Date Posted:11:55 Author: anil nerode-16Aug02 Subject: Re: pig droppings In reply to:
Hendrik
's message, "pig droppings" on 11:53
Here are some historical details to mull over. I am not trying to change anyone's opinion on anything, but you may like some more information if you do not already have it. I am doing this from memory, someone may have to correct something.
A large portion of the Yogoda membership, the predecessor of SRF, left Yogananda, siding with Dhirananda in 1929, and did not return. Many were among the main financial contributors. The same thing happened in 1940 when Sri Nerode left.
Of those in the following notice from East West issue 5-4, 1933, only Edith Bisset (Gynamata) and Florina Darling (Ma Durga) stayed for life. All the others were important to the organization, but all the rest eventually left.
NOTICE
Hereby it is announced that the following are ordained ministers of The Self Realization Fellowship (Yogoda Sat Sanga Society) of America.
Honorary Vice Presidents
Yogi Hamid Bey
Bramachari Nerode
Ministers
Bramachari Jotin
Sradha Devi
Ranendra Kumar Das
Upadeshak Punditji
Sister Gyanamata
Sister Bhakti
Salome E. Marckwardt
Mary Broomell
F. Darling
Yogi F. Sevaka
Of these, Jotin finally set up his on church of absolute monism, still existing in the Washington DC area. Sri Nerode set up his Science of Divine Power foundation, no longer in existence, and taught Yoga till his death in 1983, in Chicago after 1950. Hamid Bey set uo his Coptic Fellowship of America, still in existence. Das ran the Indianapolis Center for a few more years.
There were similar losses in 1952 and 1955.
This is just to say that you looked at an unrepresentative sample.
Of course the Householders who lived elsewhere, Lewis and Black, are not there, but they never lived with Yogananda, they had independent secular lives. There was also Kamala (Mary Isobel Buchanan), who was assistant pastor of the 17th street SRF Church under Sri Nerode, a very early disciple, who also went her own way.
