Sahaj Marg

Sahaj Marg, which essentially translates to "natural path" is the system of practical training in spirituality offered by Shri Ram Chandra Mission.

Philosophy
The stated goal of the Sahaj Marg practice is complete oneness with one's higher self. It must be pointed out that this higher self represented by Mr Chari, who according California based Chari Group, is the sole representative of God, or the Ultimate on this earth. Hence it can be concluded that Sahaj Marg is complete oneness with Mr Chari (The Cult leader)

Generic Cult Philosophy
Mind Control

It is established that this cult applies mind control over its cult members. This is done by asking the cult member to maintain a diary wherein all thoughts must be recorded, these thoughts in turn should be shared with the front group people (preceptor's) or should be directly reported to the cult leader. Which implies that the cult member must not share her/his thought with the family members but with the front group people (preceptor), with whom the below stated transmission also takes place, this causes the cult member to become disconnect with her/his family and the cult member gets more involved with the cult group, and this is how isolations of the cult member is achieved by this cult group.

Once this isolation is achived the cult member become more and more emotioanlly dependent on the preceptor and ignorent towards her/his own family members. This has caused many families to break down and is still causing problems in domestic life of those who are involved in this. (See reference, divorce cases).

This is also declared in the report submitted to Prime Minister of France, where it is clearly stated that it encourages isolation, and presents a direct threat of conditioning. (See refrence)

Total Submission to the Cult Leader

Mr. Chari demands that he should be loved by all the adhrents and total submission to him is a must for the growth of the adherent. Here it is also important to mention that he has been accused of murder (see below) (see list of pending cases in references). This total submission to Mr Chari also qualifies this group as dangerous cult group which according to cult watch groups, is harmful to society.

Absolute Obedience To Cult Leader

The basic requirement for becoming an abhyasi of Sahaj Marg according to Mr. Chari is that people must not think, or use their brains. According to Mr. Chari's speech in India, (see last para) where he has specifically states that

"So, I hope we will all have sense enough to follow the Guru's teachings, which are very simple. The practice is even simpler because you don't need any brains. You will only have to be obedient. The biggest advantage in obedience is, do it without thinking, without questioning, and it will take you there. Otherwise it is like one of these passengers who gets into a train, "Sir, I want to go to Delhi. Will this train go to Delhi?" "Yes." "How do you know it will go to Delhi?" "Because I am going to Delhi." "But did you enquire that we are going to Delhi and this train will go to Delhi?" "Yaar, I would not be sitting here otherwise." "Saab aap kahan ja rahen hain?" "Mujhe bhi Delhi jaana hai." "Aapne sab pooch tach kar liya?" "Saab yeh kaisa prashna hai? Aap utar jayiye." ("Sir, where are you going?" "I too am going to Delhi." "Have you made all the enquiries?" "Sir, what type of question is this! Please get down.")

Cult Leader's Birthday Celebrations

Mr Chari's Birthday which falls on 24th of July is celebrated in one of the towns for three days, from 22nd of July to 25th of July each year, in India, where all members are expected to come, and join the celebration, Donation is expected from each member, so that birthday function can be celebrated lavishly, kindly note that this group is registered as NGO which does not work for the poor, apart from spending on birthday celebration of Mr. Chari, and to buy gift for Mr Chari, donations may also be used for buying property etc for mission and is used for Mr Chari’s personal traveling across the globe which are primarily to encourage more membership to mission.

In case of last year’s birthday celebration (Raipur India) donations was compulsory (See Registration)

This also acts as a group meeting and the environment is made such that group thinking prevails and individual thinking is suppressed.

This method of SRCM can allegedly be dangerous, for people in family life. Signs of conditioning as well as physical and emotional issues have also been observed by some who have practiced it. This transmission takes place between adherent and preceptor, in isolation. (See references and discussions)

Sitting with preceptor is an important aspect of Sahaj Marg, where the above stated transmission takes place. Here, the adherent and preceptor sit in isolation and both imagine that a divine light from Mr. Chari's heart is coming to the adherents heart via the preceptor's heart, it has been reported by some family members of abhyasis that this connection of hearts causes problems in marriages and has resulted in divorce of many people where one of the partners has left the mission.

Claimed Exclusive Approach
As in case of all other Destructive cult this group also claims few exclusive approach, they are:-

Evening cleaning:

Wherein the adherent sits and imagines that the effects all her/his actions are going out in the form of smoke from one's lower back portion of the body (Anus), and the space created is filled by divine light. The source of this light is once again Mr Chari, who in turn is supposed to remove impressions (samskaras) and complexities from the heart of the adherent. If one reads and understands the teachings of past enlightened souls like that of Swami Vivekananda and Krishna, they all have said that it is not possible to erase the effect of one's actions, and we will all receive the effects for our deeds, hence it can be concluded that this method is against the teachings of past enlightened Masters like Buddha Swami Vivekananda and Krishna.

Pranahuti.

