Initiation (?)

[Guest guest]

On 13 May 1999, Samba das wrote:

 

> The problem is that we are so used to an institution that tries

> to force falsehood down out throat, that we forget this. ISKCON cannot

> legislate who we are to love and worship, (although I am not sure if all the

leaders realise this yet.)

>

 

It has been quite some time since anyone dared to consider telling me who they

thougth I should 'love and worship.' Maybe I have cultivated a reputation that

now preceeds me.

 

 

> Without surrender to such a person, you cant get anywhere. It is described

that guru gives two things. Kripa (mercy) and Vanchana (cheating). If your

guru tells you to do some service, and you say, 'well guru maharaja, I would

like to do that, but I have this problem', so he says 'what do YOU want to do

then', 'Oh gurumaharaj I want to do this thing and that thing'. So he will

agree, 'Ok you do'. So that means you got cheated.

>

 

It is the guru's natural desire to see that his spiritual dependents are

engaged in devotional activities. So while the guru wants to challenge his

students, he also understands that they may not always be able to meet the

challenge, and thus engages them accordingly.

 

In other words, an idea of mindless surrender may not be the real goal of the

guru/disciple relationship. Cultivating pure devotional service is not a

mechanical act. Particularly within the context of our present ISKCON

situation, I would propose that an idea of submission to another Vaisnava

needs to be cultivated along with a practical sense of faith, love and trust.

 

That others may or may not have a similar relationship which we may be

cultivating with a particular sadhu does not need to be seen as a slight or an

attempt to diminish the stature of those who we may hold in high esteem.

 

ys,

 

Sthita-dhi