Well I was surprised the other day when an e-mail arrived proposing that several devotees should be beaten up.

The reason was an offence they felt has been committed to their spiritual master; as we live in the age of disagreement and quarrel we should however not be too surprised that this sort of thing goes on.

Several weeks ago I received in my hand a rather long document appertaining to my own Guru Maharaja, frankly most of it was retrospective look what he did way back when. Rather than what he is now a humble servant carrying out the wish of his spiritual master HH Srila Prabhupada.

However saying this one point made in this e-mail is that they state that their own Guru Maharaja is the only one who follows the orders and is the only true living representative of HH Srila Prabhupada; to which I have a very simple question if that’s the case why is he not a part of the organisation Srila Prabhupada set up?

Yes it’s imperfect one of the statements my own Guru Maharaja said to me is that ISKCON is not a utopia it has its faults but we should see beyond this.

We should also not be put into too much anxiety when attacks not only on the organisation but on individuals with in it also, the Vedic scriptures are full of examples. It also gives direction on how best to handle such situations without resorting to threats of violence.

Again my own Guru Maharaja gives some sound advice, if it is a personal attack then simple thank them, it is nice you have so much concern for me. Or this could be one of my faults but is not a major one of which there is many. Sometimes actually this is the case we should be willing to look and be honest with ourselves.

If however it’s on the spiritual master then most of the time the individual is unwilling to listen to any counter argument put forward and yes I guess we could possibly quote the verse that says we should cut their throat and feel justified in doing so. In society this is very much not accepted neither is physical violence, the best advice is simply to tolerate walk away and use our energies in more productive activities.

I am reminded of a senior devotee who said he neither cared for nor was interested in any instruction my own spiritual master had given me, he is unimportant has now power or authority “I am the only authority you listen to and follow I will make you or break you not your Guru Maharaja”. What to do, simple walk away and yes they continue to harass me and every move I try to make towards initiation this same individual attacks and stalls it as they are in a very senior position. This however I have learnt to appreciate as it helps me to simple learn to become tolerate and to continue to focus on the instruction of my own Guru maharaja who continues to carry me forward, inspire and direct my steps with much wisdom and understanding of me as an individual.

Tolerance and understanding I feel is one of the greatest lessons we have to learn.

Along with the ability to walk away and simple follow the instruction laid down by those who’s only interest should and is taking us back home back to god head.