The Mission celebrates the birthdays of all three Masters in its lineage. Mr Chari's Birthday which falls on 24th of July is celebrated in a different town in India every year for three days, around 25th of July, where all members are encouraged to come, and join the celebration. A donation is expected from each member, so that the birthday function can be celebrated. This is inspite of the fact that this group is registered as an NGO which works for the poor, apart from spending on the organization of the birthday function, donations may also be used for Mission priorities like buying property for the Mission ashrams, maintaining existing ashrams, and for Mr Chari’s personal travel across the globe which are primarily to encourage more membership to the Mission.

Pranahuti is the technique by which Mr. Chari transmits divine energy from his heart in India to the heart of the aspirant via a preceptor's heart. With the assistance of Mr. Chari, trained preceptors or prefects (priests or instructors), and the aspirant's own dedicated practice, the promise of spiritual evolution in Sahaj Marg can allegedly quickly become a reality although some have performed the practice for up to 25 years and more without any verifiable signs or indications of being 'God realized' being witnessed. Traditionally, however, "God Realization" is something which is supposed to take many thousands of years and lifetimes, as in the story of the ancient rishis who supposedly meditated for 20,000 years before reaching to goal.

This method of SRCM can be termed as dangerous, for people in family life. Signs of conditioning and physical and emotional issues have also been observed by those who have practised it. This transmission takes place between adherent and preceptor, in isolation, some critics have also termed this method as mental sex or Imaginative Sex, between the preceptor and the adherent. (See references and discussions)

Method (daily practice)
There are three steps to the practice: morning meditation, evening cleaning and night prayer meditation. The rest of the day should be spent in 'constant remembrance' of the Cult Leader thinking that all our actions are being done by the Cult Leader. The disciple is encouraged to see the Cult Leader in India or when he comes to a place near them.

Morning Meditation
Direct quote from Babuji material:

"Sit in meditation for an hour thinking that Divine Light is present in your heart. Do it in quite a simple and natural way without forcing your mind. Never mind if you do not see the light there. Start with a mere supposition, so to say, and sit meditating in one posture with your attention turned towards the heart in a natural way without any effort to concentrate.  Try to be unmindful of the thoughts arising at that time."

(From "Some Important Features of Sahaj Marg" by Ram Chandra (Founder & President)published by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Shahjahanpur, U.P. See references)

Constant Remembrance
This is the method wherein adherents are suppose to be in constant remembrance of their divine inner self, which is represented by Mr. Chari, hence the adherent must always think about Mr Chari, throughout the day, whereas when thoughts of daily life come, they must ignore them like a dog barking, this method causes adherents to become totally isolated from all his/her responsibilty.

Transmission
This process is similar to Hypnosis, wherein it is said that Mr Chari transmits higher spiritual energy from his heart to the abhyasis heart via a preceptor's heart. Here the condition of total surrender to Mr Chari is achieved. The danger of absolute mind conditioning is also clearly present. This also results in feeling of dizziness, memory loss and constant mental irritation,it has been reported by some abhyasis that this process has resulted into several emotional/mental/physical problems and has disturbed their normal life(See discussions

Night Prayer
Babuji gave out the practice for the prayer as follows (direct quote):

"Just before going to bed at night, offer prayer. The proper and the most effective method of prayer is to sit in a suppliant mood and repeat the same mentally twice or thrice.  Then begin to meditate over its true sense and try to get lost into it."

(See references-"Some Important Features of Sahaj Marg", Second Edition 1981, Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Shahjahanpur.)

Prayer

 * "0, Master!
 * Thou art the real goal of human life,
 * We are yet but slaves of wishes
 * Putting bar to our advancement,
 * Thou art the only God and power
 * To bring us up to that stage."

To Whom is the Mission Prayer Addressed and Why

"Babuji himself has written that ultimately He (pointing upwards) is the real Master . . . and all the human Masters who come on this world, on this earth, are His representatives. If that is so, then why do we address the prayer, "Oh, Master" and not "Oh, God". Now today I am giving you the answer for that. Because God, it is a living God who is before you in the form of the Master ...this is an embodied flesh-and-blood divinity . . . who can understand our needs; who can understand our temperaments; who can sympathize with us, being human himself; who can accept our failings, perhaps having failed himself in some way . . ."

FromShri Ram Chandra Mission website

Sittings with Preceptor
Sitting with preceptor is an important aspect of Sahaj Marg, where the above stated transmission takes place. Here, the adherent and preceptor sit in isolation and meditate. The abhyasi is expected to meditate as usual. However, he/she is not supposed to say the Mission prayer before beginning meditation.

It has been reported by some family members of abhyasis that this connection of hearts causes problems in marriages and has resulted in divorce of many people where one of the partners has left the mission.

