INO Schism

How Synergetikos played out in real life…

How Synergetikos played out in real life…

The following is a perspective of how the Synergetikos, written in the mid 1980s played out in real life…

Today we have two gems in the rough from 1989. The first pic was published by some young people in the UK and called the “Weirdglow” newsletter. It appears to report the formation of the Adinatha Community and some list of those holding valid Adinatha initiation. Some of you may find this surprising. Four years earlier Shri Mahendranath had clarified in “From the Dark into Light” that both the Adinatha and Uttara Kaula initiations could only be passed on to those already initiated as a sadhu or sannyasin. Shri Mahendranath had written in 1985, “I remain today as the Guru of both these sects, and I remain the only and last member and Guru of both these sects”. It must have been a considerable irony for Shri Mahendranath to read that somehow, though only on paper, he had been deposed as Guru while still living. Of course, this was all quite impossible, but the intention is clear as you can read for yourselves.

Photocopy of part of a newsletter.

The second picture is the closing of a letter from Shri Mahendranath to Sri Kapilnath also written in 1989. Here he poses a question which has never been answered in 25 years. “If UK Naths have not received this ordination as sadhus, what initiation have they received?” While silent on this question raised by Shri Mahendranath, the UK Naths have troubled themselves to invent a sad story of Mahendranath’s dementia during his last years. This is not a true story, but a story intended to change the subject. I believe astute readers with a reliable timeline will find their strange canard of dementia best determined: Please return to Sender… Guru Om!

063015 letter2
From a letter to Kapilnath of 6 July 1990

From a letter to Kapilnath of 6 July 1990

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.

In your last letter you mention that you hope “that Mike is coming round,” but there has been no response. I hoped he would make it good, but now I see he has made only chaos and confusion. He seems to have an interest which is not only personal but pure pretend, and the English position is so low and bad that I think it can be ignored. Only if we can find fresh people is it possible to help them.

In my last letter to Vishvanath I said I would recommend him to you for appointment as Imperator for England—not U.K. I asked him to keep in touch with you in all matters. Though the English have been a hopeless lot, Vishvanath is about the best. The defect is that apart from the Twilight Yoga Trilogy, most of these people have not seen or read most of the MSS and [Michael] has suppressed most of the MSS for more than 8 years, in spite of the fact that Dr. Sandy had offered to supply new and interested people with MSS and for free. I think the English rat-race might make a beautiful graveyard…

Handwritten letter by Mahendranath

I think by now you are all swimming back from the island where you all spent Guru Purnima. Impatient to hear about such an important event. You seem to be getting a nice solid crowd, and a real energy centre.

I think the real defect in UK is that they still think in terms of Wand, Circle & Abracadabra. I was staggered to hear from Aleister Crowley—as late as 1937 or 1938—that he still cherished the hope and expectation that—any minute now—someone would discover a magic book, hoary with age, which gave the secrets of magick and the spells and incantations to work wonders. But, in reality, this was not real but the magick of fairy tales.

All my hints at something new and all on a higher level only fell on deaf ears. By an odd coincidence at the end of Mike’s 3 day visit, my last words to him were “Don’t forget, everything new and on a higher level.” But again these words fell on deaf ears.

Going through your miraculous production of the Scrolls and your superb editoring, I did feel some degree of sadness that so few in England, and less in London, have had the opportunity to read through them and the terrible fact that Mike has suppressed them for 8 or 9 years.

Thank heavens that there has been a Pacific seaboard and brightness… If Kailash & Weirdglow Zonules remember, I will be content. Plighted planet indeed. History will be ashamed to record and tell the truth about the most dangerous and evil creature which walks on two feet but whose mind dwells in the dung. Mankind seem to peep at his world through a crack in the brain and only his dreams are born in-sanity. Pun intended.

Che sara sara as they say on Mount Etna. Or sauve qui peut as they say in querulous Quebec. It were ever thus!

Newsletter of the International Nath Order

From a letter to Kapilnath of 17 October 1989

From a letter to Kapilnath of 17 October 1989

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.

None of the points in the MSS have been refuted by anyone and no clarification to any of the doubts raised. Of course, Cliff B. cannot be neutral. He must decide if he is a sadhu or not, and act accordingly. I think it is unlucky to play with these things or pretend one is neutral.

UK I will leave alone in the future. Nothing in UK has developed with peace and tranquillity. But any decision relating to M.M.—I favour forgiveness if sincerity is clearly demonstrated—depends now on yourself as IMM as he has now separated himself from his Guru for all time. He brain-washed himself too much in the old occult rat race, so his start was contaminated. The Oxford group is much the same.

In spite of the slings & arrows and the air filled with MSS missiles, no proper point has been answered and quite a few sadhus, sanyasis and Sanskrit scholars are going to be lonely in their weird trips. Yes, it does still appear, as you suggest, M.M. might still try for being the Adi-Nath Guru although this is impossible without being ordained as an Adi-Nath sanyasi and taking the sanyasa mantra. He could not get ordained into any “Hindu sect” as he is a married man.

I myself stress in the MSS that the Adi-Nath only exists as myself; there are no other Adi-Nath sadhus existing anywhere in the world and the sect will cease when I die. M.M. will have to realise soon that names, titles & sects are not really real and only what he personally attains is of any value to him in the future.

There has been very little mail this week and the absence might mean clear skies and that the storm in the pea cup is over. M.M. might do a sudden turn about and express sorrow. I must admit that things would have developed in U.K. if he had asked questions or sought more detailed information, but he wanted to play the game of the big man and be his own mike & loudspeaker combined.

