Lost in an Ocean of Maya

I know either no one reads these blogs or one at the most two people do but honestly that's fine.
This is just something I have to do for my own sanity as well as I just like sharing, even if it's to the wall.

So... I'm here in San Antonio. And I can't help feel I'm drowning in this ocean of Maya or illusion.
So many material things I want, that I crave, some obvious, some not.
And it's harder than ever to keep my Sadhana (spiritual practice) up, even though I have been so blessed to be able to have this much time (and even though I have not completely wasted it) I have not used it to the best I could have or have been.

I feel longing, I feel longing.
For Krishna, for that wonderful feeling off connection with him.
I can't help but remember when we were all painting as a group this past thursday and some people asked Advaita what he interpreted from their paintings, or what feeling they gave.
I asked him as well, he looked observing my painting, which is a night scene with a transcendental fish looking up at the sky. After a few minutes he said, "Lonely",  I was a bit surprised.

"You're painting has a lonely feel"

I really looked at it again and it's true, it does have a lonely feel. In fact a lot of my art has a lonely streak running through most of it as in the past others have commented on it as well, though not as much now.

Lonely.

Ever since I've been gone the past six months (actually even before when I first came to the temple), a lot of that loneliness has been filled by Krishna.
Though it creeps, and comes back again sometimes.
Despite this...there is nothing that pleases me more than Krishna consciousness.
There is nothing I've found that makes me smile, laugh and bring me as much joy as Krishna has.
There is nothing I have found that fills every nook and crack of emptiness and voidness in my heart.

It almost feels like I didn't even choose this path sometimes, more like It chose me.
Like Krishna pulled me in, and now I can never go back.
I saw that beautiful blue boy by the Yamuna river, and my heart was stolen.
Now nothing has taste like it used too.
And for that I am GLAD.

Despite all these wonderful experiences I have had, despite Jagannatha ANSWERING my sincere prayer to give me a safe space to come back too, I am still falling back to old habits.
Sleeping late, barely chanting, wasting time on mundane things, being attached to my material objects Extremely so.

Though I am still in this same house, Jagannatha came back here with me, he came to me in the form of my own deities to take care of. Which I have been wanting to have for so long.
 If that isn't an answer to my prayer too Jagannatha I don't know what is.
And their beautiful, their so beautiful and I love them so much.
Jagannatha came to me to help save me from this material pool of suffering, I feel fortunate.
I just wish I was more regulated too take care of them properly.
I am going to try my best to become moreso, so that they stay with me.

My mother is even favorable to KC, she even told me she wanted to learn more haha, I don't like to pressure anyone about KC. If their looking for something more in life, wanting more, or questioning than if they ask I will present. If not than I will just leave it be.
But my mother did the questioning so than I and others present, she even stopped eating beef and other meats. Which is quite amazing, for someone at my mothers age to make that change.

Lonely though, there's still a loneliness.
The more I speak off Krishna, the more I write about him the more filled I become and satisfied.
Though sometimes I still find myself wishing I had a significant other.

Listen, the truth is if Krishna appeared to me in some form or another and said, "Kimberly I want you to be single. I think if you are single you can better help the world and others around you"
Or my spiritual master told me that than honestly I feel I would do it.
I am that attached to Krishna. I can say I am at least that attached to Krishna.

IF that were so though I would completely just join a temple and live as a monk completely haha
Because there's no way I'd remain that way living on my own on the side etc.....

But the truth is I don't feel that I will be single the rest of my life, but If I never meet the right person for me than I WILL.
That I am determined in, I refuse to lower my standards just because I feel "lonely" sometimes or see others with partners etc.

That's why I haven't had an official boyfriend in....over 6 years! haha

Though I was stupid and dated a bunch of weirdos during some of that time.
That's where I learned that most (not all of course) guys are dogs who are a slave to their senses (though we all are in some form). And most are just looking for a "good time".

I mean what's the point in having a "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" if you can't ever see yourself marrying them or if you are not sure?? Even before I was KC I never understood that or saw the point really.
If you're not sure at the LEASt if there isn't a really good chance then your just wasting each other's time and enjoying each other for the time being. Which in the end, when it doesn't work out (which is most times I've seen) than you both just end up hurting each other and being depressed about if for however many months etc.

So I just have decided to spare myself all the b.c that I already know too well about, having experienced enough of it in this life and lives before.
If your significant other doesn't help you spiritually, if you both don't help each other progress spiritually in each others lives , centered around the most important thing God, a,k.a Krishna, than it's just complete sense enjoyment. Completely material , you please her, she pleases you.
And that's why there are so many divorces because so much of the time their union is based on and around material factors. She's "pretty", he's "cute", she makes me feel good, he makes me feel good.
How long can that really least, I mean really???
The passion get's old real quick.

So until Krishna presents (if he does) the right person to me, someone who loves Krishna as much as I do and has as much passion if not more (more would be great because I'm so conditioned) to serve Krishna than I will be single and damn happy to not be entangled in some meaningless relationship.

So in the deeper sense reaching Krishna prema while in a relationship is extremely hard and what "some people" would consider near impossible.
I know this, but unfortunately I am in this female body so it is even more difficult to be single female by herself in this material world. Prabhupada even encouraged women to get married.
While he also encouraged men to be bramachari's which I always found quite quirky but whatever lol.

A quote from the SB that a devotee miraculously posted the same day I wrote this...

"The material bodily conception is so polluted that even upon slight provocation all our relationships of love and affection are nullified. Bodily relationships are so transient that even though one is affectionate towards someone in a bodily relationship, a slight provocation terminates this intimacy."
(SB 4.4.8)"


UGH get me out of here!!!
This place sucks and my body is sick.
Anyways, that is all I have to say. I think I'm going to have a separate devotee page for my devotee friends. I hate to separate like that but I just feel like I may be alienating others by posting so much devotional things and posts and want to be able to express myself fully w/o feeling like I have to hold back.
Below is a beautiful quote from Sachinandana Swami's cd, Sacred Longing live.
This is definitely one of my favorite cd's right now and a quote from Radhanattha Swami who always inspires me.
Good will to men, God bless, Shalom,
Hare Krishna!

"When a man comes home, sometimes he is dressed in a three piece suit; sometimes he comes in a swimming suit; sometimes he comes in his pajamas. Now, his dog will recognize his master in whatever dress he wears. Isn’t that true?

So if our master is God, whether He appears as Krishna, Allah, Rama, or Christ, we will recognize Him in all these different appearances."

-Radhanattha Swami (reference from one of Prabhupada's lectures)

"My heart constantly burns in the fire of worldly desires, just like a desert scorched by the rays of the sun.   The holy name entering the corners of my heart, the holes of my ears, showers an unparalleled nectar upon my soul. The holy name speaks from within my heart, moves unto the tip of my tongue and constantly dances on it in the form of transcendental sound. My throat is choked up , my body shivers again and again, and my feet cannot stay still."

