There appear to be two groups claiming Sri Ramchandra as guru - Sahaj Marg (aka Ramchandra Mission) and the Institute of Sri Ramchandra Consciousness.
The latter, ISRC, does outreach via free two day meditation trainings in something called Natural Path and or Pranahuti Supported Meditation.
From a research blog comes this background on the formation of the Institute of Sri Ramchandra Consciousness:
(A tiny selection from a vast richly researched blog)
[historyofsrcm.blogspot.com]
So, Western troops - I mean Western disciples - take care to learn something about how your gurus behave at home. Do you want your money and love to support them in hostile takeovers of other ashrams.
And, a lot can happen in two days. You have a right to know the following:
*What level of financial, social and volunteer commitment is required of you if you get involved. No organization can run free meditation classes forever, eventually people have to donate funds and labor. How much are you required to give?
* What schedule do you follow during the two day free meditation training? What amount of time do you have for sleep, for privacy. Anything that disrupts sleep interferes with critical thinking and emotional stability.
* Will what you say be kept confidential? People confess quite intimate things during retreats.
* Are you free to leave if you dislike the situation, can you leave without being shamed or scolded?
* Can you keep possession of your telephone? (Important if you choose to leave and need to summon a vehicle to convey you home safely -- especially important for ladies)
The latter, ISRC, does outreach via free two day meditation trainings in something called Natural Path and or Pranahuti Supported Meditation.
From a research blog comes this background on the formation of the Institute of Sri Ramchandra Consciousness:
(A tiny selection from a vast richly researched blog)
[historyofsrcm.blogspot.com]
Quote
With his Western success, Rajagopalachari is therefore all-powerful in India and able in 1999 to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Babuji. On 30 April, he inaugurated the Babuji Memorial Ashram, at Manappakam on the outskirts of Chennai, an ashram on five acres that can accommodate 13,000 people inside the meditation hall.
For its part, the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (Shahjahanpur-1945) has not been as successful. Elected in 1984, and re-elected in 1990 SP Srivastava publishes the second part of Babuji's Journals (May 44 to June 55) in three volumes that appear from 1987 to 89. In 1994, Umesh Chandra Saxena is elected to replace SP Srivastava, but will soon no longer carry unanimous support. He does not work, uses the money from the Mission to support the lifestyle of his family, and invites corrupt politicians for rowdy parties. Raghavendra Rao and Srivastava distance themselves, as well, Andre Poray in France.
The defections have not spared the Rajagopalachari clan. KC Narayana, (son of Dr. Varadachari) who took over the head of the Sahaj Marg Research Institute (SMRI) founded by his father abandons his post in 1991 to found the Institute of Sri Ramchandra Consciousness (ISRC) in Hyderabad. He criticizes Rajagopalachari for letting develop the cult of a (his) personality and refuses to recognize him as the spiritual representative of Babuji. Kasturi Chaturvedi says much the same thing in a memorable speech on 30 April, 1995, before the followers of Rajagopalachari assembled in Chennai. Having never played any administrative role, she takes a little more distance and retires to Lucknow.
In reality, Rajagopalachari was never completely absent from his country, but he was confined to his southern stronghold of Chennai. To establish his legitimacy, he includes on the list of his preceptors, celebrities like Kasturi and the grandson of Lalaji, Dinesh Kumar Saxena, with or without their consent. He develops valuable relationships with prominent Indians. He incorporates his own working committee with representatives of the judiciary, police officers and entrepreneurs.
With his domestic support and the money that comes from his Western troops, he does not hesitate to take by force, ashrams run by his opponents....
So, Western troops - I mean Western disciples - take care to learn something about how your gurus behave at home. Do you want your money and love to support them in hostile takeovers of other ashrams.
And, a lot can happen in two days. You have a right to know the following:
*What level of financial, social and volunteer commitment is required of you if you get involved. No organization can run free meditation classes forever, eventually people have to donate funds and labor. How much are you required to give?
* What schedule do you follow during the two day free meditation training? What amount of time do you have for sleep, for privacy. Anything that disrupts sleep interferes with critical thinking and emotional stability.
* Will what you say be kept confidential? People confess quite intimate things during retreats.
* Are you free to leave if you dislike the situation, can you leave without being shamed or scolded?
* Can you keep possession of your telephone? (Important if you choose to leave and need to summon a vehicle to convey you home safely -- especially important for ladies)