Message #16871

[Jitendra Hydonus]

In the past i have defended some others  I saw being bullied by another person and/or devotee(s). Yet sometimes it is dificult to hiss back when someone has already released their venom. When the damage is already done. When a devotee has called the police on another devotee for something they did not do. When they are told to "Get over it" as an explanation for their behavior. When a devotee refuses to speak to another devotee. When a devotee is ostracized by another devotee or one devotee is osratcized by several others. When a devotee has defamed or tried to ruin the reputation of another devotee. When a devotee fires another devotee from a job without explanation. When a devotee refuses to see what has been done for them to help them. When a devotee is picked and picked at by another devotee who feels they know what is 'good for someone else.' When a devotee thinks they are a minature guru and can therefore mete out spiritual lessons to other devotees. When a devotee thinks they 'know whats best' for another devotee. When a devotee uses another devotee and then discards them. When a devotee refuses to acknowledge another devotee. When a devotee tries to forcefully remove another devotee from a forum or a SRF church. When a devotee will not speak to another devotee. When a devotee yells or slanders or uses vulgarity towards another devotee. When a devotee will have it no other way but their way without trying to find a compromise or a solution.

All these things i have seen being involved serving and meditating as a kriyaban for over 40 years. I have found a lesson in it for myself. Just being a devotee of a certain path does not assure us that we are around friendly people. Sometimes the Lord wants us to recognize that having friends and kindness can be found everywhere and is not isolated to a certain path or spiritual discipline. Having a certain idiological or spiritual view as for instance-SRF-or being on a certain forum or having a certain guru is definately no assurance of finding kindness. Many times we find that people join such spiritual groups having very rigid views and their rigid views only become more calcified in these type of spiritual environments-not necessarily a healthy combination!

Sometimes the darkness is so great in those near to us that all we can do is pray for them and be that small star in a dark nite in their life. If they ever choose to get closer to that star they will see their darkness disappearing and the whole horizon will begin again to be filled with lite. Being that lite in the darkness is something we must accomplish by changing ourselves. Easy to say. Not so easy to do. In the process we gain a lot more understanding and compassion for others who are trying to do the same.

Jitendra