I am surprised at the number of celebrities who are being accused of sexual harassment. Dustin Hoffman is one of the latest and many popular and well known people have skeletons in their closets that are now surfacing. Who will it be next? Karen mentioned below that there is no escape from karma or the cause and effect of our personal actions. It seems that some people escape all the consequences of their actions but Stalin for example was left to die after a stoke because people were too afraid to intervene and left it too late. His last illness  dragged on for several days and was not pleasant. The mass murderer got what he deserved in the end. Maybe. If you don't believe in divine justice there are many who have gotten off scot free. Death is death. That's another topic. 

A number of years ago there was an inquiry into Mahatma Jagdeo's sexual activities with some young people following Rawat. He had taken advantage of his position as a teacher and mentor and had made sexual advances to minors. There were cover ups and lies and he was never really brought to justice in India. He is dead now.

So here we have Rawat, who in my opinion is an ordinary man whose legacy was left to him by his father who was an Indian Sat Guru. As a result, Rawat or Maharaji as he was called, has in some way or another managed to get almost everyone on this forum to follow him for a period of time. During that time many gave up everything to the man and his organization because we believed he was the Sat Guru or living perfect master. Not every one believes that but we all have our own story for being here.

With the internet gaining popularity in the 90s, the Ex Premie website and others, became platforms for people to express their opinions about Rawat and his teachings and many began to question his real agenda and his ability to be in such a powerful position. Much has been revealed on this site and discussed on this forum over the years. Books have been written  and people have uncovered things that I personally had no idea were going on behind the scenes. I was really shocked and taken aback by people's honesty and courage to come forward and express their fears and doubts. Leaving a cult is not easy. There are some cults that are more malicious than others but it is the ongoing brain washing year in and year out that is difficult to shake off and walk away from. This site has helped many to do that.  

So back to the beginning of my topic. Oh how the mighty are falling! Rawat still continues to rally the troops, bring in new recruits from all over the world and speak to the veterans who probably believe he is still " The Lord...of the Universe"

What amazes me is that there are still so many pleasant, intelligent people who can see through political intrigues, and movies about cults and corrupt leaders but are unable to see the guru for who he really is. His past has been forgiven, glossed over, dirt swept under the carpet or it never existed because he is above it all and can do what he bloody well likes. Isn't that what all dictators do even the more benevolent ones. If you look around the world or study history, one can see how money has corrupted many of the leaders dead and alive. In my lifetime, there have been many.

Rawat certainly lives a privileged lifestyle way beyond his needs and from what I've read here, he certainly has had sexual encounters with members of his followers despite being the leader of a humanitarian Organization and being married with four children. Well, four fingers are pointing at me and I don't want to come across as being puritanical but surely when one uses one's position to seduce devotees it becomes sexual harassment.

I personally never encountered this during my years in the organization but I was certainly spiritually taken advantage of and led a life of Chastity, Poverty and Obedience for many years which deprived me of the opportunity to have a decent career, a normal sex life and a chance to grow as a human being. Instead I was conditioned and led an unnatural life for decades putting my guru and my devotion to him above everything else. While I was doing that ...Rawat was driving around in expensive cars, had numerous houses and was and is living a luxurious lifestyle. He was doing things that would have totally blown my mind as a young sincere devotee or follower. He was often abusive and rude to those who were close to him and had a serious drinking problem. So no one is perfect, but remember he was the living Perfect Master and for many including myself, he was beyond reproach. He deserved to have the best of everything - luxurious, furniture, expensive cars, private jets, many watches, wardrobes of clothes, the best hotel rooms etc.

Speaking the truth is important. the revelations about Kevin Spacey began the tidal wave of sexual allegations. He is now in treatment and has apologised for his sexual misbehavior. His career for the time being is ruined.  Even Sir Richard Branson is in trouble.

So why is it that so many current followers are not seeing the bait and switch techniques, the cover ups and lies? People love his Meditation, the events and celebrations and the fun atmosphere. They are grateful. As I said above,  there are some very nice people who still go to his events. The charitable approach has appealed to many but as I see it, Rawat continues to use his message to support his family and extravagant lifestyle. After all the Guru game is a family business and in one way or another his three other brothers are profiting from it.  

Do you believe in Karma, cause and effect, the consequences of our action, the butterfly effect? Will Rawat like Howard Hughes have his day? Will Rawat ever apologise for all the harm he has done to people's lives? Many are here on this forum. Please read the Journey section.   

Can I forgive Maharaji? Well Yes, but with reservations still.  I am still a survivor of this cult and was in it for decades. My current Rawat friends still fail to understand why I left and don't for the most part even mention it now. However, My family and close friends do understand, because they saw what happened to me both before and after I was a cult member.

So thank you all for being there and continuing to show the world that Rawat is in fact a charlatan even if his meditation and charities are helping people. That might sound strange, but it is the means to the end which is wrong and so many people have been led down the garden path only to find themselves in the wrong garden! I hope that those that believe they are walking the path of truth with Rawat, wake up and see the dream. It certainly is time for the Rawat myth to be seen for what it really is. One post at a time.  Cheers Old Timer