Well my new years started off with a bang in Toronto Ontario. I couldn't have started off the new year a better way.
My wonderful Guru, Bhaktimarga Swami accepted me as a disciple on behalf of Srila Prabhupada who is the founder of the Hare Krishna Movement. At the time of initiation a disciple receives a new spiritual names. The names we receive are actually names of Krishna. My guru was very clever on how he came up with mine. He gave me the name Hari Lila Devi Dasi. Why? Well I'm a bit bashful to tell the story, but to make the long story short, Maharaj talked about George Harrison throughout my whole initiation ceremony. Maharaj knew I loved George a lot and still do. But anyways Maharaj told the story of how George wanted to take initiation from Srila Prabhupada. But Prabhupada told him "You already are initiated your name is "Haris Son" (son of Hari.) So my guru matched up George's initiated name to mine coming up with Hari Lila. So not only did Maharaj name me after Krishna but he named me after George too. That was so sweet of him to do. I'll never forget my initiation ceremony that's for sure. He made it so unique! And it made me more attached not only to Krishna but to Maharaj too.
After my initiation it took awhile to get some realizations. It wasn't up until Maharaj had to get a hernia surgery done that I experienced realizations. I desperately wanted to stay and help Maharaj when he had his surgery. I also told Mother Sudevi who is a senior devotee and a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, that I wanted to stay in Toronto. She talked it over with Maharaj and they both agreed for me to stay here for awhile. When the day came for Maharaj's surgery, I was in total anxiety for him. I begged both Srila Prabhupada and Krishna to be with Mahara and protect himj during his surgery. Finally when it was over I heard he was doing well and I was so relieved but still anxious for him on how he was doing. I wanted to go visit Maharaj in the hospital, and sure enough by Krishna's loving mercy allowed me to go. That was when I realized that Krishna does fullfill his devotee's desires as long as they are for spiritual reasons and not material. During the visit with Maharaj, he told other devotees that if I continued to get up for mangal aarti, chant my rounds, and do seva(service) he said I'd go back home back to Godhead. I was left stunned. Im too much of a fallen soul for this to be happening. I was nearly in tears when he said that. What he said keeps me inspired I kept it locked not only in my heart but my mind as well. Then another experience is that I wanted to go and help get Maharaj out of the hospital, and Krishna yet again out of His loving mercy allowed me to go and help him. That was proof right there that Krishna really does fullfill the desires of His devotees. Ever since this had all happened I felt so protective of my guru and I still do till this day and always will be protective of my guru.
Now Maharaj is currently in India. I went to the airport with him to say good byes as I won't be seeing him for two months. He left me plenty of instructions to keep me busy i the meantime till I see him again. He told me to walk everyday for an hour, keep doing seva, and also to study a bit. Even when I visit family soon, Maharaj told me to still try to get up for Mangal Aarti even when I'm not in a temple. But i thinkI can still use my Aunt's and Grandmother's computer in the morning to watch Los Angeles morning program to help me feel like I'm at a temple still. Im trying my best to follow my guru's instructions.
