The Laughing Swamis: Australian Sannyasin Disciples of Swami Satyananda Saraswati

In 1895 Swami Vivekananda of the Ramakrishna Mission initiated two Europeans, one a woman, into the ancient Indian tradition of sannyasa or world-renunciation. This practice was continued during the first half of the twentieth century by Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. After the late sixties, with the sudden expansion of Indian Spirituality, a vast horde of "foreign religious heads" spread throughout India in incomprehensibly large numbers (to quote Gita Mehta in Karma Cola). Many thousands assumed the orange robes, beads and Sanskrit names of Indian renunciants for various periods and with differing degrees of commitment.

Foremost in initiating Western disciples at this time were Paramahansa Satyananda Saraswati and Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh). Their teachings emphasized the "inner dimensions" of sannyasa, as opposed to the outer and traditional aspects. In particular, they taught a simplicity of life-style and greater self-awareness.

This book provides a careful study of Indian concepts and practices and, on the other hand, of the Western "counter-culture" in the 1960s and seventies which formed an integral part of the background of these seekers. The teachings of Satyananda and Osho are analysed in depth. The major part of the book is devoted to a description of Australian renunciates: their lives, experiences with sannyasa, and their moving on to new stages in their lives.

The revised edition argues that these movements now are of largely historical importance. It includes an added chapter on the lives of Australians who maintained their faith after the fall from grace of some of the leaders of both organisations.

About the Author:

HARRY AVELING was born in Sydney, Australia in 1942. He was initiated into Neo- Sannyasa by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh on 6 September 1977 and received the title Yoga Acharya from Swami Vishnudevananda in 1988. He is a scholar, teacher and literary translator.