Constant Remembrance

 * The method for cultivating constant remembrance is to think with firm conviction during your leisure hours, whether in office or at home, in the street or in the market that Master is pervading all over and everywhere and you are thinking of him. The adherent is to try to remain in the same thought as long as he/she can.
 * The adherents are to feel connected with the Master every moment with an unbroken chain of thought during all their activities
 * According to the SRCM material, retaining the remembrance of Master at all times engenders in the adherent a deep attachment to the divine and leads to the state in which love for him develops and overflows.

Babuji. "Thus Speaks Babuji"

"Constant Remembrance does not mean excluding everything else but that the remembrance must form a sort of substratum on which activities should take place."

Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, The Spiders Web, Vol-I, 28th Oct, 1994, USA

This is the method wherein adherents are suppose to be in constant remembrance of their divine inner self, which is represented by Mr. Chari, hence the adherent must always think about Mr Chari, throughout the day, whereas when thoughts of daily life come, they must ignore them like a dog barking, this method is alleged by some to cause adherents to become totally isolated from all their responsibilities.

Transmission
Transmission or "Pranahuti" is described as follows:

"The word Pranahuti is derived from the words Prana and Ahuti. Ahuti is offering particularly in sacrifice during religious ceremonies. Prana means life or life force. The nature of Prana is expounded in the Vedic and Upanishad literature, particularly the Kaushitaki Upanishad (3-2) where it is stated Sahovaacha Praanosmi (He said I am Life) and Kena Upanishad (2) where it was stated as Praanasya Praanah (The Life of all lives) and Praanosmi Mam upaasva (Adore Me who am Life). Thus we find the nature of the Ultimate is of the nature of Prana. Prana is of the nature of pure thought and that is what makes human beings important in the scheme of Divinity in as much as he shares the nature of original stir in a way that no other being, animal or devas etc., is capable of is now fairly established. That human life has been regarded, as most fortunate is no new concept for any religion but the main reason why it is so, is what is established by Rev. Babuji."

This process has been alleged to be similar to hypnosis, wherein it is said that Mr Chari transmits higher spiritual energy from his heart to the abhyasis heart via a preceptor's heart. Here the condition of total surrender to Mr Chari is supposedly achieved. The danger of absolute mind conditioning is also allegedly present. This is also said to sometimes result in feeling of dizziness, memory loss and constant mental irritation,it has been reported by some abhyasis that this process has resulted into several emotional/mental/physical problems and has disturbed their normal life (See discussions)

Aims and ideals
The Ten Maxims of Sahaj Marg
 * Rise before dawn. Offer your prayer and puja at a fixed hour, preferably before sunrise, sitting in one and the same pose. Have a separate place and seat for worship. Purity of mind and body should be specially adhered to.
 * Begin your puja with a prayer for spiritual elevation, with a heart full of love and devotion.
 * Fix up your goal which should be 'complete oneness' with God. Rest not till the ideal is achieved.
 * Be plain and simple to be identical with nature.
 * Be truthful. Take miseries as Divine Blessings for your own good and be thankful.
 * Know all people as thy brethren and treat them as such.
 * Be not revengeful for the wrongs done by others. Take them with gratitude as heavenly gifts.
 * Be happy to eat in constant divine thoughts whatever you get, with due regard to honest and pious earnings.
 * Mould your life so as to arouse a feeling of love and piety in others.
 * At bedtime, feeling the presence of God, repent for the wrongs committed. Beg forgiveness in a supplicant mood, resolving not to allow repetition of the same.

Teachings from the Sahaj Marg material
Its adherents see it as a natural, simple heart-based approach to realizing the presence of the divine within their lives. For adherents of Shri Ram Chandra Mission, their Master is their spiritual guide. Mr. Chari also claims to be God in addition to spiritual guide

Sahaj Marg, according to its adherents, is a remodeled and modified version of Raja Yoga (yoga of the mind) simplified to suit and help the man of present-day world to achieve the same level of inner perfection as the Master, which according to Sahah Marg is a synonym for God Realization. It is a non-renunciate form of Raja Yoga, the 'renunciation' (renouncing the material world) of Raja Yoga having been replaced by 'detachment' (detachment from the material world) and attachment to the Divine. Adherents will note that the "austerities" (tapas) and the Yamas of Raja Yoga, with regards to the "non-receiving of any gifts" as described by Swami Vivekananda are not part of Sahaj Marg. (Complete works of Swami Vivekananda-see references)

The Mind is the key instrument in a human being and by proper regulation of mind through meditation under practical guidance and support of a spiritual Master, who allegedly erases one's samskaras (imprints on the soul by our past thoughts or actions), one can evolve to the highest that the Master has attained. The Master transmits to the disciple directly or through a preceptor that the disciple sees once a week in a private sitting. There is also one or two group sittings and reading of Master's material every week. There is a suggested daily practice which involves a daily meditation, a daily cleansing, a weekly private sitting with a preceptor, and one or two group sittings per week. There are gatherings on the birthdays of the Masters. Some abhyasis organize discussions of the guru's writings. Reading of the Master's writings is suggested. Vegetarianism is encouraged.

