Feeling a little put out

well, not you in particular. But Ive been saying on Bhakta Erics blog from the beginning. The problem with Corey isnt that hes new. Its that he has his own personal vendetta that he's been pushing in the name of Krishna Consciousness. He doesnt have any humanity, or any respect because he's too busy pushing his ideas on people.

I've been keeping up with this whole ordeal for quite some time and I must say, you have been more than lenient with Corey. He really crossed the line in his post and said some very mean and ungrateful things about you. And you have been only kind and encouraging to him. To be completely honest with you, anyone that knows Corey in person will tell you that he's a total jerk. So dont take it personally. Its not that he's against you. He's just got a whole pile of anartha's that he needs to start scrubbing away at.

This reminds me of a class my Guru Maharaj (Bhakti Caru Swami) gave in which he says that in the beginning of devotional life one is very enthusiastic much like when a boy gets a new book. He is very proud of this book. And even though he doesnt know how to read, sometimes he even holds the book upside down pretending to read, he still thinks of himself as the greatest scholar. So think of Corey like that.

Maybe with time Corey will realize what an offense he's committed to you (and countless other devotees) and will have some remorse. But I know that you have probably already forgiven him. Because if a devotee doesnt forgive an offender, the offenders spiritual life will never progress. And it would be horrible if Corey remains the way he is forever. Dont you think?

Anyway, at first I was kinda upset because from what you write, you seem to be a really nice devotee- and I didnt like how he made you out to be a bad guy. But then I thought it was kinda funny how Corey makes himself out to be a martyr who died for the truth. Who "fought the good fight". And anyone who reads Planet ISKCON and read your statement knows that it isnt true. Corey's like a puri- puffed up on the outside but nothing on the inside.

Who is this guy?
Offending Sitapati!?
If I see him on the street...

removing bhakta corey's blog from the planet certainly makes sense. not because he wants ISKCON's policies to be more conservative, but because he refuses to accept comments or at least personal emails from his readers. if you climb on a soapbox you should be willing to listen to your audience, too.

apart from that, what disturbs me is that he doesn't only preach ISKCON conservatism--i find myself often agreeing with conservative viewpoints re. ISKCON--but that he seems to take political conservatism as important. some time ago he actually said it was offensive to criticize mr. bush, if i'm not mistaken!

he obviously is a very immature guy who came to ISKCON with his load of preconceived notions and material attachments, like we all did. he'll get over that, eventually, but in the meantime, if he wants to speak in public, he should be willing to accept feedback. i'm not willing to listen to him without an opportunity to talk back.

on the other hand, i don't think you should take his talk about your motives and way of thinking too serious. sure, he chose to blatantly ignore your stated reasons for removing his blog from the planet and decided that he knew exactly what your real motives were. that's not nice. but anybody who reads the planet and/or atmayogi will understand what's going on here, and i don't think it's necessary for you to take offense at his behaviour. as i said, he's an immature guy and you should cut him some slack. if more advanced vaisnavas take offense that easily, how can we immature guys ever make advancement?

another thing is that he pretty much equates himself with krsna kirti prabhu--now that's preposterous. krsna kirti's position is decidedly conservative within ISKOCN's spectrum, but what he says, unlike bhakta corey's writings, always makes sense. while i don't always agree with him, i find his points always worth considering. (just added his blog to namahatta.org, by the way.)

krsna kirti's cultural journal accepts comments, and i can't really say if he doesn't write about his activities anywhere in his blog. whenever i start reading i get abosrbed in one or two articles until i find i've got something else to do, and can't continue. if there realy isn't anything about his activities in his blog, don't you think he could be prodded to add some info. about this? i do think the cultural journal would be a good addition to the planet. this would also help to level the balance between 'conservative' and 'liberal' positions on the planet. bhakta corey's right saying that at present there seems to be a decidedly liberal emphasis.

ys phani.