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==History==
==History==
*The group's success in the west is founded on the work of Gurumayi's predecessor Swami Muktananda, who toured the West at his devotees' invitation three times, in [[1970]], [[1974]] – [[1976]] and [[1979]] – [[1981]].
*The group's success in the west is founded on the work of Gurumayi's predecessor Swami Muktananda, who toured the West at his devotees' invitation three times, in [[1970]], [[1974]] – [[1976]] and [[1979]] – [[1981]]. Muktananda authored several important books on Yoga and meditation including "Play of Consciousness" "Mediate" and "Where are you goind?"
* Near the end of Muktananda's life in [[1982]], he made Chidvilasananda and her brother Swami Nityananda co-gurus of Siddha Yoga. Three years later Nityananda stepped down (amidst controversy, admitting to breaking his vows of celibacy).
* Near the end of Muktananda's life in [[1982]], he made Chidvilasananda and her brother Swami Nityananda co-gurus of Siddha Yoga. Three years later Nityananda stepped down (amidst controversy, admitting to breaking his vows of celibacy).
* Swami Nityananda has since started his own group (Shanti Mandir) and he is now known as Mahamandeleshwar Swami Nityanand.
* Swami Nityananda has since started his own group (Shanti Mandir) and he is now known as Mahamandeleshwar Swami Nityanand.


==Beliefs==
==Beliefs==
Students believe that the Guru is a perfected human being who, by a mixture of spiritual work and grace from the preceding Guru, has achieved full realization of the Divine in their lifetime. They believe the guru to be a [[satguru]] or 'True Guru'.
Students believe that the Guru is a perfected human being who, by a mixture of spiritual work and grace from the preceding Guru, has achieved full realization of the Divine in their lifetime. Siddha Yoga believes in the inherent goodness and divinity of every human being and the ultimate purpose of spiritual practice is to relieve human suffering.


Siddha Yoga's core teachings are Muktananda's two aphorisms, "God dwells within you as you," and "See God in each other." The primary philosophical basis of Siddha Yoga is [[Kashmir Shaivism]].
Siddha Yoga's core teachings are Muktananda's two aphorisms, "God dwells within you as you," and "See God in each other." The primary philosophical basis of Siddha Yoga is [[Kashmir Shaivism]].
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* <sup>2</sup> [[Lis Harris|Harris, Lis]] article, ''O Guru, Guru, Guru'', [[The New Yorker]],[[November 14]], [[1994]] [http://www.leavingsiddhayoga.net/o_guru_english.htm available online]
* <sup>2</sup> [[Lis Harris|Harris, Lis]] article, ''O Guru, Guru, Guru'', [[The New Yorker]],[[November 14]], [[1994]] [http://www.leavingsiddhayoga.net/o_guru_english.htm available online]


==Press articles - Favorable==
==Press articles
* Hinduism Today, "Baba Muktananda's 'Meditation Revolution' Continues" [[October]], [[1992]] http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1992/10/1992-10-03.shtml
* Hinduism Today, "Baba Muktananda's 'Meditation Revolution' Continues" [[October]], [[1992]] http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1992/10/1992-10-03.shtml
* Hinduism Today, "Muktananda's Legacy," [[April]], [[1995]] http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1995/4/1995-4-05.shtml
* Hinduism Today, "Muktananda's Legacy," [[April]], [[1995]] http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/1995/4/1995-4-05.shtml
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==Press articles - Critical ==




==External links - Favorable==
==External links
* [http://www.siddhayoga.org/ Official site of the SYDA foundation.] Information on ashrams, worldwide programs, and bookstore.
* [http://www.siddhayoga.org/ Official site of the SYDA foundation.] Information on ashrams, worldwide programs, and bookstore.
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sgmkj/ Yahoo group dedicated to exploring the teachings of Siddha Yoga]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sgmkj/ Yahoo group dedicated to exploring the teachings of Siddha Yoga]
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==External links - Critical==
* [http://leavingsiddhayoga.net/ Leaving Siddha Yoga] site run to support people leaving Siddha Yoga and critical of its ethics.
*[http://www.excultworld.com/misc_articles/daniel%20shaw%20essay.htm "Traumatic abuse in cults"] Critical essay by ex-follower.
*[http://www.eskimo.com/~tlotus/letters/SYDAYoga.htm Open letters, other ex-members speak out bitterly]
*[http://groups.yahoo.com/group/exSY/ Yahoo forum for people who have left Siddha Yoga]
*[http://www.ex-cult.org/Groups/SYDA-Yoga Ex-cult Resource Centre] Collection of archive documents from AOL Religion/Hinduism/Siddha Yoga




Revision as of 08:01, 27 November 2005

Siddha Yoga is a spiritual group teaching traditional Hindu or yogic practices both in India and in the West. The group has an organizational foundation by the name of SYDA Foundation, founded by the second guru of the Siddha Yoga lineage, Swami Muktananda (1908 – 1982). The guru who is the latest in the lineage of teachers of Siddha yoga is a woman, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda (June 24, 1955 – ). The group has its U.S. headquarters at a large country ashram called Shree Muktananda Ashram composed of two former resort hotels in South Fallsburg, New York State. Its original home remains the ashram called Gurudev Siddha Peeth at Ganeshpuri in rural Maharashtra, India.

History

  • The group's success in the west is founded on the work of Gurumayi's predecessor Swami Muktananda, who toured the West at his devotees' invitation three times, in 1970, 1974 – 1976 and 1979 – 1981. Muktananda authored several important books on Yoga and meditation including "Play of Consciousness" "Mediate" and "Where are you goind?"
  • Near the end of Muktananda's life in 1982, he made Chidvilasananda and her brother Swami Nityananda co-gurus of Siddha Yoga. Three years later Nityananda stepped down (amidst controversy, admitting to breaking his vows of celibacy).
  • Swami Nityananda has since started his own group (Shanti Mandir) and he is now known as Mahamandeleshwar Swami Nityanand.

Beliefs

Students believe that the Guru is a perfected human being who, by a mixture of spiritual work and grace from the preceding Guru, has achieved full realization of the Divine in their lifetime. Siddha Yoga believes in the inherent goodness and divinity of every human being and the ultimate purpose of spiritual practice is to relieve human suffering.

Siddha Yoga's core teachings are Muktananda's two aphorisms, "God dwells within you as you," and "See God in each other." The primary philosophical basis of Siddha Yoga is Kashmir Shaivism.

Practices

The main practices of Siddha Yoga include:

  • Meditation – The form of meditation practiced is silent with attention focused on a mantra and/or on the flow of breath. The mantra most often used for meditation is the mantra Om Namah Shivaya.
  • Chanting – Students chant sanskrit mantras which can either be Nama Sankirtana (chants that consist of short sanskrit phrases) or swadhyaya (chanting of longer texts).
  • seva – Students practice seva through volunteer work at either an ashram or a center in their city.
  • dakshina – Dakshina refers to a donation of money and/or material objects, and students believe that supporting the global organization through dakshina is a practice.
  • Satsang refers to group meetings or programs, usually held weekly, at the ashrams or one of several hundred small Siddha Yoga meditation centers around the world. A typical satsang program will include talks by one or more students or a visiting swami, several periods of chanting (in sanskrit), and a period of meditation. The centers usually conclude the program with announcements and socializing.


References

==Press articles



==External links



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