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We know Guruji was a Kshatriya. And, if you read my posting on two clashing models, you will see that there is a direct relationship to the SRF monastic order and Kshatriyan thinking. In general, monastics work with the surrender paradigm. Their life is about a sloughing off of the natural self in preference to the spiritual self. Therefore they often conceptualize their role on the spiritual path as one who should ideally be contemptuous of human nature or - at minimum -- ungenerously tolerant of it. Such "renunciants", as they are called, are always doing battle with their unsavory side as if they were taming an animal or waging a war against a crafty opponent. Now, in no way am I trying to deligitimize this method. But, I've observed that it often tends to promote dualistic thinking -- the grandfather of all sorts of stresses, neurosis, and antagonistic projections. This is the way of the Kshatriyan warrior: "Here is me and there is the enemy. Enemies everywhere, including within." By countering an enemy, one can prove one's loyalty and devotion. This thinking has its own aesthetic, but that doesn't make it the only way or the best way. My brain doesn't work that way. Unfortunately, its de rigeuer in SRF, making the studying of the lessons or attending services an extremely tedious experience. And I'm not the only one who feels this way

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