Picking A Fight

I may be entirely in error here, but yet again I see the spectre of ISKCON Past raising it's ugly head. For a start, the same old people who have numerous times voiced their disagreements and differences of opinion with the traditionalist sect of Gaudiya Vaishnavas are again trying to pick a fight. Specifically the same traits are there, asking pointed questions about the wearing of red cloth, worship of Vishnu in the Hari-bhakti-vilasa, etc.

This is subtly related to what I wrote before. Why is there a constant need to even indirectly pick a fight with such comments? I feel that it is frustrating impotence at it's very best; they have been trained and instructed in a warlike manner and cannot find peace in their hearts until they have defeated all the wrong ideas and conceptions in this world. Kinda like Jihad if you will, or even militant Christianity with all it's Crusades and suchlike. Is there such a thing as Gaudiya Fundamentalism? Some people may give the impression that such a thing exists, but I wouldn't necessarily agree as far as the philosophy is concerned.

Frustrating impotence: Even after declaring that they will not associate with "us lot" again and numerous times voicing strong criticisms and put-downs, they still come back for more. Why? Some people theorise that they just cannot resist the alluring fragrance of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda's lotus feet in one of Vraja's secret kunjas. That would make a little more sense; Krishna is supposed to be all-attractive after all, so who wouldn't be attracted? There is only so much fighting and arguing that you can do before you need a bit of peace and quiet.

But I wanted to talk about the hypocrisy of it all. It is upsetting to see how so-called senior Vaishnavas act like little kids bullying each other in the school playground. "My Dad can thrash your Dad!" No, MY Dad is stronger than yours!" Ridiculous. And these Dads, who are they? Thier respective gurus? Who can say? In any case the bully has a tendency to make his presence known to all which simultaneously works to his benefit and detriment; he gets the attention but he receives no respect at all but just quiet loathing. And typically of bullies they are a bit loudmouthed too.

How many times can people discuss the same things over and over and over again? There is such a thing as chewing the chewed and we all know which creature loves to engage in that. Perhaps it's time to put away your toys and become a man; accept that other people have a different opinion and live with that!