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
Friday, August 12, 2011
Friday, August 5, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
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
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
Friday, June 10, 2011
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
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
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
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...
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
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
Monday, June 6, 2011
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
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
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