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srflongago
Registered User
(9/26/02 11:20 am)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
To attain a "true personality" is in no way a goal of Kriya, either for a teacher or for a disciple. It is yet another form of self-congratulation, of self-satsfaction, in the world of illusion. It does not lead toward giving up all desire for the fruits of action.

redpurusha
Registered User
(9/26/02 3:09 pm)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
How about realizing one's true identity with God? In either case I do believe God is both personal (has personality) and impersonal. I can't imagine praying with devotion to a God devoid of any personality. I think saints reveal God's character and wisdom. And if one identifies himself one with God then divinity is going to be expressed through him. If this is not the goal of kriya than what is -srflongago?

I dont believe Yogananda drew people to him, to worship him, but rather drew them to God -to seek God- who is both within and expressed through the saints. This is in no way another form of self-congratulation (although it could be abused as such) if one is not careful or fully developed.

wholetruth
Registered User
(9/26/02 3:45 pm)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
Gitano:

Could you please share with us your recipe for pumpkin pie?

username
Registered User
(9/26/02 3:55 pm)
Cult thinking
There is a big danger in cults. The devotee says my life is in God's hand. If its goofy and out of control, it is not my fault.
In cults there is an unwritten code: If I follow all the rules and beliefs of the cult, I will receive the benefits of that belief - enlightenment or spiritual growth. If I don't grow or become enlightened, it is because I don't Believe "enough" or haven't followed the rules "enough". My life is in the hands of the one true leader (or guru). I've surrendered to this belief, therefore I don't need to be accountable any more for that area of my life.

How can we tell if we are on the right path. One sign is a deep sense of gratitude, accompanied by a feeling of belonging in the world. We should experience growth in self-esteem and perhaps a feeling that we have rights and an understanding that we are worthy. We may have a sense of being guided and cared for as we go about our affairs.

srflongago
Registered User
(9/26/02 4:27 pm)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
I accept with understanding your attachment to personality. Perhaps the Kriya path is not to be your path to enlightenment. There are many others. I wish you well.

redpurusha
Registered User
(9/27/02 4:39 am)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
srflongago, indeed, I am drawn to both Gods personal and impersonal nature. And hope through his grace, kriya and honest living I can meet him face-to-face. I like this path and wish to stay with it. Perhaps your path is only to find some impersonal happiness (kriya is said to help with that too). Whatever it is I wish you well.

srflongago
Registered User
(9/27/02 11:17 am)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
Thank you. I don't see personality in the unity of self with universal consciousness, or, if you like, in arrival at the hub of the Buddhist wheel, the poised center. We are talking about the peace that passath understanding. And so there we have to leave it!

Gitano no divino
Registered User
(9/27/02 2:34 pm)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
Dear Wholetruth: I don't have a recipe, actually, because I'm not much of a cook. This is one reason why, in fact, I don't worship the Great Pumpkin. My post was inspired by the saying "if you meet the Buddha, kill [eat] him." My variation would involve cannibalism, except that I really have lost my appetite for meat. I just go to the store to buy pumpkin pie. I wish it were that easy to procure enlightenment. Alas, I no longer believe in that, either. I'm a member of the First Church of Nihilism, which has a membership of one, me, but I never attend because it would go against my religious beliefs. Maybe I should become a Buddhist!

stermejo
Registered User
(12/1/02 3:51 pm)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
Actually, my first encounter with the "politics of spirituality" came from those in my own meditation center far from MC. It's insidious. I didn't really know what was happening. The light came on when after a few years of not being "a regular," I re-met with some of my brothers and sisters. What a shock to find they had no recall of our ever meeting. I may be be naturally quiet and understated but..WOW!

The biggetse jolt came when one devotee flatly refused to accept my hand offered in greeting. Namaste, indeed. You don't have to go to MC to see what's happening. Look around you. BTW, does my aura bother you?

Jai Maha Maya ki Jai!

chela2020
Registered User
(12/12/02 2:32 am)
Re: Does the membership share responsibility for the cult?
Gitano,

Do you mean that you don't believe that others can become enlightened or that you can't? I think if it is the former, then you should try to find someone who is enlightened, and when you meet him or her, you will know for sure that it truly exists, because being in an enlightened beings presence is something not only obvious, but truly wonderful because they impart some of their peace, love, and joy onto you when you are near them. So it is not just something that you see, but something that you feel when in their presence.

P.S. Well, this isn't always true, because many people didn't even recognize Jesus when they met him, didn't see him any differently than anyone else.

Edited by: chela2020 at: 12/18/02 5:01:40 am
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