Kriyananda was an American Hindu religious leader, yoga guru and founder of the spiritual "Ananda" movement who was found guilty of "constructive fraud", with a finding of "malice" and "fraudulent conduct" in the 1998 sexual harassment lawsuit.He was one of many direct disciples of the yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda. Yogananda made Walters a minister for his organization, Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF). He authorized him to teach Kriya Yoga while with SRF, and appointed him the head monk for the SRF Mount Washington monks only. After Yogananda's death, Walters was given final vows of sannyas in 1955 by then SRF President Daya Mata and given the name Kriyananda. In 1960, upon the passing of M.W. Lewis, the SRF Board of Directors elected Kriyananda to the Board of Directors and eventually to the position of Vice President. In 1962, the SRF Board of Directors voted unanimously to expel him from SRF and requested his resignation.Kriyananda founded Ananda, a worldwide movement of religious and communal organizations based on Yogananda's World Brotherhood Colonies ideal. Also he established his own new Swami order in 2009: the Nayaswami Order different from Yogananda's lineage in the Giri branch of the Swami Order of Shankara. From his own organization Kriyananda authored about 150 published books/booklets and composed about 400 pieces of music, which altogether have sold over three million copies. A few of the books have been published in 28 languages. He lectured in different countries throughout the world. In addition to English, he spoke Italian, Romanian, Greek, French, Spanish, German, Hindi, Bengali, and Indonesian.For twelve years from 1990-2002 Self-Realization Fellowship, the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, filed suit against James Donald Walters (a.k.a. Kriyananda) and Walters' newly named Church of Self-Realization regarding specific writings, photographs and recordings of Paramahansa Yogananda. According to Doug Mattson of the Union, SRF asserted Yogananda made it clear that he wanted SRF, Yogananda’s organization, to maintain the copyrights to his works and to publish them. Doug Mattson wrote that in the end, "the jurors ultimately agreed with Self-Realization Fellowship's argument that Yogananda had repeatedly made his intentions clear before dying - he wanted the Fellowship to maintain copyrights to his works."According to Vicky Anning of Palo Alto Weekly, in 1997-98 Kriyananda aka Donald Walters was found guilty in a court of law, "fraudulently representing himself as a celibate religious leader or swami although he had sex with several of his devotees during 30 years at the helm of Ananda." Several women came forward during the civil trial to testify that Walters had sexually exploited them.
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Some of their strengths
Swami Kriyananda has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Energetic, Extroverted, Sensual, Bold, Confident, Passionate, and Intelligent.
Strong and Diligent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Swami Kriyananda is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who defines themself by their friends and what groups they belong to.
Constant and Serious
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Swami Kriyananda well know them as someone who can be determined, unmoving, and firm, like a rock or a high mountain.
Inventive and Clever
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Swami Kriyananda as someone who is flexible, intelligent, and quick-witted.
A person who likes to be creative, and to be recognized for their artistic talents. Who possesses intelligence, mental discipline, and ambition, and who does well in relationships and partnerships.
Altruistic and Ambitious
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Swami Kriyananda is someone who is the type of person who rallies behind a group, cause, or community, and who enjoys being dedicated to a higher cause of some sort.
They are also someone who is curious, dynamic, and positive, and who enjoys inspiring and communicating with other people.
Patient and Compassionate
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Swami Kriyananda tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.
Some of Swami Kriyananda's challenges
While Swami Kriyananda has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Swami Kriyananda can be Arrogant, Emotional, Stubborn, Idle, Status-seeking, Standoffish, and Unfocused.
Stubborn and Idle
One of Swami Kriyananda's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.
Swami Kriyananda must also exercise caution as they can have a hard time reconciling wants and needs, and can be excessive and unrealistic, and can have difficulty dealing with responsibility, authority, or criticism.
Unfocused and Indecisive
Swami Kriyananda is someone who can be scattered, restless, and insensitive, be distracted by fluctuating professional interests, be a workaholic, and who can be arrogant and have difficulty accepting advice.
Materialistic and Aggressive
Finally, Swami Kriyananda also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.