Letter to Kapilnath & MAGIKOS of 12 September 1989

Letter to Kapilnath & MAGIKOS of 12 September 1989

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.


Dearest Kapilnath & MAGIKOS,

Thank you for your nice letter of 21st Aug. which came yesterday with the lovely Stonehenge pic at the top. Also a package from someone named Lokanath with a copy of his missile to you. I have not read the 3 pager as the print is too small, but I gather it has been copied and sent to several people so it is not really a letter but a circular.

He still wants to be a disciple but that is not possible unless he can be modest enough to ask and act on advice. If he can clean up the mess about the Adi-Nath Sampradaya and also clarify the exact position about all initiations in UK the situation will be different. I can do nothing unless he destroys his colossal ego and need to be the No. 1 Leader. I am sorry for him because what was intended to restate the correct position has turned him into a mental panic and even his friends write asking me to do something to end his suffering. But what can I do if a fool wants to play a serious part?

But I still see the humour of his three page [expletive deleted] swill. But his letter to you about the 30–40 minutes chew on the phone and his demand that you pay £25 to meet the cost made me roll on the bed and I could not stop the laughter. I’m laughing now when I write about it. It’s the jackpot in hate missiles. He must be in a pathetic state but it can be cured only by himself.

I won’t reply to English mail or Mike until some wish is made by Mike or others to cure this mess. I know the real solution—it is to cease from all activity & phone calls and spend 3 years devoting his spare time to meditation, contemplation and relaxing the mind and body. He has the potential to make it and contemplation of the 5 kleshas will help him. The three years will transform his life for the better. Then he can help other people to overcome the same defect.

I am sorry that he has blamed you and involved you when you are quite innocent of any feeling against him. He might well follow your example and get down to reality, but what is amusing to others seems to be too too serious to Lokanath the Great.

Because of some insulting remarks and expressions I cannot write to Michael, but if you think it will serve any useful purpose you can type a copy to him if you have occasion to write. Certainly I want to find out the exact position and WHO has given initiation into the Sampradaya of Adi-Naths. If UK Naths have not had this ordination as sadhus, what initiation have they received? He can clear this up or be left to sink.

Prem & Ashirvads to All in America,

Gurudev M xxx

Letter to Shri Kapilnath of 1 August 1989

Letter to Shri Kapilnath of 1 August 1989

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.

Hand written letter from Mahendranath
Letter from Mahendranath, August 1, 1989, part one

Lovely to get your letter 7-7-1989 and Love & Ashirvads to All in Seattle and Vancouver.

Quiet and peaceful though I suspect a typhoon in U.K. I will promote more “THINK.” Now you are taking over, I suggest that you give publicity to the fact that the ION is for people who want and will work for a (1) Spiritual Development towards Enlightenment (2) to develop Magick Powers and (3) to want and work for a new, better and more enlightened Social Order based on our Pagan past.

You may get letters from the English but remember they are a backward people and specialise in Mystic Mystery and Hush Magick Orders which, more often than not, are covers for drinking parties. I enclose a photo of Guru Purnima in London in ’88. Only 5 people were there but the photo indicates the puja consisted mostly of bottles and glasses, some of which are seen on the floor. I have no real complaint about the English Naths over what has happened. They are all really the victims of Michael’s con-trick.

I won’t respond to any future communications from ENGLAND. They are a backward lot and this chaos has been a feature of the Occult Rat Race since the time of Dr. Dee. I wanted to give them a new start but you see what happens. I rest content. In fact, I am now enjoying my second retirement from the world.

Hand written letter from Mahendranath
Letter from Mahendranath, August 1, 1989, part two

If we face the real facts of life, there are very, very few who will go for reality, meditate, contemplate and relax mind and body. I don’t read or write now, except very few letters. I speak now very little and here there is no need to. Sitting quiet is the best life. I still have some of Lalita’s tapes to understand but I will get through them in time. But some of them have first claim so Steely Dan & Bob Marley is on the end of the line.
Recent events will reveal to you how opportune and timely was Lalita’s visit. I would prefer you to include AMOOKOS authority as there is no one in Europe I know or can trust. Of course, AMOOKOS will die a natural death as the magick has mostly leaked away.

But please don’t fail to learn the lesson from Michael and keep MAGIKOS with a nucleus of 3 and only add one as the ION members increase – one for every 500. Small numbers can be more solid but big numbers will cause splits into different groups. Just as Michael has been overimpatient to step into my shoes, there are people in UK who want to push him out and jump in.

An AG from Denny – good progress. I will write soon.

While Denny is in the letter, recently I had a letter from NY Joe about his tour which included Seattle and London. It mostly criticising of everyone. Much venom against Denny as he had taken initiation again in some group activity and slapped his “GURU” in the face by doing so. It referred to the “OLD” and the “NEW” initiation which made me suspicious.

It is now clear in his letter which I sent to you that Michael had initiated him as Sannyasin into the ADI-NATH SAMPRADAYA. This was an insult to me because I alone can initiate into the Adi-nath, even though Joe’s role was of an odd type of perverted sannyasi. It was also an insult to Indian spiritual life. No one can be ordained as a Sannyasin unless he: 1. Renounces the world and takes the Sannyas Mantra from the Sampradaya Guru; 2. He must not be married or living as a married man; 3. that he does not do gainful employment; 4. that he owns or rents not property; 5. that he has no dependents male or female; 6. that he has good and honest character; 7. that he understand spiritual life and its purpose; 8. that he wears always the outer cloth of a sadhu.

Love to You All,

Gurudev xxx