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

HpS-ASA - Esteemed Swami Eric, Your biography is very nice. Thank you. Ours on the Wikipedia seemed pretty good when I saw it some time ago. I realize things about my family Karma that would have been useful since years ago, every day. My Mother, ancestors have always been pioneers. That is so much how I tend to work also. I was feeling guilty about wanting to be breaking new ground and not settling down but now I see that it is natural for me. When I take up a service that I know its needed and order by my authorities, and not my Karma-yoga then I have to bribe my mind and senses to do it. Chant Hare Krsna Look for guidance in Prabhupada's books Consult with good number of various devotees 1.2.3 And you should get very satisfying direction in your life! Even if you have to kill 640 million people in 14-days. More news as it comes