Shankarananda (Shiva Yoga)

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shankarananda (born 1942) is an American-born guru in the lineage of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri. Swami Shankarananda is an author of several books on meditation and the philosophy and practice of Kashmir Shaivism. He emphasises spiritual practice (Sadhana), especially meditation, mantra and Self-inquiry. He is a spiritual teacher in Australia^[1][2] where he founded a residential spiritual school (Shiva Ashram) , now called the Sri Nityananda Ashram where about 20 seekers live and members of the wider public visit for programs, retreats and courses. The former Shiva Ashram closed in 2015.^[3][4]

Biography

Born Russell Michael Kruckman, son of artist Herbert ("Herb") (1904–1998) and school teacher Selma (1908–1998). He studied at Columbia University, New York, where he played on Columbia's US Champion intercollegiate chess team.^[5] In 1970 he went to India where he met his guru, Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa, the disciple of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri.

In 1991 he founded the Shiva School of Meditation and Yoga in Melbourne with the assistance of Swami Bhairavi Ananda (Devi Ma), who was the co-director. They established a residential ashram^[6] on the Mornington Peninsula.

Teachings and philosophy

Kashmir Shaivism

Shankarananda learned about Kashmir Shaivism from his teacher, Swami Muktananda.

Interfaith

Shankarananda has participated in interfaith events.^[7] He was the patron of the Hindu Community Council of Victoria (HCCV),^[8] and he spoke at the Parliament of the World's Religions held in Melbourne, 2009.

Controversy

In 2015, two newspapers reported on allegations of sexual practices.^[9][10] The newspapers acknowledged that there is no police investigation, implications or evidence of sexual abuse.^[11] On hearing the revelations, some members of the community stayed while others chose to leave. The organisation went into voluntary administration; however Shankarananda retained the main ashram property, now called Sri Nityananda Ashram, and continues to run regular programs for residents and the public.

Bibliography

Swami Shankarananda is the author of six books, four of which are listed below.

• Happy for No Good Reason, Information Australia, Melbourne, 2000.
  ISBN 1-86350-314-5 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)
• Consciousness Is Everything: The Yoga of Kashmir Shaivism, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2003.
  ISBN 0-9750995-0-7 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)
• Carrot in My Ear: Questions and Answers on Living with Awareness, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2004.
  ISBN 0-9750995-2-3 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)
• Self-Inquiry: Using Your Awareness to Unblock Your Life, Shaktipat Press, Melbourne, 2008.
  ISBN 978-0-9750995-3-7 (National Library of Australia Catalogue)

References