ABSTRACT
Chapter 7 explores three themes in the contemporary practice of Nondual Śaiva Theosophy (NŚT): power, sex and money. In particular, it investigates examples of contemporary teachers and organizations where the abuse of power, sexual misconduct and the mismanagement or inappropriate use of money appear to have taken place. Within modern NŚT these harmful activities are often justified or rationalized according to beliefs and practices found in the tradition. Some of these potentially problematic notions are the absolute authority of the guru, the notion that enlightenment transcends good and evil, the belief in the efficacy of sexual yoga, and the nonduality of worldly and spiritual life. This chapter focuses on five case studies involving Swami Muktananda, Gurumayi (Chidvilasananda), Shankarananda (Russell Kruckman), Chetanananda (Joseph Michael Shoemaker), and Vivekananda Saraswati (Narcis Tarcau). It then analyzes these examples in relation to academic debates concerning cults and new religious movements. The chapter concludes that some contemporary groups who claim to practice “Kashmir Śaivism” may be considered cults, or at least as having cult-like features.
