Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shankarananda (born 1942) is an American-born yoga guru in the lineage of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri.[1] He resides and teaches at an ashram located in Mount Eliza, Australia.[2][3]
Bhagawan Nityananda | |
|---|---|
 Shankarananda in Ganeshpuri, 2016 | |
| Personal | |
| Born | Russell Michael Kruckman 1942 (age 81–82) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Notable work(s) |
|
| Organization | |
| Philosophy | Kashmir Shaivism |
| Honors | Mahamandaleshwar |
Swami Shankarananda is the author of several books on meditation and the philosophy and practice of Kashmir Shaivism. He emphasises spiritual practice (Sadhana), especially meditation, mantra, self-inquiry and teaches ancient teachings in Western terms.[2]
Early life and education
editShankarananda was born Russell Michael Kruckman, the son of artist Herbert ("Herb") (1904–1998) and schoolteacher Selma (1908–1998). He studied at Columbia University, New York, where he played on Columbia's US Champion intercollegiate chess team.[4]
Career
editShankarananda began his career as an academic at Indiana University.[2] He turned to spirituality following a life-threatening incident, leading him to meet the American spiritual teacher Ram Dass and travel to India.[2] Later, he spent time in India studying meditation under his guru, Swami Muktanand, the disciple of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri.[2]
In 1986, Shankarananda founded the Shiva Institute in Los Angeles, introducing the Shiva Process—a meditation technique influenced by Kashmir Shaivism.[2] He later established the Shiva Ashram in Melbourne, Australia in 1991, relocating to Mount Eliza in 1995.[2][5] At his ashram, he conducts weekly satsang programs every Saturday, where he discusses teachings from Muktananda, other spiritual figures, and his own experiences, often using humor.[2]
Shankarananda has held events with other teachers in his lineage and, in 2009, launched a website that cites all the gurus and teachers in Bhagavan Nityananda's lineage.[6] He has participated in interfaith events.[7] In 2003 he organized the "Power of Three" event, aiming to unite teachers from Muktananda's lineage to discuss various meditation practices. Participants included Master Charles, who integrates modern mysticism with science and technology, and Swami Nityananda, who focuses on traditional meditation techniques.[2]
Shankarananda came into contact with Kashmir Shaivism through his teacher, Muktananda. He teaches the "Shiva Process Self-Inquiry, an inner dialogue in which students ask precise questions of the Self," realizing their true Self as pure consciousness or awareness.[8] Muktananda emphasised the importance of a self-realised guru who can awaken and guide the kundalini energy of a seeker.
He was the patron of the Hindu Community Council of Victoria (HCCV),[9] and he spoke at the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Melbourne, 2009.
In 2015, allegations surfaced about Shankarananda engaging in sexual relationships with members of his ashram community. He admitted to the relationships, stating he had underestimated the impact of his tantric practices.[10] Later, the organization was liquidated and Shankarananda resigned as director but continued as the spiritual leader, retaining ownership of the main property, now known as The Ashram Mount Eliza, where he continues to run regular programs for residents and the public.[11][12][13]
In February 2021, Australian journalist Dan Oakes published an investigative report documenting multiple allegations of sexual abuse made against Shankarananda. These allegations haven't been proven in court yet.[14]
Bibliography
edit- Happy for No Good Reason, Information Australia, Melbourne, 2000. ISBN 1-86350-314-5
- Consciousness Is Everything: The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2003. ISBN 0-9750995-0-7
- Carrot in My Ear: Questions and Answers on Living with Awareness, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2004. ISBN 0-9750995-2-3
- Self-Inquiry: Using Your Awareness to Unblock Your Life, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2008. ISBN 978-0-9750995-3-7
- Ganeshpuri Days: Memoirs of a Western Yogi, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2019. ISBN 978-164669081-7
References
edit- ^ Forrer, Gail (6 July 2012). "Meditation taps the inner energy". The Courier-Mail.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Less ritual, more reality". The Age. 14 November 2003.
- ^ "Breaking the guru hoodoo". The Age. 20 November 2004.
- ^ "Chess Club wins Ivy League Crown", William D. Schwartz, Columbia Spectator, 23 February 1962. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
- ^ "The Ashram Mount Eliza | Swami Shankarananda - Meditation and Yoga". The Ashram Mount Eliza. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
- ^ Nityananda; The Living Tradition (http://www.nityanandatradition.org)
- ^ Tantra, consciousness and reality seminar, October 2004
- ^ "Energy Rising", Yoga Journal Kathy Wyer (http://www.yogajournal.com/article/practice-section/energy-rising/)
- ^ Clarification re Ganesh Play Controversy
- ^ mpnews.com.au/2015/01/20/secret-sex-shakes-yoga-school
- ^ Perkins, Miki (20 January 2015). "Guru sex scandal at Mount Eliza yoga retreat". The Age.
- ^ Platt, Keith (27 April 2015). "Yoga school to be wound up".
- ^ Lee, Jane (28 March 2015). "Ashram could wind up amid sex abuse allegations". The Age.
- ^ Oakes, Dan (26 February 2021). "Mount Eliza ashram guru Russell Kruckman accused of sexually abusing multiple women". ABC. Retrieved 18 November 2021.