Beyond a Means to an End; Necessary Conditions for Healing & a Conviction; No Space for Shame
Hi there, readers. We're going to take a small break from our usual style of banter and ridicule against our the fraud-god, Nithyananda and his cult. And, actually focus on something that is at least near and dear to us.
Yes, there are lots of us, in growing numbers that would like to see an end of Nithyananda's crimes and all of his fraud that he has inflicted upon society. Agreed that Nithyananda has tarnished Hinduism, Vedic culture, spiritual beliefs, and all the good work of many sincere Masters as well as seekers. Equally bad, Nithyananda has brought on a lot of pain and broken up and ruined many families. This is very wrong and must stop.
A key component in being able to mete out justice to Nithyananda is the testament from some of the victims that he sexually exploited. We often took a lighthearted approach to these crimes and called them 'room service ladies'. Although it makes the topic approachable, we have to remind ourselves (especially to the one who is typing these words) that these women are victims. And, we need to respect these victims and see them first as human beings. These women should not be seen as the potential means to our ends of convicting Nithyananda for his crimes. These ladies have already been a victim once, they don't need to be the victim twice over again.
In the comments received (not all of them published) there seems to be a call for strong, independent minded lady, the embodiment of Devi Durga, to come forth and give a 'tell all' testament against Nithyananda. Indeed, if such a lady comes forward, she would require the strength, courage, and fearlessness unknown to most of us reading this blog. There's no denying that quality. If a woman testified in court her intimate crime on how she was exploited, then the story told would not just be Nithyananda’s affairs, but her affairs too. The anticipated ridicule, shame, and ostracizing could be unbearable for anybody, regardless of gender, regardless of martial status, regardless of culture, and regardless of age.
So instead of hoping that some lady with super human qualities appears before all, let's work on giving the conditions and support to all of these ladies whether they come forward or not. They are victims. Innocent victims. They have been taken advantage of, set up, drugged either physically or esoterically, and placed in a very well planned trap. Who helped to set this trap and pave the way for these ladies to be sexually abused? Sorry, guys. Looks like we can take a majority stake in that blame. Yes, we were well meaning, deceived, fooled, etc., and like-minded victims in the same game. But, we were not careful. We failed to protect those that were counting on our support. We allowed, and most likely, encouraged the sex crimes to happen. We allowed those who had the most to lose come right up to liar's lair. Their pain has to be our pain.
OK, our point is not to suffer shame and wallow in some puddle of despair. That's not going to help anyone. We would like everyone, especially us guys, to own up to our responsibility that these sexually abused victims are the making of our own shortcomings. We need to realize that this is our fault too.
Once this understanding that everyone, especially the guys, share fault in this crime, then the first step is to forgive our selves and especially the women who were abused. Yes, we are all victims. No one realized what a monster Nithyananda really was. Most of us thought that he could really help someone in ways that we could not comprehend or understand. We really thought that Nithyananda was divinely sent. That our daughters, sisters, wives, nieces, and friends would really benefit from being around his energy. From our own personal experiences, there were plenty of times we saw the ladies deliver food to Nithyananda's private quarters and stay there for hours. During those moments, the only thoughts that entered our minds were that Nithyananda was giving extra attention to that woman and that she was very fortunate to receive his undivided blessings. OK, we were fools, and many of you reading these words, also fell short.
So, regardless of whether these women testify or not, we need to embrace them as our sisters or as or daughters, and help them heal. They need to know that at least within the realms of the immediate families and greater family of those once trapped within Nithyananda's cult, that they are loved, respected, worshipped, honored, and forgiven as they suffered through our faults. We need to see these women for the beauty that they are not for the dirt that has been dished upon them. After seeing all of the romping’s on YouTube, yes, it is easy to dismiss the fact that these victims are human beings with real feelings, with real concerns, with real lives, who yearn to have a sense of normalcy and perhaps even a future in their now tainted lives. Becoming sensitive to the human side, remembering that these are human beings, and carrying that within your heart for the remainder of your life will do so much more to heal than any conviction of Nithyananda.
