I remember before going to the institute, when I hear people cursing or speaking loudly in a coffee shop, it is nothing more than just another event that happens day to day in a coffee shop. But things changes after I meet and became close to the founder.
Whenever we ate in a coffee shop, he will comment that people speaking loudly or use vulgar words as tragic people without guidance, in a very superior manner. He taught us how to behave in what he define as cultured people. Being young, limited exposure and did not give much thoughts, I started acting cultured and being judgmental towards people who do not act like me, in a superior manner.
After many years, I realize how uptight and upset I was being a judgmental person. Today I no longer associate myself with the institute, nor the founder. I find myself at peace, allowing events to take place as it is.
As I recall today on how I use to look down on others, I feel nothing but ashamed of myself.
A reminder of why I started this blog ;
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.
Annual General Meeting were all staged.
If you look at committee members of the Institute in the past, there was only a few different presidents.
The pioneer president was a very nice old man. Always humble and friendly.
From my personal observation, At the beginning I believe he trusted the wisdom of the founder to run things as it is. However one fine day, the pioneer president spoke his mind in regards to the founder treating his students. The founder did not like it, that was the beginning of a tensed relationship between them.
The following annual general meeting, I believe things were staged. A new president was voted in, committee members were picks of the founder's choice. Why do i say that? First, the whole nomination and closing of nomination was too fast and smooth to be true. And then, when one of their member was "nominated" for a position, she then declined and said " I've told (name of person) that I don't want to be (name of position) ". Looks like some people were approached earlier before the AGM.
And guess what, the major and important positions were filled up by the founder's closest disciples , leaving few unimportant role to some uninspiring members who are usually quiet. Committee members of the past who were a little more verbal play no part in the new committee.
The pioneer president was a very nice old man. Always humble and friendly.
From my personal observation, At the beginning I believe he trusted the wisdom of the founder to run things as it is. However one fine day, the pioneer president spoke his mind in regards to the founder treating his students. The founder did not like it, that was the beginning of a tensed relationship between them.
The following annual general meeting, I believe things were staged. A new president was voted in, committee members were picks of the founder's choice. Why do i say that? First, the whole nomination and closing of nomination was too fast and smooth to be true. And then, when one of their member was "nominated" for a position, she then declined and said " I've told (name of person) that I don't want to be (name of position) ". Looks like some people were approached earlier before the AGM.
And guess what, the major and important positions were filled up by the founder's closest disciples , leaving few unimportant role to some uninspiring members who are usually quiet. Committee members of the past who were a little more verbal play no part in the new committee.
Teaching is easy .
Seems to me teaching about spirituality is so easy. All you need to do is quote the scripture in its original language, impress people ( even if you quote wrongly, no one knows, because no one knows the language. ).
But, walking the talk is hard.
We were taught to be patient, but the first to throw tantrum over small mistakes, would always be the founder. In fact no one else dares to throw tantrum beside the founder.
But on 2nd thought, i recall, the founder's cousin throws tantrum too. In fact, the founder's cousin, known as the chubby one , is pretty cunning in her own ways.
She will bully and command people, whoever doesn't fall under her command, she will have her own ways of making you getting scolded by the founder. I saw with my own eyes how she would twist and create stories about innocent people, making the inner circle having a negative perspective on you.
And yes, the chubby one always teaches young children about morality, what's proper and improper. She in fact could use herself as an example of what's improper to young children.
But, walking the talk is hard.
We were taught to be patient, but the first to throw tantrum over small mistakes, would always be the founder. In fact no one else dares to throw tantrum beside the founder.
But on 2nd thought, i recall, the founder's cousin throws tantrum too. In fact, the founder's cousin, known as the chubby one , is pretty cunning in her own ways.
She will bully and command people, whoever doesn't fall under her command, she will have her own ways of making you getting scolded by the founder. I saw with my own eyes how she would twist and create stories about innocent people, making the inner circle having a negative perspective on you.
And yes, the chubby one always teaches young children about morality, what's proper and improper. She in fact could use herself as an example of what's improper to young children.
