I recently posted a warning about Robert Harrison who wrote us a few years back from prison seeking guidance. Sundari helped him understand the teaching and when he got out he started a Facebook group. It wasn’t long before we started hearing complaints that he was “borrowing” money that he didn’t return and soliticing sex from people in the name of Vedanta, at which time we disassociated ourselves from him. This practice continued for the last year. I received an email yesterday from Robert threating to sue us for libel and slander. The email below published in full is my response.
The Vedanta community is a small subset of a larger community of individuals worldwide interested non-dual thinking. Because ShiningWorld is an influential force in the Vedanta world we feel that it is our responsibility to warn others of Robert’s behavior. Spiritual people tend to be trusting people and the internet makes it possible to exploit others with little fear of the consequences. Robert is an intelligent person who was taught the doctrine well and assimilated those portions of the teaching that didn’t require him to examine his moral philosophy. We offer these two satsangs to the Self in the karma yoga spirit with the idea of protecting the teaching. We will publish emails from those of you who been misled by Robert who are willing to speak out. We encourage our readers to spread the word.
Hi Robert,
That’s pretty rich, Robert. I’m actually thinking of a front page spread with your pic, etc. and a raft of testimonies with direct quotes from you. I’m fed up with all these complaints. I have been very kind and forbearing because I have a basic human affection for you so I let you slide for about a year now, hoping that you might somehow see the light and show some respect for God, for yourself and Vedanta. Sundari and I have letters from women backing up my statements. One of our guys also has letters from several women who have cell phone pics of your privy parts and who want their “loans” returned and are willing to lodge a complaint with the police. You’re in a lot deeper than you think. By the way I added some more information to [yesterday’s] the post you’re referring to so you can get even more indignant if you like.
I hope you will calm down and think rationally. I tried to help you before and I’m trying to help you now. If you are silly enough to go the legal route, you’ll have to get your group to cough up more money for your legal fund, which I think will be a little difficult when the evidence of your malfeasance is spread all over the internet, not to mention how difficult it is to prove libel and how expensive it is just to get a suit off the ground, much less keep it going. These things drag on for years. You’ve probably not been in this kind of position before but you might benefit from doing some research before you put down a few thousand quid as a retainer. In any case I doubt very seriously that a respectable lawyer would take a case with no legal merit considering your criminal past and disclosure of our evidence which is a plaintiffs legal right, much less a criminal lawyer. I don’t want to rain on your parade but it is virtually impossible to enforce the collection of a legal judgment from one country in another much less conduct a lawsuit across international borders, not to mention the pandemic. I come from a legal family. My mother was a judge. I know the law. And I’m on the right side of the law. I’m impervious to your threats. Actually I’m a little surprised and amused. Think about it: Robert Harrison, the aggrieved party! Truth is stranger than fiction.
I know the truth and you know the truth, Robert. This is a great opportunity to get yourself together. It’s time to quit lying and cheating. Here’s what I’m willing to do. I will not post this email and I will take down the satsang post if you take down your Facebook account, apologize to the women that you insulted with your vulgarity and pay back the money you owe. I spoke to a mutual acquaintance who has diligently documented your whole internet journey and we see eye to eye. I also have the resources, the connections, the will and an ace in the hole that you probably haven’t considered to see to it that your way forward in the spiritual world will be particularly difficult. I have a lot of influence in the spiritual world. And I will make a point of keeping the police up to date because of your violent past.
A person who breaks dharma isn’t a happy person. This kind of life is painful. You’ve been in pain for so long that it probably feels normal. There is forgiveness but you have to be honest with yourself. This path just leads to more and more running and hiding. You have to keep reinventing yourself over and over. When you sincerely offer everything to God, you are lifted up into the light. You need no longer get on the internet to prove to the public that you are spiritual because you actually are. Enlightened people teach by example. Words aren’t enough. Think of others, Robert. People hold you up as something good and true and you insult and cheat them. Is that fair? How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot? Probably you were cheated out of love a long time ago so it’s time to make it right.
I expect to hear from you presently or I will publish this and provide more evidence little by little until Isvara steps in and settles things. It is not an emotional issue for me personally. I hold you no ill-will but insult the Lord and it is a different story. If you want to be a criminal then do it right. Get in with the real men and follow the code. Don’t be a coward and take advantage of good innocent people. As I say, I stayed out of it for a long time. Others urged me to sort this out and I was forbearing. Where this goes is up to you.
Love,
James
