Swaminarayan: Is This Ok?

Namaste everyone 🙏🏽

I’ve been contemplating becoming a devotee of Swaminarayan for quite a while now, and I wanted to get your thoughts on it. I feel a strong spiritual connection to the teachings of Swaminarayan, but I’m also grappling with some concerns, especially regarding the BAPS (Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) organization.

For those who might not be familiar, Swaminarayan is a Hindu spiritual leader who founded the Swaminarayan tradition, emphasizing devotion to God, purity, moral discipline, and community service. The teachings focus on leading a life full of faith, devotion, and ethical living. Devotees believe Swaminarayan is the supreme God and that through righteous living and devotion, one can attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death).

Now, the concern I have is about the BAPS organization, which is one of the largest Swaminarayan sects. BAPS is known for its impressive temples, spiritual practices, and social service projects. However, there have been troubling allegations surrounding the organization, including human trafficking accusations involving its leaders and practices in the past. These allegations are deeply concerning, and I want to acknowledge how troubling they are. While some of these accusations have been widely disputed or dismissed, they’ve nonetheless caused a lot of distress and confusion for many followers and potential followers like myself. It’s something I’m still processing.

Given these concerns, I’ve also been thinking about the possibility of becoming a devotee of Swaminarayan teachings without necessarily being tied to any specific organization like BAPS. I don’t want to be associated with any controversies, but I do feel a deep spiritual connection to the philosophy and practices that Swaminarayan promoted.

Would it be odd or “wrong” to adopt Swaminarayan’s teachings and practices without formally joining an organization? Is it possible to be a Swaminarayan devotee without being part of BAPS or any other specific sect? I’m seeking a more personal, non-institutional approach to my devotion, focusing on prayer, ethical living, and community service, without the complexities tied to any organizational issues.

I’d love to hear from anyone who has experience with this or has faced similar dilemmas. Would this path still be spiritually fulfilling? Any insights would be appreciated!

Jai Swaminarayan! (Praise to Swaminarayan)