Dear Ones, It is with great pain and sadness that we
are writing to you, and our reason for doing so will probably shock and dismay
many of you; for this is our formal resignation from the Sathya Sai Baba
Organization and the Santa Barbara Center.
First, we would like to say that never have we had
the privilege of knowing so many wonderful, loving, giving, and spiritually
dedicated people. We thank all of you for your gracious and kind support of us
as we worked together for our spiritual growth and development.
For over 20 years we turned a 'deaf ear and blind
eye' to rumblings and rumors of corruption, trickery and sexual exploits of Sai
Baba; feeling anger and animosity towards those 'bad-mouthers and
trouble-makers' . . . then about two months ago it struck closer to home and
from an impeccable source; an allegation of gross sexual abuse perpetrated by
our 'Lord of Lords' upon a teen age boy who had been raised to look upon Sai Baba
as 'God on Earth' - who would 'Help
Ever, Hurt Never' - in a family totally
devoted to, and living their lives for Sai Baba. They were, and are,
devastated! About this same time we also heard of a letter sent to the
Organization from a distraught mother of a 14 year old boy accusing Baba of
molesting her son.
Hearing of these incidents we began our own
investigation, and the lid to 'Pandora's Box' was opened! Our eyes have
regained their sight and our ears have opened to listen . . . to the allegations
and accusations (not rumors, not gossip) of worldwide numerous graphic accounts
of sexual exploitation over many years. So much innocence lost, so many lives
shattered!
The Sai Baba Organization leaders are, and have been
for many years, aware of this ongoing sexual activity . . . acknowledging that
it happens, condoning it, and rationalizing it in countless ways of utter
nonsense, i.e. 'raising Kundalini', 'anointing for purification', or ridding
them of their 'lustful young desires'. To us this is ludicrous!
This has all been kept 'hush, hush' from the
devotees. Is this not typical of a cult society?
The question is not whether or not Sai Baba did these
things . . . it is acknowledged that he did . . . , rather whether or not it is
his prerogative to do so. Is this divine activity? Is it o.k. with you? In the
USA it is a criminal sexual offence.
Well, we are betrayed, bewildered and bereaved;
however, we will survive, and we feel stronger by at long last confronting this
iniquitous behavior, not passively making excuses for it, not making peace with
it. We do this with rectitude; and if this means we are chaff, so be it!
We ask that you honor and respect our soul-wrenching
decision to leave Sai Baba and the Organization. Also know that this act on our
part is not up for discussion nor debate, now or at any future date. To do so
would only cause anger and hurt; something we feel to be unworthy of the love
we feel for you.
We truly believe that most of us have become better
persons by the Teachings we were exposed to through Sai Baba. These Teachings
are eternal Truths that have been echoed throughout the ages. After waking up
to the fact that his life is not in harmony with his message, it remains that
the wake-up, however long it took, is in itself a great blessing because it
reunites us with our central Being; the Light within, and the true God in our
hearts. We are our own source of love, peace and freedom. IT does not reside
'out there' nor 'over there' in the guise of an 'Avatar'. We give away our
freedom by not thinking for ourselves; buying whatever rhetoric is spoon-fed
us. Never again will we give up our own 'God Within' to unquestioning obedience
and acceptance. "First to thine own Self be true" and "The Truth
shall set you free".
Our hearts go out to each of you, and our love for
you remains steadfast. May God bless you and keep you, and give you peace.
Terry & Richard Nelson