Please Note: This post from the Open Door category, “INO Schism” contains the views of Shri Gurudev Mahendranath regarding a schism within the INO which culminated in the appointment of a new leadership in 1989. This category is included in our archives as testament to the specific issues and time line of events. These posts are critical of the views and behavior of several people and do not reflect the uplifting concepts and ideals of the INO as a whole. Read on only if you are seeking accurate and reliable information regarding the specific issues involved. A document clearly explaining these issues is under development and will use these letters to validate its accuracy and time line.

I sent my last letter to you via Eric. I expected his visit to UK would give power and expansion to the Western Nath Order, but it has turned to disaster. He created a vast abyss by taking a pseudo initiation from a [expletives deleted] Mr. Vile Arse a Nath. He has written to me confessing his failure over the past 7 years. I sent his AG on to Eric.

[Vilasanath] is not a disciple of mine but a reject. He has played the role of “bete noire” to Lokanath for too long. To me he & his are excommunicatio. I have forbidden him to write to me this last 5 years. It’s been a disaster and I can’t see it ending quickly. No worry to me, but I am sorry for the insult to Mike Lokanath and the Western Nath Order. Send in the clowns.

I am going to Ahmedabad for a couple of days. An old disciple—Rajput artist—sent two of his sons last Sunday. A car will pick me up on Sat. morning. I expect to [see] many old faces and it will be a pleasant change after so many months as a hermit. My health is good now and I am roaring to go. So Ahmedabad is a start.

The photo I intended to send has been delayed and I sent Eric a bad one. They will be available soon and you can get them copied.

We are having ideal weather. No word from Lalita, so I think she might turn up any day. I still enjoy your own recording you sent and Bruck, of course. I heard a little of Shetana’s symphonic poem on V[oice] o[f] A[merica] the other night. V.O.A. is mostly talk & more talk.

I hope Eric makes progress in the abyss of the Oriental Tantrik Order (O.T.O.) It was originally my “lila” and only a joke to give Kenneth [Grant] a second O.T.O. It was to rap his knuckles because he had been too naughty. And Vile Arsa Nath was all a joke. I did not think anybody could take [him] seriously. And a smack in the face to me just after I had clearly stated in the “Address” that I had never given diksha to any sadhu in the Uttara Kaula tantrik sect.

I have never been a liar and everything I have written or said has been based on fact and is 100% true. I have sent a clear statement on initiation and sent it to the head of the Western Nath Order – Shri Lokanath Mahanath. I am hoping he will send copies to Seattle.

Love and Blessings to you, but dung thrown carelessly may annoy many people.

Ever & Always,

Dadaji xxx

Because of several misunderstandings about initiation, I am writing these few lines of explanation for the guidance of all the fellowship in our fantastic and delightful occult world.

I have myself received many initiations in Asia, but they were given and received as a sadhu, bhikkhu and sannyasin. My greatest personal interests among these initiations have been the Adi Nath sect and the Uttara Kaula sect. I remain today as the Guru of both these sects, and I remain the only and last member and Guru of both these sects.

I can only initiate in one or both these sects, one who becomes a sannyasin or sadhu. This involves the obligation that the initiate will not marry, not engage in business or gainful employment, and will not own a home or property. I have resolved not to pass on the initiation or make new sadhus because of the difficulties experienced in India, and it is a way of life impossible in Western and most other countries in the world.

To meet this situation, and to give occult spiritual pursuits greater expression in Western lands, I have put into motion the formation of the Western Nath Order. To give this order initiation validity and continuity from those sects and traditions of the past, I have given Guru Initiation to only two Western people.

I gave this Guru Initiation to Michael M. with the cryptonym of Shri Lokanath Mahanath, and appointed him as head of the new Western Nath Order, thereby handing him the seeds to spread and scatter in the Western world. The only other Western person I gave the Guru Initiation to pass on is the Canadian Lady known as Shri Lalita Devi. Only these two people have received the transmission from me.

Many Indian sects have terminated in recent years, so the end of the Sadhu sects of Adi Nath and Uttara Kaula will be no unusual event, and it is also my wish that they terminate at my death.

The Guru tradition and initiation which I have passed on includes not only wisdom teachings from Hindu, Tibetan and Soto Zen sources, but also the gems of Taoism and the Celtic ancients, and such wisdoms which are rediscovered by the science and yoga of meditation and contemplation.

