The ShinsungHwa of Sri Bhagavan (2019)
A Brief Description of Sri Bhagavan’s ShinsungHwa
The foundation of the material realm manifests beneath the feet, taking the form of stepped platforms reminiscent of altar stairs. The overall energetic architecture appears as a magnificent throne-like structure. Energy currents flowing from the hands connect with and draw upon these underlying forces. Above Sri Bhagavan’s spiritual core, various circular and angular symbols emerge, indicating a powerful capacity for organizing and leading collective endeavors.
Sri Bhagavan and the Oneness Movement
In the rolling hills of Andhra Pradesh, South India, a simple educational experiment would eventually touch millions of lives across six continents. What began as one man’s vision for alternative schooling in 1984 has grown into a global spiritual movement known as Oneness—a story that reflects both the power of spiritual innovation and the complexities of modern religious movements.
From Teacher to Spiritual Guide
Sri Bhagavan, born Vijaykumar Naidu, started his journey not as a spiritual teacher but as an educator with bold ideas. In 1984, he established a residential school called Jeevashram in Chittoor District, determined to create “an environment for children to discover themselves and reach their full potential”. This wasn’t just another private school—it was an experiment in consciousness-based education that would lay the groundwork for something much larger.
For a decade, Bhagavan focused on his students, developing teaching methods that emphasized self-discovery over rote learning. But by 1994, something had shifted. The school campus was renamed Satyaloka, and spiritual programs for the general public began. What had started as an educational venture was transforming into something unprecedented in the spiritual landscape of modern India.
The Birth of a Movement
The year 2000 marked a turning point when Bhagavan formally launched the Oneness organization with his wife, Sri Amma. Their stated mission was ambitious: to create “lasting spiritual transformation” and alleviate human suffering “at its roots by awakening humanity into Oneness”. At the heart of this movement was a simple yet radical idea—that human suffering stems from our sense of being separate individuals, creating an “us versus them” mentality that fuels everything from family conflicts to international wars.
During these early years, followers often referred to Bhagavan as Kalki, the prophesied tenth incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The movement was sometimes called the “Kalki movement,” though Bhagavan himself offered a more nuanced view, stating that “although this is the time for Kalki’s emergence, Kalki is not one person but a collective awakening”.
The Science of Blessing
Central to the Oneness movement is a practice called the “Oneness Blessing” or Deeksha—a form of energy transmission typically given through touch or intention. Bhagavan presented this not as mystical ritual but as a neurobiological process designed to shift brain function and consciousness. Practitioners report that receiving Deeksha can reduce stress levels while increasing feelings of love, joy, and awareness.
The movement’s approach deliberately avoids requiring followers to adopt new doctrines or convert from their existing beliefs. Instead, it emphasizes direct personal experience over intellectual understanding. This flexibility has allowed Oneness to adapt to various cultural contexts while maintaining its core message—a strategy that would prove crucial as the movement expanded globally.
Going Global
By the late 1980s, Oneness had begun attracting international attention. Sweden became one of the first Western countries to embrace the movement, with early Swedish followers helping establish Oneness centers across Europe. According to the organization’s official claims, the movement has since reached over 1.5 million people across 126 countries.
This global expansion revealed something fascinating about how spiritual movements adapt across cultures. Research conducted on the movement’s presence in India versus Sweden showed significant differences in how followers perceived the founders and practiced the teachings. In India, the traditional guru-disciple relationship remained strong, while Swedish followers tended toward a more secular, therapeutic approach. The movement had successfully localized itself while maintaining its essential message.
Challenges and Controversies
No spiritual movement of this scale grows without facing scrutiny, and Oneness has encountered its share of challenges. In 2002, a public interest litigation questioning the tax status of the Kalki Trust was ultimately dismissed by both the Madras High Court and the Indian Supreme Court. More recently, in 2019, income tax officials seized cash and gold worth approximately 93 crore rupees from properties owned by Bhagavan’s son.
Critics have also emerged from within the movement itself. Freddy Nielsen, a Swedish associate, left the organization in 2005 after voicing concerns about its direction. These departures highlight the ongoing tensions that can arise in movements that blend spiritual teaching with organizational growth.
A New Generation Takes the Helm
In 2017, Bhagavan made a significant decision that would shape the movement’s future. He handed over the Oneness organization and his business interests to his son, NKV Krishna, and daughter-in-law, Preetha Krishna. The organization was renamed Ekam, signaling a new chapter in its evolution.
Under this new leadership, the movement continues to emphasize what they call “beautiful states of consciousness”—encouraging followers to live engaged rather than renounced spiritual lives. The vision now focuses on parents, teachers, and leaders with awakened consciousness who can support and nurture those around them, believing that compassionate leadership is key to addressing global crises.
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