Radha Soami Satsang Beas men reportedly attack journalists

Interesting story in the Global Sikh News: Beas Dera Radha Swami men attacks journalists -- no action as yet. (Thanks for the links, Robert.)

Senior Journalist H. S. Bawa, editor of YesPunjab.Com has release a news report providing extensive information regarding attack on Sangat TV (UK) crew members by Radha Swami Dera men.

The men of Radha Soami Dera at Beas, which preaches non-violence, attacked the crew of Sangat TV at village Jodhe near Beas in the district of Amritsar. However, both the members of the crew were lucky enough to escape the attack.

The crew members – Baljeet Singh, a correspondent and the camera man Monu – had to virtually run to save their lives as both of them were attacked by Dera men on Saturday.

What happened to "love your neighbor" and "turn the other cheek"? Oh, right. These followers of Radha Soami Satsang Beas aren't Christians, so I guess it's OK for them to hate their neighbors and hit the other guys.

Now, the Global Sikh News may not be dispassionate in reporting this story, as there are tensions between Sikhs and the religiously divergent Radha Soami organization -- sort of like the tensions between Catholics and Protestants, though both are Christian.

Here's an example: Dera Radha Swami illegally occupies panchayat land and destroys Sikh Gurudwara. God supposedly is all lovey-dovey and oneness'y. However we humans are anything but, especially when religion divides us.

Comments

[Robert Searle]

Brian!

You should have credited me for introducing the above material....

[Brian Hines]

Robert, I thanked you via a comment in the blog post where you left the links:
http://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/2012/07/another-inspiring-rssb-why-i-left-story.html

I do usually thank people for a link in a blog post if they've emailed it to me. SInce I'd already thanked you in a post comment, I figured that was thanks enough. But thanks again. I'll end a third thanks to the post itself.

[NC]

Even though it's been years since I've left RS, I still get shocked to see stories like this. I still have a hard time believing the Dera or its representatives could be involved in something like this. I think I still have the innocent image in my mind that no matter how much I don't believe in RS theories anymore, there is no way they would be like 'normal worldly' people and indulge in things like violence (above article), greed (Religare, stocks, private planes, Pumas), coercing folks in giving up land for expansion of Dera, and potentially hurting the sentiments of Sikhs by destroying an old Gurudwara site?
I still have the naive belief that RS all in all is still spiritual. But these stories are good reminders that it is just my wishful thinking that there are Saints who are perfect, and have the answer and ability to live in this world in a very pure manner that is above and beyond daily human interactions. I've left RS, but I think I still have not been able to let go of the IDEAL that RS had presented to me at one time....... Oh well......sigh.....

[Moongoes]

quote Robert Searle
Brian!

You should have credited me for introducing the above material.

Moon: What do you want, an olympic gold medal for links. And the copy paste winner issss....

[Robert Searle]

Moon...why not...an olympic gold medal please!

Brian...a fourth thanks...may be in order..ha, ha, ha! Or should I say LOL!

You have got to have a sense of humour in this world, or else you go nuts..to use the American word...

On a serious note.

I am not suprised about the news on RSSB. Evidently, Gugu, or should I say Gurinder is getting more greedy on the land "grab" front. It is sad that RSSB has reached this sort of level. When I first got involved with it back in 1980 it was enjoying a good reputation but now....things are starting to get of control..

However, I still hold onto the Chandian concept of what is going on. The real Master is not GS out there but the one within (ie. the Higher Self).

http://thoughtsandvisions-searle88.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/religare-gurinder-and-beas-satsang-part.html

[Robert Searle]

The following may be of interest as it shows pics of some of the RSSB centres, or centers to use the American spelling...!

http://radhasoamiji.weebly.com/centers.html

[tucson]

I think the RS IDEAL is a fantasy. I wanted it to be true also but imo this is not the case at all. Best to dispell this illusion if you can, NC and Tara. This is not to say there is not a "oneness" or "great spirit" to tap into (so to speak. So, perhaps all is not lost.

[Robert Searle]

The following link may be of interest.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Radha-Soami-Dera-Satsang-Beas/news

[David R]

Tara, was Charan your guru? He was likable i think. The only thing about him was that i think he had answers for everything instead of just saying, "sorry, i don't know that". Especially the stuff about Jesus eating fish and drinking wine. He claimed that was just some kind of mistake of the gospel writers and that Jesus could not have eaten flesh or taken alcohol. But 2000 years ago in the middle east wine was easily made and procured because water was not readily available to drink safely and the wine itself wasn't a high alcohol content, likewise fish was part of the diet because in that sparse land there wasn't much else to eat.

