At first, the meditation group leader worked cooperatively with me. I visited the group several times a year and was their main connection to the rest of Ananda. Then I found out that the leader had established the group as a separate corporation, using Ananda’s name and most of our bylaws. The only difference was that he, not Swamiji, was Spiritual Director for life.
I tried to explain to him that it was hardly fair to use Ananda’s name and reputation to attract people, then offer them something quite different, that is, himself rather than Swamiji as the spiritual authority. My reasoning, however, did not persuade him.
Ananda was just beginning to expand beyond the borders of the Village, and none of us quite knew how to handle the situation, and so Swamiji stepped in.
He invited the man to come to the Village and have lunch with him. I was included in the meeting. Swamiji and the man discussed a wide range of topics, and only at the end did Swami touch on the reason why he had had asked him to come.
“You are doing good work,” Swamiji told the man. “But since you have put yourself in charge instead of me, perhaps you should also come up with your own name.”
That’s all Swamiji said, but it was enough. The man returned and changed the name of the corporation.
After the man left, Swamiji remarked to me, “No one with spunk will wait to be told what to do. It wasn’t right that he declare himself Spiritual Director, but at least he has energy and initiative. I prefer a man like that to one who won’t lift a finger without first getting permission from the head office.”