This morning I felt kind of groggy getting up. I managed to chant half of my rounds before Mangal Aarti and finished the rest after it. I really hate feeling so tired and groggy when I get up. I do get proper sleep. Im in bed by 9pm most of the time and I get up at 3am. It's an up and down feeling with me sometimes when I feel tired in the mornings and other mornings I feel more energized. But I want to feel energized every morning not just sometimes.
I went to Mangal Aarti this morning like I do every morning. The Deities were wearing a pretty red night outfit. Krsna Himself looked beautiful as usual. He becomes more and more beautiful every time I look at Him. At times when I see Him I feel like I can't move because I am stunned by His beauty. At the Deity Greeting from a distance I could see His beautiful smile as I know He is happy to see His devotees greeting Him first thing in the morning. I had to wait ten minutes to get pictures of the Deities. I need to have a clear view to do that. I have the pictures up already they are in my previous post here on my blog wearing the green and gold outfit.
Today's class was about Mahavendra Puri who was a great devotee of the Lord. There was a funny story about his Deity Gopal that Gopal had stolen the sweet rice. I thought that was pretty funny. That remind me of my favorite Deities of Sri Sri Radha Ksiracora Gopinatha in Toronto. Ksiracora also means to steal sweet rice. When I was listening to the class in the pujari room I was making flower garlands for the small Lord Jagannatha Deities and also washing the Deity plates. As I was washing the last of the Deities' plates i noticed there was a piece of maha pear stuck to the plate. What mercy I thought. I don't deserve it. But I guess the Deities wanted me to have it so They saved it for me by having it left stuck to Their plate. I am not sure which Deities' plate it was from but I felt it was Krsna Himself feeding me a little piece of His remnants. That was pure nectar.
After class was over I wanted to see Krsna again. I stood there looking at Him for about five minutes. I was up close to the altar. I was just relishing His beauty and smile. I hope I can make it for the 12 noon Aarti today to see Krsna again otherwise I'll have to wait until later this afternoon to see Him again.
Somehow or other as much as I want to return to Toronto to my favorite Deities, it seems as if Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadish want me to stay in their temple. But I cannot speculate on that. I just have to wait and see where I will go this summer. Krsna knows my desires but Prabhupada instructed us to fullfill Krsna's desire by serving Him with love and dovotion.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
A Visit to Laguna Beach Hare Krishna Temple
Today I went to the Laguna Beach Hare Krishna Temple. It was a half an hour drive to Laguna Beach from my Aunt Sherie's house. We found the temple. It looked quite small on the outside but in the inside it was pretty spacious. they have a different Aarti schedule however. So Dad and I decided to take a stroll down Coastal Hwy by the ocean shore. We went into these shops near by. This one shope had very expensives tables and statues of whales and other fish. They had a nice Killer Whale statue but they wanted $30,000 for it. That's ridiculous. Im glad I am living simply and not wanting mundane items like that. Then we walked into this Candle shop and they sold little statues of Budhha. But then i noticed that had these deity pendents. I desperately looked in that box for Krishna. But I did not find Him. I asked the lady who worked there if she had Him but she said she ran out. She only had Ganesh. I felt so disappointed. I really wanted Krishna. Maybe next time I go there they will have Him. I actually want a necklace with Krishna on it. I need to check our gift shop in LA and see if they have one of Him.
Anyway I went back to the temple. I asked the devotees how I get in to the temple to see the 12 noon Aarti since their main door was locked. I had to go in through the side door. When I went in the Deity doors were open. And there I saw beautiful Pancha Tattva Deities. When I saw Lord Chaitanya I could not get over how beautiful He looked. I found myself just staring at Him. I felt stunned and couldn't move almost. I sat down to chant some extra rounds while the Aarti went on. After the Aarti was over when I was about to leave the devotees there had offered me some prasadam which was very kind of them. Their prasadam is very good there too not spicey. They had chili on the side so Im glad they did not put it in the prasadam. After I left I could still see Lord Chaitanya's beautiful lotus face not physically in front of me but in my mind and heart. And yet even now at my grandmother's house Lord Chaitanya is still on my mind.
Here are some photos of the temple.
Anyway I went back to the temple. I asked the devotees how I get in to the temple to see the 12 noon Aarti since their main door was locked. I had to go in through the side door. When I went in the Deity doors were open. And there I saw beautiful Pancha Tattva Deities. When I saw Lord Chaitanya I could not get over how beautiful He looked. I found myself just staring at Him. I felt stunned and couldn't move almost. I sat down to chant some extra rounds while the Aarti went on. After the Aarti was over when I was about to leave the devotees there had offered me some prasadam which was very kind of them. Their prasadam is very good there too not spicey. They had chili on the side so Im glad they did not put it in the prasadam. After I left I could still see Lord Chaitanya's beautiful lotus face not physically in front of me but in my mind and heart. And yet even now at my grandmother's house Lord Chaitanya is still on my mind.