-Sachinandana Swami on Sacred Longing

Simple desire

Coming back to San Antonio was stressful at first. But that show that we did last night was just amazing.
It was so wonderful to once again see some old friends and the San Antonio devotee's (who I also consider friends), Advaita and mike (now living in the ashram) did such a wonderful Kirtan. A lot off people came up and even started dancing.  The rest of the music and participation of the audience was wonderful as well. The people In San Antonio are very unique, heck Texas even. So warm and kind, all the other places I've visited I haven't met souls who are as warm as the ones here, In San Antonio, In Texas in general. I am greatly appreciative of the people here.
It surprises me that so many people care about me here as well.
I appreciate it.

I'm sitting on my bed right now listening to a Kirtan from 24 hr Kirtan in New Vrindaban.
When talking on the phone today with my mom,  than later on another devotee I realized how fortunate I was ( even moreso ) to have an opportunity to focus on my spiritual life for such a long amount of time without worrying about money, my future (materially speaking), whatever crap maya that gets in our way and distracts us.
Full on focus on Krishna (God) , his devotee's, and his service.
Though it was challenging at some points the value of the experience of what I learned far outweighed any negative.
Spirituality,God has always been given me a calling in the back of my mind, it's the only area in life where i found any hope in anything. Than coming to the temple here, changed my life.
And gave me knowledge, hope that there is more to this life than birth, old age , and death.
That  life isn't about getting a job, making money and having babies.
There's so much more to life than these material things, life is more meaningful than that, there's a point.

I'm so content just doing Krishna's service.
I just want to serve Krishna, his devotee's.
I just want Krishna (God) too send me wherever he wants me to go.
I'm see the good in many places, and wherever Krishna's devotee's are , centers, temples is Vikuntha to me

I'm tired of floating around.
When will Krishna reveal to me where I'm supposed to go. Which service does he want me to do.
I guess we'll just have to see. Money, money I hate the way this system is set up.

My simple desire,
still praying to Jagannatha too give me a safe place to come home too.
And it is much better than when I left I feel...ugh!
My mind feels like it's going to explode.
Chant Chant chant....

Inspired by,"A Legacy of Love"

Just finished reading,"A Legacy of love"a biography about a truly beautiful person in every sense of the word. I was so moved. What is the point of this life if we just live selfishly worrying and carrying only about our own wellbeing? We already have enough of that in the world. What we need are people who care, people who see everyone as part n parcels of the whole and who want to help others with that knowledge. The effect we can have on others is like throwing a stone in water. And just like the ripples that come from the stone you can affect so many.

 Hladini Devi Dasi, she was (still is) a devotee who joined the movement during Prabhupada's time (1969) and throughout the book talks about her development spiritually from the person she was in the beginning, when she first joined up, too how her life ended.
I was crying by the end of it, so moved.
It takes a lot to touch me deeply, sometimes I feel so covered over by this material world that I feel my mind grow dull and heart turn cold like stone.
But when I read about people like this, who lived their life for others, for God and served with so much devotion and love. My heart of stone becomes chipped away and some feeling comes once again.
And by some grace I am able to express some part of it.

She was truly used by God, by Krishna as a vessel of love to share with the world, with others.
And the way she left her body was defending the devotee's, by trying to protect them from being killed when she was helping the people suffering in Africa during the Liberian war.
If you put me in a situation like that where armed soldiers were screaming at a group of us to leave the temple and get ready to shoot us like dogs, I would have run like a bloody coward.
But Hladini went out with the other devotee's and till the end defended them and tried to help them, and sacrificed her life. Giving, selfless till the very end. And the thing is there were so many churches, other spiritualists who were (still are) attacked and brutally murdered as well.
Prabhupada is right, whoever thinks this place is a wonderful place is either ignorant or a madman.

It's easy to think this is a wonderful place too stay in. Especially when we are here in America with our cozy comforts and dome like protection media wise which keeps us stupid and ignorant of everything else going on in the world.
This is a horrible place and the more we realize this the more we can see how we need to be that change we want to see in the world.
How much purity, goodness is needed in this world and how many people are suffering, not only materially but most importantly spiritually, as we are not these bodies after all.
You can help feed the poor and help them medically in Africa and around the world but that only helps them on one level. These people are still left starving, starving for love.
There is a famous quote (one of the many) by Mother Teresa,

"We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty."


Some people hate to hear it but that's why believing, loving God is so amazing and helpful too people.
Even if you don't believe in God you can't help but see how it helps people, the people who don't abuse it and become judging with it of course.
Whenever you do that, become judgmental and condemning that just destroys spiritual life to the core. Despite that nothing is more deeper and more impactful than a relationship with God, Krishna (another name for God).
Our relationships with others is a reflection of that to a lesser degree but can sometimes be so powerful to bring us out of this illusion.
Sometimes we need to be shaken up, to wake up from this humdrum life many times we all fall into.

We're all going to die, these bodies at least.
And part of the illusion of this world (maya) is that we think we have all the time in the world to change, to become better people and too help others.
But the truth is we don't.
We don't have all the time in the world, we don't know when we're going to die/leave our bodies.
As we grow older, time goes by quicker and disappears like sand in our fingers.
You can ask anyone over 25 and hear similar experiences.

Now is the time to change, NOW is the time to help others and connect if that is our desire.
And if that is not our desire than we should help ourselves so we can than help others.
What else than is the point of this life?
If not to connect with God so you can spread that love and mercy to others than at least on a more disjointed level help other based on some morale base.

If we just live to help ourselves in this life, work at our job, make our money to get us our nice Material pleasures (for us and our family) how is that helpful really?
I've always had this feeling like this, that's why I am so thankful for KC.
Still in Maya (illusion) but at least understanding to some extent how temporary this life is and what is really important in this world.

I hope to someday be an inspiration in some way in this world.
To be used as a vessel to spread this love, this mercy too, though I feel very unqualified to do so.
I hope someday I can be used to help others in this way as living just for myself is empty and meaningless to me. I'm by no means any saint and am as selfish as anyone else in so many ways.
I can only change myself and make myself a more selfless better person and than someday, maybe someday I'll be able to more selflessly serve and love others unconditionally.
I can only pray and hope for that someday.

Anyways, If this was inspiring to someone in some small way than I will be very glad.
Either way I just had to share this in someway. I am bad at keeping up with anything (haha) but this was just to inspiring to me to just ignore or save for later.
When your moved, your moved and best to record or share it before you just fall back into illusion again.
To our old ways of thinking, and being.

So thankful to be in Krishna consciousness, I hope everyone to find their joy in someway like I have in this life. Nothing satisfies me , sedates my hungering, my longing like Kc. Time and time again.
I saw the blue boy by the river Yamuna, and life has never been the same.
My material life is ruined, and for that I'm glad. Just enjoying for myself is so much more tasteless than before. Can never thank Prabhupada enough for bringing to us this gift of love and knowledge.
I only hope I can utilize it properly and distribute this gift in some way possible that will help people , at the least inspire them in some way.

