The Ashrams (monasteries) of ancient times were academics where mutual cooperation and loving service were encouraged. The pupils worked as a group, tended cattle, served the household of the Guru and helped one another in all respects. (SSS Vol.14, p. 335)
What is an ashram? It is a place where there is no shrama (hardship). But, you are making this ashram into a place of burden! You have no right to stay in the ashram if you do not obey Swami’s command and understand His love and Divinity. No benefit accrues to you if you merely stay here without putting Swami’s teachings into practice. It is better that I do not speak to you if you do not practise what I say. In fact, overseas devotees have better understanding of Swami’s love.
They go into ecstasy if Swami talks to them even once. On the other hand, you do not understand the value of love and grace showered on you day in and day out. You merely waste your time by indulging in mean actions like slander and backbiting. Slander is the worst of sins. Do not criticise or abuse others.
The Upanishad declare that man is highly valuable. But he is losing his value, respect, and honour by his wrong acts. Man alone is to be blamed for this. Here is an example. You are all worshipping Me. But, the Atma in Me is the same as the Atma in you. So, your worshipping Me amounts to the Atma worshipping itself. If an individual indulges in criticism, he does so because he considers himself separate from others, not understanding the oneness of the Atma.
The Atma does not criticise itself. If you want to be near and dear to Swami, develop the principle of love. All the mantras you chant and the worship you do will go waste if you give scope to evil qualities like hatred, jealousy, pomp, and show. (SSS Vol.32 Part II, p. 87)