We look to a new awareness and a pattern of thinking, so we must reject the sterile formalities of Asia as well as their superstitions and male/female discrimination. We are building our way of life on solid foundations with sound and solid brick, and reject the rubble and dust. There is no fixed pattern or design for our new structure. It will grow and develop as the Western Naths devise and follow the advice and guidance of an earlier master: “Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.”

Initiation and the transmission is important, and those who receive it from Shri Lokanath Mahanath or Lalita Devi can pass this on to others and avoid the bogus and commercial trips which pollute the occult world.

A Western Nath or Nathess is not bound by the rules of Asian sadhus, and can marry, work for gainful employment, and live the normal way of Western patterns, but we are entering a new Aeon, and will need new people to populate it. Shri Lokanath Mahanatha has since 1978 done such praiseworthy work as head of the Western Naths, and by his untiring efforts the Naths are spreading rapidly and many valuable publications have come into being. Most important is the number of Naths who have experienced a new awakening and realisation and a cosmic vibration hereto unknown.

Love and blessing to you all,

Shri Gurudev MahendranathShri Gurudev (Dadaji) Mahendranath, Shambhala Tapowan, India, 21.8.85

Please Note: This post from the Open Door category, “INO Schism” contains the views of Shri Gurudev Mahendranath regarding a schism within the INO which culminated in the appointment of a new leadership in 1989. This category is included in our archives as testament to the specific issues and time line of events. These posts are critical of the views and behavior of several people and do not reflect the uplifting concepts and ideals of the INO as a whole. Read on only if you are seeking accurate and reliable information regarding the specific issues involved. A document clearly explaining these issues is under development and will use these letters to validate its accuracy and time line.

No, I have never given Uttara Kaula diksha initiation to anyone, not have or ever will give sadhu diksha in the Adi-Nath sect. In 1978 I passed on the succession as a wide collective tradition to Lokanath Mahanath who since ’78 has been the first and present head of the Western Nath Order. I, as a retired Guru, will help individuals as much as I can, but I have no power or wish to initiate into the Western Nath Order as that duty has fallen to initiated disciples. Lokanath & Lalita are the only Westerners I have given initiation and passed on the tradition. So initiation by Shri Lalita Devi is quite valid. It is the Nath tradition I want to see expand. Tantrika is outdated in practice both in India and the West. Only the teachings and traditions are valid now.

I had hoped Krishnanath would take initiation from Shri Lokanath. Vilasanath has never been to India and has had no initiation from me. About 1978 he wanted to start a tantrik order as he claimed many contacts. I gave him a charter to start and expand the “Oriental Tantrik Order” and gave him the name Vilasanath. Since ’78 I suspect nothing has got under way and I have thought of the O.T.O. as defunct. I think Krishnanath is his first initiation. After I gave him the charter part of the condition was that he took initiation from Shri Lokanath to set matters in order, but he has never done so.

Joe and Jillian in New York have both received the initiation succession from Shri Lokanath and we hoped they would pass it on in America. I understood long ago that Pandunath (Denny) had been initiated into the Western Nath Order by Joe in New York. Shyamanath wrote to me a week ago after many years of silence.

Please ask Krishnanath to write frankly about what happened at the Guru Fest and what was the discord? Lokanath is one of the most wonderful persons in the world, but the organising of the fest may have caused some tension, and Vilasanath’s action in by-passing him was in very very bad taste.

Shri Lokanath has not only worked very hard to build up the Naths but has had to do so very much alone. Mostly with his work and sincerity I have been able to enjoy my retirement. Of course, alive or dead, most Nathas may wish to regard me as their grey haired Guru, but I ask all Nathas to respect and work with Lokanath Mahanatha. I want to see harmony.

I’d write more, but now I note in your letter that you will not be back till Sept. 13. So I will send this letter to Krishnanath to keep for your return, and much of what I have written will also be of interest to him. I am most happy to hear of your plans for expansion. It pays to advertise.

