Instructions From My Guru Maharaj

I have spoken with my guru Maharaj on Monday for a half an hour. I had 17 questions to ask him but they were short and sweet questions. He had given me some very helpfu advice. Before I had begun to ask him any questions I had begged him for his mercy to stay in Krishna's service because without his mercy I cannot spirutally advance.

Maharaj's instructions to me were this

1. Do 6 hours of service.
2. Read for 1 or 2 hours a day
3. Chant four extra rounds if there is time
4. Listen to Srila Prabhupada once a day and take notes from it.
5. Do service that I do well and like doing and also serve and please devotees in LA for this will please Maharaj.
6. If family resents Krishna Conciousness don't spend too much time with them stay with devotees.
7. It is okay to spend time with my father just remember to stay Krishna Conciousness.
8. Be ready for second initiation next year.
9. To avoid false ego do not do service that would make me proud. Krishna hates pride in His devotees.
10. Shyness is a good quality to have but don't be too comfortable with it.
11. Don't worry so much about book distribution right now focuse more on serving devotees and assisting them.
12. Memorize Bhagavad Gita verse Ch. 18 Text 42 to help prepare for second initiation which I have already memorized but still always remember it.
13. Some women can live a renounced life but they are meant to live a softer life then men.
14. I will be taking Maharaj's Bhagavad Gita Course while Im in California to keep busy.
15. In order to see Krishna everywhere one must remain with devotees the majority of the time in order to see Krishna everywhere even in family's homes.
16. How can I realize that Guru is always with me? The Gopis always thought of Krsna so He was always with them I can do the same for Maharaj and do my best with following his instructions to help ease the pain of separation from him.
17. How can I memorize Bhagavad Gita slokas: ask my godbrother Yogendra or other godbrothers and godsisters for help with that. And I also will email Maharaj for which Bhagavad Gita verses he'd like me to memorize.

These were the instructions Maharaj gave to me and I am doing my best now to try to follow them. I still miss Maharaj very very much. He comforted me the day before and the day he left by telling me that I will be alright. I still begged for his mercy to stay in Krishna's service before he left yesterday and he handed me a sweet from the dish on the reception desk and said to me "have one of these and you will be alright." He smiled at me when I saw him that last morning. It will be hard not seeing Maharaj for six months. I hope and pray to Krishna that he will still come to Los Angeles. The day before he left I had a splitting headache and felt like I was going to pass out part of it was because i was stressed about him leaving and he knew it. He asked me if I was okay later when I saw him that day for lunch. I love how he has so much kindness and concern for everyone in general. He's so merciful. I cannot wait to see him again. No matter where I may go Maharaj will always have a special place in my heart like Krishna does. Krishna is in the center of my heart and is permanant but Maharaj also has a special place in my heart always.