03.31.05

Is an Aghori a Nath?

Posted in Kapilji's Skull Chatter at 1:31 am by Shri Kapilnath

Dr. Robert Svoboda is a very dear and close friend of mine. He usually visits here at the house two or three times a year and is always welcome here. We have discussed his Guru/Mentor Vimalananda at length. Dr. Svoboda also visited Shri Mahendranath several times in India while he was still alive.

No, an Aghori is not a Nath. This question, if you think about it, is much like asking, “Is a Catholic a Unitarian?” These are two different names for two different things. In both instances we are referring to distinctly different sects. They may have things in common, but they are different names for different things.

The name Vimalananda is not an “initiation” name, but a chosen name he desired to be associated with. While Vimalananda had several highly advanced Gurus he himself never claimed initiation into any Aghori “sampradaya” or sect that I am aware of. Shri Vimalananda chose to refer to his teachings as Aghora, because this he felt was the clearest way to express it.

Shri Vimalananda was a very advanced spirit and capable of teaching, blessing, guiding. In contrast to many “teachers,” Shri Vimalananda had done a great deal of practical sadhana “spiritual exertion” and could rely on his own experiences and accomplishments to help others. As in the case of all important Guru-shishya relationships, there was a karmic bond between the two parties which was being played out in the current lifespan. In the case of Vimalananda and Dr. Svoboda, three books were written and published on the subject. These were Vimalananda’s words to Dr. Svoboda. Third party readers such as the rest of us can be confident that volumes were “lost in translation.” That is, the books reflect the words of Vimalananda to Dr. Svoboda and not the rest of us, though many things come through nicely.

As an addendum, it might be amusing to note that while I have sat and exchanged mind/spirit transmissions with Dr. Svoboda on more occasions than many of my own Nath initiates, Dr. Svoboda is not a “Nath” nor has he ever been initiated into any Nath sect. I don’t recall that Dr. Svoboda has ever claimed to be an Aghori, but he might identify himself as one if pressed. It is amusing that we regard each others as parts and members of a larger spiritual family, but have never sought to define it by the use of any word except, Kaula, which broadly refers to a spiritual family including both the living and departed.

Kind Regards,

Kapilnath

03.17.05

More about INO

Posted in Kapilji's Skull Chatter at 12:19 pm by Shri Kapilnath

Getting back to the INO, the intention was to plant the initiation vibration of the Nath and Kaula currents in new soil and western sociological conditions. INO Naths are not required or even encouraged to be “Hindu” in any way. Nor are they required to renounce anything as a prerequisite for initiation. At the same time, someone who is a “Hindu” would still be eligible for possible initiation, as would someone who had renounced the world or something else they thought important.

To be considered for initiation into the INO, one must establish a relationship with a qualified initiate of the INO. The Nath and the individual seeking initiation must then determine if the involvement will be progressive or no. If things look positive, then the date is set and arrangements made, etc. This process is sometimes a slow one drawn out over years, though it doesn’t have to be so.

In the early days of the INO, initiation was given easily to anyone interested. This presented a number of problems. I would say the chief drawback to sharing the initiation easily, was the regrettable tendency of some new “Naths” to proclaim all manner of odd ideas about the “sect” while having no experience, understanding or attainment. Since these people had been “initiated” and had “Nath” names, it became troublesome to figure out who was who and what was what.

As a way around the “initiation” problem, people often come to Seattle and receive transmission which is freely given. This is sometimes arranged “long distance” also, but the factors to cause this effort need to be compelling.

I encourage people to use mantra and even engage in puja or suitable ritual. The best spiritual tool or discipline is the one which moves the soul toward its next stage of development. This varies from person to person.

Fine Regards,

Kapilnath