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SRF Walrus

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SRF Walrus > Messages to Mother Center > mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor
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soulcircle Registered User (8/11/02 1:42 am) Reply	mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor monitor, visitors at mother center have no way of knowing that gardeners (whether officially or at anytime due to personal choice) at mother center are observing silence case in point...in the last two months a thoughtful and remarkable L. A. resident finally visited mother center after having known of its well-liked "peace" for decades... he and his friend sat in the temple of leaves, deeply drinking of the spirit.... after time passed he turmed to two gardeners and thanked them and commented on the supernal peace... the two gardeners edged farther from him, finally leaving altogether, without uttering a word... he was at a loss, having encountered the distinct impression that "something rather untoward was all but evident." he told this story in public before people who were considering mother center a true place of pilgrimage who had yet to visit it again, any visitor encountering a "silent" cold shoulder, would not have any way of knowing, a given individual is in "silence."
username Registered User (8/11/02 6:45 am) Reply	Re: mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor Quakers have often practice silence. But when some one approaches them when they are practicing silence they smile and do not run away. People then realize they are practicing silence SRF might be wise to read some of their literature. Again, you describe SRF as being very anti social, weird and strange
soulcircle Registered User (8/11/02 3:18 pm) Reply	Agreed *Quote:* Again, you describe SRF as being very anti social, weird and strange well said friend
Lobo Registered User (8/11/02 10:12 pm) Reply	Re: mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor In a visit to Mt. Washington with my family 6 weeks or so ago we walked around the grounds. When we came to the sun-dial a dark-skinned monk with long hair was tending to the marigolds. I asked him about the marigolds, were they an easy plant to grow. We had a short discussion about them and then I asked him, based upon his accent, if he was from India, which he said he was, that he was visiting the SRF sites in So. Cal for a few weeks. We discussed the places he'd already visited, and when I asked for his name he told Brahmacharyi something (an monastic name which I've forgotten). After our talk I introduced my wife and son and upon our parting shook his hand. He was very friendly and I had no hint that he was practicing silence. Perhaps people who visit monastery should be aware that it is just that, monks and nuns who've retreated from the world to practice intense spiritual disciplines, and therefore any unworldly behavior, like keeping silent, should be expected from them. But that said I don't think that they are afraid to talk with visitor's based upon the fine young Indian monk we met. But then again, that's just one person, and truthfully whenever I visit and see monastics on the grounds they never seem overly friendly and do not go out of their way to speak, or even acknowledge me, for that matter. I've always assumed they were keeping silence, and anyway I do not go to Mt. Washington to engage in conversation. I am fine with being left alone to meditate and absorb Yoganandaji's vibes.
gardendiva Registered User (8/12/02 6:15 am) Reply	Re: mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor Lobo... Perhaps because the monk you met is from India, and has presumably done his monastic training there, he is more open than the SRF monastics who train and live in the U.S. While I've never been to Asia, my impression from documentaries and travel narratives, is that monks and nuns there can be very open and sociable.
ochrediapers Registered User (8/12/02 3:53 pm) Reply	Re: mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor Believe me, folks, neither the gardeners or the monks are keeping silence. This is just weird SRF behavior. Don't take it personally. It's their problem. I used to make excuses to myself for this kind of weird stuff from the monks and members until I began inviting friends whose opinions I valued very highly to services, events, etc. They were totally turned off by this stuff, in addition to the bliss bunnies. It was then that I began to realize that there were some real problems here. Most of the niceness that one experiences in SRF is a front. The monks and members are no nicer or "together" than anyone else. To be fair, I don't believe that most of them are any worse either.
AumBoy Registered User (8/23/02 7:28 pm) Reply ezSupporter	Re: mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor *Quote:* The monks and members are no nicer or "together" than anyone else. To be fair, I don't believe that most of them are any worse either. Absolutely correct. SRF is made up of a cross section of society. No better, no worse.
