Re: James Swartz—What is the Truth?

I am going to double post here.

We spoke on here the other day about the issue of James and Isabella Swartz placing pressure on people for money for their love nest. I mentioned that to withhold teachings from someone on the basis they are not giving you money so you could pay the mortgage of your new Spanish home in the hills, is not voluntary.

As in my last post, Shiningworld are trying to damage limitation. But as me and another former Shiningworld member said yesterday, they cannot help but trip themselves up.

This is priceless again guys.

Here is the Shiningworld response to what we said in regard to their donations:

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Shiningworld

Teaching by Donation: Vedanta teaching is not a profession, although James teaches it professionally. In the great tradition of Advaita Vedanta the donation, which is not voluntary, is called guru dakshina which means that you contribute to the teacher and the teaching tradition according to your means and your appreciation of the spiritual value of the teaching.

Link: [www.shiningworld.com]

You guys have a bit of a problem though. What is your lineage? Swami Chinmayananda. Who authorised you to teach? Swami Chinamyananda.

So, why have you changed things? Why have you went against the tradition?


Here is what the Chinmaya Mission say in regard to Daksina:

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ChinmayaMission
Jnana Yajnas could spread over five-to-seven days with 60-90 minute public discourses every day on the Bhagavad-gita or other Vedantic texts. Jnana Yajnas are free of charge. Gurudakshina is a voluntary offering devotees make to the Acharya on the concluding day of the yajna.

The Indian tradition of Gurudakshina is a way of showing gratefulness and respect to the Guru. It was an attempt to repay one's teacher or Guru after a period of study in the Gurukula. The repayment was not always monetary. At times, a teacher would simply ask his student to execute an important task. However, the Guru often received a valuable gift or donations from the pupil and his family as Gurudakshina. Though the life style of Indians has changed majorly down the years, yet the reverence and respect we pay to our teachers still remains largely intact.

At Chinmaya Mission - in keeping with the old age tradition - knowledge is available for all and at no charge. Thus, at the end of a Jnana Yajna - the beneficiaries offer Gurudakshina to the Acharya as a token of gratitude. It also highlights the fact that knowledge should not be taken for granted. The offerings received are used for sustaining and furthering the propagation of knowledge and Mission activities.

Can you see this? The Ashram of James Swartz own guru says it is voluntary.

James and Isabella say it is not. Of course, they have to pay the mortgage on the Spanish love nest.

Again, why did you destroy one of your teacher students over asking for medical expenses, when you are twisting what real vedanta teaches, to justify your own selfish interests?

I am also showing further proof that your own Guru's ashram does not teach what you do...

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ChinmayaMission
Chinmaya Mission relies entirely upon volunteers. No one serving here receives monetary payment for their efforts.

Suggested Gurudakshina donation level is $40/month. However, this is voluntary and you can choose another amount

The big mistake that James and Isabella have made, is that they have publicly said that they will withhold teachings if there is no money being offered. You have crossed another line.

The teachings are to be gave freely. You do not own the teachings. They are not your's to sell. And no price tag can by placed on the teachings.

I've personally saw Swami use their own money, that has been saved, to potentially much lose. I have explained to them, they might not recompense the money. And they told me, they do not go to a teaching expecting money. If they get money, good. If they don't be anything, no problem.

This is voluntary. The teachings of actual Vedanta are always gave freely. This is why dakshina, donation's are on the last day. Teachings first.

You have shown to 'Tom' the other day, you have placed money before teachings. Just like you place your wife before students. And, Isabella, you wrote the above event description, saying wrong teachings again.

Buyer Beware!