Sahaj Marg is a non-monastic movement. Those who adhere to the practice are referred to as 'abhyasis'; a preceptor is an abhyasi who has been prepared and permitted by the Master to introduce people to the Sahaj Marg system and conduct group meditation. Sahaj Marg says that adherents of all religions are welcome, and do not have to reject their religion to practice Sahaj Marg.

Group meditations and individual sitting with preceptors (which takes place in isolation and only the preceptor and the abhyasi is present) are free of charge. There is a one-time fee for producing membership cards which is required to access all Mission facilities and gatherings. Voluntary donations are requested to cover expenses for gatherings and stays at Mission Ashrams. All the subscriptions for printed, audio and video material have their own costs depending on the type of material. Books CD's etc are charged appropriately.

Due to the technique used in SRCM, it has been reported by some people that they experienced physical difficulties after receiving a "sitting". Abhyasis have occasionally reported minor nausea and headaches after such sittings. These are supposed to be the side effects of the "cleansing" of their system. In addition, a few new abhyasis could also experience emotional issues in the beginning.

According to Babuji, the Founder of Sahaj Marg, children are not to be in the room during meditation. The suggested minimum age limit for beginning Sahaj Marg meditation is 18yrs old.

On other religions
On all religions- Sahaj Marg claims to "erase Samskaras" (imprint on the soul). The current Master, Chariji, (please see note below - Chari requests all to stop addressing him as "Master") stated that abhyasis were lucky. If they were in religion, he said, they would have to go to church and "you know", tell lies in that "wonderful place called the confessional". “Lord, forgive me for what I have done this week.” And there would be an equally sinful priest on the other side of the curtain saying, “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I absolve you of your sins.” Something that according to Chariji, he has no power to do. No man on earth has power, he states, to absolve you of your sins except two people: one, oneself, and the other, God. In between there is nobody who can do it, he stated. Then he added, that is why religion is useless, that is why religion has failed. That’s why, the Master (please see note below - Chari requests all to stop addessing him as Master) stated, the abhyasis are all there, not in church. (Speech, (Reverence, Respect & Restraint), Denmark, Nov. 2005, see references)

...and later:

Chariji stated that he was no Christ, ("you know"), to crucify himself on the cross for all of them. Did they think Christ was a wise man, he asked, that he (Christ) became crucified so that forever and ever after humanity would be absolved of its sins? "I don’t think so", he said. It gave people more license for indulgence. But after all, he said, they have been forgiven two thousand years ago for what they are going to do today, what their children were going to do ten years hence. He said that he did not think he (Christ) was wise. According to Chariji, he (Christ) left no room, no incentive for human beings to change, become moral, become spiritual. He said that they were all happy that they had a Christ who got crucified. He added that none of us weep for Christ and that we were happy. “God bless him,” we say, which is another blasphemy. He then said that the abhyasis need blessings, not Christ. (Speech, (Reverence, Respect & Restraint), Denmark, Nov. 2005, see references)

At a preceptors' seminar in January, 2001, Chariji stated:

"In the Indian scene, the Hindus and Hinduism is corrupt. God is personified as somebody who can be bribed with gifts, with so called prasads - offering temptation of Heaven which fact Babuji emphasized in His teachings, saying that religions depends on two instruments - temptation and fear."

"I am afraid that Sahaj Marg is suffering in this way because even when Christian people become abhyasis and preceptors, they somehow, somewhere along the way seem to lose this idea of love, charity, compassion, faith and become preceptors. So what Spirituality offers and can deliver, our priesthood, I would categorize you as, say temporarily as priesthood - they destroy." (Speech, Preceptor's Seminar, Jan. 2001-See references)

Written in the Sahaj Marg material: Abhyasi's question:"..... "Why do I have to give up my existing religious practices....."

Master's answer: "All religious practice involve the worship of God as being outside us. It is called Bahya Upachara in Sanskrit. Spirituality puts God where HE really is - inside the human heart, and indeed at the heart of every created thing, as Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita. One cannot mix the two. In the Vedas Murthy Pooja is called the lowest form of worship. Mantra is only a way of pleasing the mind, and bhajans please the senses, while giving the illusion of being a form of worship. I trust that this will be satisfactory. If people have more questions, they should be encouraged to read the Gita slowly, and try to understand it. Love to all." (Sahaj Sandesh No.: 2005.31- See references) (please see note below - Chari requests all to stop addressing him as Master)

According to the teaching of this system, God is simple, and therefore, the way to reach Him must be simple. On the Nature of the Divine, when asked why in all the written material, God was referred to as "Him", Chariji replied: "God is Male, Nature is female." (SMRTI-Youth Services-Story Telling-See references)

Chariji has repeatedly asked people to stop calling him "Master" or referring to him as such.

In his "Heart to Heart - Vol. 1" by P. Rajagopalachari. (Pages 270-280 "Who is a Master?") 1st Edition 1988 - Published by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Pacific Grove, CA, USA.

