My previous post was a reaction to what I just read before mine.
To balance out my sarcasm, let me share something out of the chorus. It's true that Shiva Baba constantly reminds us that we shouldn't worship humans and human forms, nor keep their pictures. In many centers, every corner has a gallery of favourite deceased or alive BKs photos chosen according to the room. If it is a kitchen, it will be some image of BB cooking. In the office, bedroom, anywhere else, wher ever appropriate and in meditation rooms; portraits of BB. It's not Shrimat. It's ridiculous, and if someone has a foible i.e., Dadi Gulzar or whoever, she could keep her photo in the wallet or in private quarters. In order not to incourage guru worship with new students or dependency on any instrument.
Saying that, either because of past time connections, a subtle one or due to the beautiful stories I have heard about BB, especially in the beginning (maybe now they are also out of fashion and many of the old Dadis who knew him have left the body), I love BB and always felt close to him. So to me,
personally, it doesn't disturb me nor distracts me seeing his photos here and there. Those stories I heard narrated how he was a broadminded, innovative and modern, humble, warm and empathic compassionate person, loved all creatures and nature. Should different descriptions of his personality come up, I am ready to listen but for now, I still like to see him as a special companion and keep a photo of him, the "Bholanath "one, with the turban.
And even if he was a "fanatic" or a visionary, he set an example for simplicity and not licking the feet of VIPS.
I was just thinking today that in the Sakar Murli, Baba recurrently gives the direction that we should not keep pictures of the old boot corporeal medium, and we should make the effort to overcome the Bhakti habit of worshipping human forms and Bhakti images, concentrating instead on the incorporeal Supreme Soul and taking support from Him only. That is pretty clear, every other day Baba repeats that. So, who started infringing this rule? I guess Seniors, then, everybody else followed.
If such a thing is allowed and encouraged at main centers and even at a showcase place such as Oxford, this gives the green light to all other centers for indulging in that weakness. On the other hand, Baba has many times said that
A) we should take care of the body, our vehicle and temple that needs proper maintenance, exercise, eat properly ...
B) White clothes are not compulsory and we can do even more service by blending in with lokiks, especially at marriages, at temple ceremonies, etc ...
Even in respect to these instructions, the SS broke the rules and imposed their vision.
Does ShivBaba's opinion not count, that we should follow SS instead? These contradictions and double standards, are so plain to see, even for a very young BK