On my arrival in Goloka Dham on the 26th of September I met up with Lisa from Kiev, who I had invited to accompany me for three weeks in Germany. We spent ten days here at the peaceful abode of Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohan. I had come to spend a little time in seclusion, working on some writing projects and catching up on various things which I had put aside. Devotees have urged me to travel at a slower pace and take out some little time every now and again. And I had felt it is a valid suggestion. After all I will be turning 60 next year, which requires some little adjustment to keep the pace. Goloka Dham is a very suitable place for going in seclusion, and the surrounding nature and forests invite for contemplative walks.
Autumn was approaching, and the trees turned into a beautiful reddish-yellow
color, with the leaves dropping and being carried by the wind. The European autumn brings along a certain mood of melancholy, contemplation and introspection. It is the season when life is dwindling. Spring carries the mood of re-awakening, birth and blossiming. Summer brings about growth and bearing fruits - reproduction, and autumn is the season of dwindling and withdrawing, until winter comes with its ice-cold climate - the mood of inertness and sleep - almost like a symbolic death. I remember missing those four seasons when living in Sydney - a place where there is not much difference between the seasons of the year.
color, with the leaves dropping and being carried by the wind. The European autumn brings along a certain mood of melancholy, contemplation and introspection. It is the season when life is dwindling. Spring carries the mood of re-awakening, birth and blossiming. Summer brings about growth and bearing fruits - reproduction, and autumn is the season of dwindling and withdrawing, until winter comes with its ice-cold climate - the mood of inertness and sleep - almost like a symbolic death. I remember missing those four seasons when living in Sydney - a place where there is not much difference between the seasons of the year.
The altar of Radha Madana Mohan is always beautifully decorated with flowers, leaves and grasses from the garden and forest, creating a European version of Sri Vrindavan Dham.
I was invited to give a couple of morning classes and enjoyed associating with the devotees, trying to reach out to whoever I could to offer inspiration and encouragement. Whenever we have the mood and attitude of "where is somebody who I can give something to", then Krishna arranges all kinds of situations and uses us as an instrument to help fulfill His plans and arrangements. It is almost the same principle when on Sankirtan.
I was invited to give a couple of morning classes and enjoyed associating with the devotees, trying to reach out to whoever I could to offer inspiration and encouragement. Whenever we have the mood and attitude of "where is somebody who I can give something to", then Krishna arranges all kinds of situations and uses us as an instrument to help fulfill His plans and arrangements. It is almost the same principle when on Sankirtan.
During our visit the Kartik season began. In a morning class I shared Srila Prabhupada's letter to HH Jayapataka Maharaja on the 30th January 1969:
"You have asked about the specialness of the month of Karttika, and the answer is that it is a special inducement for persons who are not in Krsna consciousness to perform some devotional service. For persons who are doing nothing in Krsna consciousness, it is an indirect inducement to take to devotional service in earnest seriousness, every moment is Karttika. In this connection, there is a good example that sometimes a store gives a special concession to attract new customers. But for those who are already customers there is no need of a special sale. They will purchase at any cost if they know the important value of the goods. Similarly, those who are pure devotees do not aspire for any concession, and out of spontaneous love try to engage themselves in devotional service twenty-four hours each day, three hundred and sixty five days every year, without any stoppage."
"You have asked about the specialness of the month of Karttika, and the answer is that it is a special inducement for persons who are not in Krsna consciousness to perform some devotional service. For persons who are doing nothing in Krsna consciousness, it is an indirect inducement to take to devotional service in earnest seriousness, every moment is Karttika. In this connection, there is a good example that sometimes a store gives a special concession to attract new customers. But for those who are already customers there is no need of a special sale. They will purchase at any cost if they know the important value of the goods. Similarly, those who are pure devotees do not aspire for any concession, and out of spontaneous love try to engage themselves in devotional service twenty-four hours each day, three hundred and sixty five days every year, without any stoppage."
Also here in Goloka Dham devotees were eager to participate in the "special sale", which Krishna was instigating. Devotees attended Mangal artik, who hadn't come for a long time. And in the evenings devotees eagerly assembled from the nearby villages and towns to offer their ghee lamp to Their Lordships, who would usually only come to the temple on the weekends. Krishna knows how to induce us to get out of our comfort zone and make a little extra endeavor.....
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I also visited my dear mother for three days, together with Lisa. We had a sweet time together with deep discussions and meaningful exchanges. My mother has a wheelchair with a motor, so we took her for a little "burn" around the nearby nature and through the village. At the same time it was a nice opportunity to show Lisa the beauty of a German village with its old farm houses. With a little creative imagination one can visualize how peaceful life must have been in former days - God centered, and almost Vedic. On Sunday we accompanied my mother to the church in Tuebingen, the nearby city with historical and intellectual flair. Once within three months they conduct a sermon where congregational members are giving personal blessings to those seaking them. It was interesting to see the Christian church endeavoring to be more interactive and personal with their congregational members, rather than just offering a sermon and then everyone going home.
After a small lecture they were singing rather modern songs - with guitarre and drum kid, reminding of American Gospel songs. I had never attended such sermon before, and I was missing the more traditional songs. Then several couples were sitting in different parts of the church at a little table, and people could approach them, share some problems and reveal their minds, and receive some advice and blessings. In another corner people could write down prayers and expressions of gratitude on a piece of paper, which were read out at the end of the service - anonymously. Lisa and myself were observing the program, while my mother felt supported by our presence and happy to be affectionately greeted by her friends. Such is the power of like-minded association within any religious or spiritual practice - we do need association. She introduced me to everyone as her "exotic daughter from India".
After a small lecture they were singing rather modern songs - with guitarre and drum kid, reminding of American Gospel songs. I had never attended such sermon before, and I was missing the more traditional songs. Then several couples were sitting in different parts of the church at a little table, and people could approach them, share some problems and reveal their minds, and receive some advice and blessings. In another corner people could write down prayers and expressions of gratitude on a piece of paper, which were read out at the end of the service - anonymously. Lisa and myself were observing the program, while my mother felt supported by our presence and happy to be affectionately greeted by her friends. Such is the power of like-minded association within any religious or spiritual practice - we do need association. She introduced me to everyone as her "exotic daughter from India".
The period of old age is certainly not an easy one - a journey of intense purification teaching us humility, patience and gratitude. It is meant to help us to turn towards the Lord to take shelter more deeply. I am admiring my mother how she masters her life, still living alone with a whole supportive structure and network, which she gradually established over the years. She is still amazingly open, always eager to learn something new and longing for meaningful discussions. Nevertheless, I hope I am spared of having to hang around until the age of 87........
On the 11th of October I traveled on to Cologne, together with Lisa......
Your servant, Devaki dd
On the 11th of October I traveled on to Cologne, together with Lisa......
Your servant, Devaki dd
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