I have just finished reading New Morning's post on Innocence (112511). Highly perceptive regarding the nature of many of the exchanges here on FFL, and the underlying psychology. I would like to add a few thoughts about interpreting the words of Guru Dev, which are now becoming available for all to read.
I have not gone back to examine all the threads based on Paul's release of selected discourses, but I have looked into a few and it seems as though they are launching at least as many debates as they are settling. The 108 pieces of darshan in the Upadesh Amrit collection represent only a fragment of Guru Dev's public discourses. Strung together, they would amount to a couple of hours, at most. Nevertheless, I believe they represent the wholeness of his teaching, and represent it accurately. On the other hand, the words in this collection are from his public discourses, not from his private talks with close disciples. To the best of my knowledge, no material of the second type exists, although we cannot rule out that possibility altogether. It has previously been pointed out that Brahmanandaji's teachings were somewhat conditioned by historical and cultural conditions of his time and place. As New Morning has pointed out in a different context, perhaps we could all benefit by considering the limitations we bring to interpreting them. Also, with regard to those who feel especially close or intimate relationship with Brahmanandaji in this lifetime, I would offer one small suggestion: We have seen so many examples wherein the guru whispers one thing into the ear of the disciple at his right hand, and something entirely different to the disciple at his left. Would it have been different with Guru Dev? Do we know for sure, one way or the other? If we are confident that Guru Dev speaks to us directly, that is fine, but we should keep in mind: This is what he says to me. What he says to another is none of my business. L B S To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