KS Registered User (8/23/02 9:57 pm) Reply	Re: mother center cold shoulder turns off visitor No better and no worse? You are being kinder than most of them are about the rest of us. I think what separates some of them is at a minimum the knowledge that they are deceiving the membership. They know they are no better than the rest of us and many will admit that the ashram life is worse than the outside life. However they continue to promote the lie. They may rationalize it as protecting Master�s work (i.e. the belief that SRF is Master�s work) or a fear of being booted out and that is disappointing. I believe it is rare that a monastic does not know the truth. It is driving some of them mad, living the lie day in and day out. I feel this distinction does make them worse. While most of the membership is humbly seeking God, these superstars have chosen to promote the lie of their exalted position and the warping of the role of the organization in the lives of the membership. They stand aside while some are abused, or participate in it themselves at the direction of the leadership. I feel they are worse than the average person you will find on the outside. Certainly not as spiritual, humble, and honest as the average devotee of any religion.
soulcircle Registered User (8/23/02 10:53 pm) Reply	AumBoy, I would like to agree with you, yet AumBoy, You say above *Quote:* Absolutely correct. SRF is made up of a cross section of society. No better, no worse. This sounds good, yet it occurred to me that "cross section/s of society" aren't claiming to be the "religion of the new age." soulcircle Edited by: soulcircle at: 8/23/02 10:53:56 pm
X Insider Registered User (8/24/02 10:40 am) Reply	Re: AumBoy, I would like to agree with you, yet Yes, truly believing one is in the inner circle of the religion of the new age doesn't make a person one of "the guys." On the other hand, there are plenty of monastics who are not egomaniacs. How could they be when they have been labelled as inferior long ago, been refused a final vow year after year (one of the ultimate rewards in the system), and learned to think of all this as part of their karma? Just a note to KS about life being worse in the ashram than outside: Yes, in some ways, most of which have been detailed on this board. But it is nice for some, who would prefer not to deal with all the material hassles. Cults exist because they fulfill a need, after all. And some have long since passed the stage where they had the energy to start over in life. I am glad these people have a home, at least. In the case of the monks (not the nuns!), some free-thinkers (Mrinalini Ma would call them traitors) have much more than just a home. They have access to an outside life with friends, interesting activities, etc. About the Walrus, I hope it continues to help people resolve their cognitive dissonance regarding SRF. These people will probably come in cycles. For now, many of the "rebels" have left and the Board can be happy about what Bro. Anandamoy calls the "housecleaning." The Board is happier, the bliss bunnies are happier, the fundamentalists are happier, I am happier. So perhaps it is all as it should be. Edited by: X Insider at: 8/26/02 7:49:54 am
Lobo Registered User (8/24/02 9:08 pm) Reply	Re: AumBoy, I would like to agree with you, yet X-Insider, I appreciate your perspective as someone who has been in the ashram, offering as your moniker states, an "insider's" view of things. What "housecleaning" did Anandamoy refer to? The numerous monastics that've left the ashram in the last couple of years? If so is that how they're trying to put the best face on this, what should be a cause of deep concern? By the way, I'm happy that you are happy!
X Insider Registered User (8/25/02 8:50 pm) Reply	Re: AumBoy, I would like to agree with you, yet Lobo, thanks for your kind words. Bro. Anandamoy called last year's monastic exodus "housecleaning." He told this to several SRF members. This showed us once and for all that some of us are SRF's dust bunnies, as opposed to its bliss bunnies. His estimation of my worth used to hurt, but now I consider it a badge of honor.
Lobo Registered User (8/26/02 8:24 pm) Reply	Re: AumBoy, I would like to agree with you, yet MR. X, I used to kinda feel bad, guilty I guess, when I heard Anandamoy speak. I felt that he was on an ego-trip, that all of his mannerisms, his stories, his entire routine really was more to puff-up his ego than it was to bring spirituality into the lives of his listeners. But I've read all of the stories here about his hidden, ashram behavior and find my own impulse and intuition to have been right-on. It's sad really. When Master was here all of these self-important one's were just the humble little disciples. 50 years later, the preening Sri's and Reverend Mother's, are living a life that's incongruent with our guru's intention for his teachings; instead turning SRF into their own self-important fiefdom. One can only watch with pity.