Here are some photos of the temple.
My Visit At My Aunt Sherie's And Uncle Chris's House
I had a very pleasant visit with my Aunt Sherie and Uncle Chris. My Aunt Sherie is a very talkative woman and funny too. My Aunt Sherie works three jobs. I don't know how she can do that. For me that sounds exhausting just listening to her describe her job. The only job she likes out of the three is her teaching job with students at a local school near by. She had to go there this morning for a couple of hours. She also works at a clothes store called "Chicos". I forgot what her third job is.
My Uncle Chris I forgot what kind of work he does. But he claims he might get laid off soon from his job and will be jobless again soon. However I haven't seen my uncle much while i was here mostly my Aunt Sherie.
I also played a game of chess with my cousin Matt and my dad was watching us. My dad was looking over the chess board and immediately that reminded me of when Arjuna asked his friend Lord Krishna to go into the battlefield to see who was present in the battlefield. My dad told me that I do not have the killing instict for the game because the game of chess is a war game which involves killing. But as I was playing the game I was constantly thinking of how Krishna and Balaram would often play chess. So I know this game is more than 5,000 years old and it comes from India. My dad was helping me play the game and eventually we won. So I am happy that I was at least able to stay Krishna Concious while being at my family's house by dovetailing everything.
This morning I woke up late due to going to bed at 11pm. I woke up at 4:30am. However i would have taken a shower but I did not want to disturb my family members so I just chanted my rounds. I finished my rounds by 6:10am this morning so that I do not have to worry about them later. Then at 6:30am I went to take shower since everyone seemed to be up except for my cousin Matt who has a tendancy to sleep in very late. After I got dressed I took care of my Deities. I have learned my lesson about my Deities. Whenever I go somewhere for a long period of time I bring my Deities with me so that They do not get stolen like the last time. Then I went to make breakfast. While I did that I listened to a Srila Prabhupada lecture and then I did some service for my Aunt Sherie. I cleaned her kitchen. I was going to mop her floor but I could not find her mop so I just swept it , I wiped off the counter tops, and washed the dishes and put the clean dishes away. I was imagining myself still in the temple cleaning for Krishna and I dovetailed my Aunt's house into it being Krishna's house. My guru Maharaj instructed me to see Krishna's smile in everything that I do so that is why I did this service not only for my Aunt but for Krishna.
So today I will be going over to my Grandmother's house I will have more details later. Hare Krishna.
My Uncle Chris I forgot what kind of work he does. But he claims he might get laid off soon from his job and will be jobless again soon. However I haven't seen my uncle much while i was here mostly my Aunt Sherie.
I also played a game of chess with my cousin Matt and my dad was watching us. My dad was looking over the chess board and immediately that reminded me of when Arjuna asked his friend Lord Krishna to go into the battlefield to see who was present in the battlefield. My dad told me that I do not have the killing instict for the game because the game of chess is a war game which involves killing. But as I was playing the game I was constantly thinking of how Krishna and Balaram would often play chess. So I know this game is more than 5,000 years old and it comes from India. My dad was helping me play the game and eventually we won. So I am happy that I was at least able to stay Krishna Concious while being at my family's house by dovetailing everything.
This morning I woke up late due to going to bed at 11pm. I woke up at 4:30am. However i would have taken a shower but I did not want to disturb my family members so I just chanted my rounds. I finished my rounds by 6:10am this morning so that I do not have to worry about them later. Then at 6:30am I went to take shower since everyone seemed to be up except for my cousin Matt who has a tendancy to sleep in very late. After I got dressed I took care of my Deities. I have learned my lesson about my Deities. Whenever I go somewhere for a long period of time I bring my Deities with me so that They do not get stolen like the last time. Then I went to make breakfast. While I did that I listened to a Srila Prabhupada lecture and then I did some service for my Aunt Sherie. I cleaned her kitchen. I was going to mop her floor but I could not find her mop so I just swept it , I wiped off the counter tops, and washed the dishes and put the clean dishes away. I was imagining myself still in the temple cleaning for Krishna and I dovetailed my Aunt's house into it being Krishna's house. My guru Maharaj instructed me to see Krishna's smile in everything that I do so that is why I did this service not only for my Aunt but for Krishna.
So today I will be going over to my Grandmother's house I will have more details later. Hare Krishna.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
George Harrison's Birthday Celebration
Yesterday I went to George's Hollywood Walk of Fame star. There was to be a birthday celebration for him. His birthday is February 25th, 1943. He would have turned 69 that day if he was still alive. Sadly George passed away ten years ago November 29th,2001.