We'll see what plans Krishna has for me.
Or what is more familiar to others , "what life brings me".

The Things We Must Learn to Grow

Really amazing day today, I am so blessed to be here and have these opportunities to meet some amazing, spiritually charged and empowered people here and on my travels.
Just have to shift through some weeds and you'll find the flowers. Just takes time and some effort sometimes. Everyone is on their paths, some are farther ahead, farther back, some not even close to being near a path. Though everyone is going in some direction whether it be up or down.

You can't just stay in one place in this world, and if you do something will always change eventually anyway, essentially your either growing or regressing. I rather keep on the path to growth.

People really make all the difference to me, I could be in the Sarabi desert with nothing but water and stale bread and be happy as long as I have good association around me, I'll be happy.
Association is SO important, for everyone. Just as you are what you eat, you are who you hang out with.
And just by being around and associating around some of these elevated, sweet, and kind people I feel my heart begin to change, the depths of my soul growing.

So it's August and for the whole month of August I'll be staying completely in New Vrindaban w/o traveling because Malati is out of the U.S currently traveling In Europe. So that means we got some fixed services here.

At the temple I clean the lobby every day (sweep, mop, take out trash etc), clean the temple book case (and other parts in the temple, I don't have to be asked to do that I just will...always needs dusting)
and other tasks. I've been given a lot of cleaning tasks which honestly I don't mind at all.
I really do enjoy cleaning , and it's gotten that way moreso since I've been here. The whole Kc way of looking at cleaning is so beautiful. Whenever you clean your cleaning the innards of you soul. That's why it feels so good to have a clean room. It's spiritually uplifting, and by cleaning it's helping others spiritually. That's the way I look at it and really helps the mood of cleaning.

I'll also be doing the 8:30 arti service by singing every night (most nights) I was asked too!
And whenever there's time I will try to help milk the cows and clean them with Jaya Prahbupada in the mornings. Another wonderful Prahbupada disciple.  And gardening.
New Vrindaban is full off them! You wouldn't believe how much nectar I've recieved, I really have to keep writing in here about my experiences so that they are shared and also never forgotten.

I also got the wonderful honor of cleaning the Palace of Gold and helping dress some of the Prahbuphada's there (there are three in total!) and I will be taught how. As well as giving Palace tours when they get really busy and ironing Prahbupadas chlothes and whatnot.
Chaitanya (works at the palace) is pretty much imparting whatever knowledge he has to offer. May Krishna bless him greatly, he's helped me survive my stay here so much and inspired me so much in Krishna consciousness already during my short stay here. Even though it's been a short time since we've associated in NV he feels like part of my family already. He said he considered me like a lil sister lol, sweet. I consider him like a big brother, much older than my current brother. We'll be making some raw food dishes (he used too be a raw food chief in Cal) with another devotee and hopefully learn how to make some raw foods and other dishes when I get back! Cooking, must start cooking and preparing meals more.

I have been so blessed to be able to have the honor of serving Mahraji here as well with another devotee (edict you know, have to always have someone else with you when serving or speaking with a swami).
He is one of those rare souls, a pure devotee pretty much on level with Radananath swami.
Such pure devotee's such as these just have this melting effect on your heart.
When I first heard him speak I felt such a strong urge to serve this person, never have had that before with anyone so strongly. Not ever, so it surprised me a bit but brought about a warm happiness as well.
(Advaita can inspire people in this way as well, we are more than fortunate to have his association and presence in San Antonio more than we know or are even aware off.)
And me, still being so new too the movement gets the honor of serving in some way, such an amazing spiritual master. Of course mind you the other person has much more experience so they've been teaching me what I need to learn on the side, about how to take care of the deities, the culture involved w Krishna consciousness and edict etc...there's a lot to learn that I am so unfamiliar with.
Slowly but surely I'm learning, like today for instance I went through a moment of retardedness and was eating an apple in front of Maraij while setting my foot inside his small temple. For people who are unfamiliar w/ Krishna consciousness don't worry about this lol, but for people who do know this is of course something that is a big no, no. Anyways, I was corrected very quickly of this by my other devotee friend and that wont be happening again...aye.
We've been taking care of his beautiful deities! They are definitely foresty, very earthy and so sweet.

The edict here can be overwhelming to me sometimes...I can understand why some people leave when they get deeper into Krishna consciousness....it can be rough sometimes.
But it's so worth it to stick through though! Oh I can't emphasize that enough. I know it seems difficult at first but doesn't anything good and worthwhile in this world take some effort? I mean some are lucky enough to get everything handed to them if their Karma is good enough but for many people they have to work to get what they have or get to where they are at in life especially spiritually, emotionally.
That is always the hardest to grow in, the most difficult to change.

Anyways, that is how the month of August is going. : )
It's been peaceful, some stressful testing times but overall I am really appreciating and enjoying my stay in New Vrindaban.

Tomorrow is Baladav's appearance day! Feast, Kirtan , music, and swan boat and fireworks at the end!
Woot, will update if I can about it tomorrow after it's done.
Hare Krishna , God bless everyone

No more procrastinating

So no more procrastinating, especially after today.
I've been putting of writing in my blog lately at least, because well I've been lazy lol.
At least the past 3 days I've had no excuse.

So many things have happened here since I last wrote, "Typed out" which ever you would like to call it.
Good things, testing things. I have at least three blogs I didn't even post yet because I didn't finish them, but I will. I just had to post about the inspirations and findings I've had today.
If I wait It'll just fade away like other memories we have, (though not always) they are at least not as strong. That's why documenting them is so very important. It helps us too see where we used to be till now.
Plus our realizations may help and or inspire others as well just as we were inspired.

So, first off as lovely as New Vrindaban Dham is my time here hasn't been all rainbows and butterflies (though there are some beautiful butterflies here). No, I have had my challenges here with other people, with the forces of nature, and especially with my own mind.
So yea, hasn't been easy but I can definitely say I have had A LOT of growth from being here such a short time. Only two months and I feel like a very different person than I was before I came.
New Vrindaban Dham is very purifying to say the least.

One of the reasons I am up out of Bed is because....BED BUGS.
That's right, the ashram rooms are full of Bed bugs.
And I have been getting bit the past month. Ok, lol Just saw a Raccoon poke it's head out the window here on the second floor...

Ok so, only realized what the bites were when someone pointed out to me two weeks ago that they were bed bug bites. Than I found one, and caught the demon as proof. So now there will be some serious spraying. Anyways, also realized some other things today. For one how important it is for me to take chanting serious. To REALLY take it much more seriously. It's not that I didn't necessarily before but I just so easily put everything else before it. Or at least a lot of things.
I'm really determined to put Chanting first, I am so tired right now...

I really have to go sleep.
I'll update more tomorrow...going to go sleep outside near the lake because I just can't take the biting anymore....throwing out that bed frame tomorrow. Just taking my pillow out there because I don't even have a tent or whatever. It's ok, I'll set my alarm for Mongalarti at 4:00 am...3 hours of sleep should be ok for right now.