AumBoy Registered User (8/27/02 8:14 pm) Reply ezSupporter	Dear KS and SoulCircle, Forgive me for not being clear. My time is quite full and sometimes I assume that others are on the same wavelength as I am. What you both wrote is true. I�ve been doing research on US and world history and current events. My perspective on issues has changed over time. When I mentioned: *Quote:* Absolutely correct. SRF is made up of a cross section of society. No better, no worse what I was looking at is a slightly broader picture then SRF. Enron lied to its stockholders (members) and employees. Some knew about the lie but went along with it as long as they felt they benefitted from the lie. (And sometimes they received more money by living the lie.) The same thing happened with WorldCom, Gobal Crossing, Vivendi, Merck, and many, many, other companies (and more to come). Even the US government�s malfeasance dwarfs the others in comparison even when combined! When I view SRF simply as a company, their purported focus is to spread Master�s teachings. But is this what they are doing through lawsuits, etc.? They may think so. They need to get back to basics � whatever they determine that to be. I truly see no substantive difference between SRF�s behavior as an organization and the behaviors of major companies. The same pattern exists. Is it mass karma? Mass organizational karma? Is it a lower form of control of members (stockholders) and employees to hold them in check through fear? (What former Enron employees state about Enron is similar to what many have stated about SRF. Same type of pattern.) Granted, SRF has no management training, their focus has simply been �Say yes and make it snappy.� This does not always work. Maybe it did when SRF was much smaller many years ago. And it is very true that there are those inside the ashram who really are striving to realize God. But not everybody. And some people who see trouble turn the other way because they are comfortable, be it a paycheck, position, adulation, feeling of comfort, feeling of being protected, wanting to get that promotion, go into Postulancy, get the next higher color, whatever. Same inside SRF as in the world because both are populated with people. Whether it�s the �religion of the new age� (SRF) or �Respect, Integrity, Communication and Excellence� (Enron) or whatever, to me there�s no substantive difference. The way SRF has treated former insiders is the same way companies have treated former employees! (People have been used or misused. Human �resources�. Human �machines�.) In some cases, people have been treated just like dirt. But what has confused the issue for so many people is the concept of SRF being a �family.� A spiritual �family�. (�He is your brother, he is your sister who loves God,� paraphrasing PY.) How can �family� treat me like a dustball? How can �family� not help me? How can �family� kick me out? Why is it that if I chose not to remain in the �family�s business� I�m suddenly contagious and need to be quarantined? Is this pure unconditional love? Is this what is meant by �Only Love can take My Place�? These and many other questions have run through my mind. Yes, when I left, I was a little pissed off (to put it mildly). But it�s not such a big deal to me any more. I speak with friends who still attend SRF services regularly. (I don�t.) I�m aware of SRF-speak and SRF-lingo used by others, name dropping and story telling. I understand that some have been so upset at SRF that they�re reverted to eating meat, etc. I understand. Some other friends of mine are horrified by this. But for me the question has dwindled down to: How long do I want to live a lie? Be it SRF or whatever. SRF may help many people. But many people will feel hurt. I hope this forum helps all people to understand that SRF is far, far from being perfect. And helps the focus to be more inward whether it is SRF, or Zen, or another path. I simply hope this helps. Some of the companies I mentioned above are tanking. If SRF does not change it will follow the same course.
username Registered User (8/28/02 10:12 am) Reply	SRF and its relationship to spreading yoga. Unlike some corporations that may at least know some of their customers, ( or strive to, and listen to customer complaints) the ministers at the temples of SRF probably know less that 5% of the people who attend the temple and think of SRF as their church - AND no one in the church is open to improving their relationship with their customers OR listening to feedback from their customers. NOR does SRF release any of its financial information (unlike the public companies you cite.) to the people who gave them the money (members being the "stockholders" here) SO SRF is much worse than these other companies.

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