Today I feel discouraged.

While browsing a spiritual forum online, from members of the Eckankar faith, I came across a comment. The comment from an Eckankar member blasted the new Mahanta. It was trivial frustrations. This person felt that the leader of Eckankar took his time to get on stage when he was introduced, hasn’t produced enough material, and so on. It was nitpicking.

Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten involved, but I decided to politely suggest this person not focus on the outer and more on the inner.

There was a bit of back and forth, but I remained kind and calm. They finally made a reply saying that basically, I was ignorant. I was, to them, a new member who doesn’t really know anything and I’m offering an unwanted and unsolicited opinion. They lorded themselves over me (their knowledge vs. my fledgling status).

I wasn’t angry. I was hurt. Not in the words, so much as the realization that ever faith I go into I find these people.

It is truly ironic, that the person who made the decree about “ego” in the Mahanta, was lording their own ego over me, and others.

The External Doesn’t fix the External

In my humble path, through dozens of faiths and groups, I’ve come to a view that no external person or being can change the external world for us. The external being, the Mahanta in this case, is helping people go inward. The inner connections are where the teachings lay.

In other words, the external master points to the inner master(s), which teach the lessons. If you connect with the Divine within, then the external reality shifts and changes. This is what I learned those many years ago in Buddhism.

What was claimed is that this person requires the Mahanta to teach them lessons they will use to navigate the world. I suppose its possible. But looking back and the plethora of teachings from Harold Klemp (previous Mahanta) on Spotify, there’s quite a bit of messaging from him to go inward. To find the lessons inwardly.

In fact it’s rare, or maybe never has happened, for Harold Klemp to say, “do x, y, z and then you’ll have such and such in the real world.” Instead he teachings through story, laughter and compassion. His message is always about finding the love inwardly and from that work, the outer rearranges.

In other words, don’t treat the Mahanta as Santa Claus. Don’t expect him to render to you exactly as you want him to be. He took too long getting on stage? How is that even in the top 100 issues with anyone? He isn’t providing enough teaching material? Isn’t there enough already?

There are doubts. It’s the human ego. We doubt things. We start to bring up reasons to leave, or to ignore someone. But the truth is, those doubts that are trivial and childish, are simply personal stumbling blocks. I didn’t say any of this, of course.

Honeymoon Phase

I was chastised as someone still in the honeymoon phase of Eckankar… and I thought… if they only knew. I have doubts. I know the controversies. But I also know the power. I’ve read it in the Shariyat-Ki-Sugmad. I’ve listened to the words of Harold Klemp. These are the wings that lift my spirits. But honeymoon phase? I never really had one with the organization, since I’m the product of a long line of phases… Christian, Buddhist, Scientologist, follower of Yogananda, Thelemite, occultist, mystic, Rosicrucian, and now Eckist. Somewhere along the way, joining lost the Honeymoon aspect. I do enjoy the path, but not out of illusionary optics. I love it for the closeness of God through the work.

In all things, we need to seek God via the agency of pure love and compassion.

Karma

Lastly, I felt the karma of it.

In my distant past, I have made others feel less. I’ve lorded power and skill and knowledge as a verbal sword. This was my karmic return and I accept it. I offer no aggression in return.