Peace~ Hare Krishna Hare Rama

New York Ratha Yatra Trip!

The first thing I did when I got back almost immediately was grab my bead bag, take off my shoes and walk barefoot on the cool grass in front of the temple while I chanted.
It is so nice tonight, the air is cool and a bit of a chill in the air which is just perfect.
You have no idea how much I love walking on the grass here In NV, West virginia....It's so amazing to walk on the soft cool grass here without stepping on any stickers, ant piles or rocks.

While I was chanting I walked feeling the earth underneath my feet and with the cool air I breathed in the smell of the Jasmine flowers as well mixed into the air with the smell of other fragrant flowers.
I took a moment to listen to the birds again and as it started getting dark fireflies started glowing across the temple grounds , and the crickets started chirping in.
I saw a beautiful male peacock walking around as well, finding things to eat (ate some flowers) and during my chanting paused to help a devotee find her knife she dropped.
It was very nice chanting today and so peaceful, I think chanting in the evening is one of my favorite times to chant. I'm awake enough and I love seeing the process happen of everything retiring from the long day into night. Just beautiful, I need to read more so I can come up with more descriptive words to describe these things I come to experience.

While I was walking in the cool grass and chanting I had such nice thoughts of Krishna walking in Vrindaban and how the texts mentioned how tender his feet was when he walked and how with a slight touch it changed color. And when I saw the peacock I remembered one of the pastimes of Lord Chaitanya I had heard over the course of the past week about how he went into ecstatic bliss over seeing a peacock feather because it reminded him of Krishna.

So all in all very nice to be back from New York city. Really did miss the beautiful nature here and sounds and smell of New Vrindaban. I could not see myself ever really living in New York, maybe visit for a few weeks but not more than that. To much hussle and bussle for me and smog.
Give me fresh air any day,and fresh clean grass to walk in. Even San Antonio I prefer over New York.

The New York Ratha Yatra was indeed ecstatic. The largest Ratha Yatra I have ever been too thus far, and still more to come! And one of the biggest that Malati told me today we'll be going too is in Canada! So what a treat haha I feel so fortunate and blessed.
I took lots of video and pictures from NY adventures I'll post on FB.

Ok so we left Friday @ 8 pm and made our way to NY city. Malati didn't go because she wasn't feeling well so we had to pay our own gas which luckily because we put in 5 people in the car it was only 40 per person to pay for gas (plus tolls) to and from NY.
It was a looong long trip to NY, took 12 hrs total (w/o stopping is only supposed to take 8 hr) because we decided to stop by Hersey chocolate factory on the way.
Which I was shocked by considering we are all devotee's I thought chocolate was not reccomended by devotee's etc...but all the girls eat it plus some of the maha from the NY ratha yatra cart was a chocolate cookie bar.... it was chocolate and not substitute.
So yea....I'm just going to eat chocolate personally.
Doesn't seem to be outlawed per say and as long as you don't go overboard with it I think it should be fine.

Herseys was like bathing in Maya lol
we all split a package of 30 bars lol...which i still have.

Than we finally arrived @ the house we were staying at in queens.
We slept on the floor in sleeping bags 3 nights (friday, sat and sunday night)
Friday we pretty much just came and went to sleep.

Sat we woke up and on the way to the broocklan temple stopped by Krishna and Balaram temple in Queens which is officially my second favorite set of deities.
There is just something so sweet about those deities I can't explain.
I really enjoyed seeing them so much.

Than we went to the Brooklyn temple go too see the deities and jaganath being sent off by car.
The festival was HUGE, three carts one for Balaram, subadra and one for Jaganathha!
Amazing, three huge Kirtans going on at each cart as it went down 5th avenue, one of my favorite parts about the Ratha Yatra were the three different flavors of kirtan.
There were over 3,0000 devotees there and at least 10,0000 people in general there.
I got some footage but i was so hard! Ran out of battery very quickly.

Afterwards got some maha off the carts and what was beautiful about the Ratha Yatra as well was that during the whole of it there was a beautiful light cool drizzle the whole time though later it poured temporarily.
The prashadum was excellent and hundreds lined up to eat.

Next day an 8 course meal for eckadashi to commemorate for a Devotee that had passed recently. It was very opulent feast for a fast...lol. Than kirshna das (sweet boy who gave me and Govinda Mohini a tour , the son of the man who let us stay in the extra house) gave us a wonderful tour of 2nd avenue and 23 street, we got to see ground zero, Prabhuphadas tree, matchless gifts store front (first temple/center for KC in U.S) and the bhakti center nearby. Than the after party @ Brooklyn temple!
So many devotees could barely fit in the room. Amazing kirtan, good feast.
During dinner was interesting, this russian devotee hit on me, and than a Ridvick piped in and explained to me what he believed in. I had barely just found out what a Ridvick was until someone told me. Even than no one was really explaining to me which was annoying. Finally Arya's wife told me some definition to it. Even than didn't really go deep into it. But it's enough to know to stay away from, Met some other nice devotee's than left. Oh and I found out they can have not only men but women stay at the ashram which is nice to know. Making some connections in case I ever plan on staying at different temples and where I can stay etc.
And than Monday long drive home, and back!

So that was New York Ratha Yatra in a nutshell. Once again another amazing experience.
I thank Krishna that I am here and experiencing all of this and try my best to not take for granted all I am experiencing.

~Kim

On The Way To The Big Apple

So were leaving today for the big apple (a.k.a New York etc)  I have to pack...but it's only for three days so not that much.

So Malati Isn't feeling well so it's just 5 girls going now, packing In Malati's car.
To my (and the other girls disappointment) the gas is actually not going to be paid for because Malati isn't going...*sigh*  So that will be 40 or 50 our of my pocket more.....
We were really surprised by this...it's not like me or the other helper (us two at least) are making any income. And thought that she would be nice enough to do that or at least help with it.
Ah...oh well.

I heard sometimes you can do odd jobs around here, so we'll have to see about that so I can get some cash flow...I've already spent quite a lot of dinero on just things I needed (q tips, shampoo, condit, washing clothes,etc)
Blah....Money.
So yea, we'll see what happens...there this beautiful sound of the birds outside chirping...especially this one right outside my window...
Ok time to boil corn for the trip! Will inform when I come back of the venture to New York Ratha Yatra!

Haribol


~Kim

The Itinerary list for this summer!

This is a list of all the places I'll be traveling w/Malati and doing here In New Vrindaban while I'm here!

.

