INTEGRAL WORLD MAILING LIST 
http://www.integralworld.net

Newsletter Nr. 602
Amsterdam, Febrary 15th, 2015


ADI DA AND THE DEVOTEE'S DEFENSE - The Art of Deflecting Criticism - DAVID LANE

I enjoyed reading Brad Reynolds' recent essay [Defending Adi Da Samraj] praising the spiritual status of Adi Da Samraj. It is a spirited and devotion-laden defense of the controversial guru and, as such, provides a valuable insight into the heart and mind of an Adi Da follower.

However, I don't think it will have much impact on stemming the growing criticism of the late Adi Da and his ministry. This is primarily because bhakti-infused devotees tend to ideologically explain away any criticism that usurps the authority of their chosen leader and argue that critics aren't spiritually enlightened (or gifted) enough to properly appraise their Satguru's exalted status.

Read more:
http://www.integralworld.net/lane107.html

DEFENDING ADI DA SAMRAJ - Transcending the Cult of Guru-Haters - BRAD REYNOLDS

Ultimately, however, our spiritual development is our responsibility, but the Guru is God's principal function serving us directly by cultivating a spiritual relationship with him or her (known as Satsang in Sanskrit). Genuine gurus have something important to offer us that will enrich our lives by guiding us to be better human beings, i.e., if we use them rightly and not cultically. The trouble begins, it seems, when followers of these Teacher-Adepts misinterpret and distort their original Teachings, instructions, and intentions… or fail to realize that their Teacher-Guru is also human, as well as divine (which is actually the case for us all).

Read more:
http://www.integralworld.net/reynolds3.html