Career
Training programs have been established in more than 40 countries. Amrit Desai came to the United States of America in 1960 as an art student. He called his approach Meditation in Motion.
Later, he was called Amritji.
Shortly thereafter he was being called, Gurudev. He reassured his students, now many were disciples, that he was a "real guru".
The current practice is now known as the Integrative Amrit Method, or the I Department of Administration and Management techniques. The Bhuribhen Trust was established in 1972, providing free medicines and medical expenses.
One of the spiritual practices that the single residents were expected to practice was celibacy (Brahmacharya).
So important was this practice of celibacy that meetings were held and residents were asked to divulge anyone they thought might have violated that sacred practice. In 1994 it was revealed and admitted that Desai had committed adultery over many years with several female residents/ disciples. One woman had caught him breaking his vows of celibacy.
She reported this back to the residential community.
He denied lieutenant "Oh she"s crazy, no such thing happened." She was forced to leave the community. Her young son stayed there, with his father.
Another resident/ disciple was counseled by Desai to have relations with him to "purify her sexual karma." "As a real guru, this would be for your benefit." In 1994, Desai left in disgrace. Questionable business practices also came to light.
Desai resumed teaching in 1996 at the original Kripalu Ashram in Sumneytown, Pennsylvania.
After a couple of years, mostly in Pennsylvania, the Desai family relocated to Florida.
Despite the sexual scandal, he continues to refer to himself as a Guru.