Guest guest Posted August 9, 2002 Report Share Posted August 9, 2002 Who decides what is right or wrong behavior, and the "corrective measures" that are "needed," and what if nobody can agree? I think we ought to be careful about being judgmental; as such we cater to our own egos. Isn't compassion more than an ordinary mood, but a state of being we aspire to maintain? In a message dated 8/9/02 9:25:05 AM EST, Ammachi writes: << Each situation has it's Dharma. Therefore, a rudely acting or otherwise improperly acting sevite should be given corrective advice, etc. This doesn't necessarily imply or require "compassion" so to say, just the corrective measures needed. Someone being corrected either subtly or directly may not take your actions or words seriously if they sense "compassion". In other words, they'll go off what they feel from you rather than what you're trying to communicate. tom >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2002 Report Share Posted August 9, 2002 Ammachi, "tomgull" <tomgull@m...> wrote: > > Each situation has it's Dharma. Therefore, > a rudely acting or otherwise improperly acting > sevite should be given corrective advice, etc. > This doesn't necessarily imply or require > "compassion" so to say, just the corrective > measures needed. Someone being corrected > either subtly or directly may not take your > actions or words seriously if they sense > "compassion". In other words, they'll > go off what they feel from you rather > than what you're trying to communicate. I don't think showing compassion has anything to do with setting corrective measures, etc. It might at times only require a gentle smile and no verbal exchange at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2002 Report Share Posted August 9, 2002 > I have seen several cases were self designated > Ashram police decides that is his/her > job to tell people how to act. Having gone to see Amma for 5 years, I've rarely ever noticed any ashramic police. Given some of the behavior I've seen at some programs, I'd welcome official keepers of the peace who aren't afraid to use their authority. It's like Amma said about Bush's reaction to the 9-11, in that a leader who shows patience shows weakness (not exact quote). > > One example, dancing inside the temple (in San Ramon), I remember > the times when for some it was almost obscene to see people dancing > there. There was never a lack of self proclaimed watch dogs to go > up there and tell them not to do so. > Do they still dance? As of this summer, yes. Couldn't care less about dancers, as long as they don't hit me, I won't hit them. I do have a problem with all the sleepers in the darshan hall. One year I went to SR, the upper balcony was quite the snoozing area. > If what you say, does not make sense to them, why should they > listen to you? They have the same right to be there as you do. > You don't like what they do, ignore them. Service. That's what Seva is. You can be a casual customer and simply ignore poor service, or in the role (dharma) of spiritual brother/sister, you are obligated to inform people when their level of service is way off the minimal. That's why I treat Amma newbies and other spiritual newbies much softer than long-timers. With long-timers I'm outright harsh because if they haven't gotten it yet then they're like the people I work with who need to be knocked in the head quite a few times before they understand. > > In other words, they'll > > go off what they feel from you rather > > than what you're trying to communicate. > > And what is wrong with that, dont you do the same thing when others > speak to you? > Clear communication is not based on feelings. Listening and understanding someone is essential. If someone is handicapped in grammatical way, that's different. tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2002 Report Share Posted August 9, 2002 > I don't think showing compassion has anything > to do with setting corrective measures, etc. > It might at times only require a gentle > smile and no verbal exchange at all. That's what I've been trying to say. When you only show compassion and support someone's errors, they'll continue in their errors and cause suffering to others. If you point out their error, they are then given an opportunity for improvement. Remember the dharma of the situation... spiritual people are supposedly trying to get rid of their ego and can't do it alone. Whether they take your advice or not is their choice. The action itself is compassion, but if you think of it as compassion, then that feeling will be conveyed and they'll ignore what you're saying because they won't think you're being serious. Think about when you make a complaint in a store or at work. If you complain in a so-so, compassionate, nice-person way, they'll think that you're not really upset. That's why people always exaggerate complaints, because it brings faster results. I don't advocate this, but it is a proven fact. tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2002 Report Share Posted August 10, 2002 Ammachi, "tomgull" <tomgull@m...> wrote: > It's like Amma said > about Bush's reaction to the 9-11, in that > a leader who shows patience shows weakness > (not exact quote). I was in SR one night when she made a comment about Bush and 9/11, i am not sure if this is the same one you refer to here. I do remember being a bit confused with her perception of Bush's reaction to the WTC issue. I guess this is one more of the list of comments from her that will take a few years before I can understand. But judging the reaction of Swamiji, I dont think I was the only one confused about her statements that day. Best regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 10, 2002 Report Share Posted August 10, 2002 I'm curious. What did Amma say in regard to Bush and 9/11? I'm not aware of it and would really like to know. Lisa Ammachi, "rastanaga" <rastanaga> wrote: > Ammachi, "tomgull" <tomgull@m...> wrote: > > It's like Amma said > > about Bush's reaction to the 9-11, in that > > a leader who shows patience shows weakness > > (not exact quote). > > I was in SR one night when she made a comment about Bush and 9/11, i > am not sure if this is the same one you refer to here. > > I do remember being a bit confused with her perception > of Bush's reaction to the WTC issue. I guess this is one > more of the list of comments from her that will take > a few years before I can understand. > > But judging the reaction of Swamiji, I dont think > I was the only one confused about her statements > that day. > > Best regards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2002 Report Share Posted August 11, 2002 Rastanaga wrote, << I would take that store and most of the tables out of there to allow more people to sit. >> I like having the store there because I can buy books and stuff while still breathing the same sweet air as Mother. The number of people in the hall is determined by the fire department, not by how much room there is. Since the fire they are being very strict about it. From the photos I see on videos and the websites about Darshan in India, and the crushing crowds where there isn't even room to dance and people walk for days to get to Amma for just a few seconds on her lap, I feel very privileged in the US. Jai Jai Ma! Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.