Spiritual Guide vs Spiritual Snob
... a spiritual guide speaks without inhibition to remove whatever doubts and fear you have. Empowers you to act on your own, for your peace and freedom.
... a spiritual snob speaks with full of pride, instilling self doubt and fear into you. Making you to rely on him, stunting your spiritual growth. Every step you make, is out of fear and self doubt.
Fear and self doubt was what I always felt when I was a student at the institute. But lucky for me, I had good spiritual friends outside of the institute whom made me realize what I was becoming as a fearful and self doubting person. I slowly reduced my involvement there and eventually left the institute. It was liberating there after.
I then meet other spiritual teachers outside of the institute. The most significant thing i noticed was self empowerment. A good spiritual teacher speaks without inhibition to remove my fear and doubts.
... a spiritual snob speaks with full of pride, instilling self doubt and fear into you. Making you to rely on him, stunting your spiritual growth. Every step you make, is out of fear and self doubt.
Fear and self doubt was what I always felt when I was a student at the institute. But lucky for me, I had good spiritual friends outside of the institute whom made me realize what I was becoming as a fearful and self doubting person. I slowly reduced my involvement there and eventually left the institute. It was liberating there after.
I then meet other spiritual teachers outside of the institute. The most significant thing i noticed was self empowerment. A good spiritual teacher speaks without inhibition to remove my fear and doubts.
Everything Revolves Around ...
... the founder. Everything, has to get his approval.
The founder has his own very close disciples staying in a same religious home. Even when we buy gifts for his disciple(s), his disciple(s) would need to get his approval on accepting the gift(s).
There are some members of the institute who would buy snacks for people working in the office. But before the people working in the office can even eat, they must inform him about it before they can start eating.
What kind of control freak is this ?
The founder has his own very close disciples staying in a same religious home. Even when we buy gifts for his disciple(s), his disciple(s) would need to get his approval on accepting the gift(s).
There are some members of the institute who would buy snacks for people working in the office. But before the people working in the office can even eat, they must inform him about it before they can start eating.
What kind of control freak is this ?
The Beginning
The Institute is a religious-based organization. They started as a small religious centre in a friendly neighborhood near a public university in Malaysia. They later expanded with various other umbrellas, among them is the institute - which they are pretty well known for. The Institute is headed by someone whom I will call The Founder.
I find that The Founder is a person with great charisma. Being able to bring The Institute from where it was to where it is now is something respectable.
People from all walks of life with interest to learn and deepen their knowledge about the religion will frequent The Institute and often impressed with The Institute's culture. The moment you step into The Institute, you will be exposed to new culture of greeting, mannerism and other so-called civilized and culture of the religion.
Members and frequent volunteers of The Institute must familiarize themselves with culture of The Institute, any other behavior besides what is being taught at The Institute, is usually considered wrong or inappropriate, according to The Founder's standard. He will quote the religion's writings as reference point OR sharing his experience about his visit to other countries about civilized culture to justify what he teaches IS the correct way. Needless to say with The Founder's charisma, newcomers and new members will often be mesmerized. His speaking skills combined with citations from the religious scriptures are so impressive that it will make birds fall from trees, often that is the start to what I call, repression and many other things that only an insider like me, will know.
I find that The Founder is a person with great charisma. Being able to bring The Institute from where it was to where it is now is something respectable.
People from all walks of life with interest to learn and deepen their knowledge about the religion will frequent The Institute and often impressed with The Institute's culture. The moment you step into The Institute, you will be exposed to new culture of greeting, mannerism and other so-called civilized and culture of the religion.
Members and frequent volunteers of The Institute must familiarize themselves with culture of The Institute, any other behavior besides what is being taught at The Institute, is usually considered wrong or inappropriate, according to The Founder's standard. He will quote the religion's writings as reference point OR sharing his experience about his visit to other countries about civilized culture to justify what he teaches IS the correct way. Needless to say with The Founder's charisma, newcomers and new members will often be mesmerized. His speaking skills combined with citations from the religious scriptures are so impressive that it will make birds fall from trees, often that is the start to what I call, repression and many other things that only an insider like me, will know.
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