"But somje people persist in addressing me as "Master". I have been annoyed by this practice myself..I have never claimed to be a Master.. It is unfortunate that some people ..are addressing me by that term."

"So in fact, the purpose of my talk is to request all of you to stop addressing me as Master."

In spite of this, many of Chariji's followers seem to persist in disobeying his requests.

On chosing a master
On choosing a guru, Chariji in his book: Heart of the Lion, states:

"...while there are innumerable gurus, the real guru is none but God himself. It is the duty of each guru to lead his disciple to the next higher one when his own work with the disciple is finished. No guru should hold his disciples to himself possessively. A guru is for service to others and not for building up possessions, power and prestige for himself ." (Taken from My Master, p. 28, chapter "Tolerance" - Chariji) "....So I repeat, the Guru is the only friend. In fact, I have said this so often, that in the Sufi philosophy, the Guru is called Friend.  "The Friend is coming".  Because he is the only fellow who can give his life for you.  He is the only fellow, therefore, to whom you must hand over totally, a Power of Attorney....."Do with me as you think I deserve to be done with. Kick me when I have to be kicked. Beat me when I have to be beaten. Curse me when I have to be cursed. But make of me what you think I should be eventually, because only you can do it."

"So once more I say this in all humility....if you must have a Master, find a fellow who is capable of, you know, throwing you around, beating you up, cutting you to pieces. Remember Parushurama's father and the stern test that young boy had to make for obedience...."Kill your Mother". "Yes"..."

"He pulled out the sword and cut off her head. He said, "I am pleased with you my son. Ask for anything you want." He said, "I want my mother alive."  And He said, "So be it."  and she got up and walked off.  The Guru is the Master, when you say of destiny, it means life and death.  He must be the Master of your life as he must be the Master of your death." (From Heart of the Lion, Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari-see references)

Chari has repeatedly asked people not to stop calling him "Master" or referring to him as such.

In his "Heart to Heart - Vol.l" by P. Rajagopalachari. (Pages 270-280 "Who is a Master?") 1st Edition 1988 - Published by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Pacific Grove, CA, USA.

"But some people persist in addressing me as "Master". I have been annoyed by this practice myself..I have never claimed to be a Master..It is unfortunate that some people ..are addressing me by that term.So in fact, the purpose of my talk is to request all of you to stop addressing me as Master."

On freedom
On freedom, in Salient Points of Sahaj Marg, it states that with Sahaj Marg, abhyasis have voluntarily, whole-heartedly and devotedly surrendered it to the Master of their Soul. To those who are fortunate enough to arrive at this stage, the Master is apparently no longer a guide for spirituality alone. He has now become the Master of the abhyasis' life in all it's aspects of existence. He apparently has become the father, the mother, the son, the teacher, the doctor, in fact, there is no role that He does not play in the abhyasi's life. He has taken total charge of the abhyasi. It further states that only the surrendering to Him can bring about a state where He can take total charge of the abhyasis! (From Salient Features of Sahaj Marg - Series 2- Page 26 See references)

On homosexuality
On homosexuality, the Master (please see referenced note - Chari requests all to stop addressing him as Master)of this system in a recent speech said that unlike the churches of the world, Sahaj Marg does not perform same-sex marriages. "That is unnatural", he said. God did not intend it to be thus, he added. He then said it was a personal comment. But there are things credited to Babuji Maharaj “If God did not want two sexes, he could have as well created one and seen that the world propagated by itself."...Why two sexes? he questioned. Apparently not so that one sex should marry among themselves, according to Sahaj Marg Masters.  "So, what the church may allow, I don’t have to condone or accept", he said, not mentionning what churches condones or performs same-sex marriages. "To me", Chariji said, "it is a very blatant misuse of so-called privileges of the human being, fundamental rights, et cetera. Of course, if you claim it is your fundamental right to go the dogs, so be it! Even God cannot stop it. Speech by Chariji "Balance-The Crux of Life" Jan 20, 2006 in Malaysia

Some claim it is a fact (unsubstantiated) that there are followers, both abhyasis and preceptors who are homosexual. There are other claims that gay families have been broken up or have left. (see testimonial on discussion page)

On philosophy
On the philosophy of Sahaj Marg, in a speech on New Year's Day, 2005 at Babuji Memorial Ashram, Manapakkam, India, according to Chariji, there is no room for philosophy in speeches of Sahaj Marg. In fact, he stated, "Sahaj Marg has no philosophy. It does not rest on any philosophy. It is neither advaita nor dvaita nor vishishta advaita." (From Speech by Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari -Jan 1, 2005 at Babuji Memorial Ashram, Manapakkam, India- see references)

On the other hand, the founder of the Shri Ram Chandra Mision, Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, affectionately known as "Babuji", wrote the book: "SAHAJ MARG PHILOSOPHY", first published by the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Shahjahanpur, in 1969.

