Siddha Yoga responds to Salon story

Organization linked to "Eat, Pray, Love" says it "emphatically rejects the grossly false picture"

Published August 16, 2010 4:17PM (EDT)

The SYDA Foundation Board of Trustees emphatically rejects the grossly false picture drawn by Salon.com magazine in its recent article about Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, Swami Muktananda, and the Siddha Yoga path. The Siddha Yoga path is an authentic path of self-knowledge and thousands of Siddha Yoga students can attest to the beneficial effect it has on their lives. For almost three decades, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda, the spiritual head of the Siddha Yoga path, has guided students through her teachings.

The purpose of the SYDA Foundation is to disseminate the Siddha Yoga teachings. The SYDA Foundation does not engage in activities unrelated to its purpose and has done nothing whatsoever to capitalize on the film or the book "Eat, Pray, Love."

Tens of thousands of people around the world have chosen Siddha Yoga as their spiritual path. Over time, some people have decided not to continue on this path. A few of these former practitioners have become critics. Salon.com and writer Riddhi Shah chose to focus on a handful of critics rather than the thousands of Siddha Yoga practitioners who are living active and productive lives in their communities.

Shah relies heavily on what she herself acknowledges as rumors and accusations from articles written in 1983 and 1994. She then insinuates there is currency to those claims by falsely stating that Gurumayi disappeared from public view amid the allegations. In fact, Gurumayi actively continues to teach and guide Siddha Yoga students from all parts of the world.

It is unfortunate that the writer has used the release of the movie "Eat, Pray, Love" in an attempt to discredit a path that has enriched the lives of so many. 


By Salon Staff

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