INTEGRAL WORLD MAILING LIST http://www.integralworld.net Newsletter Nr. 608 Amsterdam, March 11th, 2016 THE MYTH OF ADI DA HATERS AND OTHER CULTIC FABLES - DAVID LANE I enjoyed reading Brad Reynolds' latest defense of Adi Da ["Standing Up for Adi Da"], though I suspect he wouldn't categorize his essay as such. It is a curious piece on many levels, and like his earlier article I think it is an important contribution for outsiders to better understand how a follower of Adi Da feels and responds to criticism of their Satguru (I was going to say leader, but apparently that word is a no no). However, Brad Reynolds has a persistent tendency to reframe criticism of Adi Da as a personal attack on him, even though my essay and Elliot Benjamin's was more properly focused on giving voice to critics of the Fijian guru. I can well appreciate and acknowledge that Brad Reynolds has a very positive relationship with his now deceased Satguru. I can even sympathize how upsetting it may be to hear harsh criticism of someone one holds in such high esteem. But this doesn't then give one license to start making erroneous caricatures in order to counterattack perceived disagreements or slights. Read more: http://www.integralworld.net/lane108.html STANDING UP FOR ADI DA - Devotees Have a Divine & Different View - BRAD REYNOLDS It seems to me that you did not “grok” or comprehend my comments and thus condemn my point of view because it's different than yours. I believe this is because I present counter evidence to views like yours. You simply dismiss my perspective by calling me an apologist for a cult. It was hardly 24 hours after posting my essay that you had written and posted yours claiming I was only involved in “the art of deflecting criticism” (as your subtitle states). Yes, I have a different view than yours, Professor Lane (and of Elliot Benjamin, whose essay prompted my defense or counter position about Adi Da). I would have hoped, out of mutual respect for differing subjective views that you would have been more considerate of my perspective. Nowhere did I claim my views were objective, as you suggest. Everyone only has his or her subjective views. Although your words mock my intelligence, I will accept them as a wound to my heart so I may continue loving you. My Heart-Master and Sat-Guru taught me how to do this. As Adi Da also teaches: “Cooperation + Tolerance = Peace.” Read more: http://www.integralworld.net/reynolds5.html