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        > Careful talking to monastics
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JS
Unregistered User
(8/11/01 6:52 am)
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Careful talking to monastics
I agree with Dakota we have to be careful talking to monastics. They are not going to talk to “outsiders” and criticize SRF. They are fully aware that can get them in big big trouble. But some will help with many of the surrounding issues. The disappointment and disillusionment are things they can help with since all of them see the same issues we see and have to push on. Why they stay is a subject for another board note?

Having said that we still must be careful. Some parts of SRF do keep track of “enemies” and therefore you do need to be careful who you talk to so you don’t end up on those lists. As a general rule you can talk to almost any monk assigned somewhere other than Mother Center. There is a reason they are not there. In fact, most of the monks are OK. Don’t talk to Satyananda, but other than him you are probably fine. You won’t hear the monks complain about SRF, but you can get help resolving some of the issues this treatment causes. Remember, at the present time the monks (men) have little control over the way SRF is treating people at a higher level. They aren’t doing much about it but leaving in large numbers, but they have little authority to change things.

As for the nuns, it is difficult to get access to them to discuss things. And those that SRF will let you talk to won’t be much help. The discussion could get you on a list.

Palm
Unregistered User
(8/11/01 7:26 am)
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Monastics
Bro. Bhaktananda has been helpful to me with these issues. He is not a complainer, and would not complain about SRF. We would not expect him to! But the goal is very clear to him. Heck, just sitting with him is nice.

He does ask us to "cling to Master". Note he doesn't say "cling to SRF". But I don't take that as criticism of SRF. He probably never fell into the trap of thinking SRF was anything more than it is supposed to be (publisher of the Lessons?). He was there with Master and the focus was always God and the Gurus. Not individuals in the organization in positions of power. We used to toss out individuals who felt they were powerful (Kriyananda) but now they are rising up through the ranks.

Deep2
Unregistered User
(8/20/01 8:26 am)
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Go ahead
Go ahead and talk to them about your doubts. They need to hear it. Their actions are negatively affecting the image of SRF, not to mention the effectiveness of SRF in its mission to get the teachings distributed. Let's hope, until we all get SRF fixed, that people don't think mother center's bad behavior reflects on Master.

jlm
Unregistered User
(9/7/01 10:12 am)
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I need advice
I wanted to add something here before you go and talk with a monastic, particularly a nun.

Many of you believe that your counseling with monastics is kept private. Don't kid yourself. The information you divulge will be shared with others especially if they are questioning your loyalty or believe you might be an enemy or for whatever reason they deem necessary. This is shared with other monastics or lay people, whatever suits their purpose. You would be better served if you talked with God and asked Him to help you with your problem.


Hollywood
Unregistered User
(9/7/01 10:31 am)
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To Palm
The problem with Bro. Bhaktananda is that he's often a card-carrying company man. No doubt he's highly adept at devotion. But that same quality makes him loyal when he should oppose on principle. I once had a meeting with him concerning the state of SRF. He folded his arms and started defending SRF by saying that the problems were all with the devotees who were complaining. He wouldn't let me get a word in. Finally, after losing my patience with his railroading me, I asked him to stop and consider why he was being so defensive, that this was not Master's ideal of effective communication. He became open after that. I think that man has a wonderful heart, but I'm disappointed with how he uses, or doesn't use, his intellect. He seems either unwilling, or more likely, incapable of discussing, complex issues and adding authentic responses. "Cling to Master" is what we need to do. But we also need to take proper action.

DEEP
Unregistered User
(9/7/01 12:06 pm)
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Stuck out in Hollywood for 30 years
Bro. Bhaktananda wasn’t stuck out in Hollywood for 30 years because he was a company man. I suspect his integrity would not bend in the directions they wanted it to bend and they just isolated him. I have spoken to him about these problems too. He is always pushing the focus away from Mother Center and turning it toward Master and God. I know he realizes the problems but also realizes the immoral disappointing leadership is not keeping us from God. He is right to suggest we keep focusing on Master, but that does avoid dealing with the problem “on our human level”.

That leaves Mother Center mistreating and discouraging members/monastics, wasting large amounts of time and money, pushing off the publication of Master’s works, and all that stuff discussed here. There are really two different levels here. Brother Bhaktananda is only dealing with us personally.

---- Secondly, I would also like to point out that the note above from JLM is true. They do keep records of counseling and share it with individuals they feel need it. The creation of special black lists is certainly one reason.

Been there
Unregistered User
(9/7/01 12:12 pm)
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Being realistic about "privacy"
Yes, indeed, what you tell a nun counselor is only as private as she wants it to be. And since they are trained not to think for themselves (though they won't admit this -- they believe they are being taught to "discriminate"), they feel it is their duty to report or discuss with their superiors anything that makes them uneasy. This is not done out of bad intent or malice -- it is simply part of the system. And the purpose of the system is to retain control by the few nuns (plus Cindy Davis perhaps) who run the place.

Crog
Unregistered User
(9/7/01 4:59 pm)
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Cindy
Who the heck is Cindy Davis?

Been there
Unregistered User
(9/7/01 5:15 pm)
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Reply to Crog
Re: Cindy Davis: See posting in this site under heading of "Legal Department."

in2deep
Unregistered User
(9/21/01 2:54 pm)
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a word of caution
I have personally had items I've mentioned in "counselling" used against me at later dates. I have friends who have had this happen, too. The people giving counselling, many times, are like you and me. Learn to go to the source, God and Guru. No intermediary is necessary.

Rosemarie7
Registered User
(11/2/02 12:30 pm)
Reply
Re: a word of caution
I wrote a whole ugly story of how I was burned, then edited it.

All you need to know has already been said.




Edited by: Rosemarie7 at: 11/3/02 8:43:26 pm
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