When looking back to my time in Mayapur at the beginning of this year, another highlight was our annual program of the Institute for Spiritual Culture. Every year, I am conducting this symposium in order to bring attention to the importance of the topic of spiritual culture. And I enjoy making all the arrangements: getting banners printed to announce the event, and distributing a thousand colorful leaflets to devotees on the Mayapur campus. It is like my annual party, where I can welcome all the Vaishnavas, receive the seniors with a garland, serve them with uplifting katha and food for thought and conclude by offering nice prasadam.
This year's topic was "Building Vaishnava Communities Based on Sheltering Relationships." It was not easy to find good speakers for the topic, since many of my regular speakers were not in Mayapur during this time. Fortunately, I managed to get Damodar Prabhu from Chowpatti, Bhakti Vijnana Maharaja and Mahatma Prabhu as special guests.
Just like in previous years, we arranged for a special pandal at the property of the old gurukula, and between 250 and 300 people attended. I had given the speakers very clear topics and, serving as the MC, I added a few points myself. A team of Bangladeshi boys helped me to arrange for the pandal, the flower decoration and the prasadam - without their help it would be too stressful for me to get this program off the ground.
Just like in previous years, we arranged for a special pandal at the property of the old gurukula, and between 250 and 300 people attended. I had given the speakers very clear topics and, serving as the MC, I added a few points myself. A team of Bangladeshi boys helped me to arrange for the pandal, the flower decoration and the prasadam - without their help it would be too stressful for me to get this program off the ground.
The site of the old gurukula serves as the perfect place for such an event: It offers a beautiful setting, with the trees and nicely kept shrubs and pathways. There is plenty of space where people can sit outside of the pandal, and still be able to observe the program. It invites to afterwards hang around during prasadam and continue discussing the topic. Simply a welcoming and pleasing atmosphere! A cultured way to present the importance of culture....!
Today I have some little lamentation in my heart, since I will not be able to have 'my party' next year...
I have decided not to go to India this winter season, since the world seems to be a little too unstable at present...
Today I have some little lamentation in my heart, since I will not be able to have 'my party' next year...
I have decided not to go to India this winter season, since the world seems to be a little too unstable at present...
Please see the following recordings:
Your servant, Devaki dd
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