Whoever has visited the temple at Soho Street in London can surely relate to my comparison with a transcendental submarine: narrow stairs going up and down, and corridors and tiny little rooms going off to all sides. I couldn't help but remember the song by the Beatles "We all live in the yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine....." And I remembered from my hippie days the little film clip, showing the smiling faces peeking out the windows of the yellow submarine and people waving. So I Krishna-ized the song into "We all live in Krishna's submarine, Krishna's submarine, Krishna's submarine...".
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The Bhakti Sangam festival held in mid September in Ukraine was once again one of the highlights of my tour around Europe. About 8000 devotees assembled to absorb themselves in sravanam kirtanam for five full days, while 20 Maharajas and preachers selflessly offered their association - sharing their transcendental secrets in lectures and sublime kirtans.
On my arrival in Germany on the 28th of August I visited my mother for some days in South Germany. We spent nice and harmonious days together in deep discussions and readings on spiritual topics. She expressed how there is nobody else in her life who she can have such deep discussions with, and how much she values and desires such exchanges. I am so happy to be able to serve her in this way - she has been such a great mother to me in my childhood...!
On my arrival in Kharkov/Ukraine on the 18th of August I immediately involved myself in preparing for Janmastami.
I hadn't visited the Odessa temple for three years - the devotees had repeatedly requested me to come and offer a seminar, and now I had found an opportunity to accept their invitation.....
On the 6th of August I joined the Baltic Festival in Lithuania. As last year, it was once again a wonderful opportunity for me to meet up with many devotees who I remember from the early days when establishing the temple in Riga during my married life.
We had the good fortune to be in the uplifting association of HH Niranjana Swami, HH Bhakti Caitanya Swami, HG Gurudas Prabhu and Mother Urmila. I had recently read Gurudas Prabhu's book about his association with Srila Prabhupada, and it was wonderful to meet him now in person. The days were filled with lots of Krishna Katha and kirtan, and connecting with devotees. On the way to Ljubljana/Slovenia I decided to include a short visit to Zagreb/Croatia to give the Sunday feast lecture and a couple of temple programs. And it was nice to meet the devotees again....
During my writing retreat in Kharkov/Ukraine I managed to compile the preliminary manuscript for my upcoming book on the false ego. It gave me a great sense of victory. Of course, now it needs to be reviewed by senior devotees, so I can polish it up further and work through the text again. But at least the main part of compiling the basic script is done. And I also designed the book cover already....
On the 4th of July we celebrated the second anniversary of the installation of our large and beautiful Gaur Nitai Deities in Kharkov/Ukraine. It was a wonderful festival, and even though it fell on a working-day, it was well attended with most community members eagerly joining the event. We all feel immense gratitude, that the Lord has kindly appeared in our lives and accepts our humble attempts of serving Him. And our Vaishnava festivals are becoming sweeter and sweeter with every year - truly a glimpse into the spiritual world...
My time in Kharkov/Ukraine working on my book was fruitful. I managed to keep a good focus and was getting ahead quickly - more swiftly than I expected. And I am already looking forward to be able to present the book to the devotees...
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Devaki Devi Dasi's Traveling DiaryDevaki Devi Dasi is sharing her realizations and adventures in her Traveling Diary. Welcome to relish this nectar! Archives
August 2019
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