MAY 28/29 BALTIMORE RATHAYATRA

JUNE 3RD LEAVE FOR ATLANTA RATHAYATRA

JUNE4/5 ATLANTA RATH

JUNE 10TH-12 NYC RATHAYATRA

13(RETURN TO VRINDAVAN)

JUNE 18TH 24 HR KIRTAN NEW VRINDAVAN

JUNE 23 RATHA YATRA IN COLUMBUS

JUNE 24TH-30TH  DETROIT  TEMPLE (24TH WEDDING, 28-30 RADHANATH SWAMI INITIATIONS)

JULY 9TH NEW VRINDABAN (WEST VIRGINIA) RATHAYATRA

JULY 15TH-17 TORONTO, CANADA RATHAYATRA

18(RETURN TO NV)

JULY 20TH COLUMBUS

JULY 22-23 DETROIT RATHA YATRA

JULY 24 GITA NAGARI

SEPTEMBER 3RD NV JANMASTAMI (KRISHNAS B DAY)

4TH FAST TILL NOON

SEPTEMBER 17TH-18TH BOSTON RATHAYATRA

SEPTEMBER 19-23 ART CLASSES KC

SEPTEMBER 24TH PHILLI RATHAYATRA

So that's pretty much everything that's going on, big things at least.

I'll be back in October lol...

From the heart

It's raining In New Vrindaban, West Virginia right now. I could see the storm clouds coming in. It's only 11:33 am in the morning and it looks like 8 pm in the day. Still, it's so peaceful hearing the rain fall while I type at the desk here in my room.

There's something beautiful about rainy days, and sometimes it's very reflecting as well.

Ahh...what a rare opportunity to just sit down and reflect. Typically I would be doing service right now but Malati is giving us a break since we had such a long drive yesterday.

I'm still going to see if they need help though to make sure after I clean up here a bit.

I've been posting a lot of what's happened here and there but really haven't had a chance to post something really deep/heart felt yet. Well, I mean there are pieces of it here and there but I just haven't got a chance to write spiritually whats going on inside, rather than just outside.

I am taking this whole trip seriously and know this isn't just a whole funtastic trip full of adventure and wonder. The main reason I'm still here, is because of God. Yea, traveling's fun, meeting new people is great but that's not what keeps me here. I really desire to develop a deep relationship with God and greater love than I have even now. A more selfless love. In other words too become a less selfish, self centered person and in that love of God share the unconditional love with others.

The more I've stayed here the more I've realized how selfish and self consumed I am, how "fallen" (as I've heard many say in Krishna consciousness say) and how conditioned I am.

It's frustrating, the more I am here the more flawed I find I am (and though it sucks) that's a key when you know a cleansing process is working. It's just like with the body similarly. If you go through a body cleansing process do you notice how you get sick first before you get better? The body is detoxifying and that's what this trip is for me, a spiritual detoxifier. Oh yes, there is some relief, but there is also some yuckyness apart of the mix too.

We can't better ourselves if we only see the good things about ourselves.

We have to be able to see all that ugliness to and face it.

Look at that ugliness in the mirror and accept it, understand it's there and work through it.

Thank God for the training I have gotten from the temple in San Antonio, and help from the Devotee's from San Antonio, but from Dallas too (shout out to Lavanga and her husband, my spiritual parents <3 in Kc that have helped support my existence in this movement as well). Both of which this trip would have been WAY more difficult to deal with and understand. Advaita das is a great teacher and I owe a lot of this knowledge and experience to him. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here hands down.

I would have ran out the door assuming all these people were mad half way in this trip, lol.

Also every single warning he has ever given me, advice to have while I am here and even just advice while being at different temples has been used and utilized. Not even joking. I have met so many different types of people here and run into so many situations already that before would have really been a challenge for me but now are way easier to handle and understand.

Thank you Advaita Prahbu!! May Krishna bless the San Antonio temple and you for your great service!

Brady prahbu as well, who has so a lot of endurance and is serving so nicely there, and Brian for telling me about the temple, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't have even walked through the temple doors.

I make sure to tell good things about Advaita and the San Antonio temple/preaching center w/e wherever I go (at the diff Ratha Yatra festivals too) and give credit. Though not many people here know there was such a center in San Antonio, lol. 

It's ok, I still put in a good word anyways and spread the word.

I wish I had some dvd's to sell for the temple! I know I could have sold quite a few already.

So yes, Krishna really helped prepare me to come here and experience this, if I didn't have all those experiences In Dallas and San Antonio I would have been way overwhelmed here and wouldn't have handled it correctly or understood everything as well as I do coming now.

Being here and staying at a community like this takes discerning. People are people but Krishna is Krishna. That's is something to remember. 

I hope when I get home too make a complete revamping off my life.

In terms of what I eat, how I live. It's so nice to just have few things to worry about, it is true. The more stuff you have the more anxiety you have over taking care of it, keeping it, protecting it (that can go under the animalistic tendency to defend). I'm a lot healthier after being here too, I don't have low Iron anymore (if you pull your eye lid down and its red that's good, pink or white is low Iron in your body.) and my body is regulating more since I'm going on a more regular sleeping schedule and eating schedule. I didn't realize how important it is for us to eat every day at the regular times, it really helps your body regulate better.

I may write some later. Right now I'm going to rest a bit than see if they need any help.

Feeling a bit feverish at the moment, probably just need to drink more water.

~<3 HK

Atlanta Ratha Yatra and Chipped Rice Panihati Festival!

So my last two blogs were not the most organized, I was in a rush so posted what I could pick out off my brain before more new events came up and clouded over my past experiences.
I just keep having new experience, new stories that keep being developed I'm not having enough time to document it all!

Anyways, this weekend me, Malati, and Govinda went to the Ratha Yatra and Chipped Rice Panihati Festival In Atlanta, Georgia. It was the longest drive so far (12 hour drive) and to make it all fit into a day we left around 5 am in the morning arriving at the Atlanta temple around 12 pm or so though because on the way the van we were driving in broke down. Yup, that's right so when we were 2/3 hours away from Atlanta the engine started smoking we had to pull over and call a tow truck. Though we had to wait 2 hours for the tow truck to come it wasn't so bad because we took some Prashadum, chanted some rounds and what not.


Before I go on with how the weekend went I really feel I should mention Malati and commend her in being one of the most clean and organized people I have ever met. 
She has great attention to detail which has tested my own attention to detail, in well a lot of things lol.
From folding my chudder and the table banner on the correct folds to putting away the utensils in the right container separated correctly. Yes, traveling with Malati is definitely an interesting experience.
But I noticed her strengths are my weakness so I hope in my stay and travels with her here that some of it can rub off.

Anyways, after getting that sorted out we finally made it to the temple at 12 am. We had a very nice room in the (what I found out later) bed and breakfeast portion of the self discovery house right next to the temple. We each had our own bed and a private bathroom, overlooking the festival/stage below. All this while people were sleeping in tents around the buildings below. The plus of traveling with Malati prabhu, as there are other amazing things that i have found to happen while traveling and serving her as well.

We were to exausted to wake up for mongalarti but we did wake up at 6 am, chanted, attended the service in the morning. What beautiful deities! I can understand why Prahbupahda was so emotional when he saw them, especially Gaura Nita, I believe those are the ones he commented on specifically too.
But wow, the Rahda and Krishna are so beautiful, I have never seen a Radarani look so blissful haha : P
Like she was being swept away with love, blissed out so too speak. And I think these are my favorite Gaura Nita deities so far, and the deity of Rahdarani is my favorite from the ones I have seen!
Though the temple room was somewhat smaller than I expected (compared to Dallas and Vrindaban temple rooms) it's still very nice with its marble floors and intimate atmosphere. Every temple has it's own personality and the mood I felt from this one was very sweet, very warm, very loving.

