Siddha Yoga or SYDA is an organization promoting certain teachings and practices from the Hindu and Yoga traditions, and centered around a Guru who is presented as a Perfect Being. Swami Muktananda led SYDA in the 70s and early 80s. The current Guru is Gurumayi Chidvilasananda.

The official SYDA site is http://www.siddhayoga.org/index.html. The site for criticism of SYDA is http://www.leavingsiddhayoga.net. Additional information about ex-SYDA forums is at http://home.comcast.net/~sresnick2/newlsy.htm

For post-SYDA discussion, see the Yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LifeafterSY/. Another Yahoo group, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eXSY/, falsely claims to be unmoderated; in fact, posters there are subject to being personally insulted or banned by the group's owner if they disagree with his opinions.

This siddhayoaga group is open to all views of SYDA. There will be no moderation based on whether the opinions expressed are pro- or con- or anywhere in between. Posts may be moderated for two reasons:

(1) Posts must have some connection to the topic of the SYDA organization, history, gurus, teachings, etc.

(2) No insulting of other posters is allowed. If you disagree with the views expressed here, please try to balance them by posting your own, differing views. To debate or disagree, please quote exactly what you object to, & explain your reasons WITHOUT any personal insult or judgment of the poster.

Any one wishing to psychoanalyze other posters, or make any judgments whatsoever about their mental state, spiritual attainment, physical attractiveness, etc, etc, should kindly find another place to do so.

If you feel that someone has made an off-topic or insulting post, please email me at sresnick2@comcast.net to request removal of the offending post.