Hare Krishna 

PAMHO. AGTSP!

Maharaj,

I understand your reluctance to fly way down under. I would avoid it myself, but I was born here. What to do..

Yes I recently went out on Sankirtana (book distribution) after a hiatus of a few months. Prior to that I had made a vow to go out for at least one hour per week, which I found very uplifting, and great training. I was doing this for some time. I think I have done about 2 years on books all up since 1995.

Presently, we have organised giving Bhagavan Gita class at the farm village we have here for travelling youth who help out, by doing labour for the temple. I love giving class.... kirtan, dancing, prasadam...and basically everything in KC. I think it just took me 20 years to really understand, register and appreciate the philosophy Srila Prabhupada has given us.

I put up some A4 posters today (x2) for the class which is scheduled on Sundays for 12:30. Hopefully if it is received well (I am told) then I can carry on with it.

I am still on the farm and go to the morning program everyday, and usually try to assist building up the attendance of sandhya arotik by assisting or leading the kirtan.

REQUEST

Mathuradis Prabhu got on my case today, about simply explaining to you that I have been around ISKCON long enough now, and given my seriousness, and desire to take a vow before the deities and formalise my initiation then I should just directly ask now.

I have been chanting hare krishna and following all up for about 5 years (having come and gone several times), but have again been very strict and serious in the past 9 months. If fact more serious than ever. Now I am 41 years of age and feel I finally have the maturity, and the 'clearing' after completing my studies, and being now divorced from my karmi wife, to undertake this lifelong committment.

In fact since first joining the Melbourne brahmacary ashrama in 1995 I have never felt more ready formalise this connection to our sampradaya. (When I joined I had a fleeting temple name of Janardan Das (Montreal spelling), and so when I left the devotees in 2005 I decided I did not want to forget Krishna entirely, so changed my original karmi name 'Jonathan Edward Kingsford Andrews' to 'Janardan Das Andrews' via depol / the government. Not-so-bonafide but there it is. Perhaps you can sanctify it Maharaj).

I would really appreciate being initiated by your kind self very soon. I can get the recommendation from Ajita Prabhu here upon request, so I am simply dependent on your mercy. 

Your servant,

Jay.

HpS - Thank you so much for all these austerities. Yes. Move ahead. If you have been following everything for one year, have letter of recommendation from Temple President and did this ISKCON Disciple Course, then, of course, you should take first initiation.