Life in Balance: Amit D. Chaudhary’s Blog
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Something I thought should be there. Particularly spirituality is important to those who choose to follow it and there have been and are many dubious Gurus (Spiritual leaders or Spiritual Teachers).

It is good to ask someone who you trust what they think of a Guru or Path before jumping into it. It might help in avoiding inappropriate paths.

Needless to say, these are opinions and come with a Beware warning (Caveat Emptor) and sometimes a wrong opinion is worse than no opinion.

I believe in trying to make deliberate decisions in this regard (A more recent post: Ideas to think consciously about your spiritual goals and evaluating spiritual paths)

I found a Guru Rating website by Sarlo (Some who says he\she is not an expert in this and does not mention his\her real name), yet I believe the approach is worth a look. The author of the ratings below (Sarlo) is a Paramahansa Yogananda and Osho follower, so they do rank high.
The original page: Sarlo’s Complete list of Guru ratings

An article about why not to trust them: The Truth About Jody Radzik And Sarlo

Ratings are from 3 (Highest) to 0(Lowest). See meaning at bottom of this blog post, all links from Sarlo’s webpage.

***** The ratings that I thought were closer to truth ****

2.5 Sri Swami Sivananda M 1887-1963 Sivananda

Karma Yoga’s Divine Life Society. “Attached so much importance to dissemination of spiritual knowledge that in a financial crisis, he would shut down the kitchen but not the press.” Disciples in the biz include Swami Vishnu-devananda (successor, M 1927-1993), H.H. Sri Swami Krishnananda Saraswati Maharaj (M b 1922, another successor), and Swami S. Radha (F 1911-1995). Many claimed awakened in this stream. Baggage, big business, outmoded misogynist brahmacharya trip but some good people.

2.5 BKS Iyengar M b1918 (= Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja) Iyengar MORE

Indian very sickly as youth but became influential exponent of hatha yoga, author, brother-in-law of T. Krishnamacharya, harsh and exacting but considered the Big Kahuna of today’s yoga scene, still energetic in old age, tours. Benefit of doubt. Denver Post story

2.5 Baba Hari Dass M b1923 Hari Dass

Indian based in States. Silent since 1952, writes on a small chalkboard. Master yogi, Ayurveda, service and publishing. Weekly Satsang includes spiritual singing, meditation, and questions. “In his presence it is evident that he has found a way to be at peace despite the pain and confusion of the world.” Simple, hardworking, solid rep, etc. Benefit of doubt.
2.5 Dalai Lama M b1935 aka Tenzin Gyatso, Lhamo Thondup Dalai Lama (See also other Tibetan teachers) “Ordinary guy” Interview Anti*

14th in a series of reincarnating Bodhisattvas, renouncing the big E to look after the temporal and spiritual welfare of the people of Tibet. “By developing a sense of respect for others and a concern for their welfare, we reduce our own selfishness, which is the source of all problems, and enhance our sense of kindness which is a natural source of goodness.” Looked up to by all the Tibetan teachers. Nice guy, wisdom, compassion, etc. By (usual) definition not enlightened. Anti site a long intellectual / sociopolitical analysis more on Tibetans in general, seasoned with salacious rituals

3.0 Adyashanti M b1957ish aka Steven Gray Open Gate Sangha Report

American. Many years of Zen training with Arvis Joen Justi, also Kwong Roshi and Gangaji. “Stop all delays, all seeking and all striving. Put down your concepts, ideas and beliefs. For one instant be still and directly encounter the silent unknown core of your being. In that instant Freedom will embrace you and reveal the Awakening that you are.” Already sprouted Mokshananda. Said to be acquiring exes of Nome and Russell. Good rep, benefit of doubt. New URL, spiffier image

0.5 Sathya Sai Baba M b1926 aka Sathya Narayana Raju Ocean of Love Official Site Sai Dirt

“Second of three incarnations of the Sai avatar. First was Shirdi Sai Baba. Will remain in the present form until his mid 90’s, then will appear as the third and final incarnation, Prema Sai Baba and will complete the Sai mission to usher in the golden age.” Manifests Seikos and ashes. Lots of rumours of sexual abuse (prepubescent boys). Legerdemain and vanity could be clever cover for something interesting.

