Guest guest Posted February 22, 1999 Report Share Posted February 22, 1999 madhya nandi [madhya] Monday, February 22, 1999 2:18 AM Re: To Ashram or not to Ashram redux madhya nandi <madhya Jan-- I feel uncomfortable with your addendum. First of all, this is hearsay--not that I know anything about the actual matter. But what about what you have presented should encourage me to believe it? Or, even take it seriously? Also, Jan, come on, guilt by association? Madhya Harsha: Madhya, I am very comfortable with Jan's addendum. Jan is wise and sees clearly and objectively. This topic has been discussed before on the original K-list. The fact is that fraud and exploitations are quite common in religion (all religions). Well known gurus are no exception to this rule, although no doubt there are genuine spiritual personalities as well in all faiths. Most gurus are themselves spiritual aspirants and some are novices and many are simply confused. They are bound to make mistakes. The Ultimate and the Only True Guru is God or the Self (however you conceptualize that). Great Sages such as Ramana Maharshi point it out clearly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 1999 Report Share Posted February 22, 1999 Regarding the matter of the 'addendum' A great deal of irresponsible reporting takes place when one simply states that this or that thing occurred without making reference to the source for the claims that one is making. And, while accusations fly fast and furious oftentimes, an individual is innocent until proven guilty. Quite often, the innocent are damaged simply because someone associates that person's name with an alleged abuse. Assuming that any given reader has 'heard about this case' does not meet the claimant's obligation to impart the relevant facts in the case. The fact that abuses take place in any context--certainly including religious and/or spiritual organizations is accurate. However, to use an example of such an occurrence--an unverified example that is, in legal terms, 'alleged' or simply hearsay--to condemn the very idea that Teachers are important, necessary, desirable or otherwise instrumental to many persons spiritual path is irresponsible. One cannot argue against religious traditions by claiming that this or that representative of the tradition is a bad example of what that institution may claim to represent. How reasonable is the argument the entire guru/teacher system is evil because a particular guru/teacher is judged to be evil. I do not object to someone expressing their viewpoint. But one ought to be responsible for the claims that one is making and present them in a reasonable and consistent manner. Madhya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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