Malati than spoke about her experience with Prahbupada and the beginnings of the first Ratha Yatra festival, she also talked about how Jagannath came to the movement it was awesome to hear these detailed sweet memories of Malati Prabhu's of Prabhupada. Again, glad I recorded it ; )
Jayapataka Swami  was there, So far all I had heard about him was that he was that he had the most diciples out of anyone in the movement ( more than a 1,000) and that he was merciful, loving, kind and that prahbupada said he was a diciple of Lord Chatanya in a past life.
So pretty good things, but meeting and seeing the person is always the best to base on.
He had a lot of devotee's, disciples cheering him on as they rolled him in on a wheel chair. It's amazing he survived the stroke he was said to have and was even able to speak.

After morning service helped set up our table (Malati's table for New Vrindaban) which sales Ghee though the main purpose of the table is too help get more people to come to visit Vrindaban. More was done then the Ratha Yatra started! I ran to catch up (got some footage of the festival i'll try and post) and started walking.

It was so HOT not just hot it was HOT.....And to top it off I wore a plastic thick non breathable sari that day so by the end of the festival that day I pretty much felt like I was going to either die of heat exaustion or turn into a puddle of kim sweat.
Besides the heat this was another lovely Ratha Yatra, these devotee's moved much faster than the last ones and the Kirtan was very ecstatic!

After the Ratha Yatra everyone started spreading out at the temple field for the festival and I saw Jayapataka Swami , one girl that I made friend with (also traveled with malati last year and was a friend with Govinda) told me she got blessing from Jayapataka swami  for her grandfather to become a devotee and sure enough he did at the age of 90 something. wow....So I asked her If I could get blessings and she said of course.
She introduced me too Jayapataka swami  and even though he has trouble speaking (again he had a stroke recently and is now recovering) he spoke to me for a good while. He asked how long I have been in Krishna consiousness, and what do I wish a blessing for, I told him right away to always remain near Krishna. He seemed surprised and gave a big Haribol! Than he asked what I wanted specifically, my mind went blank and so he said "I will pray that you always remain and grow strong in Krishna consciousness "

He than touched my head and gave me a blessing. And I kid you not, for the next two hours I felt a difference in my energy after that. Like I really felt...blessed lol. Such a kind and wonderful soul, just by him doing that and the energy I got from him, I could feel the love and compassion he has for everyone. No wonder he is so loved.

After that there was lunch and helping with the table some more, got to hang out with the lovely Bhaktin Jennifer a bit , talked with some really sweet girls from Florida (all the devotee's I've met from there so far are awesome)

got some really REAlly cheap cholis that were much needed at the shop right next to ours and some gifts for people and temple back home.
Most of the time after Ratha Yatra was spent at the table but when Malati and Govinda went to bed early around 8:30 or so I went to the festival which goes on later in the night, at least when it's back to back.Walked over to the temple room first to see the fire initiaion before it ended, got to catch the last 20 minutes. Was my second time seeing it, so interesting. They threw the rice and bananas to smother the fire at the end. Will have to learn the exact meanings of these actions later.
  Than last got to see some songs from Mayapuri's who I had been wanting to see. Very good show of course, but what I really liked was after the dancers left the stage the lead singer invited everyone in their seats to come on stage and do kirtan! Lovely, lovely kirtan. That lead singer for the Mayapuris  is amazing. Not only good voice but sings with such soul. I started falling asleep while on stage (almost fell off the stage was so tired) so went to bed around 10 while the kirtan went on into the night.


Woke up a bit late for Mongalarti , forgot they started at 4:30 not 5 like in NV. Did some chanting, than Malati came up to me and said she wanted me and Govinda to go help for the panihatti festival , that's the reason she wanted us to get up early. Oppps! Had forgotten that so we rushed to go help. Luckily there was plenty to help with. Helped chopped vegitables and slice, got cutting advice and talked with a very wonderful cook at the Atlanta temple by the name Makunda who while we were cutting cucumbers told me about how he joined the movement and his experiences traveling across the world at different temples, serving them by cooking all kinds of dishes.

I enjoyed helping in the kitchen and when I was done there I helped serve out breakfeast for everyone with a crew of other lovely devotees. While serving out the food I saw Alan prabhu! Which was awesome, haven't seen him for months since he came to the San Antonio Temple. After I was done serving I went over and sat nearby and we talked about where Kc has taken us so far. He said how he was living in  Florida now at the temple where they have the food for life (serving the large lunch for the college nearby). He also told me how he was playing violin for the mayapuris the night before (I was wondering who that was on violin!) And how they had asked him if he wanted to play with them on tour! Whoa! haha I am really happy so many good things are happening for him
And we got in a coversation about where we are supposed to be. I told him how I want to be in the place I am needed most, can be utilized the most for service. Another reason why I am coming back for sure home. New Vrindaban is nice, been offered to even stay in North Carolina now, but San Antonio is my home for now. It is where at the least I feel I can help the most right now.

Anyways, watched the table a bit than Malati relieved me and Govinda to see the Panihatii bidding of the pots. Basically Panahattii is a festival (next day right after Ratha yatra) of chipped rice where they cook all types of chipped rice in different pots. This gives furthur details of what the festival is and how it started....http://e-vedas.com/panihati/whatispanihati.html

The biggest pot and most expensive was sold for 2,500 which came with a set of deities and full of chipped rice of course. The indian gentleman who bought it distributed it of course (how could you not, it was so much!) as did most people who bid on big pots etc. There was a yogurt, salty, mexican style chipped rice, condensed milk chipped rice.
All had different ingredients but chipped rice based in all. I got to a point where I had stuffed my stomach until it was going to explode, me and Jennifer had more than enough and had to even save it because we couldn't eat anymore. I came back to the table to find that someone had given me, Malti and Govinda our very own small pots for us filled with sweets and chipped rice. Couldn't even touch it was to full. So ended up eating a good amount the next day.
I'm sure I gained like 5 pounds just from that one day. I hope I don't come back a fat Matajii to San Antonio ;.;

I had so much maha that day I could have exploded with maha @_@
Oh and my favorite flavor was the salty and spicy ones. I think I am just burned out on sweet in general though, nothing personal to the sweet rice.
I had so much sweet chipped rice...ugh
but all of it was so delicious and really high quality ingredients too, cashews, and what not

After that they were playing some toss the honey soaked donut (what are those called?) which they were throwing from long distances and devotee's were catching with just their mouths. Crazy! I tried it too but just catched it with my hands, missed twice and got it on my sari though lol. Oh and the winner was one of the boys from the mayapuri's...got these hilarious moments recorded too. How am i going upload all of this. Later I stalked Lavangas Guru and took some photos than watched the table some more.