Be like lions
Be like lions: Sahaj Marg wants the abhyasis to be like lions:

The abhyasi is asked to look within. Look to the Heart. Build your heart, they are told. Make it brave, make it strong, make it courageous. They are asked to be lions, as Babuji wanted, he exhorts. He said: "One lion is worth more that five hundred sheep." It is not that we do not accept sheep but we accept sheep who are willing to become lions, not sheep who want to stay on as sheep.......And what was but a shepherd's pen has now become the jungle in which the lions roam freely. This is what Sahaj Marg is setting out to achieve, according to Babuji. ".....He wanted our hearts to be like lions - brave, courageous, capable of discrimination, able to give up everything for the sake of the Master." (From Salient Points of Sahaj Marg, Series 2-Page 21 see references)

On idolatry
On idolatry, the Sahaj Marg material states:

"Sahaj Marg has nowhere said temple worship is wrong, nor does Master expressly forbid idol worship" ....To abhyasis, the preceptor, apparently, becomes such an idol. The author states: "I believe that any abhyasi who says, "my preceptor" when talking about the preceptor who is serving him has fallen into this form of idol worship." It appears that there is concern that the preceptor can be transformed into an idol, or idolised. The author follows: "Here again the Master may be in the background, but is that Master's rightful place?"

"So Master's message is quite clear. All credit goes to our Master.  When we give credit where it is not due, that too is a form of idol worship.  We should beware of falling into such errors......." ("Salient Features of Sahaj Marg" (SMRI Series 3) Page 52-53 see references)

On donations
On donations, the abhyasis is to think that it is their Mission, it is their Master, it is His plant, therefore, it is theirs, then, apparently, there is no sacrifice, there is no giving. The abhyasis are only watering their own plant. Who should they credit for it, is the question asked by the Master.

To think that the Master depends on the abhyasis' donation could very possibly be a sin, according to the Master. Masters exist in a dimension where money does not play a part. Whenever the Master makes the abhyasis donate something, he apparently does so as to lighten their burdens. Their contribution to the Master's work is apparently of the same proportion as the squirrel's contribution to Lord Rama's work. (from Salient Points of Sahaj Marg Series 3- Page 25 See references)

According to SRCM Shahjahanpur, registered in India, this statement about donations is not part of the original teachings of Sahaj Marg and does not exist in the original tenets or philosophy of Sahaj Marg, nor can it be considered to be in any way in the spirit of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission, or of its founder Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (affectionately known as Babuji), nor that of his Master, Shri Ram Chandra of Fategarh (Lalaji).

See references-Books by Shri Ram Chandra (Babuji) including: "Some Important Features of Sahaj Marg", "The Efficacy of Raja Yoga in the Light of Sahaj Marg", "Towards Infinity", "Reality at Dawn" etc. All published by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, U.P., India.

See also: "Truth Eternal" - the original writings of Samarth Guru Shri Ram Chandra Maharaj of Fategarh, U.P. First edition published 1973 by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, U.P., India.

On democracy
On democracy, the current Master, Chariji (see referenced note - Chari has requested that all stop addressing him as Master) stated that until there are no walls, one cannot say, "We're a free people," because, according to Chariji, we are only selecting the people we will accept. According to him, democracy is like a club, a select club, a rich man's club, a club of power. According to Chariji, because any organisation, including a democracy, has the power of accepting or rejecting, we can't say it is a free organisation? "Yes or no?" he asked. "No", he replied.

Chariji claimed that Sahaj Marg has no such restriction. Everybody, from anywhere in the world is welcome. According to Chariji, everybody can come, everybody can go. Apparently, there are no restrictions. There are no fees. There are no restriction of education. "Is it a free organisation?", he asked. "Is it human? Is it the real democracy of a free people, for a free people, by a free people? Yes or no?" (Audience: "Yes.")"

Then Chari stated: "So Sahaj Marg is today, in my opinion, the only organisation in this world fulfilling the requirements of this definition of "Liberté, egalité, fraternité" [Freedom, equality, fraternity]. Vive le Sahaj Marg! [Long live Sahaj Marg!] (applause)." (from Shri P. Rajagopalachari at Cossonay, Switzerland on July 13, 2003-see references)

Masters and leadership
According to Sahaj Marg material, there have been three gurus, or Masters, each of whom is believed to have passed on his spiritual condition and teachings to his most capable disciple.

The first guru of the Sahaj Marg lineage was Shri Ram Chandraji of Fategargh, affectionately known as Lalaji who was a Master of the Naqashbandi order of Sufism but who according to non-Sufi followers, became God realized after only 7 months of meditadion and created the "heart to heart" transmission. According to Naqsh MuMRa i.e. Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Mazaharia Ramchandria, Lalaji's Master was Maulana Fazl Ahmad Khan (Hujur Maharaj), sixth from Mirza Zanzana, and thirty-sixth in the line of succession of the Naqshbandi Order. Naqsh Mumra refers to a stream of the great Naqshbandi Sufi Silsila (Order). It is an Indian-Sufi branch. Before dying, Lalaji's spiritual competence was tested by his Master in a meditation with a multi-denominational panel. The panel agreed that Lalaji was a "perfect copy" of his Master. Lalaji, the first "giaour" or "non Muslim" of the Naqshbandia Order, lived from 1873 to 1931.