Anyway I had received an email about his birthday celebration. It was to be held in Hollywood from 12 noon till 2pm. I decided to attend it. I thought it'd be the perfect book distribution opportunity. So I grabbed a lot of Chant and Be Happy books and a few other ones in case people already had Chant and Be Happy. I was the first to arrive at George's star around 11am, and hour early. I wasn't alone for long however. A lady named Susan got out of her car with some kind of cleaning items. She tells me that she polishes George's star every month which I think is nice of her to do. She and I chatted about George for an hour while waiting for everyone else to show up. After she cleaned his star, she and I decorated his star. I had brought a small picture of George and flowers from the temple. I put a small flower garland around George's picture, and I brought single offered carnations and lined them up along with George's name on the star. Susan also brought her decorations in. As few people showed up, some of them brought their decorations as well. A crowd of about 15 to 20 people showed up, plus a news tv station Fox 11, and then this radio DJ Chris Charter was there apparently he is popular in this area. I have no idea who he is.
When the program started Susan was the first to give a small speech about George. She reflected a lot about George's spiritual life which is what i like to hear. She also talked about his son Dhani, and also about Paul getting his star finally on the Walk of Fame not long ago. A couple other people then spoke about George too after her. Then two young people sang a song or two. Afterwards other people were allowed to step up to the microphone and say a few words about George. So I gathered up some courage to say a few words about George. After I feel my guru Maharaj would want me to say something about George. I spoke about how George changed my life spiritually and spoke a bit about my initiation and how my guru Maharaj gave my name and named me after George. They all liked my story about George. So I felt relieved. I didnt think any one would listen to it.
After that was done they all got into a big circle and held a few minutes of silence for George and then they played While My Guitar Gently Weeps while still being in a circle holding hands. I didn't join in on that part however. I just stood by quietly and watched. Chris Charter gave away somethings he had with George on it after it was over. Then they said they would have pizza and cake. They offered me a piece of George's birthday cake but I politely declined as I knew it had eggs in it and i cannot have eggs due to being under strict vows not to eat meat fish or eggs.
So while they were eating pizza and cake, I just sat at George's star quietly chanting japa. This one man came up to me and said that he is happy I am practicing Krishna Conciousness and said for me to keep up with it. I thought it was nice of him to say that. Shortly after we all packed up and left. I was pretty tired after it was all over. I distributed one book to Susan. She took a Higher Taste book. No one else wanted a book.
After I got back to the temple I went to finish garlands and then I went out on harinam to try book distribution again. I managed to get out one Perfection of Yoga book out. So I distributed two books that day.
Here is a picture of George's star that was decorated yesterday
Anyway I had received an email about his birthday celebration. It was to be held in Hollywood from 12 noon till 2pm. I decided to attend it. I thought it'd be the perfect book distribution opportunity. So I grabbed a lot of Chant and Be Happy books and a few other ones in case people already had Chant and Be Happy. I was the first to arrive at George's star around 11am, and hour early. I wasn't alone for long however. A lady named Susan got out of her car with some kind of cleaning items. She tells me that she polishes George's star every month which I think is nice of her to do. She and I chatted about George for an hour while waiting for everyone else to show up. After she cleaned his star, she and I decorated his star. I had brought a small picture of George and flowers from the temple. I put a small flower garland around George's picture, and I brought single offered carnations and lined them up along with George's name on the star. Susan also brought her decorations in. As few people showed up, some of them brought their decorations as well. A crowd of about 15 to 20 people showed up, plus a news tv station Fox 11, and then this radio DJ Chris Charter was there apparently he is popular in this area. I have no idea who he is.
When the program started Susan was the first to give a small speech about George. She reflected a lot about George's spiritual life which is what i like to hear. She also talked about his son Dhani, and also about Paul getting his star finally on the Walk of Fame not long ago. A couple other people then spoke about George too after her. Then two young people sang a song or two. Afterwards other people were allowed to step up to the microphone and say a few words about George. So I gathered up some courage to say a few words about George. After I feel my guru Maharaj would want me to say something about George. I spoke about how George changed my life spiritually and spoke a bit about my initiation and how my guru Maharaj gave my name and named me after George. They all liked my story about George. So I felt relieved. I didnt think any one would listen to it.
After that was done they all got into a big circle and held a few minutes of silence for George and then they played While My Guitar Gently Weeps while still being in a circle holding hands. I didn't join in on that part however. I just stood by quietly and watched. Chris Charter gave away somethings he had with George on it after it was over. Then they said they would have pizza and cake. They offered me a piece of George's birthday cake but I politely declined as I knew it had eggs in it and i cannot have eggs due to being under strict vows not to eat meat fish or eggs.
So while they were eating pizza and cake, I just sat at George's star quietly chanting japa. This one man came up to me and said that he is happy I am practicing Krishna Conciousness and said for me to keep up with it. I thought it was nice of him to say that. Shortly after we all packed up and left. I was pretty tired after it was all over. I distributed one book to Susan. She took a Higher Taste book. No one else wanted a book.
After I got back to the temple I went to finish garlands and then I went out on harinam to try book distribution again. I managed to get out one Perfection of Yoga book out. So I distributed two books that day.
Here is a picture of George's star that was decorated yesterday
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)