India's institutions stink of corruption. Bribery and influential connections
are needed to get anything done. If you do not have an influential patron, you
seek help from those who can provide it via other channels -- the mega-gurus
or gang leaders.
The Godmen
When our immune systems break down, we get sick from opportunistic infections -
from micro-organisms that are suppressed by a functioning immune system.
These 'Godmen' and 'Godwomen' are the equivalent of flesh eating bacteria, Staph Aureus and Clostridium
Difficile.
They offer political patronage and social services, even subsidized old age
care and education to people who have been failed by India's corrupt
governments, both national and local.
Here is an example from another such cult, Radhasoami Beas
(Rahim Singh's group is a sect whose founder was part of a sect that
split off from Radhasaomi.)
[hinessight.blogs.com]
A woman who did not believe in Radhasoami Beas married into a family
where her in-laws were 'satsangis' -- RS disciples. They were seemingly
tolerant, but became proslytizing and pushy on her after she joined the
family.
Here is what she learned:
The Underworld
Journalist Suketu Mehta, in his memoir, Maximum City:Bombay Lost and Found, gave chapter on the role of the underworld in providing job opportunities and
also recourse to justice.
Mehta describes how the gang leaders ('bhais') run parallel courts.
[books.google.com]
They even review tax returns.
[books.google.com]
The one difference between the Godmen/women and the underworld is that the rich and powerful willingly give money to the former; the latter compel the rich
to disgorge.
A movie cannot be made unless one both funds and purchases protection from
the underworld. If an actor becomes a star, he or she must choose a gang
for protection from all the other gangs.
Many of the gang leaders and their hired assassins are pious men. But --at least the gang leaders do not claim to be God.
are needed to get anything done. If you do not have an influential patron, you
seek help from those who can provide it via other channels -- the mega-gurus
or gang leaders.
The Godmen
When our immune systems break down, we get sick from opportunistic infections -
from micro-organisms that are suppressed by a functioning immune system.
These 'Godmen' and 'Godwomen' are the equivalent of flesh eating bacteria, Staph Aureus and Clostridium
Difficile.
They offer political patronage and social services, even subsidized old age
care and education to people who have been failed by India's corrupt
governments, both national and local.
Here is an example from another such cult, Radhasoami Beas
(Rahim Singh's group is a sect whose founder was part of a sect that
split off from Radhasaomi.)
[hinessight.blogs.com]
A woman who did not believe in Radhasoami Beas married into a family
where her in-laws were 'satsangis' -- RS disciples. They were seemingly
tolerant, but became proslytizing and pushy on her after she joined the
family.
Here is what she learned:
Quote
I met a lot of so called spiritual people through my immediate family. They are all in a miserable journey of hypocrisy. Some honest enough to let you know that they were volunteering at Beas because it is a good, safe, retired life with state of art medical services and everything else taken care of. There was another guy in his late 40s who was phasing down his own business to move into Radha Soami volunteering full time.
I probed him on the reasons and he was honest enough to tell me that he had two daughters going to senior school and if he becomes a full time volunteer, the girls education will be fully sponsored by Babaji in any foreign country. He also mentioned that old age was comfortable in Beas and what better post retirement life could he get for himself.
I have nothing against cults and religions of the world. I know we all will choose our journey but if the journey is about throttling other peoples lives, then it hardly is a spiritual way of life.
The Underworld
Journalist Suketu Mehta, in his memoir, Maximum City:Bombay Lost and Found, gave chapter on the role of the underworld in providing job opportunities and
also recourse to justice.
Mehta describes how the gang leaders ('bhais') run parallel courts.
[books.google.com]
They even review tax returns.
[books.google.com]
The one difference between the Godmen/women and the underworld is that the rich and powerful willingly give money to the former; the latter compel the rich
to disgorge.
A movie cannot be made unless one both funds and purchases protection from
the underworld. If an actor becomes a star, he or she must choose a gang
for protection from all the other gangs.
Many of the gang leaders and their hired assassins are pious men. But --at least the gang leaders do not claim to be God.