His successor (debated..see Yogabhyas site) was Shri Ram Chandra Ji of Shahjahanpur, who lived from 1899 to 1983 and was affectionately known as Babuji. Babuji claims to have received his successorship from Lalaji in a dream. On the Sufi lineage or Naqsh MuMRa i.e. Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Mazaharia Ramchandria which refers to a stream of the great Naqshbandi Sufi Silsila (Order), Mahatma Ram Chandraji apparently blessed Thakur Ram Singhji to be a ‘Fanafil-Murid’ i.e. ‘a disciple with whom his Master has merged’ and that his fame would spread like the smell of roses.

The succession of the current guru, Chariji, has been debated by the sons of the late Dr.Varadachari, professor of Philosophy even though the former Guru Babuji, wrote an allegedly authenticated letter in which he stated the desire that Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari be his successor. Babuji gave three copies of the same letter stating his desire for Chariji to be his successor to Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, Kasturi and a western associate.

Shri KC Narayana of the break-away ISRC (Institute for Ram Chandra Institute), who was a member of the Working committee of SRCM in 1974 does not dispute the Presidency of SRCM but claims that the words "spiritual representative" are not in the document. ISRC claims Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur as their Master.

Followers of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (registered in California), consider Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari as their current guide. The Shri Ram Chandra Mission (registered in India), consider their Master and guide to be Babuji, and claim that the president of the Mission was Umesh Saxena, Babuji's son unitl his death. The presidency allegedly has passed to his son, and grandson of the Founder, Navneet Kumar.

Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, the current living guru according to SRCM (California), was born in 1927, Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, a chemical engineer who in 1955, joined the T. T. Krishnamachari group of companies, thereafter rising to the position of Executive Director of the Indian Textile Paper Tube Company. He is affectionately known as Chariji. He has announced Mr. Ajay Kumar Bhatter, residing at kolkata as his successor.

According to Babuji's family (Umesh Saxena and Navneet Kumar) and the SRCM registered in India in 1946, following the death of Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur (affectionately known as Babuji), founder of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission and the originator of Sahaj Marg, the Working Committee, Centre-in-Charge/Preceptors/Organizers of Shri Ram Chandra Mission in India and Abroad sent out a Circular, dated 15th February, 1984, naming Shri Umesh Chandra Saxena (Babuji's son)as Successor/President. This followed the Meetings of the Working Committee of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (India) on 6/7th February, 1984, at Shahjahanpur, and the Meeting of the General Body (comprising 982 members present) of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission on 8th February, 1984.

(See Circular, Working Committee, Centre-in-Charge/Preceptors/Organisers of Shri Ram Chandra Mission in India & Abroad, dated 15th February, 1984); Minutes of the Working Committee, 6/7th February, 1984, at Shahjahanpur, U.P., India.; Minutes of General Body Meeting (982 present), 8th February, 1984, Shahjahanpur, U.P., India.)

Activities
There are a range of activities:


 * Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundationis a nonprofit association organized pursuant to the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. Among other things, it funds scholarships for people wishing to visit India to study spirituality, providing those without means with air ticket, shelter and food in one of the training centers specifically set up for this purpose. These are residential courses that claim to follow the ancient Indian "gurukula" system of education involving a spartan setting.
 * Every year on July 24, SRCM organizes a gathering in the form of the Master's birthday celebration. This event lasts for three-days. The centerpiece of the gathering are the twice-daily satsanghs or group meditations. Other events include songs, dances and other cultural presentations from adult abhyasis and their children  from the many regions where the Mission has a presence. These are usually done in the presence of the Master. Some come from far away to attend the festivities. Temporary living facilities are provided on site for thousands of visiting abhyasis at such events. Every year, a new town is selected and everyone is invited to attend. Because the Masters of Sahaj Marg have discussed at length, the significance of Mission gatherings to the abhyasis spiritual growth, all abhyasis are strongly encouraged by their peers and preceptors to attend. Similar gatherings are held for Lalaji and Babuji's birth anniversaries.
 * There is no lodging and boarding charged for stays at any ashram. While there is always a suggested donation while registering for Mission gatherings, it is possible for anyone to register for any event without donating anything. Those who wish to visit any ashram or attend a Mission event may carry their own bedding. However, if abhyasis so wish, they can purchase or rent bedding for a daily fee and a refundable deposit at the ashram or the gathering site.
 * Lalaji Memorial Omega School, managed by the Baal Vatika Educational Society, with Shri Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari as executive trustee.  The Baal Vatika Educational Society accepts and manages funds for the School, which is located in Chennai, India and operates as a private school.
 * Shri Ram Chandra Mission is part of the NGO network and is listed as a non-governmental non-profit organization that works in support of the public good and fulfills the principles outlined in the United Nations.
 * Value-Based Spiritual Education course materials have been developed.
 * Study groups, seminars for practitioners and the youth, school curriculum K-12 etc.
 * The Mission participates in the relief activities during selected times of natural calamities by either collecting money and routing it through the Prime Minister's Relief fund or through other organizations involved in the operations.
 * In some Ashrams there is also free medical assistance provided to abhyasis.
 * Donations also fund scholarships that allow practitioners who can't afford to travel to India, to spend some time in one of the ashrams.
 * Donations are also used to purchase land and property for ashram.
 * Donations are also used for travel and lodging of Master and people surrounding Master as and when they visit various locations.

