Hare Krishna! Please accept my most humble obeisances and All Glories to Srila Prabhupada!!!
Dear Hanumatpresaka Maharaja,
My name is Rebecca Vinson. I currently live in Honolulu, Hawaii and am a member of the New Navadwipa community. I have recently taken the association of one of your disciples, Bhakta Adrian, and I wanted to introduce myself. (I'm also wondering, since we've talked about marriage, is it important for us to have the same guru? I am also aspiring for initiation one day..)
I was born in South Korea with the name Choi, Kyung-Ah, but grew up in Virginia with my adopted parents who re-named me "Rebecca," and kept my birth name as my middle name. I lived in Hawaii for one year in 2001, then moved to South Dakota for about 5 years, and have lived in Hawaii since 2006. My mother, for now, works at the university in the school of business (where I also work), and my father is an Episcopalian pastor. He just recently received a new job in Pennsylvania, and they are leaving Hawaii the same day as Adrian and I are. I started going to the temple in the Spring of 2008 and really loved it. I quit school for a semester and was just working a little here and there. I immediately started chanting, reading Srila Prabhupada's books and doing service. Some of the devotees at that time decided to call me by Revati on Lord Balarama's appearance day that same year, so sometimes I am referred to by that name, too. Now, I am the "unofficial" secretary of New Navadwipa and do whatever little service here and there that I can do. I was going to attend another semester of school here at the university in the Spring, but my plans have recently been changed!
Because my parents were leaving, they gave me the option of leaving as well, but since Adrian and I have been together, and we are in a committed relationship, I wanted to go with him back to Utah. My parents agreed to my proposition, somewhat reluctantly, but they did. We've recently purchased our tickets to leave the morning after Honolulu's Ratha-Yatra festival and arrive in Salt Lake City the morning of the 18th. We also have arranged a place for us to stay upon arrival, and although I still have a few doubts and insecurities about the matter, I am trying to surrender to Krishna as much as possible because there's nothing I can do. Our immediate plans are still up in the air, but we plan to begin looking for work and attending the temple regularly to do service. Adrian is also trying to encourage me (and himself) to chant 16 rounds daily, which is really good for me because I have such a hard time! Adrian also mentioned to me that you'll be in Boise at the end of the month, so we are thinking to try to come out and see you. He is hankering for your association and I am also looking forward to having your association!
I have one other question about home deities. Is it okay to have Them before creating a space for Them, or should you create a nice place and then welcome Them to your home?
I hope this meets you in good health and thank you so much for you association!
your aspiring servant,
reb :)
HpS - ASA - Jaya! AgtSP! Paoho. So nice to hear from you, Rebecca! Your biography is very nice, but where will it go from here! (Smile) I grew up in Episcopal church. When I actually heard Srila Prabhupada talking about our Lord Jesus Christ while he was in Berkeley I realized that I had never met a better Christian to follow than Srila Prabhupada.
Yes, it is not so good to live together without being married. It is almos guarnteed you will fall into illicit sexual relations. Ooooof! Chant Hare Krsna and pray to Krsna to give you a nice solution to the problem. He can do that.
It is very natural for a girl to follow her husbands religious perspective. Very satisfying for her, him, the children, even the other family members. Doesn't mean she gives up her own individual relation with God, but some natural psycho social environment.
Yes, you can have pictures, statues of Krsna and His associates immediately. For formally installed deities then we have to be second intiated. Offer them incense, flowers, lamp, food, and nice fragrant oil in a regular schedule. Can be very simple. Even once a week. This will take all the passion out of marriage and the couple then feels very satisified and servants of Radha and Krsna!
O.K. More news!