Next I had had one devotee girl invite me to come on stage when she was on to jam and so I went on stage when i noticed her there. She was singing and in their band (later found out this was a band, I just thought they were jamming at first) another girl singer who played kartals, harmonium girl player, and a male bassist and guitarist. I sang with them on their song than asked if they wanted to join me on Uke so they did and we had a great time. Afterwards the guy recording said he would send me a copy! Than I had several comments saying it was very nice, sold a cd to the bassist, who with his fiance were so sweet to me and invited me to stay any time with them and too come visit North Carolina and even that I should go stay there lol and join in on their music or if I ever needed hookups where to play etc. So got their information , you never know you know. They were all so sweet to me, sold 3 other cd's to these very sweet lady devotee's who said they loved the kirtan and met this nice Prabhupada disciple from Venezuela.

Next met up with alan again and we talked before he left,
after that she even gave us free pizza. Which was very kind, after that I looked at the flute and fell in love with this bamboo flue that I will start learning so I can play in kirtan now. The man who made them and was selling them was so kind he just gave me the flute (which he normally would sell for at least 25 if not 30) and said it's for the lordships and to play for them. : )

And on way back we stopped by to visit the friend of the driver who was driving us. nice indian lady gave me shawl and 21 dollar donation each for me and Govinda.How sweet is that....
Devotees I can't take it! Their to awesome....

On the way back the driver  we were driving with (since we had to ride separately from Malati because she had to take care of the van incident) accidentally ran over a racoon's and he asked if we should go chant to it, Govinda said yes right away and to my suprise he turned around and we went in front of the racoons and chanted....I love Devotees.
I mean seriously what "normal" person would do that? Typical people would just not even bat an eyelash and a dying animal like that but he was visibly distraught.

Krishna is so sweet, and if you want to know how just see how the devotee's treat you.
That is only a sliver of the love and kindness Krishna has for us.
It only takes an open heart and mind to see this.

So in conclusion to this blog, this was indeed a truly inspiring and beautiful weekend.
I was given so much by the devotee's, by Krishna I only hope to give back even more in service and love back. This is one of the things we should aspire too.
To give even more than we are given and in this purify our self centered souls.
I know I need it.
Much love to you all, and thank you for reading my blogs so far! I apologize if some of them are a bit all over the places, I can get very busy here and sometimes I have to just post quick bits what happened or I wont remember the fine details later.
And please if your reading this leave me a comment even if it's just to say your reading!
It's nice to know who's reading this, whether it be 2 or 5 people or however many.
It's nice to know the audience.

Hare Krishna, God bless

~Kim

Part 2 catch up blog! The journey continues...

I typed this out this past Friday because again, I have been so busy with service  and traveling this past weekend to Baltimore for the Ratha Yatra festival I didn't have time to post it or add more to it until now. So this is an update of the past week!

<<<<>>>>>>

I'm here typing in the registration house (a guest house me and Govinda were preparing for a swami who is visiting tomorrow) because it started down pouring while I was helping with the gardening outside, planting flowers outside the temple. I'm amazed I've even got a chance to have a second to write , lol. Malati keeps us (me and Govinda, the other girl who will be traveling with Malati) busy with service which is good. Just would like even a few moments to post on this blog and share the nectar at least.

So far my few days here it has rained everyday. But whats different about this rain compared to rain in Texas is how refreshing it feels. It's cool and just feels cleaner, don't know any other way to describe it.
NV has to have this to keep it's rich green color all aroun

I have to say it's only been my third full day and I officially love New Vrindaban.
A lot of firsts, and new experiences have just happened within such a short time, and we haven't even started traveling yet!

The First full day I woke up at 4 am for mongalarti (they have it at 5 am instead of 4:30 am I found out) which was awesome considering I didn't even set my alarm. Attended Mongalarti and saw the beautiful deities they have here. At first I couldn't help feeling an affinity for Kalachandj but these deities are growing on me. I still have a soft spot for Kalachandj though.

They have a huge life size set of Jjagannath, Balaram and Subhadra which I love! X ) Their faces are the most ecstatic I've seen of any of the versions of the three before. And their huge of course.
They also have a huge larger than life deitie of Lord Nrasimadave, beautiful as well as the form of the boy they have next to him. Nityagora is to the left of Krishna and Rahdarani and to the right is the boy form of Krishna lifting Govardan hill with a real (biggest I've ever seen) piece of Goverdan hill next to him. This dieitie of Krishna as a boy is the only one at the temple here I just find a big strange looking, the facil expression maybe throws me off a bit. But  Sri Sri Radha Vrindaban Chandra's face wow! Like Kalachandjis I swear their expressions look like they have changed! They are very beautiful.

Anyways ,after Mongalarti

(I don't even remember right now what I did after mongalarti...I didn't finish this sentence for some reason....)

So yea this is my hilarious break down of the week that flew by...if people want details just ask and I'll edit it and add more later anyways lol...

Wednesday  05/25/11

-served Malati cleaned Prabhupadas books and shelves and cleaned out a temple room.

-Than met Shadrannana and went over to her house with Kearney (awesome devotee brand spankin new to KC haha she's awesome) and had tea and dried fruits

watched Prabhupad movie

-got a garden tour! Learned a lot about gardening, Bhakta Tom educated himself very well.

-milked a cow for the first time with lalita, she drank the cow pee, I missed my chance because I was wearing a sari and chickened out. Kissed a cow and had fresh milk squirted in mouth (will drink cow pea later)

-more tea and fresh salad from the garden

-danced in kirtan, saw Krishna

-again had fresh milk from the cows but boiled this time with cinnamon yum

Thursday 05/26

-Went to Mogalarti later , woke up at 7:30 to Malati waking us up in the hall ways.

-chanted in the morning

-served Malati and temple, cleaned krishna and rhadhas huge swing, dusted other Lord Chaitanya books

-Helped  in the garden and planted some lettuce seedlings for first time than started pulling out weeds and transplanting chocolate mint plant!

-Got more sari's lol. And some weird punjavis to wear around here. Malati likes it classic.

-Had most amazing cheese cake maha i've ever had in my life. Will have to learn this recipe.

-Played some uke kirtan for ayee and his wife sundanna, more lettuce and tea and philiosphic talk about kirtan and chanting and what that is allowed and not allowed.

-got jaganauth maha from puja devotee and pretty garland. Very sweet

Friday  05/27

-Woke up mongalarti! On time and chanted

-Served malati and temple, dusted charitot in temple, dusted books and shevles, swept stair way for devotee's to their rooms, Helped clean out room for swami to visit. Took out trash

-Helped with some garden work again

- Got caught in some auspicious rain 

-Replaced lock on my door to my room with lots o help.  

-went to bed

Saturday 05/28

-Mongalarti in the morning,

-traveled 5-6 hours to Baltimore,Maryland for Rathe yatra

-Arrived at a older couple devotee's house that we stayed at 2 nights.

