Tuesday, January 7, 2014

The man who would be king


Now that Mooji has been banned from the States - due to his excessive consumption of illicit Jamaican fried chicken - a new name is being whispered by junkie satsangers in the region of Mount Shasta: Devaji ...

Devaji (aka David Waldman) specialises in the "come fuck Daddy" look. With gravelly voice, trimmed beard and mogadon eyes, it's all powered stillness and pregnant pauses complete with narcotic stare. He's an exponent of the slow-motion school of enlightenment: deliberately reined-in speech used for maximum intensity. It's a hypnotic style which was formerly used to great effect in the late 90s by that Evangelist of Shagadelic, John de Ruiter.

Devaji claims his lineage from Ramana. It says on his website:

Devaji's spiritual awakening was experienced through the direct transmission of his guru, Sri Ramana Maharshi. This connection began with early visions of the great sage. With time, Ramana’s presence was felt almost continually, and eventually his transmission became internalized. The edges that had separated the student and teacher now have melted into a wedding of one.

For residents of Tiru, this will be an all too familiar tale of self-aggrandisement. Lineage is the phallus of Osiris for any aspiring Advaitic guru, as it provides a rush of blood to an otherwise flaccid organ. The need to authenticate oneself in somebody else's name is always the sign of a charlatan. It's a deliberate attempt to establish authority where none exists - by claiming the mantle of a deceased sage who can no longer speak for themselves. Lakshmana Swamy and Mooji are just two of those who trace their attainment back to Ramana. But the fact is, Ramana never appointed a successor and would have nothing to do with lineage. The only person that he acknowledged as realising the Self - was his mother - at the time of her death.

Robert Adams of Silence of the Heart fame confirmed this. He said that Ramana never named a successor and that he should know since he was there. Strangely enough Devaji is an offshoot of Robert Adams and his Facebook page is coincidentally named "In the Heart of Silence." But rather curiously, there is no mention of Robert Adams on Devaji's website. -Was it because Adams clearly stated there is no need for a line of succession? Apparently he laughed at the idea and said: "What’s the point?" Adams saw the whole concept as the ultimate joke: imaginary succession of imaginary students within an unreal mental space!

So Devaji is not a fully paid-up member of the Papaji Pretender Club since he comes to the table via a slightly different route ...but unfortunately he sings from exactly the same hymn sheet. (If you really want to bore yourself senseless: click here). His meetings are totally indistinguishable from the likes of Gangaji, Mooji et al. Same patter - self enquiry - slightly more louche delivery. But despite all of this, Mooji is absent from Tiruvannamalai and Devaji is a serious contender for the crown. In contrast with Mooji's outwardly benign, cuddly image, Devaji lends immediate gravitas and his latent sexual undertone will convince many of his power to be the prime vehicle for their fantasy of enlightenment. This potentially makes him a new male icon for American brand Advaita, pressing all the requisite social and sensory buttons ...

Since Mooji scuttled off to pastures new - after threats were made linked to his illegal earnings - a succession of counterfeit clones have attempted to move in on the Advaitic real estate. Devaji may play the humility card, but does he secretly covet the summit of Arunachala? Will the crowd succumb and proclaim him the new King of the Hill?



34 comments:

  1. A great post and how I love the word "louche"! Although I have to disagree re the following comment: "The only person that he acknowledged as realising the Self - was his mother - at the time of her death" There was strong indication that Ramana believed Mastan was enlightened when he sent Kunju Swami to build a samadhi for him, with all the prescribed Hindu rites to bury him in the traditional way of a Jnani in the village of Desur. Some may not agree but there was more then a strong hint given to Suri Nagamma that Lakshmi the cow had attained liberation.

