Celebrating Nityananda Appearance Day in Avataridesh* on the way to India. Last night, I reached Mumbai. Today, traveling to Mayapur.
*Avataridesh is a community in a country where the government has not yet given official permission for spiritual gatherings beyond those representing the local culture. Thus, It is most appropriate not to mention that country’s name in social media posts.
New York City: I was the last passenger to board the flight from Portland, Oregon, USA, to Newark, New Jersey. As I approached my window seat, a passenger sitting in the middle seat of the row behind me hopefully enquired, “Would you mind trading seats? I would like to sit next to my wife.” He then showed me his copy of Bhagavad Gita As It Is. With a warm smile and a sparkle in his eye, he then offered, “Perhaps it was meant to be!!”. I calmly replied, “I can’t argue with that.” I motioned that he could have a seat next to his wife by the window. Then I smiled and shared, “I hope you have a happy and pleasant journey.”
By Lord Krishna’s grace, an alert stewardess promptly offered me an empty isle seat, so I had plenty of space to stretch out. During the flight, I met with the gentleman and his wife, Cornelius and Jamie. Cornelius is deeply absorbed in the Christian Faith, and about to become a Chaplan. He also has a background in Kundalini Yoga. We had some delightful discussions, and I shared a book with him, “Easy Journey to Other Planets”.
When we landed, he and Jamie helped me collect my luggage, included my oversized “Holy Staff – Sannyasi Trdanda.” When we found it, we thought to take a picture together to commemorate our special “Interfaith moment”. We plan to meet up again during my visit to New Jersey this weekend.
I have been staying at Radha Govinda Mandir, ISKCON New York in Brooklyn. I am happy to say that it is a vibrant atmosphere with more than twenty five devotees attending the morning programs and going out for chanting and book distribution.
I am in the Greater New York Area till Jan. 28th, when I plan to fly out of Washington DC, back towards UAE and India. Here is my tentative Schedule:
Dec. 31, 2022
Riverside, CA, USA
Vrndavana Prabhu and Bhakta Avatar Residence cum Ashram / ISKCON Inland Empire Preaching Centre.
My six days in San Diego were blissful. I received the opportunity to give several classes at our ISKCON temple, including a Sunday Feast Lecture on Christmas, some Srimad Bhagavatam Classes, and a Krishna Lounge interactive presentation. The excellent hospitality of the devotees there melted my heart.
After six days in San Diego, I arrived in Riverside. It’s great to be with my old and dear friends Bhakta Avatar Prabhu, Vrndavana Prabhu, and their families. Today, in celebration of New Year’s Eve, we ventured out into the downtown of Riverside and the Festival of Lights. We enjoyed Harinam Sankirtan (chanting and dancing in the shopping pedestrian street). The people that were out walking around enjoyed it too.
I wish all my friends a blissful and healthy Krishna conscious New Year.
Videos from ISKCON San Diego
A Comparison Between the Holy Bible and Vedas
The Devotees Are Always Protected From Yamaraja Because They Are Chanting the Holy Name of the Lord
The Yamaraja Tells the Yamadutas Who is to Be Brought Before Him
All Avaishnavas, Persons Unconcerned With Lord Vishnu, Are Punishable by Yamaraja
New Year’s Eve Harinam Sankirtan in Riverside, California
H.H Sri Krishna Chaitanya Swami visits ISKCON Juhu.
Sunday, 24 July, 2022: ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai India: I had the good fortune to join a group of Youth in ISKCON Juhu for kirtan in the beautiful “Heaven on Earth” project of ISKCON Juhu. I love the Youth audience as they are full of life and enthusiastic. They make me feel young again!
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