Date Posted:19:12 Author: nojdw - 27 Nov 2001 Subject: Wisdom and Discernment
The Walters situation is sad. People on the path desire feelings of peace
and harmony in their lives. There is a pronounced focus on qualities of love,
surrender or forgiveness. These are certainly spiritual qualities which uplift
our consciousness. But there are other spiritual qualities that also uplift but
are of a different type.
When we read about shocking and disturbing events many devotees
automatically try to understand the situations in terms of love, forgiveness,
harmony. They have difficulty. Perhaps because in certain situations other
spiritual qualities are more appropriate: Divine Wisdom, Discernment and Discrimination, Integrity, Moral Courage, Honor, Power, Will, Honesty,
Commitment to Truth, Righteous behavior.
When they hear of people committing evil, destructive acts, they mentally
look to the Avatar of Love for an example of how to respond and feel. Yet
even he would sometimes respond with force against unrighteous behavior.
There is one story where Yogananda walked into a Chicago park late at
night, despite the warnings of a policeman. Sitting on a bench, a scruffy l
ooking man approached and demanded a quarter. "Allright," Yogananda
said, and gave him a quarter. "Gimme 50 cents" the man then said.
Again the Master complied, "Allright." Then the man demanded even more
money. This time Master shouted "GET OUT!!." The man began to shake
and waver, then began repeating, "I don't want your money! I don't want
your money!" Then turned and ran off into the night.
So it is with Walters. Walters started his own community. "Allright", SRF
said. Walters began to teach the techniques and give Kriya. "Allright", SRF
said. Then Walters said, "We are changing our name to 'Church of Self-Realization," because we think we are going to replace Yogananda with MY Teachings!"
Then SRF said "GET OUT!!!!".
Imagine how Sri Yukteswar would have responded to the Walters
situation? Would he have been upset? Afraid? Sad? Angry? Confused?
I believe none of these. He would have sat unmoving, like steel, locked
in the lotus posture. He would have looked Walters straight into the eye.
His gaze completely unruffled by human emotion. What he would say
to him would be the exact unwavering truth. No excuses, no rationalizations,
no worry about hurt feelings.
Perhaps he'd say:
"You created this. The responsibility is yours alone. You have acted
in a shameful and deluded manner. You magnify yourself above your
own guru. You have brought destruction and conflict to your own guru's
work because of your childish and selfish desires. You have mistaken
the guidance of your human intellect for deeper attunement with your
guru. Now you must pay the price. The Karmic law is unwavering. You
have no choice but to reform and make amends, or face even more painful consequences. Everything in the future will improve if you make a spiritual
effort now".
