Sharing Grace

A member of the Tamil Siddha sect of southern India, Siva Baba, offers intensives and introductions to Grace Light in the U.S. Grace Light is an immediate experience of the omnipotence of the universal God. As Siva Baba explains, this light is of the one true God of all, not a sectarian god. If given the Grace Light one individual can pass the light to another increasing bliss and spreading this intention throughout humanity.

Siva Baba has also given many teachings on the law of attraction, intention and the redistribution of wealth to those who are spiritually healthy. Events will start on July 17th in the San Francisco area. Visit the guru's website for further details on dates on both coasts.

Comments

So many gurus, so little time

Submitted by TerrySlade on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 19:42.

I have been quite immersed in the world of spirituality, new age topics, gurus, etc for a few decades. As a part of this scene, I have always been interested in the phenomenon of cults. Recently I have started to investigate the religious cult trip a bit more as I have continued to come across cults, people trying to get me to join cults, arguing with me about cults, etc.

I have put up a new web page to expedite such research for myself and others - www.ionet.net/~tslade/cults.htm

Spiritual teaching is good. And I have to admit I have watched "The Secret" a few times. Nothing wrong with having positive thoughts about money. Still, there is much potential for people to build little (or large) empires or followings around themselves and make huge fortunes under the pretense of being an enlightened teacher.

I checked out this guy's website right away. As usual, there is the "store" section, where you can buy expensive DVDs of his teachings. (The link to "the guru's" website is not working. It is www.sivababa.org) I haven't looked into the "Grace Light" thing yet, but this sounds similar to the wacky "Oneness Blessing" that has been making the rounds. (I have a page on my website about my experience with this)

My cults page has many links that can help to research and understand the guru trip. One of the most interesting websites I have found is Sarlo's Guru Rating Service - www.globalserve.net/~sarlo/Ratings.htm (Siva Baba is rated "Bogus") Another very interesting website to help balance out the BS is Guruphiliac - guruphiliac.blogspot.com

Yoga is good, meditation is good, teaching about these things and other spiritual matters is good, having some abundance is good. But I think we need to be very careful in evaluating people who claim to be enlightened, and claim to have the way (usually the best way, sometimes the only way) to enlighten us - for a fee.

Just my 2 cents.....

flavors...

Submitted by vivifidal on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 21:39.

My wife has gained some immediate benefits from the same law of attraction principles Baba Siva teaches but that she gleaned from other sources on the internet, guru does not necessarily mean cult, but I agree you should be a bit cautious, however, its good to have face time w/ someone that dedicates their spiritual energy toward specific teachings that some find very beneficial, link to site is dead though due to glitch, I'll research it a bit deeper and sound back a bit deeper than the rate my pic get a guru guy with my usual unbiased pull no punches attitude.

rating dude a bit cursory

Submitted by vivifidal on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 21:50.

didn't find anything on
Nichidatsu Fujii in his budhist section, not a sign of erudition in my opinion...

WHO'S YOUR BABA?

Submitted by vivifidal on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 22:21.

rated guru not the same one.

media prices reasonable plus free alternative

Submitted by vivifidal on Thu, 07/03/2008 - 22:37.

The media available is reasonably priced and also available in lower resolution on youtube. Teachings seem sound although perhaps a bit more arcane than necessary, some people benefit from such structure. Your call...

so tired of bogus gurus...

Submitted by Lauralupa on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 03:47.

I see no grace light in this guy's face, actually he looks sort of evil. I have learned to trust my own instinct, so no thanks, Siva Baba

actually Baba's alright, don't worry

Submitted by Aloysius on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 04:26.

He posts a lot of free stuff on yt, but he's also a business man too. Just take what you can. It's up to you.

try getting darshan from ammachi - a truly beautiful experience

Submitted by Stefanieiris on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 22:27.

it is totally free, and happening in nyc next week: http://www.ammachi.com/tours/amma-tours/newyork-jun08.html it's the least cult-like thing in the world.

3rd party echoing

Submitted by Andy Warren on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 23:56.

fwiw, i have heard great things like that about Ammachi from several friends I really trust.

appreciating the dialogue

Submitted by Andy Warren on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 23:12.

Appreciating the dialogue on this. Thanks for prompting it Jennifer. I agree it can be interesting to take a look at different people who claim certain lineages and mastery.

I tend to lean to the skeptical side. Recently read a good book in this area: "The Spiritual Tourist" by Mick Brown.

I agree with TerrySlade to read up on various perspectives of so-called gurus and cults. Looks like a a great list of links, thanks Terry. I believe I've surfed your sites before and found a lot of good info on Ashtanga yoga.

Now for a tongue-in-cheek twist - I practice ashtanga and found this podcast very funny: "Is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga a cult?":

http://visionsofcody.net/2008/06/voc-podcast-episode-22.html

ps - check out the George Harrison track at the end of the podcast, especially the end of the song.

peace. /a

its all good...

Submitted by vivifidal on Sat, 07/05/2008 - 15:53.

anyone thast can hold our attention to spiritual concerns for more than 30 seconds is way ahead of most of humanity and he locks you into at least a minute so good for him! 4 mudras up!

July 17th...

Submitted by Andy Warren on Wed, 07/09/2008 - 17:18.

Hi Jennifer,

Did you see this interesting post, comments and Siva Baba video clip on Huffington today?

Sounds like the Tamil Siddha lineage sees July 17th as a very important start date to a shift in global consciousness.

The birthday of the master of Ashtanga yoga - Sri K Pattabhi Jois - is also celebrated on that Guru Purnima Full Moon day - nice to look forward to.

shanti ~