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  2. Hello your Holiness,

    Thanks for the Devaji alert, noted. The rest is off topic, sorry. I've been reading your blog for a while and to get a sense of what (tf) are you talking about, I put Tiru on my Indian itinerary this year (1st time). Got here yesterday morning. First impressions - yes, the red light district indeed exists, from a short walk it seems to span up and down the German Bakery, with red lights being this year's Unmani's posters and services ranging from a simple rip off to a proper brain fuck up. It's a hollow kind of entertainment but I couldn't resist my longings for pleasure so I randomly picked up one of the showrooms (Tasty Cafe) and found myself facing a totally enlightened being called SAT SHREE Spiritual Director. It was my first experience of this kind so excuse me for my lack of insight and for wondering about things that must be way well known to the regulars.

    I was really surprised how straightforward he was about the deal. No GFE attempts. Without a blush he explains we all have blocks on our spiritual paths, which in a private show (which can be arranged with a manager sitting on the left) he can identify easily, because his enlightened state allows him to see right through us, and undo. He gave us the exact date of his enlightenment (4.1 19 something) and repeated it twice for us to remember, perhaps celebrate later. When asked if his Indian teacher ever spoke to him about his own 'enlightenment' in this manner, he says: "no no, that's the Western way". So I gather the Western way is: I, Me, Me, I, I, I, Me, multiplied by number of minutes this torture lasted, plus a practical demonstration (he used his hands) to show where he is and where we are on the spiritual scale. At first I thought he's mocking up a stork. I didn't last till the end, spin Kryten's nipple nuts and send him to Alaska. But it was beneficial to see how this fierce businessman assumes that all Westerners are as stupid as his imagination of the mind of the others allows him to consider safe.

    Is there anything normal here in Tiru one should not miss? Or is staying in Ramanasramam and reading the best thing to do?

    PS: On a personal note, I don't believe you invented Sister Klaus, unlike you she has a soul, that just isn't possible.

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    1. "Is there anything normal here in Tiru one should not miss? Or is staying in Ramanasramam and reading the best thing to do?"

      Yo Upad. Walk around the mountain. It should take you approx 3.5 hours to cover the 14 kms. Post again after that. You don't need these charlatans who out to empty your pockets and f* with your mind. If you have a question, ask Arunachala (the mountain) and you will receive the answer. To be constantly in touch with Arunachala, Hindus repeat the mantra, think of Him all the time, surrender (in our mind) everything to him, offer our day's work and thoughts to Him. You will not get into trouble doing that...but you will if you frequent the German bakery or any of the western eating holes that have come up in Tiru. Stay away from the parties at Adi Annamalai as well. Ramana ashram is by far the safest place but even there watch your wallet and don't have the "I am new to Tiruvannamalai" look on you. Gurus and their henchmen are watching (I hope I haven't scared you!) Post again after you have done all this.

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    2. The red light district Via Dolorosa that leads to the German Bakery is a highly pathogenic strip frequented by non Tamil goat eaters and their tawdry accomplices. The Bakery itself is neither German nor remotely Teutonic: you will not be served sauerkraut, wurscht, or even liver pate on pumpernickel!

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    3. Thanks Anonymous 3:45. He is Dakshinamurthi. What do you expect me to post about? The inner path is not just banned, but impossible. I also met David Godman on a roof at Ramanashramam and thanked him for his work. Where does everyone go on their scooters? In Goa they used to go to a party and that was fun (long ago). Do they drive from satsang to satsang?

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    4. Yo Upad, Walk around the mountain - on the outer path - but try not to get run over. In the 3.5 hours you will be with Arunachala, I promise you, you will be a changed person. Write to us about that. Who is Dakshinamurthy... David Godman? I don't think so. The Chi Ting Master, may be, but definitely not David Godman. Godman is a great soul. He helped me a lot when I was new to Tiru. How did you go to the roof of Ramana ashram. They told me it was out of bounds. Sorry, Upad, I dont know where people go on their scooters. I dont own one, nor have I ever ridden one because they are way too dangerous for Indian roads. Keep us informed of your adventures.

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  3. I, too, miss Sister Klaus and Firefly. Is there any way to resurrect them?

