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I appreciate the opportunity to share views, though I sometimes loathe devotee’s responses to those who differ from them. We should expect that there will always be differences of opinion about anything, and certainly about spiritual topics. Even great pure devotees have different opinions concerning our philosophy, what to speak of us.

With the limitation of writing I share some perceptions of what I see as the single greatest problem amongst devotees. I want to honor and respect you, dear devotee. You may call me sentimental, or whatever, yet I see that this conscious of respect and compassion for others has saved and nurtured my spiritual life. To me this is what being a devotee is all about.

I don’t want to criticize any devotee’s sincerity. How can I really know another’s heart? I strongly assert that we must believe in the integrity and sincerity of every devotee. Certainly there are examples to the contrary, yet I want to avoid the critical mentality which can develop through focusing on the negative: that practically everyone is suspect, and that I must constantly judge everyone.

If that becomes the standard of devotee interaction, then we are doomed as a Society. Love and trust have to be the basis of our dealings-not blindly of course, but let us practice compassion and understanding, and give everyone the benefit of the doubt. Let us put love and compassion first, not fall into Kali-yuga quarrel. I like what Steven Covey says, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Are we doing that in all our disputes?

It seems that the official understanding of our Krsna consciousness philosophy lends itself well to fanaticism or “black and white” thinking, where there is “only one way”-our way, though we may say it is Srila Prabhupada’s way. Usually both sides are claiming to represent our beloved founder-acharya. This makes finding a workable solution next to impossible.

We must be humble enough to admit that on many points of our philosophy we don’t have a “realized” position, buy an “official” position. We are only giving it our best guess based on our understanding of Srila Prabhupada, our conditioning, or ISKCON tradition. Most of the current positions put forward by warring factions of devotees are amply backed up by quotes. It is the “other” side who is mislead and demonized. My question to all sides is do you respect and honor those you disagree with, or are you cursing them?

Once we condemn or harshly criticize any devotee or group of devotees and not honor and respect them, all devotees are smeared, and we are hindering our own advancement (through offences) and the spreading of Krsna consciousness. We must all learn to respect everyone, what to speak of devotees. I am rather amazed at how attacking so many devotees are-as if differing devotees are a personal threat. Devotees are not our enemies! (Although people might consider this true by reading our dealings with each other) Lack of Krsna consciousness and our lack of Vaisnava qualities are the real enemies.

We ourselves are the problem, not others. How are we contributing to the problems? What is our mentality and motivation in these disputes? Do we want to be right and see other’s put in their place, or do want a spiritual society that can accommodate Unity in Diversity?

The test of character in my opinion is NOT how we can convince everyone to agree with us (i.e., “defeat” others) but how we deal with those we have problems with or who disagree with us. My understanding is that we need to see every difficult encounter with others, not so much about them, as about our own consciousness, and our reaction to them. The fact that certain devotees or camps cannot tolerate differences says more to me about those who are intolerant than the so-called “deviants.” Self examination is always essential!

I realize that there are many issues that are very emotionally charged. Never the less, our attitude of condemnation and character assassination-now so prevalent in many of our dealings over differences-is only adding to the problem facing all devotees. How we react to problems is really a statement of how Krsna conscious we are-or aren’t.

This doesn’t mean that we have to endorse views we consider wrong, but that we respect the integrity of other devotees to follow their convictions and understanding--and that we sincerely try to understand their position. This lack or respect and appreciation for other devotees is to me the single greatest problem facing all devotees everywhere. We must learn HOW to disagree as Vaisnavas, or as ladies and gentlemen. We must live with differences now, and for eternity, without envy or hatred!

© CHAKRA 16-Nov-1999

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