The World of Yaad is a New Religious Movement based in London. It centres around the founder whom people believe to be of Divine Nature and an avatar (Divine manifestation) on Earth. This highly unusual charismatic leader was born in 1960 as Medhi Zand. In January 2000, following an intense spiritual experience, he identified himself as what he describes as ‘The Divine Exorcitation of Thought—The Living Memory, the Construction Personification of Esser Yaad. Since this date, the movement has grown around him at an accelerated rate.
The World of Yaad does not claim to be a religion, and there are no set rituals, prayers or creeds. Instead the founder Esser Yaad teaches, amongst other things, a series of stages based on a set of keys to help the growth of Mystical Consciousness for the individual. By using these keys as the basis for spiritual development, people are given the power to unlock the Divine within. The textual foundation of the Movement is a series of books written by the founder, which describe the history of the Divine and the creation of the Universe. The books and the teachings of Esser Yaad form part of the Movement’s claim to bring new spiritual knowledge to the World in the form of the Biography of the Cosmos. At the heart of this are the ideas of the growth of individual consciousness and self-development/transformation (see Self-Transformation) and the spiritual and social responsibilities that this growth entails. The teachings contain a strong sense of social justice and human rights with a focus on the freedom to choose ones own spirituality. Esser-Yaad leads the weekly evening meetings where social and ‘spiritual’, (esoteric or mystical) knowledge is discussed and occasionally spiritual exercises are practised (see Esoteric Movements).
There have been many accounts of miracles, healing, and magic surrounding Esser Yaad, including incidences where the founder has produced lumps of gold and silver, stones and chains made of precious metal from his mouth during meetings. Other personal accounts claim that he has also materialized ash, heavenly scent, fruit and water.
Even though this is not a healing movement, there have been cases where followers are said to have been healed of illness and disorders such as cancer, leukaemia, and paralysis. The most referred to incident took place in South Africa in 2001 when a comatose woman ‘came back’ to life after being declared clinically dead. This has been seen as a direct result of the intervention of Esser Yaad.
By the end of 2002, over five hundred people had been taught by Esser Yaad. Members, or devotees, originate from a diverse range of ethnic, cultural, and religious backgrounds such as Hindu, Christian, Jewish, Zoroastrian, Sikh, and Muslim. Although the Movement is centred in the UK, members come from a variety of other countries including USA, Russia, Japan, India, France, Germany, Iran, Nigeria, Eritrea, and South Africa. However, as there is an absence of ritual practice and ethnic, cultural, or religious focus, the Movement can only rely on its philosophy to aid its world growth and global membership in the years to come.
