Koh Phangan is currently facing charges of abuse Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, founder of Agama Yoga, deeply shaken. For many years on the island, people have repeatedly told Agama about sexually abusive sex. One whispered the words "Cult","sect" and "brainwashing"Too. But it always remained with unconfirmed rumors - until now.

Update 05.09.2018

Police and military at Agama campus

On September 4.9.2018th, XNUMX, members of the police and military paid a visit to the Agama Yoga School in Srithanu. In the course of the police investigations into the allegations of abuse, other circumstances, possibly criminally relevant, emerged which are now being investigated in more detail.

 

Open letters, statements and name changes

The Agama Campus continues to resemble a ghost town, only sporadically people still get lost in the yoga classes. Ananda Maha (Mihaiela P.) has mid-August open letters put online in which she stated on behalf of Agama, they had "removed" all those men and used an "independent third party" to clarify the allegations. In about the same time were Fact sheets in Thai distributed to the locals where there is talk of jealous fellow competitors who want to repress the top dog so to speak.

Meanwhile Agama Yoga in Linz, Austria its gates opened again. Owner Serkan T., who is one of the suspects in the Agama Koh Phangan case, has a on the homepage of Agama Linz Statement released. Briefly summarized, he calculates the allegations against his person to an ex-lover, which is not clear with the turn his pronounced separation.

In Estonia the name is "Somananda Tantra School - Part of Agama International "now simply" Somananda Yoga School ". Founder and manager Moses M (Somananda) is also in the circle of the accused at Agama Koh Phangan.

International sensation

They are international, renowned, well-known Media from different continents currently engaged in research work. Journalists from all over the world work closely with the initiators of the "Don't Support Rape - Boycott Agama" movement and the local social media groups, including us.

We will continue to report within the scope of our legal possibilities.

Update 09.08.2018

What happened last week

Agama Yoga resumed operations on August 6th. Protests and demonstrations were considered in advance, but these considerations have been rejected. As long as no official report is made, the right would be on Agama's side and the demonstrators would risk being arrested under Thai law. However, as has been seen in the past few days, the social media storm was strong enough to sweep the Agama Campus practically empty. In Austria, Agama Linz, headed by Serkan T., also temporarily closed its doors. Yoga Alliance has also responded, currently Agama Yoga is no longer displayed on the homepage.

What the Thai police say

On the evening of August 6th, there was a meeting between the local police and representatives of the Sacred Men`s Circle. The authorities assured that the allegations were taken very seriously and that Agama was on the radar. But as in any other constitutional state, the executive can only become active when a complaint is made. A single report is enough, officials said, to issue arrest warrants. They emphatically assured that there was no reason to fear contact with the police. If necessary, female officers will of course also be made available. If a victim is no longer in Thailand, she can report it to the Thai embassy in her home country at any time.

How it goes on

 Everything has been done that is possible up to this point. In any case, we will report on relevant news again.

So far 31 public made incidents - tendency rising

This time things seem different. Already 31 women have Swami Vivekananda Saraswati and his management team - Somananda (Moses M.), Muktananda Mistry (Khushru M.), Serkan T and Frame A. - Publicly accused of sexual harassment, coercion and rape. Ananda Maha (Mihaiela P.) and Justin B. It is accused that they have done nothing against the abuse against better knowledge, yes they should even have favored him.

Agama Yoga is the most influential and biggest Yoga school on Koh Phangan and meanwhile maintains centers worldwide. Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, whose real name is Narcis T., founded as a follower and student of the controversial Gregorian Bivolaru the first school in India. When he was expelled for allegations of abuse, he opened 2003 Agama Yoga Thailand Srithanu, Currently he is supposed to be in Malaysia.

Teacher and Guru of Swami, wanted by international arrest warrant

Gregorian Bivolaru was accused in Romania in 2004 of, among other things, human trafficking, sexual assault and abuse of minors. His yoga school MISA - "Movement for Spiritual Integration into the Absolute" - and all of its international branches (including the "German Academy for Traditional Yoga e. V.") were excluded from the International Yoga Federation and the European Yoga Alliance in 2008 because of sex business . He is currently wanted by Interpol in Finland for human trafficking and sexual abuse.

A private group is driving the investigation

A group of men standing in the Sacred Men's Circle Koh Phangan has set itself the task of fully informing and prosecuting the allegations. They do not do this with the intention of rescuing vulnerable women. These men perceive rapists as an insult to their masculinity. The desecration of a woman is an unforgivable act for her.

They collect statements, mediate translators, lawyers and therapists, They accompany the women involved at every step, creating a safe environment.

Because up on Ananda Maha and Justin B. After leaving Koh Phangan after the accusations were known, they informed the embassies of their countries of origin. Likewise, related messages have been sent to Yoga Alliance and all major booking and review portals. Contact was made with the police in Rishikesh, India Muktananda M. He has his finger in the direction of the local Agama school, and he may be trying to get to India.

Here on the spot was the matter with the community elders and the leading monks of the local Temple in Srithanu discussed. This is the usual procedure for dealing with such delicate cases and a joint plan with police and military is being worked out. Since this thing only affects the foreign communities, people were also turned off to explain to the locals what's going on.

Currently Agama does not hold any courses, classes and workshops. In the case of the resumption of the operation protests are planned.

How can something go undetected for so long?

You can now ask the usual questions. Why has not a woman filed a complaint earlier? How can it be that never before staff or teachers have made aware of the grievances? Why do women go into such situations with an open eye?

Well, at first, not everywhere where Agama is on it is a rapist inside and Tantra is not a devil's work. Thousands of students have obtained their certification through Agama, and countless outstanding yoga therapy centers are associated with Agama. Tantra teaches us to address all issues of being human (including sexuality) with appreciation and love. Traumatized people seek healing in spiritual, alternative methods and enter into a relationship of trust, such as the patient to the psychotherapist.

A handful of individuals have exploited their position to personally satisfy their questionable sexual desires. When reading the statements can be seen how psychologically cleverly these predators have partially proceeded. Meanwhile, it is also clear that actually sect-like structures, backed up with deeply patriachal values ​​and with a guru at the top were built. For example, men were recommended to use a condom during sex, as this hinders the flow of energy. The result is at least a record infection with Chlamydia.

How can I protect myself?

"Those who know nothing must believe everything. Also the biggest nonsense and the most shameless distortions ". (Christine Nöstlinger, 2015)

Even in an officially controlled environment, it can not be ruled out that attacks will take place. If you decide on a therapy or a workshop and only a single hair on the neck, you will feel the slightest tingling sensation in your stomach or the softest chill running down your back, should you stop and think about the situation you are currently in the middle of to go as objectively as possible again. On the internet you can find almost everything information, both pro and contra, and you can contact the respective communities to take a look around.

We need information for decision-making, just because the friend of the Yoni massage (massage of the outer and inner Intimbereiches by the therapist - for men the Lingam massage) raves must not necessarily be the right one for me.

We choose (R) evolution

We will continue to follow the matter and report on new developments.