I have fallen far behind in writing my traveling diary. The last two months were action-packed and eventful, and then the Corona crisis hit....
Some devotees contacted me to find out where I am, and whether I am safe. So I will give a little up-date, and maybe later share a summary from the main highlights and events during my time in Mayapur.
On the 12th of March I flew from Delhi to Cologne/Germany, and immediately upon my arrival the news came out that Trump had closed the borders to the US because of the Corona virus. I was scheduled to be in Germany only for the weekend, and on the 17th I had a flight to New York to visit Central New Jersey, Brooklyn and the Bhakti Center, Hartford, Chicago and Dallas, to return to Cologne on the 14th of April. But very soon it became clear to me that I had to cancel this trip and stay in Germany for the time being.
Now I am glad to be here and not in the US....
Krishna once again arranged things perfectly....
On the 12th of March I flew from Delhi to Cologne/Germany, and immediately upon my arrival the news came out that Trump had closed the borders to the US because of the Corona virus. I was scheduled to be in Germany only for the weekend, and on the 17th I had a flight to New York to visit Central New Jersey, Brooklyn and the Bhakti Center, Hartford, Chicago and Dallas, to return to Cologne on the 14th of April. But very soon it became clear to me that I had to cancel this trip and stay in Germany for the time being.
Now I am glad to be here and not in the US....
Krishna once again arranged things perfectly....
We had nice programs in Cologne: a weekend-seminar on the holy name - some new devotees also joined the event, even coming from other cities within Germany, although the travel restrictions had already been given.
I also offered the Sunday feast lecture - Cologne was the very last temple in Germany to implement the restrictions not to conduct public programs and gatherings. I also offered 4 SB classes over the following week, and on Sat the 21st of March I participated in a get-together with a 5-hour kirtan and little katha on the occasion of the first birthday of a heavily handicapped child who will probably leave her body within this year. Around 35 congregational members had assembled for this program, ending in a lasagne-feast! We barely escaped the checks and penalties from the security guards of the municipality office who started patrolling along the streets to urge everyone to follow the restrictions given! It was the very last bigger program we could conduct....!
I was tossing up how to proceed further - whether to stay in Cologne or go somewhere else to hide from the Corona Virus. There was a nice mood in the Cologne temple, with quite a few devotees taking shelter there. Devotees were so eager for association, requesting me to stay longer. And I could clearly perceive the good effect this crisis had on the mood of the devotees: we were coming closer, taking more tightly shelter of each other!
I also offered the Sunday feast lecture - Cologne was the very last temple in Germany to implement the restrictions not to conduct public programs and gatherings. I also offered 4 SB classes over the following week, and on Sat the 21st of March I participated in a get-together with a 5-hour kirtan and little katha on the occasion of the first birthday of a heavily handicapped child who will probably leave her body within this year. Around 35 congregational members had assembled for this program, ending in a lasagne-feast! We barely escaped the checks and penalties from the security guards of the municipality office who started patrolling along the streets to urge everyone to follow the restrictions given! It was the very last bigger program we could conduct....!
I was tossing up how to proceed further - whether to stay in Cologne or go somewhere else to hide from the Corona Virus. There was a nice mood in the Cologne temple, with quite a few devotees taking shelter there. Devotees were so eager for association, requesting me to stay longer. And I could clearly perceive the good effect this crisis had on the mood of the devotees: we were coming closer, taking more tightly shelter of each other!
However, since the Cologne area is one of the places in Germany with the highest number of infected people, I felt it was better to stay in the country side, rather than in the city. So I decided to move to Simhachalam in the Bavarian Forest - grateful that the devotees eagerly welcomed me there. It is a mountainous area, hidden away in the nature. Harikesh Prabhu started this project in the early eighties to hide when the 3. world war would begin. So I thought it to be a good place to hide now.
Last week Tue, 24th I took an early morning train from Cologne to Passau - a 6-hour journey. It was the most comfortable train ride I ever experienced in Germany - the train was completely empty due to the restrictions on traveling. I had prepared myself for getting checked by police and questioned on the purpose of my journey. I felt I had good grounds, since I have not lived in Germany for the last 35 years and thus had no actual home where to stay. And I could simply explain my situation, being stranded in Germany and now on the way to a community who was willing to receive me.
