namahatta.org - Congregational Development Ministry

written from Potomac, Maryland

Now I am back from Iraq and transitioning from one war zone to another war zone. The war zone I am in now is a field of material desires and wants. I pray that I can take the lessons I learned in Iraq and apply them and not become a casualty.

I recently went to San Jose to  visited my adoptive parents, HG Vaisesika Prabhu and his wife Mother Nirakula.  While on my flight I was reading and the man next to me asked about the book. I explained I was reading Caitanya Caritamrta. He asked me if I was a Hare Krishna, I answered yes, and he then relayed to me how he reads a blog about a devotee in Iraq. I laughed and said, "oh, thats me." We both smiled and for the rest of the flight talked about spiritual life. As we disembarked the plane, he asked if I had any books. I always keep a spare book on me while flying because you never know who will be interested; so I gave him the book and he seemed really satisfied.

Arriving at HG Vaisesika Prabhu's and Mother Nirakula's was wonderful and I was treated to seeing their amazing altar. For those that don't know: ISKCON Silicion Valley is amazing. The program they have in place is cutting edge and really setting an example for the rest of ISKCON to follow. I recommend anyone interested in congregation development to go there and take notes.

Friday night we had a wonderful program. It was simple, reading and chanting, but it was very interactive. It was nice to see the devotees so into the discussion. I hid in the corner until Vaisesika Prabhu busted me out and talked about me. I answered some questions and he had me lead a bhajan. After the bhajans we had a wonderful kritan lead by HG Satyadeva Prabhu.

What can I say? Caitanya Caritamrta describes the kirtan going on in Srivasa Thakura's houese, and while we were going from room to room chanting, I could not help feel but propelled into Caitanya-lila. I honestly thought, this is what it must have been like when the Lord was holding kirtan in Srivasa's houese.

The next morning was a class at the temple, and again 'interactive' was the theme. I've never seen a class like this, where each person has four sets of books! When the speaker went to another scripture, the audience could follow; well done. I was very impressed and made a note of their deep thoughts on Srila Prabhupada's books.

I was asked to sing Guru Puja to Srila Prabhupada and I tried my best, but still sounded like a wounded bird.

Sunday was nice because I was given the association of my good friends Caitanya and Gauranga Kishore Prabhus. It was nice to catch up with them, and during class it was nectar to hear their realizations during questions and answers. I was asked to say somethings about preaching in Iraq and also fielded some questions. Devotees seemed very eager to hear about it.

Then it was the monster kirtan—what can I say about an ISV kirtan? It is from another planet, and soon myself and Caitanya Prabhu were dancing without any abandon and trying to get many involved. The next day saw us having a nice feast with the brahmacaris, Lakmsi Narsimha Prabhu and my hosts. It was very nice to hear the disciples of Srila Prabhupada  remember the early days of the movement. It gave me the realization that I should commit to memory the early days and pray I can live that mood and do something meaningful with this life.

Sadhana:

Rising: I am rising at 2 am now, taking rest at 9 pm. I like getting up early and chanting my japa very early in the morning.

Japa: I am continuing to work on the quality of my japa, and deepen my faith and attachment to the holy name. Sometimes devotees forget that our japa is a foundation, and we need to improve and strengthen it.

Seva: The Lords have changed my life from the first day. I can see how They are also affecting all the souls around Them. Today I was meditating on how the Lord's qualities are so amazing that they attract our minds and steal our hearts.  My seva can always improve and I pray that the Lord purifies my heart, so that I can truly taste the nectar of devotional service.

Sankritan: Books, Books, Books!! Always take a book with you, so many souls are eager for Krishna, we just have to give Him to them. Everyday talk with one new person about Krishna and watch the transformation in their heart.

Reading: At the moment I have a new enthusiasm to read and study Srila Prabhupada's books. With that said I have started a nectar notebook on Bhagavad-gita.

Hearing: Srila Prabhupada: "Don't try and see God, just try and understand, just work in such a way that God will see you, this is the Krishna conscousness movement."

As we move on to a new phase in this body, we request the devotees to bless us that we can keep up this preaching spirit. We will have some news on our discharge soon, wether or not I get out is irrelevant. Regardless of the situation I will keep attempting to preach this wonderful message. I end this journal with a verse from Srila Rupa Goswami's Padyavali:

"Let the sharp moralist accuse me of being in illusion. I do not mind. Experts in Vedic activities may slander me as being mislead, friends and relatives may call me frustrated, my brothers may call me a fool, the wealthy mammonites may point me out as mad, and the learned philosophers may assert that I am much too proud—still my mind does not budge an inch from the determination to serve the lotus feet of Govinda, though I be unable to do it."

Sri Mahavendra Puri

Yours in the service of Srila Prabhupada,
Partha-sarathi Dasa