Radhanath Swami on Managing Spirituality

A spiritual movement is based not on management. It is not based on the principle of getting things done. No doubt utility is a principle. But ultimately the greatest utilitarian principle is when our relationships are based on love and trust. As a management technique we say one thing which isn’t what we really mean, to try to get somebody to do something that they don’t want to do, or you say various things which are not exactly the way it is so that you can get what you want form someone one way or the other. Immediately it may have a good effect but in the long run it has a disastrous effect because if we cannot be very honest, straight forward and trustworthy in the most basic ordinary activities of our relationships, then people simply cannot trust us. Especially within our spiritual circles, it is very important that we are very truthful and honest even in our ordinary activities.