And nobody checked up on me...
On my arrival it was very cold here - minus 7 degrees, and some snow! In fact, the Bavarian Forest is also a skiing resort, so it is not surprising to find wintery temperatures during this time of the year. Within the last few days however it has become milder, and the snow has melted away which is a relief.
Last week Tue, 24th I took an early morning train from Cologne to Passau - a 6-hour journey. It was the most comfortable train ride I ever experienced in Germany - the train was completely empty due to the restrictions on traveling. I had prepared myself for getting checked by police and questioned on the purpose of my journey. I felt I had good grounds, since I have not lived in Germany for the last 35 years and thus had no actual home where to stay. And I could simply explain my situation, being stranded in Germany and now on the way to a community who was willing to receive me.
And nobody checked up on me...
On my arrival it was very cold here - minus 7 degrees, and some snow! In fact, the Bavarian Forest is also a skiing resort, so it is not surprising to find wintery temperatures during this time of the year. Within the last few days however it has become milder, and the snow has melted away which is a relief.
The devotees eagerly welcomed me and gave me a nice place to stay in the Guest House. There are around 30 nice devotees living here on the property, serving beautiful Lord Nrsimhadeva. The Temple President, Gour Mohan Prabhu is a 27-year old second-generation devotee - he grew up here and wants to make it his life's mission to develop this community and serve Lord Nrsimhadeva. The spirit is youthful and fresh, and at the same time strict and disciplined. Many young people join the ashram - men as well as ladies, and newly married couples feel attracted to become part of the community. I am so grateful that I can be here now....! The best place to hide out and weather the upcoming storm of the Corona Virus hitting Germany...
I have been offering SB classes, and over the next week I am requested to give the Vanaprastha course here in German language, as morning and evening program. We announced it to all temples around the German speaking countries, so people can join online. Now everybody is sitting at home, which is a good opportunity to preach through internet.
Ananda Krishna Prabhu, who has a popular youtube channel with German videos, is making interviews with me on all kinds of topics related to my humble preaching mission. So I can use my time here effectively.
I have been offering SB classes, and over the next week I am requested to give the Vanaprastha course here in German language, as morning and evening program. We announced it to all temples around the German speaking countries, so people can join online. Now everybody is sitting at home, which is a good opportunity to preach through internet.
Ananda Krishna Prabhu, who has a popular youtube channel with German videos, is making interviews with me on all kinds of topics related to my humble preaching mission. So I can use my time here effectively.
Over the past weeks I was somewhat a little torn between the two sides of taking the Corona crisis seriously, but on the other hand becoming influenced by the idea that it is just propaganda and hype. Some people and also devotees take it for a crazy game, which some high level financial controllers play to make the present system collapse, so they can rebuild it with much more control over people: no cash any longer, and everybody has to have some chip under the skin, etc, etc.
Then Yadubara Prabhu sent me two links. Watching these two films put things in a clearer perspective, making me understand that it may be Krishna's ways of making the present system collapse, so we get down to earth and back to a more simply and natural life style, which is more conducive for the Golden Age to set in.
Here are the two links - it may also give you a clearer and sobering perspective on what is going on in the world at present....!
https://youtu.be/Y7nZ4mw4mXw
https://www.pbs.org/video/american-experience-influenza-1918/
Please stay alert and safe.....!
With greetings from Simhachalam - at Nrsimhadeva's Lotus Feet....,
your servant, Devaki dd
Then Yadubara Prabhu sent me two links. Watching these two films put things in a clearer perspective, making me understand that it may be Krishna's ways of making the present system collapse, so we get down to earth and back to a more simply and natural life style, which is more conducive for the Golden Age to set in.
Here are the two links - it may also give you a clearer and sobering perspective on what is going on in the world at present....!
https://youtu.be/Y7nZ4mw4mXw
https://www.pbs.org/video/american-experience-influenza-1918/
Please stay alert and safe.....!
With greetings from Simhachalam - at Nrsimhadeva's Lotus Feet....,
your servant, Devaki dd
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