BY: HARI DAS
Jul 13, 2011 — UK (SUN) — I have been in ISKCON for 21 years, and have witnessed and experienced much. So many devotees write in to the Sun with complaints about the behaviour of other devotees, especially ISKCON’s leaders.
Some counter by saying such talk is offensive. My understanding is that truth is truth, and direct experience cannot be denied. If someone treats you badly while serving in ISKCON, if someone deviates in any way, there is absolutely no way that this is tolerable, despite position.
The problem is that ‘problems’ are generally not addressed and that ISKCON has now turned into a modern institution aimed at providing security for it’s supposed ‘elite’. If you are useful or favored by the elite, you too will benefit. If you question, you are evicted from ISKCON.
Many, many devotees have had terrible times in ISKCON due to no fault of their own, my family included. I do believe that something more than just publishing articles needs be done.
My own article, which is lengthy and evidential, will be published in a few days. It tells of 21 years in ISKCON, concluding with extremely disturbing evidence of how a family (my own) with two young children, had to suffer at the hands of several leaders whose job is actually to care for full-time ISKCON servitors.
It really seems as if ISKCON is no longer a bona fide spiritual institution and that the majority of its members are not happy. Those that don’t express their dissatisfaction are clearly scared to do so out of fear of losing what little shelter they have. After all, they have given everything and are unable to stand on their own two feet if they were removed from the society.
Business is business, after all.
ISKCON is now a ‘taking’ society. Give everything and expect nothing. While gurus have millions in the bank, houses in Beverly Hills, go to university and travel the world, us lesser mortals are struggling for existence.
I joined ISKCON in full faith that if I gave everything, I would be safe. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I lived in fear and so did a family with two young children for three and half years. But it was ok for us to give hours of service, money and food to the temples while our needs for basic survival were practically ignored. In a couple of cases, our health was jeopardized severely.
We directly experienced abuse by people deemed to be advanced. If they were, then they would not have behaved in this manner, especially where children were concerned. One GBC shouted and swore at me, and nearly hit me in front on my children. I have a recording of this as evidence.
Our experience was very real and it is not offensive to share it.
So, in a few days you will read my story, the one I have been afraid to tell. But now I am not scared. ISKCON cannot take anything away, as I have taken my family away and we are licking our wounds. We have sought counseling to get over the trauma, and will get on with our lives as best we can.
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