Shankarananda (Shiva Yoga)
| Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shankarananda | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
March 14, 1942 Williamsburg, Brooklyn, USA |
| Guru | Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa |
Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shankarananda (born 1942) is an American-born guru in the lineage of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri. Swami Shankarananda is a self-published author on the philosophy and practice of Kashmir Shaivism. He emphasises spiritual practice (sadhana), especially meditation, mantra and self-inquiry. He is a spiritual teacher in Australia[1][2] where he founded the Shiva Ashram, a residential spiritual school where about 20 seekers lived[3] and members of the wider public visited for programs, retreats and courses until it went into liquidation in 2015.[4][5] He has also participated in interfaith dialogue.
Biography
Born Russell Michael Kruckman, son of artist Herbert ("Herb") (1904–1998) and school teacher Selma (1908–1998). He studied at Columbia University, New York, where he played on Columbia's US Champion intercollegiate chess team.[6] In 1970 he went to India where he met his guru, Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa, the disciple of Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri.
In 1991 he founded the Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga in Melbourne with the assistance of Swami Bhairavi Ananda (Devi Ma), who was the co-director. They established a residential ashram[7] on the Mornington Peninsula.
In 2015 he admitted to engaging in secret sexual relationships with female students, and apologised.[8][9]
Teachings and philosophy
Kashmir Shaivism
Shankarananda learned about Kashmir Shaivism from his teacher, Swami Muktananda.
Interfaith
Shankarananda has participated in interfaith events.[10] He was the patron of the Hindu Community Council of Victoria (HCCV),[11] and he spoke at the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Melbourne, 2009.
Bibliography
Swami Shankarananda is the author of six books, four of which are listed below.
- Happy for No Good Reason, Information Australia, Melbourne, 2000.
ISBN 1-86350-314-5 (National Library of Australia Catalogue) - Consciousness Is Everything: The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2003.
ISBN 0-9750995-0-7 (National Library of Australia Catalogue) - Carrot in My Ear: Questions and Answers on Living with Awareness, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2004.
ISBN 0-9750995-2-3 (National Library of Australia Catalogue) - Self-Inquiry: Using Your Awareness to Unblock Your Life, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2008.
ISBN 978-0-9750995-3-7 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)
References
- ↑ "Garry and the Guru", Interview with Swami Shankarananda and Garry McDonald, Radio National Australia, 5 November 2000
- ↑ "Less ritual, more reality", by Chris Beck, The Age, Section: A3, page 2, 14/11/2003
"Breaking the guru hoodoo", By Michael Dwyer, The Age, Section: A2, page 4, 20/11/2004
"Look inwards to promote a peaceful world", by Yvonne Nicolas, The Age, Section: My Career, page 79, 05/05/2007 - ↑ "'Secret' sex shakes yoga school", Keith Platt, Mornington Peninsula News, 20 January, 2015. Retrieved 24 June, 2015.
- ↑ "Yoga school to be wound up", Keith Platt, Mornington Peninsula News, 27 April, 2015. Retrieved 18 June, 2015.
- ↑ "Ashram could wind up amid sex abuse allegations", Jane Lee, The Age, 28 March, 2015. Retrieved 18 June, 2015.
- ↑ "Chess Club wins Ivy League Crown", William D. Schwartz, Columbia Spectator, 23 February, 1962. Retrieved 23 June, 2015.
- ↑ "Growing with the Guru, Self-Inquiry with Swami Shankarananda", Nancy Jackson, Australian Yoga Life, issue 16
- ↑ "'Secret' sex shakes yoga school", Keith Platt, Mornington Peninsula News, 20 January, 2015. Retrieved 23 June, 2015.
- ↑ "Guru sex scandal at Mt Eliza yoga retreat", Miki Perkins, The Age, 20 January, 2015. Retrieved 23 June, 2015.
- ↑ Tantra, consciousness and reality seminar, October 2004
Third Catholic Interfaith Symposium, June, 2005
Celebrating Rumi and Mystics of East and West, 2007 - ↑ Clarification re Ganesh Play Controversy