process and once again we thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter.

Sincerely, Stephen & Vani

on behalf of the Management Committee, Shiva Yoga Inc.

Mediator Profile Callum Campbell