sydafoundation

March 23, 1986

To All Siddha Yoga Devotees:

On November 9, 1985, in Ganeshpuri, India, Swami Nityananda met with the Board of Trustees of SYDA Foundation and expressed his desire to retire as one of the spiritual heads of the ashram and one of the Gurus of Siddha Yoga. Subsequently, on November 10, Nityananda appeared at a public ceremony and participated in scriptural rites which released him from the role of Guru and his vows of monkhood, and was given the name Venkateshwar Rao.

Recently, the SYDA Foundation received a letter from a lawyer claiming to represent Venkateshwar stating that his client’s retirement was involuntary and advising the Foundation of Venkateshwar’s intention to reclaim the seat. At the same time, Venkateshwar and his brother-in-law made allegations in the Indian press suggesting that he was drugged, brainwashed, and forced to retire.

These recent actions by Venkateshwar have left us with no choice but to disclose the facts surrounding his retirement. To this end I have enclosed:

(1) A message from Gurumayi

(2) A statement from the Swamis

(3) A statement from the Trustees

(4) The recent magazine interview with Venkateshwar

We ask that you please read this information.

Signed,

Sanand Winzeler

Secretary

SYDA Foundation