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SRF Walrus

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SRF Walrus > What can we do to help SRF? > One small step
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fromLA Unregistered User (3/2/02 9:36 am) Reply	One small step For today's special meditation, I have placed the following note in an envelope, for the donation basket: With love, devotion, and loyalty to the Guru and his work Prayers and positive thoughts for his organization No financial assistance while his funds are being misused and wasted Please put his house in order It's the least I can do.
Pig Ma Registered User (3/2/02 11:08 pm) Reply	Re: One small step Wow! I applaud your step, and the note that you wrote. Perhaps this would be more meaningful than my putting in a paper heart with the words "only love". I, too, am not contributing to SRF at this time for the reasons you have stated. I am especially against the lawsuit they are waging on A-nanda, that has lasted over 12 years. I wrote them a letter stating why I would be doing so, and... the rest of the details are on another part of this board. I think you have stated lovingly and positively the reason for your actions. Your wording is especially good, and I hope you don't mind if I adopt it.
fromLA Unregistered User (3/3/02 8:44 am) Reply	Reply By all means, feel free to use the same wording. I really, really, really, really, really hope that others start doing the same thing. All you folks out there who have been frustrated and depressed because you understand the situation but can't do anything about it: here is something you can do about it. Do you think it won't matter? I think it will. First, word will eventually get up to the headquarters. Eventually someone at some temple will send the note(s), although I agree at first that many will "censor" them. Second, the people who count the collection will see them, and you know how well secrets are kept in SRF. Third, the monastics in general will hear about it, and some of them will be shamed, perhaps into acting with greater integrity, or into speaking out when they see wrong behavior. Fourth, people who know nothing about this board will hear about it, and some of them will be inspired to do the same. Remember the story about the child throwing starfish back into the ocean. When asked by an adult what difference it could make, because of the million of starfish washed up on the sand, he replied, as he picked up another starfish: "It makes a lot of difference to this one!"
Terrie Unregistered User (3/3/02 11:18 am) Reply	To FromLA Terrific!! Wonderful! Too bad I don't live near an SRF temple. I'd spread the message.
Crog Unregistered User (3/3/02 9:26 pm) Reply	VL How about with the next VL Appeal? We can mail that paragraph back in instead of a check? Or the next magazine renewal? Or convocation registration mailing?
chuckle Unregistered User (3/4/02 9:59 pm) Reply	Perhaps a big step! FromLA, your idea is a great one. I’ve given this topic--”What can we do to help SRF”--a lot of thought over the past several weeks. I’ve concluded that this form of protest, if you will, is the most effective means we have of expressing our dissatisfaction with the status quo in SRF. It seems to me that the only thing that will get Mother Center’s attention will be a significant drop in donations. Couple that with a message like yours or Pig Ma’s “only love” heart, and you have an effective and very clear message. In fact, I think if we combine Pig Ma’s heart with the words “Only love” and then your words below, we would have the best possible message. Anyone can do this. You can send in an envelope with the only love heart or your brief message. If you’re at a temple, drop the envelope in the collection basket. Sure, they’ll be weeded out by the ushers, but they’ll get the message, and it will spread up the line, just as you said. If you’re in a Center or meditation group, you can include the message at the Commemoration services. Those funds are sent to Mother Center, and if hearts and messages start showing up, the word will get to Center Dept. This is what I did for Master’s birthday service at our Center: no money, just a message of “only love.” I’m thinking this time I may include in my note a request that it be passed on to Center Dept. (to those who don’t know what the heart and “only love” message means, it will look perfectly innocent). And this leads me to my next point. We have the most significant opportunity to make these expressions in three days--March 7th. The 50th anniversary of his mahasamadhi and his message of "only love can take my place." I can’t think of anything more symbolic, more fitting. This form of protest also can provide us with some feedback. If nothing happens after several months (or whatever people feel is an appropriate length of time), we can probably deduce that we have little chance of success with any action we take. And then individuals who are hoping for change can evaluate what they wish to do personally vis-a-vis their relationships with SRF. For myself, at the very least this form of protest allows me to feel morally comfortable in not supporting an organization that thus far has not offered any accountability for its actions. Like you, I really hope people get on this bandwagon. It is the only hope I think we have of effective protest, barring a mass rally at Convo, and that certainly isn’t going to happen.
fromLA Unregistered User (3/5/02 12:05 pm) Reply	Re: Pehaps a big step I agree, maybe a big step. And you beat me to the post about the upcoming special services! Here you go, folks. Here is something substantial and without risk that you can do. It doesn't matter where you live; you can mail the note if you don't go to a center or group or temple. Or if your group is so small you don't want to do it. Another thing you can do is enclose a small envelope in a bigger one, and write on it something like "Sri Daya Mata" or "Master" and seal the envelope. In most cases, at a temple at least, the ushers will just send it along unopened. Or address it to your minister. The possiblities are endless...
aVulcanThinker Registered User (4/23/02 5:09 pm) Reply	Re: VL It's that time again, and what better way to express our dedication, loyalty, and love to the Guru and his path, than to nudge the stubborn leaders of his organization to wake up. I am going to return the "reply card" that came with the recent VL mailing, with my name cut off from the bottom, and typing on it the great message posted earlier. Putting it in the VL envelope will get it routed. Imagine the reaction if they were to receive hundreds--thousands!--of such cards. You would hear the repercussions along the Ganges. Can we at least do this?
Notice the Noticer Registered User (6/21/03 11:42 am) Reply	Re: VL FANTASTIC! Did anyone ever hear any feedback about the VL RSVP's? The subversion really made me chuckle.

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