So you see that I remain as a Guru, but I won’t initiate any sadhus or sannyasins now. It may surprise Western people to know that in India one does not give any initiation to lay people. Often a person is a disciple for months before the Guru knows about it. Initiation is only given to one who becomes a sadhu. Initiation probably was a Theosophical Society idea, and now Indian Gurus have adopted it in relation to Western disciples. I think it’s good, a sort of conformation which is needed in the West. Ramesh Dinesh Banuprashad and a host of others dating from 10-15 or more years have never received any formal initiation.

Having some trouble with sore eyes and have to wear sun clip-ons or be in a darkened room. Otherwise health is in good nick. Enclosed photo for Krishnanath. Send another one for the Lord of Skulls later.

Love and Bless to All,

Dadaji xxx

Please Note: This post from the Open Door category, “INO Schism” contains the views of Shri Gurudev Mahendranath regarding a schism within the INO which culminated in the appointment of a new leadership in 1989. This category is included in our archives as testament to the specific issues and time line of events. These posts are critical of the views and behavior of several people and do not reflect the uplifting concepts and ideals of the INO as a whole. Read on only if you are seeking accurate and reliable information regarding the specific issues involved. A document clearly explaining these issues is under development and will use these letters to validate its accuracy and time line.

Glad to hear Denny & Rebecca came to dine at your pad. Denny could help you much by doing the “Newsletter” as you cannot do everything alone. The Phantastikos you have done is hyper/plus. I hope it will call in other lambs to the fold.

Mike has been going through some personal complications: his job, his leg, … I felt it time for a new step to be taken. Mike has had some ambition to shine in the Guru complex. I have been in the way most of the time but fortunately standing by to stop him being foolish. So I have coined a word -“Gurunath” and have asked him to accept this as a Winter Solstice present. In the Charter I have requested all Naths & Devis to use :- Gurunath Shri Lokanath. For brevity Shri Gurunath or Gurunathji.

This word can be the Western term for the same thing and it circumvents any religious or Eastern connections. Bear with me. I do suspect that the W[estern] N[ath] O[rder] will become separated into American and European sections. Americans & British, in so many ways of culture and approach, are so different. The do things differently also. Thus it must be as it will be.

Please Note: This post from the Open Door category, “INO Schism” contains the views of Shri Gurudev Mahendranath regarding a schism within the INO which culminated in the appointment of a new leadership in 1989. This category is included in our archives as testament to the specific issues and time line of events. These posts are critical of the views and behavior of several people and do not reflect the uplifting concepts and ideals of the INO as a whole. Read on only if you are seeking accurate and reliable information regarding the specific issues involved. A document clearly explaining these issues is under development and will use these letters to validate its accuracy and time line.

The Bombay trip revealed a new and important aspect. There are now so many Indians who lean to Western style and culture and are now “foreigners” in India because they now are British, American citizens, etc. This has lead me to think that the Western Nath Order should be renamed as International Nath Order. This will not include those orthodox Indian Hindus in India but only Indians who wish to adapt to the Western ways of life. I will write to Mike about this.

I am to meet an optician on Thursday (I wish it were Garudanath). I might need stronger lenses. My present lense prescription is about 15 years old. But the tiredness I experience is probably due to age and not due to spectacles.

Monday 20th

I have delayed this letter till today. Monday is usually our big mail day but nothing in the post for me. Mike still silent also, but he may be busy waiting to see the baby enter the world. All quiet and very hot here.

My apologies to the constellatus for the love and much trouble they have had and that I can’t make it. I think you are all a wonderful crowd of people and I feel proud that I belong to you. Although the moment seems lost now something better will take its place. After all, it’s your attainment which matters and what I wish for all of you. I think we can make something better even if I don’t move an inch from Mehmadabad.

I would suggest the real need of the moment is a “news letter” as I discussed with you and Hermeticus before. A small group could do this under the leadership of an editor. Start small and grow big. A subscription should be fixed to cover post, paper and expansion. Joe (NY) has a collection of extracts from my earlier letters to Mike which can be used as fillers. Most important is the bits and pieces of Naths detailing their own experiments and experience, and news of new Zonules.

I have discontinued my experiments on the brain cell. True results were astounding. I made the Bombay trip due to this. But I now have to realise that health and strength will prolong my life and this is not what I want now. The peak period has been reached, so I close now wishing all my refined and furbished love and candy cards to you all.

For ever and then some,

Dadaji xxx