Adi Da first became well-known in the counterculture of the 1970s for his books and public talks, and for the activities of his religious community. His philosophy was essentially similar to many eastern religions, that seeing oneself as an individual separate from a divine unified reality is an illusion and the cause of unhappiness. Distinguishing his from other religious traditions, Adi Da stated that he was a uniquely historic avatar (incarnation of a god in human form) and as such was the sole source of enlightenment for humanity. Though he at times gained praise from authorities in spirituality and philosophy, Adi Da was also criticized for what were perceived as his isolation, controversial behavior, and cult-like community.
In the mid 1980s, allegations by former devotees of financial, sexual and emotional abuses within Adidam garnered international media attention. These allegations resulted in lawsuits or threatened suits on both sides.
With an increasing number of followers, Adi Da founded a new religious movement called "The Dawn Horse Communion". The organization soon began to open bookstores in major American cities and in Europe to disseminate Adi Da's teachings and recruit new members. In 1973, he traveled to India to meet again with Swami Muktananda to definitively discuss spiritual enlightenment and how to achieve it. They disagreed and ended their relationship, going on to later disparage each others' relative level of spiritual accomplishment. Adi Da nevertheless stated that he continued to appreciate and respect Muktananda as his onetime teacher.
In 1973, Adi Da initiated a period in his message that came to be known as the "Garbage and the Goddess" (the activities and ideas of which were documented in a book by the same title). Some followers reported having profound metaphysical experiences in Adi Da's presence, attributing these phenomena to his spiritual power as guru. However, others present remained skeptical, witnessing nothing unusual.
Adi Da increasingly began to use unconventional means of instruction he called "crazy wisdom", likening his methods to a tradition of yogic adepts who employed seemingly un-spiritual methods to awaken observer's consciousness. Adi Da directed his followers in "sexual theater", a form of psychodrama that often involved public and group sex, the making of pornographic movies, and other intensified sexual practices. Drug and alcohol use were often encouraged.
In the mid 1980s, allegations by former devotees of financial, sexual and emotional abuses within Adidam garnered international media attention. These allegations resulted in lawsuits or threatened suits on both sides.
With an increasing number of followers, Adi Da founded a new religious movement called "The Dawn Horse Communion". The organization soon began to open bookstores in major American cities and in Europe to disseminate Adi Da's teachings and recruit new members. In 1973, he traveled to India to meet again with Swami Muktananda to definitively discuss spiritual enlightenment and how to achieve it. They disagreed and ended their relationship, going on to later disparage each others' relative level of spiritual accomplishment. Adi Da nevertheless stated that he continued to appreciate and respect Muktananda as his onetime teacher.
In 1973, Adi Da initiated a period in his message that came to be known as the "Garbage and the Goddess" (the activities and ideas of which were documented in a book by the same title). Some followers reported having profound metaphysical experiences in Adi Da's presence, attributing these phenomena to his spiritual power as guru. However, others present remained skeptical, witnessing nothing unusual.
Adi Da increasingly began to use unconventional means of instruction he called "crazy wisdom", likening his methods to a tradition of yogic adepts who employed seemingly un-spiritual methods to awaken observer's consciousness. Adi Da directed his followers in "sexual theater", a form of psychodrama that often involved public and group sex, the making of pornographic movies, and other intensified sexual practices. Drug and alcohol use were often encouraged.
Adi Da said that this behavior was part of a radical overturning of all conventional moral values and contracts in order to help shock students into insights regarding habitual patterns and emotional attachments so that they could more completely surrender to him and the community. Members said that experiments in everything from food to work, worship, exercise, money and sexuality were all attempts to grow spiritually.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adi_Da
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