Yes, I agree one has to be very careful about making judgements about devotees’ behavior. If we make a mistake then we commit vaisnava aparadha. At the same time we cannot be ‘liberal’ and allow anything and everything to go on in the name of ecstasy.

The solution is to talk to the person involved and explain what is and is not acceptable behaviour. If they are sincere they will take the steps to comply. If they ignore all good advice, a manager is justified in taking stronger steps, including restriction of access if the inappropriate behaviour continues.

Your humble servant,
Hari-sauri dasa

It seems like shaky ground when we are attempting to play judge and jury. I am not referring to obvious transgressions etiquette and behavior. It doesn’t seem like this person was trying to be obnoxious judging by his reaction below:

“Next day spoke to him- he said he sat down for while then went to friends house embarrassed.”

I understand your overall points, as they are 100% valid–I am just attempting to try to give a small benefit of doubt.

The point is that our acaryas have warned against such displays because in Kali-yuga especially, people are quite prone and quick to imitate. Therefore advanced devotees, especially those who are preaching, are careful about what they say and do in public.

Srila Prabhupada was very cautious about his own behavior and warned us also about shows of devotional fervor. In Bengal there is a saying ati bhakti corera laksana: “Too much devotion is a symptom of a thief.” In other words, a great show of devotion may have subtle (or gross) motivations for profit, distinction and adoration.

Unless one is completely free from all material desires it is not possible to show the symptoms of genuine bhava. Therefore one has to be very cautious otherwise the whole thing becomes a cheap show by imitators. In Bengal Bhaktivinoda Thakura compiled a list of at least thirteen different apa-sampradayas, or apparent devotional groups, whose practices are in fact against the genuine devotional principles.

As for banning someone from the temple if their behavior persistently disturbs other devotees, and especially if such behavior is symptomatic of sahajiyaism, this was recommended by Srila Prabhupada when dealing with the “gopi bhava club” in Los Angeles in 1976. You can read about this in Transcendental Diary Vol 2, especially the entry from June 7.

Your humble servant, Hari-sauri dasa

“even if you feel like this, you cannot display it in public because advanced devotees always check their ecstatic symptoms in public and externally they always behave like a neophyte even if internally they are experiencing the highest ecstasy.”

On one hand this statement gives some credence to the fact that the person MIGHT be advanced but then says, “Well, you’re not because you can’t check your symptoms.”

I am not saying this person is a pure devotee, but playing devil’s advocate, is there not a possibility that he could be the least bit sincere? Just a bit?

I think it’s a bit difficult because people automatically think a person is faking because of the things that Prabhupada said about fraudulent devotion. I do think it’s a little strange only because nobody typically behaves this way. Although Srila Prabhupada warned about phony devotion and called people on it, we still have no idea where this devotee’s heart is, based on this action.

It’s hard to accept that the only person in our whole movement that might be pure or be able to sincerely have transcendental ecstacy might be Srila Prabhupada–which is what I have often heard from people in and outside of ISKCON. It’s a little discouraging.

I think banning the person from the temple is a bit harsh and a knee-jerk response to a situation that is outside our normal realm of thinking or doing things.