It's quite amazing to me that you were so close to this organisation to the point where you actually knew these gurus in person. Seems strange because there must have been thousands of people trying to get darshan.

[Juan]

Tara you said,

Charan was caught in the Guru-situation but he played the part with love and humility. ..

He had to play the part with love. Charan was not doing well in his law practice, he was a failure, and who doesn’t wants a comfortable, respectable life. He was much better off in his guru business than practising law.

Charan was lovable and the Sangat loved him to bits. Even Don Gurinder whether lovable or not is loved by the Sangat.

The income of the sect at present has risen to probably ten thousand times that it used to be at the time of Charan, even the number of followers are more than 5 times, so without aggression and policy change the sect would not have been have been able to reach these heights.

Why should one think the present Guru is going to renounce his Gurudom in his living years... normally no guru would ever like to do so, could it be because of some life threat,or illness, or some other reason?

[just me]

We are all playing a role in life. I am thankful that the RS guru woke me up to the realization that I am more than this current role I am playing in this illusionary game of life.

Hence, to me, the guru shows the way and method of self discovery. This is what I learned from the teachings. If others who follow him tend to perceive him as more than they are themselves then that is their problem.

Nowadays the catch phrase is "we are all one". We understand this with our mind. If we realize it then that will probably mean enlightenment. Then do we still have a role to play?

[An Observer]

When you take a close look at the current RSSB organisation - it is not a spiritual organisation at all. It's focus is to acquire property and to get the followers to do free work (or shall we call it seva?).
Gurinder singh is hardly some recluse who meditates 3 hours a day. Neither has he spent many years in deep meditation.
Swami Ji spent 18 years in meditation, Baba Jaimal singh spent 13. Sawan singh spent 9 years. Since then none of the masters spent many years in meditation.

Gurinder Singh is primarily a businessman and is using his marketing skills to increase the RSSB business.

However, this is a far cry from what spirituality is. Baba Jaimal singh told sawan singh not even to build the well in beas - because he would get attached and get bound to beas and one day it will become a place where people visit and it would become a religion. This is already the case.

RSSB is now a RELIGION. People follow it like they follow any other religion - blindly.

The followers are FANATICAL and they are no longer focussed on spiritual progress - but on status and fame.

RSSB is getting richer and is busy acquiring property and becoming an international religion. Pretty soon it will be the next sikhism.

[Juan]

Tara, you said,
I'm against any sort of aggressive marketing technique for any spiritual sect, more so where most followers will never meet the Guru in person.
...Its not that I’m in favour of this, but what I think is for that much rapid expansion of RSSB, this is the only way.
You seem to think that Charan was a loser.
...Not at all,neither Charan was a loser nor Don Gurinder is a loser, both are winners, Charan changed his business/profession for a better life,so did Gurinder, and both of them have done very well.
Charan was against the expansion of the sect.
...This is what he used to say in theory, but practically he tried enough for the expansion of the sect according to the situation and finances within his reach, whereas Gurinder had far more ample opportunities and finances for the expansion and he availed them.
Is it okay to attack journalists ? Is it okay to push out unbelieving neighbors so that the Dera can have another few hundred meters of land ?
...Most of the sevadars have to just obey the orders of Babaji, without any judgement.
If you're okay with this sort of strategy, then you're better off having that egg-glazed cranberry muffin and going back to everyday religion.
...Not only egg glazed cranberry muffin, even eggs, fish chicken and a good glass of wine is okay for me.
The initiates that I know are very confused between the real teachings and the worldly realities of the sect.
...The business of Masters is to create confusion.
In my opinion, any mission, spiritual or otherwise that receives donations from its members must give back in an entirely tangible way. The poorest amongst the poor RSSB sangat save up to put something in the Seva box. I find that very disconcerting, specially when the teachings have been altered.
...Like any businesss, one has to switch from one product to another according to the demand and supply,similarly don gurinder has also to do the same.
Either there is a Sach Khand or there isn't. There cannot be one for the village Sangat and none for the newbies. One follower is seeking salvation, the other is on a Oneness high. What's going on ? Of course, you disagree, I know that. Doesn't matter !
...There is Sach Khand but nothing is for free, you have to pay a price for everything,the newbies have to still work a lot and further the work of the disciple is to meditate after getting initiated, not to get entangled in the dirty tricks of the mind, only then these masters can shower their grace if they wish.
As for the renunciation, I'm only taking a valid call.
...Is it difficult for any of his family members or relatives to handle this empire?