Other modes of raising money is by sale of Mission books and CDs to members. Some titles include:
 * "SOME IMPORTANT FEATURES OF SAHAJ MARG" by Shri Ram Chandra, published 1981 by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, Shahjahanpur, U.P.)
 * "The Efficacy of Raja Yoga in the Light of Sahaj Marg", "Towards Infinity", "Reality at Dawn" etc. All by Shri Ram Chandra and published by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, U.P., India.
 * "Truth Eternal" - the original writings of Samarth Guru Shri Ram Chandra Maharaj of Fategarh, U.P. First edition published 1973 by Shri Ram Chandra Mission, U.P., India.

Whispers from the Brighter World
This book of messages (over 600 messages) from the Brighter World, from the now-deceased Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur, (Babuji-1899-1983) and other departed spirits of "highly evolved" souls, according to SMRTI is channelled by an un-named lady medium according to Chariji in his "invitation". The book was published in limited quantities in 2005 by the Sahaj Marg Spirituality Foundation and it is presented to those abhyasis who have voluntarily donated $250.00 US to the Shri Ram Chandra Mission. The text is also being released free-of-charge in PDF format, one message per day, at www.sahajmarg.com.

Other publications

 * Complete Bibliography


 * Quarterly Periodicals


 * Constant Remembrance - in English


 * Sahaj Deepam - Kannada
 * Sahaj Deepam - Malayalam
 * Sahaj Deepam - Tamil
 * Sahaj Margamu - Telugu
 * Sahaj Shishu - Hindi

Lineage
The first guru of the Sahaj Marg lineage was Shri Ram Chandraji of Fategargh, affectionately known as Lalaji who was a Master of the Naqashbandi order of Sufism but who according to non-Sufi followers, became God realized after only 7 months of meditadion and created the "heart to heart" transmission. According to Naqsh MuMRa i.e. Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Mazaharia Ramchandria, Lalaji's Master was Maulana Fazl Ahmad Khan (Hujur Maharaj), sixth from Mirza Zanzana, and thirty-sixth in the line of succession of the Naqshbandi Order. Naqsh Mumra refers to a stream of the great Naqshbandi Sufi Silsila (Order). It is an Indian-Sufi branch. Before dying, Lalaji's spiritual competence was tested by his Master in a meditation with a multi-denominational panel. The panel agreed that Lalaji was a "perfect copy" of his Master. Lalaji, the first "giaour" or "non Muslim" of the Naqshbandia Order, lived from 1873 to 1931.

His successor (debated..see Yogabhyas site) was Shri Ram Chandra Ji of Shahjahanpur, who lived from 1899 to 1983 and was affectionately known as Babuji. Babuji claims to have received his successorship from Lalaji in a dream. On the Sufi lineage or Naqsh MuMRa i.e. Naqshbandia Mujaddidia Mazaharia Ramchandria which refers to a stream of the great Naqshbandi Sufi Silsila (Order), Mahatma Ram Chandraji apparently blessed Thakur Ram Singhji to be a ‘Fanafil-Murid’ i.e. ‘a disciple with whom his Master has merged’ and that his fame would spread like the smell of roses.

The succession of the current guru, Chariji, has been debated by the sons of the late Dr.Varadachari, professor of Philosophy even though the former Guru Babuji, wrote an allegedly authenticated letter in which he stated the desire that Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari be his successor. Babuji gave three copies of the same letter stating his desire for Chariji to be his successor to Parthasarathi Rajagopalachari, Kasturi and a western associate.

Shri KC Narayana of the break-away ISRC (Institute for Ram Chandra Institute), who was a member of the Working committee of SRCM in 1974 does not dispute the Presidency of SRCM but claims that the words "spiritual representative" are not in the document. ISRC claims Shri Ram Chandra of Shahjahanpur as their Master.

Warnings about SRCM by French Government and Cult Watch groups
Report Submitted to Prime Minister of France Refer to page 81, of the document. Also footnote 24 and 25

French NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Report(Ref: Cult movement's with 2000 to 10000 followers)

Décodage du discours du Sahaj Marg et de la SRCM

Prevent Sect group warning

UNADFI comments on SRCM and similar groups

International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) Search for Ram Chandra Mission Chari group