0.5 Frederick Lenz M 1949-1998 aka (Zen Master) Rama, Atmananda Rama Anti Skeptical Book Review

American. “I consider Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Alec Baldwin, Jean Reno, Meryl Streep, Clint Eastwood, Harrison Ford, Linda Hamilton, Sean Connery, Jodi Foster, and Denzel Washington to be some of the best actors and actresses in Hollywood today.” Suicide said to have been because of terminal illness. Learned the biz as recruiter for Sri Chinmoy. Aggressive self-promoter, expert on everything. Philanthropist too.

0.5 Gurumayi Chidvilasananda F b1955 aka Malti Shetty Gurumayi Leaving Siddha Yoga New Yorker Article

Indian, Muktananda successor by virtue of ousting little brother Nityananda. Hinduish devotional structure, shaktipat, siddha yoga. Major dirt around coercion and coverups, though anti sites point mainly to Muktananda.

0.5 Sri Chinmoy M b1931 aka Chinmoy Kumar Ghose Sri Chinmoy Dirt

“Dedicated to world peace and fulfilment of the unlimited potential of the human spirit.” “Peace initiatives, heart-to-heart approach to global harmony, personal and international harmony.” Became disciple of Sri Aurobindo at (orphaned) age 12. Champion weight lifter. 800 books, 8,000 songs and 135,000 works of art to his credit, etc. Celibacy shtick and feats punctured at dirt site. Classier new home page. Former harmless guy now just another exploiter.

1.0 Sri Swami Rama M 1925-1996 aka Brij Keshore Kumar (Brijkishor) Himalayan Institute Anti* Court Case* (pdf) Swami J homage

Breath control, hatha yoga, ayurveda. “Demonstrated under lab conditions precise conscious control of autonomic physical responses and mental functioning – feats previously thought impossible.” Supposedly paid serious dues in Himalayan caves, with many teachers, etc. Succeeded by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. Institutional, methodological approach. “Impressive knowledge” offset by sexual abuse and other stories. Claim of renouncing “Shankaracharya of Karvirpitham” gig bogus, position not officially recognised. Disciple’s homage page has lots of +ve info, downloads
***** The ratings that I thought were far way from truth and probable reality ****

1.5 Shri Swami Lakshman Joo Raina M 1907-1991 Kashmir Shaivism

Indian. Last(?) of a long line of Kashmir Shaivism. “If you have got $1000 in your pocket, well and good. If you have nothing and you are a pauper, then, well and good. Think like that. Then you’ll be liberated from the repeated births and deaths.” Yoga, tantra, etc, many methods enumerated in Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. No bio, succeeded by John Viresh Hughes, a young American. Inaccessible opaque jargon, nice pictures.

0.5 A.C. Bhaktivedanta M 1894-1979 aka Srila Prabhupada, Abhay Charan De Prabhupada Anti Neutral MORE

“Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare; Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.” Says it all, except that George Harrison (RIP) was really into them. Succession politix, pedophilia, murder, have led to splintering and irrelevance, if there ever was relevance. 1000s of web pages split Sanskrit hairs, argue, celebrate minutest inanities. Guru Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. May have some value for speed freaks.

1.5 Ram Dass M b1931? aka Richard Alpert Ram Dass Unofficial (more homey)

Guru was LSD then Neem Karoli Baba. Laid-back books. “I don’t have a model. All I can see is that I am a teacher. The peculiar predicament that I’m in is that I go back to the feet of this little old man in a blanket [NKB] and I’m in the relation to the guru of chela. It’s his trip, not mine anymore. I am in the role of service.” Moved to Maui after stroke, reduced output.