[tAo]

I must say, Juan's comments come off as significant hypocrisy.

Juan writes (in quotations:

"what I think is for that much rapid expansion of RSSB, this is the only way."

--Why does RSSB have need to expand? Is is to gain more power and money, or is it because God is cranking out more "marked souls"? Obviously the former.

"neither Charan was a loser nor Don Gurinder is a loser, both are winners, Charan changed his business/profession for a better life,so did Gurinder, and both of them have done very well."

--So its really all about the guru getting a "better life" (a better "business/profession") for HIMSELF, is it now? Hah hah hah!

"what he [Charan] used to say in theory, but practically he tried enough for the expansion of the sect according to the situation and finances within his reach, whereas Gurinder had far more ample opportunities and finances for the expansion and he availed them."

--You mean he has had more or better opportunity to amass his own personal wealth. Don't try to hide the obvious.

"the sevadars have to just obey the orders of Babaji, without any judgement."

--So its all just the "orders of Babaji". Meaning that Babaji is the guy who is soley responsible. You know, like a totalitarian DICTATOR. But then, that also means that Babaji is the guy who is to blame for everything. You can't have both ways.

"Not only egg glazed cranberry muffin, even eggs, fish chicken and a good glass of wine is okay for me."

--So eggs, fish, meat and alcohol are good ("okay") for satsangis?

"The business of Masters is to create confusion."

--Not according to what all the holy scriptures and spiritual teachers since time immemorial have indicated. In fact, quite the opposite. So Juan apparently has a rather twisted and warped sense of what is the intent and purpose of the so-called "Masters". Enlightenment (clarity and understanding ) is certainly not brought about by causing confusion. Confusion has always been said to be 'the work of the Devil' (the sower of doubt and confusion).

"[RSSB] Like any businesss, one has to switch from one product to another according to the demand and supply,similarly don gurinder has also to do the same."

-- So then, RSSB really is nothing but a big "business", and it is out to sell a "product". But only if you are a sucker. Buyer beware.

"There is Sach Khand but nothing is for free, you have to pay a price for everything,"

--Not according to Radha Soami. Radha Soami has manifested everything for free. And there is no price on grace. Not that I have ever heard or seen. Thats why its called "causeless mercy".

"the work of the disciple is to meditate after getting initiated, not to get entangled in the dirty tricks of the mind, only then these masters can shower their grace if they wish.

--"shower their grace". that means freely.

"Is it difficult for any of his [Gurinder's] family members or relatives to handle this empire?"

--Well, seeing as how the family business [RSSB] is now (as Juan says) an "empire", I would think that it must require a team or even a company of relatives to manage it. Especially if they want to keep the money in the family.

[tucson]

tAo:
Good to see you drop in once in awile and do your thing in your own inimitable way. (That's a compliment).

[tucson]

Tara wrote:
"I still find it unbelievable that RSSB believers come up with such statements."

--and even more unbelievable that they are OK with it...that Gurinder, a supposed perfect master god in human form, can be influenced by the winds of fashion, popular appeal and supply/demand concerns. In other words...marketing.

[Richa]

For how many days this jounalist was hospitalised by the way! We are leaving it to our Loving God. God must give them what they deserve for these nasty comments to hurt sentiments of others. May God turn them into pile of rubbish and make them unable to make such a stupid and rude comments against others who have done nothing against these people. All bloggers are doing for purpose of having fun and out of jealousy. God please give them what you think is right - for their this fun.

[Annonymous]

A wise man said, " When dogs bark, elephants keep moving without taking care of anyone". We can not do much because backbiters are not public, they are anonymous. They are hidden monsters and also intruder in others's life. If they will come infront of me, I will punch on their face for insulting our Indian culture, values and all old Indian religions.

[Brian Hines]

Anonymous, aren't you, um, leaving your comment anonymously? Aren't you "backbiting" people you disagree with in a "not public" way? I'm confused by what you're so upset about. Nobody forces you to visit certain web sites on the Internet, do they? Aren't you free to read what you want, and not read what you don't want?

Also, please be specific about these supposed insults to Indian culture, values, and all old Indian religions. I can't recall anyone ever doing such on this blog. Personally, I love Buddhism (the non-religious variety) which originated in India. I also love Indian food, dancing, and movies. Bollywood1 So what are you talking about?