Clearing a misunderstanding

[Guest guest]

Dear members,

 

I want to take a moment to clear up an apparent misunderstanding that arose

recently. Braja-sevaki asked me about the nature of my commitment to ISKCON

and whether I'm an appropriate person to organize a conference such as

this. I wasn't sure myself what to make of her letter, so I just took it

(mostly) at face value and responded in a way that would make my situation

transparent to anyone who doesn't know me well (pretty much everyone). Some

devotees read it as a sort of challenge (which would only have mildly

annoyed me anyway). My counter challenge to her shows that I suspected

there may be some degree of challenge. I've been convinced by conversing

with Braja off-list that it was not meant as any sort of affront. I also

better understand the nature of her impatience with our sometimes

casual-appearing criticisms of ISKCON policies. Like most of us here, Braja

is a strong personality; like many of us here, I think it's easy to misread

her through email. I have often complained about the limitations--even

dangers--of these so-called virtual communities. We often see evidence of

that here.

 

I hope we will all be cautious and liberal in our dealings with each other

on this list and other forums. I hope that when I violate my own standards,

you all will hold me accountable, as Braja and Akhilesvara have on a couple

of occasions. I also ask that there be no further chiding of Braja for that

one email, please.

 

Your aspiring servant,

Babhru