2.0 Jesus Christ M 4 BCE-30 CE aka Prince of Peace Jesus.com.au Gnostics

“Only Begotten Son of God.” Peace, commandments, heaven, hell, family values, etc. Adherents have been divisive and even bloodthirsty in pursuit of doctrinal purity. Patriarchal ideology has honoured neither women nor the environment. On the other hand there are the gnostics, St Thomas, etc. Some believe this trad has kept him alive and accessible. And there’s “A Course In Miracles,” said by enthusiasts to have been written by him. Long dead, killed by hierarchy, but benefit of doubt.
1.5 Lama Surya Das M b1951ish aka Jeffrey Miller Surya Anti

American (MA). Thirty years in various streams of Buddhism, particularly Dzogchen with Kalu Rinpoche, though name and spiritual career began with Neem Karoli Baba. Big author, solid rep but dharma talks seem to consist mainly of quotes strung together like platitudinous prayer flags. “Buddha said: ‘If there are no seeds of anger in our hearts, no one can make us angry.’ ” Benefit of doubt. Anti link deals with lack of Buddhist authenticity.

2.5 Sri Sri Ravi Shankar M b1956 Art of Living Anti (focuses on commercial and self-promotional aspects)

“At four recited the entire Bhagavad Gita . . . Ancient sciences to suit present day life.” Political activities – hanging with President of India, United Nations, etc – detract from reputed solid work in yoga, meditation (Sahaj Samadhi), and breath (Sudarshan Kriya®). Said to be Mahesh Yogi-derivative. Service-oriented as well. Non-serious rep offsets stolid institutional site. Guru aspect more evident in Yoga Journal article.

1.0 Paramahansa Muktananda M 1908-1982 SYDA Anti New Yorker article Successors Dirt

Succeeded by – well, whom? Officially, it’s Gurmayi Chidvilasananda. Swami Nityananda, her younger brother and at first co-successor, now on his own. Siddha Yoga (org = SYDA). Shaktipat tricks. “Chanting stills the mind and the heart opens. Then, quite naturally we can enter and enjoy meditation.” Sexual abuse (teens, natch), impotence and violent harassment allegations, by himself + org. Many successors down the lineage also troubled. Benefit of doubt.

3.0 Osho M 1931-1990 aka Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, Rajneesh Chandra Mohan Jain Osho General Anti Calder Anti MORE

“Truth is what works.” Developer of myriad devices and meditations to provoke consciousness. Since 1990 his org has expanded and made overtures to the mainstream put off by his fierce iconoclasm and controversy. Despite this, the Pune Commune and other hubs of activity of his people remain some of the most alive spots on the planet. Big money, body gone, divisive politix but still . . .
2.5 Yogi Bhajan M 1929-2004 aka Sardar Bhajan Singh, Harbhajan Singh Puri, Harbhajan Singh Khalsa Yogiji et al 3HO Anti

“Kundalini Yoga strengthens the nervous system and balances the glandular system for stability and vitality. Meditation improves mental concentration, sharpens awareness and gives the direct experience of consciousness. Draws from all yogic systems and techniques.” Healthy Happy Holy Organization. Guru Sant Hazara Singh declared him a yoga master at age 16. OTOH, meditation methods said to be dangerous (insufficient guidance = kundalini blowout). Clean, bland.

1.0 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi M b1917 aka Mahesh Prasad Varma TM – Maharishi FEEDBACK (includes pro and con) AntiSympathetic Bio

“Founder of Maharishi Thousand-Headed Purusha… Transcendental Meditation®… discovered the Constitution of the Universe… Yogic Flying to create supreme mind-body coordination in the individual and coherence in world consciousness… Absolute Theories of Government, Education, Health, and Defense to raise every area of life to perfection.” Guru was Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math. Anti link is an ex-TM-teacher, talk of hypnosis, adverse reactions. Tripletalk, enormous money, but benefit of doubt.

1.5 Deepak Chopra M b1948ish Deepak Chopra QUOTE

Indian renaissance man – endocrinologist, Ayurvedic medicine, physics, advaita, master of all trades. Praised by President Clinton and Time Magazine. Site is dedicated to mass marketing, all things to all people: Ask Deepak, Spiritual Law of the Day, Recipe of the Week, Creating Affluence, Ayurvedic Jam, etc. Still, good guy, engaging speaker.

Rating details:

Update, May 2007: Cleaned up and clarified a bit more.