Peaceful Monday

Today was very peaceful and much more relaxing. I sort of woke up a bit late around 4am. I try to get up earlier than that to chant my rounds. But after a busy weekend I was too exhausted to get up at 3am.

We had a small Bhagavatam class this morning. We're still reading about Krishna lifting Govardana Hill since we have Govardana Hill Puja this weekend. The prasadam this morning was great but at lunch I couldn't really eat it as it was too spicey and salty. But the association was good today. I sat with Sudevi, Bhaktin Angie and Siki Mahiti devi dasi this morning and afternoon. Mandakini was there too but only for a short time as she had to go to work.

My spirits have been lifted up a bit today too. Maybe it was the sugar in the prasadam lol. Mother Sudevi was very tired today though. I hope she got some rest when she got home before she started doing chores around her apartment. I still felt a bit tired myself but managed to stick it out all day. I took a light cat nap earlier in the day.

I chatted with Bhakta Max a bit today after lunch. It was so nice to talk to him.  We were discussing about our levels on surrender to Krishna. He told me that he isn't as surrendered as I was but I told him I'm sure one day he'll do the same like I have. I lived alone, worked a job that was bad karma and didn't make enough to live on my own. I didn't care to go to college for a degree because i didn't know what I wanted to do so those are some of the reasons why I was able to surrender to Krishna a bit by giving all that up. I still have to let go of my attachements to Cleveland and the devotees there. I still have to learn tolerance as well. But I'm okay pretty much with my other material desires. Those are pretty much gone. Now I have a desire to be a pujari for Krishna. But I must let go of attachement and learn tolerance first. I know Krishna will test me on those.

I had to make flower garlands this evening for Gaura Nitai as I had to wait for them to bring in flowers since there are no more marigolds outside due to the frost. I made the garlands white and yellow with a little orange in them. I was being a little picky about how I was making the garlands. I should have put the orange flowers in the middle but Nitya Mukta said it looked okay so I left it the way I made it.

After I did the deity plate transfer I went out to the temple room to get a little blissed out in the kirtan which I did. I felt a little blissed out this morning too during Mangal Aarti. Hopefully I'll get even more blissed out eventually.

24 Hour Kirtan Part 2

The ending of the 24 hour kirtan went out with a big bang. Even though I had to do service in the pujari room at the time I still heard it loud and clear. I saw how some of the devotees were dancing with ecasty which was really awesome. Everyone was totally blissed out. I wish we could have 24 hour kirtans all the time. Those are so fun. But we'll have to wait till next year for the next one.

I chatted with Bhakta Max and Konstintine after the kirtan had ended around 12 noon yesterday. Konstintine wanted some honey to take home with him so Bhakta Max got him some from the farmhouse across the street. Konstintine had to go home early yesterday. I wish he could have stayed a little longer but he may be back this weekend depending on how things work out for him. Here is a photo of me Konstintine and Max. From left to right Bhakta Max, me in the middle and Kostintine.

But that's pretty much how the day went. It was absolutely fabulous. I was exhausted by the end of the day though. I think everyone was pretty much.