Letters to the editor

HK, AGTSP, PAMHO

Dear Gurudeva,

It's been a long time since my last letter, my apologies for that.

1. The temple is going through a transition because the BCARI asrama is colsed due to differences between Authorities and Senior Bcaris. But I am alowed to stay and work there.
2. Could sound like a joke, but I will be running for Temple president of Iskcon Chicago. I told to the current president, "give me some time until I get my degree and some managment skills and after that you can consider me for the job". I would like to use the best years of my life taking care of the devotees at other level at least for a period of time. It is not an easy task though.
3. I founded the Vamsi School of music, to teach kirtan, and also preach through music education to the general audiences and introduce  devotional instruments in the current and dominant western culture. Many talented people is working with me on this and I count with full souport from the temple. We are working to make of this the best option to learn kirtan in United States. http://www.iskconchicago.com/vamsi-school-of-music/
4. Pujari services helped me to attain a strong sadhana, good rounds. SB class online on the train. Finally after a long day studying I finish by dressing their lordships at eve. The negative aspect of it is that there is not so much time left for sankirtana in any of its forms for now. I am completly thankful with you Gurudeva for allow me to intensify my relationship with Krsna through this service.
5. By the end of 2016 I am getting my AA degree. By the end of 2018 I am getting my bachelors degree and Comumbia College Chicago. I changed the major from music to TV production and direction. After a deep meditation on it, I think that we need more devotees involved in media. Iskcon all ready has many ingeniers, many philosofers, many musicians. I hope to use those skills in the service of Prabhupada's movement and to mantain a Vaishnava Familly in the future.

That's all for now Dear Gurudeva.  There are many things to organize here. Would you be interested in visit Chicago on 2016? May be Fall semester or srimg 2017?

Thank you dear Gurudeva for give me shelter at your lotus feet. Always looking forward to get your transcendental association again.

ys Etasa Krsna Das  

hare krishna gurumaharaja!! por favor acepte mis respetuosas reverencias! todas las glorias a srila prabhupada!

aqui estamos, sigo con mi servicio de los sabados y un domingo al mes en el templo, luego cada dia cantando 16 rondas, aveces son muy buenas. siguiendo los 4 principios regulativos, adoracion en casa, estoy escuchando clases de srila prabhupada con traduccion al español, muy inspirantes. estoy trabajando en una empresa de mantenimiento de lunes a viernes, el trabajo no es muy duro, hay compañeros que son muy favorables para hablar de temas "misticos" intento hablarles de krishna pero de una manera no tan directa para que no me vean como un loco, es un gran ejercicio para la mente.

nuestra bebe va creciendo bien y saludable, le gusta mucho ir al templo.

Estamos pensando en   tener otro bebe, le pedimos de sus bendiciones para que krishna nos mande  un hijo que sea buen devoto, con buena salud y larga vida.

En relacion a su pregunta acerca de que planes tenemos para el futuro, por el momento pensamos quedarnos por aqui y viajar al santo dham siempre que sea posible.

su sirviente eterno, gadadhara gosai das.

hare krishna!!!!!

Dear Hanumat Presaka Swami Maharaj,

Please accept my humble obeisances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada! I heard a lecture by H.G. Radhika Raman prabhu where he mentioned the importance of sambandha Jnana in forming relationships. In the interest of establishing a deeper relationship with you, I thought I'd share a little about my life.

I grew up in a small industrial town called Thomaston, in rural Connecticut, known for America's first clock factory. My father is the director of a Christian charity and my mother taught elementary school. I was fortunate to be raised with some principles, (truthfulness at least) and to have spent my childhood mostly outdoors.

As a youth I felt called as a missionary, but I was disturbed after a Q&A with one Calvinist professor. Plus I couldn't understand why, if I was "born again," I could not repent (I.e. give up) sin. Halfway through high school I moved to South Carolina with family, it was like a mini reincarnation. My faith gave way and I thought "let me seek truth; if my original beliefs are confirmed then I'll understand better, but if they're false what's the loss?"

I got serious as a painter and majored in Studio Art, where I was top of my class. Unfortunately I was experimenting heavily with drugs and women and by the end of my first semester I attempted suicide and was hospitalized.

At 19 I had to rebuild my entire life. Jungian analysis helped, and I was devouring books. Desperate for a fresh start, one day I drove to NYC and lived there for about a year and studied art at a conservatory. I was grateful to God and prayed "you've been so kind, is there anything I can do for you?" Then I found Prabhupada's books.