So, please, readers, we beg you to do exactly this. These women will need lots of space and time. Outwardly expressions of pity and restrictions will only make things worse. Please don't let the ego, which is so eager to show others that there's an 'understanding', smother the space of someone who is trying to go forward and cope. True love will understand and silently embrace. Compassion knows no words or restrictions. But, don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to let others know that you stand on the side of your sister, daughter, or wife. That is the time that your head needs to be raised and voice counted to silence those who are ready to shame via whispers or rejection.
Yes, we would be delighted if at least one woman came forward and would testify against Nithyananda. That would help bring an end to these crimes and ensure that no one else will suffer the fate that many of us have suffered. Just the same, our goals and objectives should not come at the expense of the victim's dignity, integrity, and respect. These ladies were already used once. They should not be used twice, no matter how noble the cause seemed at either time. Therefore, all victims of Nithyananda's cult and fraud should take a vow that any woman who is brave enough to come forward and stop these horrible crimes is a hero beyond our own means. The courage and determination to serve humanity and risk the humiliation of a society jaded by sensationalism and instant visuals goes beyond the imaginations that described the epic heroics in terms of the battles of dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness). So, look, guys, you better fall at the feet of any lady who is clearly braver and has much more to lose than you will comprehend in your life time. And, fall at her feet, you must. If this lady is your wife, you need to serve her as the protector of humanity and always realize that she did something that you would never be capable of doing. If this lady is your daughter or sister, you need to hold her so high in your hearts and minds that she will never be let down again. And, for you Indian guys, if she is still single, you better make sure that only the best hearted, qualified, and capable male suitors are lined up a mile deep for her to select one that will serve her sincerely for the rest of his life. She has embodied dharma (righteousness) and should be regarded as the Divine Mother herself. No second best suitors for Divinity, please.
Well, these words are nice, but they are not going to do the job alone. We would like to ask the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to ensure a framework be put into place that will allow these victims to come forward to testify safely and with dignity. Assurances are needed that these women will not become a new victim to the ills of society. Please don't just see these women as just 'informants' or 'witnesses' that will help piece together the crimes. Instead, look at them with compassion that you would have to your own sister, your own mother, to your own daughter, or to your own wife. Find a way to allow them to tell their story but still be protected. For instance, is there a way that a victim’s identity can remain anonymous? That her name will not be in the press? That her face will not be broadcasted on television or the internet? Is there a way to ensure the dignity, privacy, and respect, so that the victim's story not her life will be disclosed? Can there be real penalties that will be levied against those who violate these terms including the smear tactics that Nithyananda's loyal cult members have exercised?
Getting a conviction against Nithyananda will help bring closure to a lot of pain that many of us have experienced. But, getting closure should be done in a way that does not create new victims from the old victims. Those who have experienced Nithyananda's pain have to ban together to ensure that any witness who testifies will be honored, cherished, and respected for the great deed that she has done. The authorities will need to create a framework to allow for system to thrive, and the media will need to show restraint in reporting the story without breaking the soul. We wish we had the answers, but at least we have an idea where to start.
For our readers that did not have to endure the pain of Nithyananda's crimes, we apologize for the personal blog post and perhaps the preachy undertones. Please just see this as a window through our thoughts, pain, and conviction. And, if you have the compassion, please help us in our cause.
Special thanks to the person who sent us a two unpublished comments that helped sharpen our sensitivity to this matter.
Follow your dharma. Use your common sense. Listen to your inner-conscience, and follow the Truth. Come out of this trap, and escape from this fake and fraudulent cult scam.
Day 123: One Hundred and twenty-three days have passed since Sri Nithyananda's bloggers of the Parallel Universe of La-La Land have not answered our simple chronological questions. We'll keep on reminding them.