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    1. There have been rumours of a strange seance at the home of local Medicine Woman Raging Rosie. Apparently the late Sister appeared as a blob of ectoplasm (reminiscent of putrid snot) and has aligned itself with the late great Sunanda Whitehouse (who is still sorely missed by her many devotees). And the gruesome twosome will soon combine as a cosmic manifestation of the Divine Feminine in action - so next time you go to satsang be prepared for scary wraiths wielding handbags weighed down with bricks!

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  4. It's been quite a year! An apology from Andrew Cohen....the Neo Advaitist who constantly talks about his spiritual career and enlightenment all in one breath! "Over the last several years, some of my closest students have tried to make it apparent to me that in spite of the depth of my awakening, my ego is still alive and well!" Wow he needs to take a long, extended break and me thinks it's far too late for an apology. Gail Tredwell's book 'Holy Hell' exposing Amma (the so called hugging saint) her spiritual materialism and many other unhappy shananigans around the ashram in Kerala. Mahesh Yogi's hypocrisy is also aired in a book by former lover Judith Bourque "Robes of silk, feet of clay." I believe John Lennon exposed Mahesh Yogi as far back as 1968 but people ignored the warning and skipped on only too happy to live in Tra La Land!

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  5. How is it that the portrait depicted above of that maggot David Waldman combines the familiar facial features of 3 other more veteran scallywags: 1) James Swartz's longing-for-fame eyes; 2) Karl Renz's rigidly callous jawline (hidden in a flecky beard); 3) John David's (Spermananda's) unlucky lips which are used to trap hapless victims. This makes for a particularly pernicious hybrid ...

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  6. Are you guys sure it's not Isaac Shapiro's semi-identical twin? Isaac's developed a cross-eyed look after years of oggling his female fans. This guy (WALDMAN) already appears to have acquired the signature lecherous gaze as a charm to sweep swooning Cinderellas off their wobbly feet. Do they share a common Annunaki lust for power?

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    1. But Isaac Shapiro is shorter. I remember fending him off at a birthday party in the Varunachalam compound and it was like having a truculent dwarf kicking at my shins!

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    2. I agree Kevji, his arrogance is writ large on his face. What this Lilliputian lacks in stature is more than made up for by his propensity for pugilism. There have also been reports of him being a wife basher. However, his short fuse appears to be his biggest enemy.

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    3. Actually the one who most resembles Devaji is that infamous local sit-singer, Upahar Anand. If you look on Waldman's site here, you'll see a beardless Devaji. The resemblance is stunning - obviously a steroid enhanced version of the sit-singer - with a bit more mojo!

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  7. Why can't Devaji create his own melody instead of singing someone else's song? There's a picture of this creepy Waldman draped in a sheet in an utterly sad attempt to mimic the famous photo of Ramana wrapped in a shawl. These antics are laughable!

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    1. Yes, that's the unfortunate picture of Waldman looking like a not too friendly Casper the ghost, or should I say goat!

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  8. David Waldman's upcoming event in Tiru is yet another low point in a constant procession of villains, scoundrels and emotional stalkers. Devaji seems to come across as particularly venal. The mongrel booked the poshest venue in Tiru for his jet setting Mount Shasta wealthy wankers ... presumably a more humble venue would not be conducive for the spiritual upliftment of his well heeled clientele (unlike Mooji who conducts a bargain basement operation for the budget conscious). Has this dubious character been granted a business visa? A tourist visa? Or perhaps a new category called Charlatan's Temporary Passage to India ... The good news is that Tiru's dogs are honing their teeth in anticipation of his arrival.

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  9. So its now official. Mooji in Rishikesh February and March. So I guess that means he won't be coming to Tiru. But we will have to suffer 5 days of John de Vampire. Could be worse.

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    1. De Ruiter in Tiru! He hasn't been for over a decade. The last time he has here he was ritually abused by Hapi and a drunken accomplice and he never returned!

