Ask the Swami

by Swami Beyondananda

Dear Swami:

Each time there is something in the papers or on TV about a doomsday sect or vampire cult or some such thing, the issue of sects comes up with my youngsters. I don't want to turn them off to sects, and yet I want to make sure they know how to say no to unsafe sects. Can you help me, Swami?

Ann M. Broglio,
New London, Connecticut

Dear Ann:

I completely share your views on the importance of sects education, which is why I just came out with a new pamphlet, What To Tell Your Children About Sects. Here is an excerpt:

From Jonestown to Heaven's Gate, each time a sects-related crime occurs, people begin to wonder out loud whether the safest sects would be no sects at all. But like most things, it isn't sects itself that poses the problem, but our attitude about sects.

My attitude is, sects between consenting adults is fine, as long as you're not obsessed with it. And it's pretty easy to tell when someone is obsessed. You see these people proselytizing door-to-door or selling flowers on the street or shooting at those whose sects preference is different than their own — one look in their eyes will tell you they will do anything for sects. And let's face it, unbridled sects can lead to unwanted misconceptions, and goodness knows we already have enough of these in the world.

So how do we distinguish between really good sects and bad sects? Well, personally, I try to avoid sects where people are tied up, tied down, beaten up, or beaten down. I'm a great believer in sects equality, so I would be cautious of any sects involving domination.

On the positive side, I would go for lots and lots of joyful and complete joculation. Laughter is a natural and necessary element of good sects, so any sects where people do not ejoculate I would be wary of. 

Go ahead and enjoy wild sects but remember, just because someone finds your ch'i spot doesn't mean they have your best interests at heart. So bring protection, and no matter how ecstatic you get, be sure to keep your eyes open, okay?

**********

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