In subsequent years I witnessed first hand the Deep Horizon oil spill in New Orleans, and was involved in some activism in Charleston. I got in trouble there so I backpacked to California and met devotees. The first day I started japa I repented sin and became joyful. I'm just trying to surrender and find my place in Prabhupada's mission. I'm into Harinam/ sankirtan, interfaith, education, art. Surely I'm dog, but dog of Vaisnava I hope! I'm sorry to hound you with inquiries... I've a bit of a polemical nature but I don't mean offense. Thank you for your tolerance. I feel a little silly writing this, I hope I'm not being presumptuous. Hare Krsna!

Yhs,

Bhakta Eric

P.S. Check out this mural I painted on somebody's wall when I was visiting my old stomping grounds! : D

JAY SRI SRI GAURANGA NITYANANDA
JAY H.D.G. SRILA PRABHUPADA
JAY H.H. HANUMATPRESAKA SWAMI
JAY DEVOTEES

PLEASE ACCEPT MY MOST HUMBLE OBEISANCES TO YOUR LOTUS FEET.

HpS - ASA - Lobo's feet.  AGTSP!

Dear Gurudeva How is your health? I'm so worry about you say stomach cancer.

ASA - Seems more likely gastritis with future of ulcer if we don't slow down, move in.

10 of 16 rounds average, some days chanting 19 ... conciousness of my debt writing delayed like you told me, 4 principles ok. Reading daily SP books.

Keep fixing things of your visit w/Madhavendra P Das and Ambarisa M Das. Thanks to you, them and to all of you disciples to let me help. Guru Maharaja you want to make some particualar program during your visit, beyond of Jungs meeting, I asking something like "Education" like in your latest visit. I know you talk with Ambar and Madha if you answer it to them. Ignore my question.
HpS - Yes, there is letter from the M.puri. We answer it next.
I'm resolving some familiar issues. Is hard began to see my parents getting old. Hope be preparated for this phase.

HpS - Old age is good friend for a philosopher. Good chance for them to become philosophers. They can be very happy. Tell them that because their daughter is a very good girl and first class religious lady they will surely go to heaven and if they are a little industrious they can go hand in hand to meet sit with God and talk about things.

Have to finish to organize my India trip. I will give all of my effort to do everything in a good mood, Cakori is helping me, and so some devotees from Argentina giving me the appropiate guide.

- Ratha Yatra almost kill me, but I realize I have to improve my mood. Jagannatha bless me a lot.

- Kirtan programs keeps on, for pleased [pleasing] Srila Prabhupada. (attached photos) THEY HAVE OFFER CANDLES TO DAMODARA! :) Distribute some books. those are my news for now.

Thanks for encourage me always to improve. Make a few days I had celebrate 3 years from my initiation and I want to thank you. I know I am unable to pay my debt, but you just trust in me, that is why my compromise remains intact and each garland i make, each incense i offer and every service I make, I remember you and try to please. Please accept my humble obeisances at your holy feet. Grant me intelligence necessary not to lose my chance to BACK HOME, BACK TO GODHEAD.

Your daughter.

Rati-Manjari Devi Dasi.

HpS - Thank you for your association. I think many people find your association delightful, intoxicating. You live in a wonderful country, just have to extract the nectar from the poison!
All of your efforts seem nice.
Of course, FORGET EVERYTHING, even organizing our visit if that will help you get 16-nice rounds done daily. When you do that you will discover that EVERYTHING GOES well. What do you want?

1. Marry a pure devotee, incarnation of God?

2. Have God for a Son?

3. Become a Hare Krsna, Monja?  (Santa Rati of BsAs)?

4. Paint super pictures?

5. Have the world's biggest Barbi doll collection?

6. Organize fantastic dramas, movies, on the SB?

7. Become a living example of the Siksastaka and help 25-more devotees do the same?

8. All of the above?

9. Other.

Well, if you just chant 16-enthusiastic rounds a day and follow the 4-principles strictly you can have it all!!!!!

AGTSP

Paoho.
Our Vyasapuja, for Vyasa deva and his representatives, will be like 11th January. So is time for Disciples to start posting their Annual Reports to the Blog here, no? Should be easy to do, just follow the robots instructions.