As former students of Swami Chetanananda point out in the LNI Open Letter, "Someone who puts himself in a position of spiritual leadership should not indulge in behaviors that need to be lied about. No interaction between a guru and his student is an interaction between equals, and, as a student�s role is one of total surrender and devotion to the guru, a sexual act between them can never be consensual. If a guru commits a harmful act, then the harm is in the act itself not in the disclosure of that act by his students. To convince students that speaking the truth about the guru is an act of betrayal is a warping of moral integrity."

THREATENING LETTERS: These letters have been distributed to the Portland police, the Oregonian, professionals helping former students of Swami Chetanananda, and an attorney in New York City who offers pro-bono legal help to victims of cult leaders. [Please note: names and genders have been hidden to protect the innocent.]

5/14/98

"[Scapegoat A],

If you were one tenth the [person] your [relative] claimed in his sniveling complaint to [innocent third party], you would not have seen fit to shit on an 83 year old woman, whose 90 year old husband is failing, and whose only solace in life is her friendship with me. You are a cowardly, vengeful, venomous witch.

Is this how you show your closeness to God?

Your comments to [innocent third party] and others are slanderous lies; I do not sexually abuse women. I have never cheated you in business, and a recent blood scan for sexually transmitted diseases performed by [innocent former-student & former ashram physician] shows I do not have herpes.

Now that I�m learning the lawsuit game, in part thanks to you, if you don�t stop these slanderous lies and harassment of members of our community, I WILL sue you. I will have your ex-[spouse], your children, and everybody you have talked with deposed. I will make the process as ugly and expensive as humanly possible. I have nothing to lose by suing you. I have financial backing, so the expense is of no concern to me. Since you have already spoken to anyone who would listen to your lies, I also have no concern about anything that would come out at trial. Be forewarned.

[Signed] SC"

[Swami Chetanananda wrote the following letter on his personal stationery by hand. The letter is typed as is � no corrections in spelling or punctuation have been made.

August 1998

"Dear [Scapegoat B],

How can you say you have never harmed anyone? I don�t understand.

Especially since the Kumba Mela you have harmed me, many times by trying to disturb my relationships with my students.

Your support of [Scapegoat A] in her vengful [sic] attempts to "destroy" me are quite intentional � pre-meditated. Your letters to [Scapegoat C, innocent NI member, and Scapegoat D] ect. [sic] are all attempts to harm me. Furthermore, if you and [Scapegoat A] destroy the ashram (not really possible) who suffers? Innocent people, good people, who have worked hard to build this ashram. People whose work made [Scapegoat A�s] life and your life better.

I didn�t want your last visit, [Scapegoat A] forced it. I prefered [sic] you stay and care for your "dying patient."

Through all your criticism and venom towards me I have loved and supported you. Do you think [Scapegoat A] would do anything for you without me? You know nothing about spirituality and yet you judge me. How can you?

And . . . What do you know about my finances? Absolutely nothing. Yet you criticise [sic] me constantly to any and all. This is definately [sic] wrong.

I promise you, [Scapegoat B], the people who stand against me will be crushed and their children and grandchildren.

At my own expense I�ve tried to do good for all people. especially you [sic]. I hope we can continue to be friends, but if you are supporting the destruction of my life and the lives of my loved ones, how can we be?

I wish you well. I wish everyone well . . . including [Scapegoat A]. I hope we can be close still but I am and will continue to defend myself.

I have taken a house in Nepal for a year and will be there a lot this winter and spring. I will also be in dharmsala [sic] with the Dalai Lama. I could visit if you like. What happens from here is up to you.

Best wishes,

Swamiji

Quote from a former member:

The following quote belongs to an ex-member and was submitted to Rick Ross' site (see the Rick Ross links on our home page).