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  10. Devaji is doing his retreat at Ramana Towers but I wonder if he has checked into who will be doing the catering? The last Satsang Barbie retreat was at Ramana Towers and everyone including Barbie got very very sick. That was her last retreat in Tiru and she never came back.

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    1. Saved by E coli it must be divine grace!

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  11. Don't be fooled by John de Ruiter. He has has own special take on everything which he calls his "knowing". He is completely in love with his tender Christ like image sprinkled with serious academic philosophy. He will weave a poetic rhetoric that sounds impressive but has no meaning at all. He promises everything and gives nothing. His true message is: he loves himself and he wants you to love him too. Coming from an orthodox Dutch Christian community (Amish Style) in the Canadian mid west, he dropped out of priest college to the shock of his bible ranting family and decided to become his own "fisher of men and women". He has his own unique mystical ideas about Ramana and the mountain but his domain is firmly established in Edmonton, Alberta where he keeps his cult following on a very short leash. His regular trips around the world are recruitment drives for his cult. John realized that most of his loyal followers will have a use by date when they finally get to see that its all only about John and his Edmonton home. So its important for him to always keep a flow of fresh followers coming in to keep the wheels rolling smoothly and his position and status asurred. He only came to hear about Ramana and Arunachala from a group of disgruntled Osho disciples who advised him that if he wanted to expand his little Edmonton Christian bookshop cult, he should go visit Pune and later on Tiruvanamalai. So he took the advice, he went forth and multiplied. It is no surprise that a decade later, John is returning to his old hunting ground. So watch out readers, he could be hunting for you!

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  12. A few years ago whilst in Tiru I was just about to enter the front door of my hotel when I heard excited, raised voices and paused to have a look. A local sadhu had latched onto a western guy and were trying to converse, meanwhile the local Moslem shop keeper had been roped in as an interpreter and the conversaton was getting very animated. The western guy glowered at me to shove off "HE'S MY FIND, MOVE ON!" I had to laugh at this comic situation, at this poor sadhus attempts to milk some money out of the situation, contrasted with the westeners delusion at finding a prized guru. The farcical upshot was who was milking whom?

    summer

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    1. Two Americans by the entrance to Ramanasram,
      '...unintelligible is giving Satsang this morning and it's FREE!'

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  13. Check out the prices for the Devaji retreat - $775 for the full retreat - click here

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  14. $30 a night to stay in the ramana nagar area! Where are they staying? That's some seriously expensive squalor!

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  15. They will be staying at Ramana Towers. As for the squalor, I know one 'guroo" explained it away as 'simple India experience" and people bought it.

    You know, Chi Ting Master, I think this Deva guy is the one who had talked two friends of mine - a mother and daughter - into coming to Tiru with him and sit in silence for $500 a day - (I will have to check with them to be sure). The two women were so excited that he was going to do for them what Bhagavan did for a lot of people in his day. If it isn't this Deva guy then it is some one in the U.S. who is enterprising enough to get people to sign up to sit with him in silence in Tiru. Phew! I was able to smack some sense into the two women by showing them this blog and another. They didn't join.

    Bhagavan was so much more than just sitting in silence. He had the ability to show people their own divinity for free. OMG $775 for c****? People wake up.

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  16. Pure unadulterated poppy-cock, just like his website and tale of awakening-oneness-with-ramana: see here.

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  17. Are you seriously using Robert Adams to disgrace Devaji!?? Robert Adams is the worst of the lot! Damn!

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    1. Well, if Robert Adams is the dregs what does that say about a pretender like Devaji?!

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  18. Is Mooji really banned from the US??

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    1. He was banned - rumour was that he had a previous drug conviction, that was used as a pretext to keep him out - but I don't know about his current status. John de Ruiter was also banned but his lawyer wife has managed to get him back in and he has been selling his tawdry wares (ie how to embody bullshit) in Boulder and San Francisco.

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