Hardly, my friends will assert. But I would like to be - more so when the matter is as crucial as this one is. The deeper it cuts, the more important it becomes that we act from calm deliberation. Anger allows us to get in touch with and understand our feelings but is rarely apt for shaping our response; rational analysis is.

The pain of those who have walked away from 3HO is palpable and I am acutely aware of it. Kamalla Rose Kaur has been articulate in its rendering, as have others.

The many sites on "Cults" will tell you that cultists abound in every religion and always have. As I pointed out ('3HO, Yogi Bhajan and The Sikh Way', March 07), Yogi Bhajan is hardly the first in the tradition of charismatic Sants and Babas that have dotted the historical landscape of Sikhism, and I doubt that he is the last.

Yogi Bhajan's influence on many lives has also been positive. I have met many members of 3HO who are dedicated, admirable Sikhs. Yogi Bhajan may have used Sikhism to frame and package his personal ambition, but the onus is largely on the buyer; the 3HO follower or ex-follower should know that. Caveat emptor, as they say in legal jargon, or take responsibility for your own actions as gurbani insists.

I repeat that the activities of 3HO, where they run counter to the laws of society need to be handled by society according to its laws. Activities that contravene Sikh teaching and tradition lie in the dominion of ecclesiastical authority, which is unfortunately in almost total disarray at this time.

For those who joined 3HO, have walked through fire and still retain some positive feeling for Sikhism, I submit that the Sikhs worldwide invite you to join them on their path. You will be welcomed. Live with us. Let us learn together as we walk the path of Sikhism.

Sikhs will work with you to lessen your pain but probably not join you in a campaign of self-flagellation or spend energy in pounding down of 3HO. When you take a larger perspective, to most Sikhs Yogi Bhajan is a minor blip on our graph of history; he just does not dominate the Sikh agenda.

One good place to start a critical examination of the Yogi Bhajan phenomenon, I believe, would be a larger discussion - somewhat dispassionate - of what we envision will be the fate of the whole movement after him.

I know that there exist many ex-3HO members who retain some understanding and love of Sikhism. Kamalla, you yourself, are an excellent example.

You and many others have suffered. The question is how to put that experience behind you and move on. In this situation on the path to Sikhism, ultimately the ex-followers have to outgrow Yogi Bhajan, who was once their mentor. It is in this goal that Sikhs will work with you.

I.J. Singh