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Rigiditananda
Unregistered User
(12/16/01 7:42 pm)
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An act of love
I have heard that A-nanda org. owes 4.5 million dollars as a consequence of the law suits with SRF. Is this debt affecting directly the life of the people and families living in the comunity? I do not know, but I would not be surprised. If that is the case, SRF could pay that debt. SRF has enough money to do it without creating any financial hardship for itself. In a humanitarian act the organization could also improve its image and create the right environment for new mutual understanding with A-nanda.

pschuppe
Registered User
(12/16/01 8:15 pm)
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Re: An act of love
I'm going to copy and reply to your post in the A-nanda section of this site in deference to Walrus' request that such topics be discussed there.

ps

Here's the link:

pub78.ezboard.com/fsrfwalrusfrm31.showMessage?topicID=7.topic

SRFWalrus: Thanks PS for your help. I hate to add to your your grief with this weird limitation and I hope you understand. I have also removed the limitation on "Ananda" in the filter.

Edited by: srfwalrus at: 12/16/01 10:38:37 pm
pschuppe
Registered User
(12/17/01 9:57 am)
Reply
Re: An act of love
An act of love
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From Rigiditananda:

An act of love
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I have heard that A-nanda org. owes 4.5 million dollars as a consequence of the law suits with SRF. Is this debt affecting directly the life of the people and families living in the comunity? I do not know, but I would not be surprised. If that is the case, SRF could pay that debt. SRF has enough money to do it without creating any financial hardship for itself. In a humanitarian act the organization could also improve its image and create the right environment for new mutual understanding with A-nanda.
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Legal debt affects nearly everything Ananda can do financially, either directly or indirectly. The debt is staggering. Even the interest on the principle is staggering. But I believe it's below 4.5 million now, (somewhere in the 3's, though I'm not positive). Of course it affects everyone, families, singles, etc.,--we have to pay it--interest and all! Any money we pay toward the debt is money above and beyond living expenses. It's a stretch for everyone. (And the current debt doesn't even count what we've already spent and paid off: more than 5 million--maybe 6 or 7.)

Primarily the current debt affects Ananda's ability to share Master's teachings in new and creative ways. Any new project that can't hold it's own financially within a very short period of time is difficult to maintain or grow. We have to assume that that's part of SRF's strategy: if they can't win the lawsuit (I'm talking about the ongoing copyrights case here) they can achieve the same result by trying to bankrupt us. Their strategy hasn't succeeded so far, but it has created a real financial struggle for us over the last 12 years.

Speaking for myself, I would settle for having SRF just BACK OFF and leave us alone. Your suggestion about them paying our legal debt is very sweet, and would obviously do a lot to improve present and future relations, but it is way beyond naive. SRF is absolutely convinced and committed to the idea that it, and only it, can represent or share Master's teachings. That it, and only it, is Master's work. Cripes, they tried to trademark the term "Self-realization," which was in use in this country before Master was born. They believe they own Yogananda and his teachings, lock, stock, and barrel. Anyone else is strictly an "interloper." To imagine present leadership changing their tune on these points is VERY unrealistic.

But the vantage point from here is that we've risen to the challenge that (we have to assume) Master himself gave us to deal with. His life, his teachings and path belong to the world. We've fought long and hard for that freedom--for ourselves and for others. There is so much inspiration and depth and power that he brought to the world. It's a pity that some of it is locked up in an organizational mentality that puts centralized control on the altar, ahead of compassion, creativity, humor, etc.. But the bottom line is that no ONE organization can share Master or his teachings completely, any more than one organization can make all the computers in the world, or write all the software in the world. It's impossible. From that standpoint, it's been a great blessing for us to take this on--struggle and all. 50 years from now, a few million won't seem that important, though it seems pretty suffocating just now. All I know is that freeing his message up has been worth every penny.

ps

premdas
Registered User
(12/17/01 1:55 pm)
Reply
Rigi's love
Yes, Ananda families are affected. And have been tempered in these fires set by fellow gurubais!. A unique situation exists at Ananda; my take on this is that all are "householder/monks". Let me explain: In the main
Village, approx. 80% work directly with an Ananda "enterprise", like publishing, ministerial offices, Kriya Ministry (yes!), outreach, the Expanding Light (Yoga retreat), community management, utilities, construction, schools, a grocery market and more. Some also have and are starting their own businesses. Each member can and does wear many hats as they operate what is in fact a municipality, a retreat, a world-wide movement (World Brotherhood Colonies, remember them?) and an ashram. Whew! 90% or more are working as inspired disciples of Yogananda, almost all community members are Kriyabans, most of these practicing higher Kriyas and some even able to demonstrate and share how to do Kechari! Voluntarily, most Ananda members tithe from their meager salaries, donate to legal funding, donate to spreading Master's teachings of Kriya. (For all we invest into Yogananda's work, SRF should be thanking us! But then, money isn't the issue). Ananda looks kind of like new world Amish: God is first (God Alone) and God is in each one. All else is secondary (actually inclusive). I can honestly say that those choosing this particular ray know they are blessed by these challenges. Ananda is a strong entity/community because its members seek to operate in attunement with Yogananda's original teachings. There are many group meditations throughout the week. Above all, they seek attunement with the guru. They also know that whatever hardships come, nothing can destroy their discipleship & satsanga. And this is just one community in Nevada City. there are as many as 7 others around the states and the world. This doesn't count meditation groups in almost every state, and numerous individual members not living in a community, yet participating in many ways. It is more of a grass-roots org. I know as they have given me much support in the many incarnations I've had in this life alone! Ananda, in spite of the vociferous opinions of few discontented individuals, is dharmically serving more & more truth seekers. At Ananda, people are more important than things! I wouldn't associate with them if this were not the truth. The doors and hearts are open for those who want to see for themselves. Just look at the websites. I offer these comments in truth and love, and by the grace of my guru, Yogananda, who brought me to this discussion. Please, let's abandon fear and open the gates that have separated us for too long. Thank you, brother Rigi, for though a dream, your kind suggestion, your energy and goodwill is felt and appreciated. Om, shanti.

Parabastha
Unregistered User
(12/18/01 3:24 am)
Reply
Jai Guru! Jai Ananda!
In its true meaning, all of us--including Ananda--are a "Self-Realization Fellowship." Let us all join together to help Ananda. Let us buy their books, videos, send them donations, prayers, positive energies and thoughts. That is the true Dwapara Yuga spirit, to help one another. Thanks to Ananda (and his founder) we have the original AY, hundreds of stories of Master, a video and tapes of him talking, and much more, mainly Master's ideals of world-brotherhood colonies and how-to-live schools. I am a SRF member, and I'm very sad for their treatment by the SRF BOD.

God and Gurus ever bless you, Ananda!

Jai Guru!

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