At the
Bhakti Vriksa Seminar held in Inish Rath ISKCON Temple in Northern Ireland, one
devotee mentioned how vicars in one church don't allow congregational members
to take up more responsible roles because the congregational members are better
then them, and keep them just giving donations.
This is very vivid
example what the leader must give up - envy of those who work under him.
Do we
sometimes examine our motives?
Do we really want people to succeed?
Are we
afraid for our position or reputation?
A devotee of Krishna should be glad that
people are coming forward to take up responsibility.
He should encourage and
coach them.
He should be genuinely happy when another devotee is successful and is
developing as a caring leader, or a responsible person.
One GBC Minister said
we should see congregational devotees as partners and not look down upon them.
In many
spiritual and business organizations today leaders are forced to give up
control and become facilitators.
Practically it boils down to 'change or soon
you'll be strange'.
But it is not easy to change, to give up control, give up
false prestige and enjoying or exploitive mentality.
Intelligent
spiritual leader knows he will be tested and he prepares for it by reflection,
introspection and examining his motives. He does it to learn and improve when he is faced with a challenge. And
challenges will come.
