Devotees that "advise" us against raganuga(and other things)
Jul 31, 2015 10:10:34 GMT -5
Uttamasloka likes this
Post by niscala on Jul 31, 2015 10:10:34 GMT -5
I posted this on FB but it is really relevant here, as many devotees here who are qualified for at least the threshold of raganuga bhakti, may get discouraged from people giving them "advice" for what they think is "for your own good", holding them back.
The Added Vice of Hasty Advice
When it comes to hearing the voice of Krsna within, attaining the path of raganuga, experiencing His vision or touch, or any other completely subjective milestone the bhakti pilgrim passes through, if anything is shared with others, inevitably advice is thrown from all sides cautioning, warning, trying to hold that pilgrim back from his earnest endeavor.
This happened to a friend of mine, and when I started objecting on her behalf, my own qualification, or lack of it, was pointed out. While explaining that this is not the point, I then realized how dangerous this advice-giving can be. Here is my response.
"I am not saying I have qualification- that is not my point. My point is that you don't know if I have qualification or not. You don't know me, and __ didn't know that devotee he assumed was incapable of getting direct guidance from Krsna- even though her realizations tallied with sastra. So there is a lot of assuming going on, and advice based on that is misleading-- as assumptions are a poor substitute for truth.
It is important that one's advice is accurate, so that one speaks the truth. When you say "you shouldn't..." and actually that person should, because he is more qualified than you think, you speak a lie. Similarly, when you say "You can't" and actually that person can, because he is more qualified than you think, you speak a lie- again.
How is that acting in the service of truth?"
Since lobha is entirely subjective, any advice against raganuga must be based on assumption of your qualification and what you are feeling. It is therefore NOT true or accurate advice, which implies an assessment of the situation. There is no assessment at all, as the situation within you is beyond their purview, and what seems to be advice is actually a statement which may or may not be true. It is therefore, meaningless words which should be ignored, even if couched in the language of caring for your welfare.
The Added Vice of Hasty Advice
When it comes to hearing the voice of Krsna within, attaining the path of raganuga, experiencing His vision or touch, or any other completely subjective milestone the bhakti pilgrim passes through, if anything is shared with others, inevitably advice is thrown from all sides cautioning, warning, trying to hold that pilgrim back from his earnest endeavor.
This happened to a friend of mine, and when I started objecting on her behalf, my own qualification, or lack of it, was pointed out. While explaining that this is not the point, I then realized how dangerous this advice-giving can be. Here is my response.
"I am not saying I have qualification- that is not my point. My point is that you don't know if I have qualification or not. You don't know me, and __ didn't know that devotee he assumed was incapable of getting direct guidance from Krsna- even though her realizations tallied with sastra. So there is a lot of assuming going on, and advice based on that is misleading-- as assumptions are a poor substitute for truth.
It is important that one's advice is accurate, so that one speaks the truth. When you say "you shouldn't..." and actually that person should, because he is more qualified than you think, you speak a lie. Similarly, when you say "You can't" and actually that person can, because he is more qualified than you think, you speak a lie- again.
How is that acting in the service of truth?"
Since lobha is entirely subjective, any advice against raganuga must be based on assumption of your qualification and what you are feeling. It is therefore NOT true or accurate advice, which implies an assessment of the situation. There is no assessment at all, as the situation within you is beyond their purview, and what seems to be advice is actually a statement which may or may not be true. It is therefore, meaningless words which should be ignored, even if couched in the language of caring for your welfare.