As devotees we should always respect all living entities, leave alone close relatives. But, how should we deal with relatives who are mentally and emotionally abusive to us at a material level (not necessarily about our KC practices). For example if a mother in law is always “abusing” her devotee daughter in law about not bring enough dowry or not being good enough for the family etc.. In this instance the mother in law is not hostile towards the devotional practices but hostile towards the devotee at a material level. In such circumstances how should the devotee respond? Is it better for the devotee to maintain a distance from the relative to avoid the abuse or continue to serve the relative in line with family/society responsibilities and tolerate the abuse?
This was very good answer ,
your point number one was very Optimistic for Future ,
I will pray to Krishna & Prabhupada that the flame of bringing back the old
glories remain ignited always and expands in everyone’s heart like a forest fire & ISKCON grows in every aspects the way Prabhupada expected .
.
I think one point you could have added more was ,
Differences between Krishna as the object of Worship for devotee
and demigod as object of worship for relatives ,
This creates a egoistic approach to defeat and generate a inferior , superior
word of war .
Thank you; yes, that point belongs to the philosophy and culture.section. As the answer was getting too long, i didn’t go into all the specific causes of hostility.
As devotees we should always respect all living entities, leave alone close relatives. But, how should we deal with relatives who are mentally and emotionally abusive to us at a material level (not necessarily about our KC practices). For example if a mother in law is always “abusing” her devotee daughter in law about not bring enough dowry or not being good enough for the family etc.. In this instance the mother in law is not hostile towards the devotional practices but hostile towards the devotee at a material level. In such circumstances how should the devotee respond? Is it better for the devotee to maintain a distance from the relative to avoid the abuse or continue to serve the relative in line with family/society responsibilities and tolerate the abuse?
I have answered here:
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2013/02/when-a-relative-is-materially-abusive-how-should-a-devotee-respond/
Hare Krishna Pr.
This was very good answer ,
your point number one was very Optimistic for Future ,
I will pray to Krishna & Prabhupada that the flame of bringing back the old
glories remain ignited always and expands in everyone’s heart like a forest fire & ISKCON grows in every aspects the way Prabhupada expected .
.
I think one point you could have added more was ,
Differences between Krishna as the object of Worship for devotee
and demigod as object of worship for relatives ,
This creates a egoistic approach to defeat and generate a inferior , superior
word of war .
Your Gita Daily Article :
http://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2013/02/03-26-standards-are-for-inspiration-not-condemnation/
Hints at this approach .
Thankyou for such a nice answer .
Thank you; yes, that point belongs to the philosophy and culture.section. As the answer was getting too long, i didn’t go into all the specific causes of hostility.