E-mail David Christopher Lane
directly at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu
Reviewer: David Christopher Lane Publisher: UCSM Publication date: 1986
E-mail David Christopher Lane
directly at dlane@weber.ucsd.edu
I
want to go back to the home base now.
Bambi Baaba: Redeemer of the New Age There are now over thirty different shabd yoga groups in the world which have a genealogical connection with the Radhasoami Tradition of North India. A large number of these groups, however, try to cover-up their lineage or gloss over it. Joining the infamous ranks of Paul Twitchell, Dr. Bhagat Singh Thind, and others is an African Master by the name of Bambi Baaba. Preliminary investigations indicate that Bambi Baaba, otherwise known as Dr. J.K. Mugonza, was initiated by Maharaj Charan Singh of Radhasoami Satsang Beas in the 1960's. Although Bambi Baaba has admitted that he received "Nam" from the esteemed saint at Beas, he has not been entirely forthcoming about his discipleship. Instead, his official biographies try to avoid the connection because it would seriously call into question Bambi Baaba's spiritual ministry. This is most clearly evident in Bhuka B.M. Bijumiro-jjumiro's book, Bambi Baaba Goes To India? which goes on to explain how Bambi Baaba's trip to India in 1969 was misunderstood and misinterpreted by some followers. It is quite apparent from Bambi Baaba's writings that he has been highly influenced by Radhasoami/Sant Mat teachings. Baaba stresses a strict vegetarian diet, a pure moral life, abstinence from alcohol and drugs, and even enjoins daily meditation on the inner Sound Current, which he identifies in his native language as Bbano. The fundamental problem with Bambi Baaba (and other masters like him) is that he was not legitimately appointed. Rather, he is a self-styled prophet who has instigated a path which is nothing more than a watered down version of Sant Mat. The world is replete with would-be enlightened beings, who are ready to sell their wares to unsuspecting customers. If such gurus cannot be up front about their past (which is open to inspection by almost anyone), why then should seekers trust them on the inner planes? Simply put, if you can't trust somebody here, why trust him there?