-since we arrived the day before the Ratha yatra we helped make garlands for Lord Jagganath and decorations for the cart. I remember Malati saying afterwards how she wanted us to help decorate the cart and decorations for Lord Jagganath because any decoration you do for the cart and Jagganath is no different from direct service to Krishna

Also connected with a sweet devotee named Shilla. She had actually trained up for a year in the temple with the other male monks! crazy cool haha  She gave me a tour of the temple which was a roomy three story house converted into temple. It's not a new temple by any means though, was around in the early 80's , Prabhupada even visited it.  Saw the beautiful deities there, Jagannath was sick of course so wasn't able to see him till tomorrow.

Sunday

The big day! My third Ratha yatra, we got there after breakfeast, set up the table and got it ready for us to be at after the Rathayatra. We had pamphlets advertising New Vrindaban for people to come visit (the most important part and point of the table Malati expressed) and cd's, Festival of inspiration t shirts, and of course Vrindaban Ghee...which is what people kept being attracted too when they came to the table. I mean half the time I was just explaining to people what Ghee was....they didn't take though!

Ok so after that we chanted on a hill for 20 min's, made our way to Lord Jagannath cart, Jai Jagannath!

Malati gave us a little bit of Jagannaths story to us and we started the Ratha Yatra. There were hundreds of people there to say the least. I said this was the biggest Ratha yatra I had ever been in she laughed and said this one was small in comparison.

So tired will continue writing this another time. Add ons will come later.

Haribol

~Kim

Time to catch you up on the experience here so far...

So it's been almost two weeks now since I came too New Vrindaban last tuesday.
About time to update haha....oh boy. So tired....hasn't even been two weeks yet and I'm wiped out.
But that blog (about today etc ) will come after I post these two blogs that I wrote on my lap top to post later (no internet in the Prahbus or women's rooms, maybe their afraid we'll look at smutt or something)
and I agree with Malati Majtagee is annoying if called all the time...I don't remember hearing Prabhupada calling women by that address either....

Anyways here is what I wrote on my first day arriving in New Vrindaban...

    I'm typing outside the temple room, you can hear the peacocks in the background calling out in the night and the faint drone humming from someone chanting outside. Many people have already gone to bed getting ready for Mongalarti in the morning, some have stayed up in the dining hall eating late prashadum, you can hear cheering and laughing from inside. Nearby in the temple room next door a  gentleman chants in the temple room, while a older mataji reads in front of Prabhupada. There's a cool breeze, maybe even a bit chilly atmosphere outside as I sit here typing. It's a beautiful night, me and the other girls were going to go sleep outside tonight under the stars but since there was a chance for rain we decided to opt out for tomorrow instead and sleep in our rooms tonight. Oh  yea, there is enough rooms to where each of us can have our own to sleep in. I moved a desk in there and chair , it's simple but I like it like that.

All right so, if you haven't gotten the hint already New Vrindaban is beautiful, even at night. You can hear the crickets out here and see the stars in the sky and hear the peacocks crying making a lovely song for the night.  So where is New Vrindaban and what else makes it so beautiful you may wonder? 

New Vrindaban is located in West Virginia nestled deep in the woods, away from bustling cities and Smokey streets, NV (New Vrindaban) is definitely a unique place in and of its own. 

Driving through even the roads through Pennsylvania to cross over to West Virginia was beautiful too, green everywhere, hills behind every corner. Passing by old gravesites, churches and some victorian aged homes. I was picked up at the airport today by a nice devotee by the name off ------(I'll get that name in a second) and had a plate of prashadum waiting for me in the car when I got in. As we drove it's when I first saw Prabhupadas memorial as we made our way through New Vrindabans borders that I was astounded. So beautiful! I look forward to when I get to get closer and get a better look and experience in it. 

As we got closer you could see houses everywhere on the property scattered around as we drove, devotee houses who live on this huge piece of land called NV.  We passed by a herd of cows laying about lazily enjoying the sun and grass. Did I mention the color Green, Green GREEN is everywhere.

Haven't seen so much green since...well since Portland, Oregon and even than this somehow seems greener to me,haha. As we drove towards the main temple , pointed out the old remains of the first temple and a few more other devotee houses. Once we drove up to the temple I stepped out to hear birds chirping everywhere around the temple I walked. Flowers surround the temple as you could see in a few of the pics i posted. 

(will post those later)

Just got done talking to Lolita Gopi, a devotee mother who lives here In Nv. She popped in and saw me here typing and looked like she was going to pass by but decided to come and approach me. She asked me where I was from, if this was my first time at a temple etc. Lalita said she milks the cows in the evening and that I can come milk cows with her whenever she milks and she'll show me how. Sweetness...I mentioned to her too asking if they ever made ice cream. She said she wanted too and that maybe she could bring her ice cream machine here so we can make some! yumm....

Very sweet Devotee

<<>>>>>

Anyways, after I got in I greeted Malati who gave me a warm smile and nice hug welcoming me to NV. I was showed to my room and where I'll be staying the next couple of months when were not on the road traveling.

The temple houses both Bhaktas and Bhaktins (male and female) in the temple. The men get the top floor and the women right below

There is no air conditioner, but theres a fan and a window so it's fine lol.

We all share a community bathroom (3 bathroom stalls and 3 showers) and that's about it. I met some really nice girls here who just came to Krishna consciousness,  searching souls that deserve as many answers as they have questions. Were planning on swimming sometime this week in the lake nearby the temple and sleeping under the stars tomorrow hopefully.

So yea, NV k Jai!

And so the Journey begins...

I've had enough signs that now it's' finally time to start this writing again,"Blogging," to be specific.

I have a few disclaimers for people before they start to read my blogs!

So here we go...

<<<DISCLAIMER>>>

-You will be reading into the confines of not only my mind but my heart. So if there is anything that you find you disagree with or find troubling or want to speak about please be respectful. 

At the least message me if there's something you want to be cleared, talked about or just want to ask! 

- My grammar is not that great, I know. So if you want to help out by correcting it please feel free but without the Nazism please.

-This is where I'll also be posting pics and writing about my travels with Malati this year (between 2-5 months).

- For those of you reading that are unfamiliar with Krishna consciousness you may find some terms confusing, like Haribol (which means keep chanting) or Hare Krishna (Hare meaning energy of God, and Krishna meaning God). So if you find me using the word "Krishna" as confusing, Krishna is just another word for God. So basically if you feel more comfortable you can read the title of my blog as "Meditations and Journeys with God".  Because they are one and the same, all Krishna means is "all-attractive" and God is all attractive. Feel free to ask further questions on this on the blogs if you like!

-And last the reason why I am doing this blogging is not only for my benefit and expression but for the benefit of others. If what I learn in my journeys and meditations can help others, whether it be in Krishna consciousness, spirituality or in life in general, than I am only to happy to post these blogs for everyone to see.

Please enjoy, and keep in mind any glories, realizations and/or revelations I write on here

are all due to Krishna (a.k.a God) and his mercy. 

So God bless, Haribol and Hare Krishna

~Kim