Hare Krishna Dear Gurudev,

Please accept my humblest obesiances. All glories to Srila Prabhupad. All glories to your lotus feet.

HpS - AGTSP.  We are making a little progress towards having lotus feet. Our efforts are small because our evil lusty desires for good food and good drink are strong.

I hope this letter meets you in above-average health. It’s been a few days of fasting with Janamastami, SP appearance and  ekadasi yesterday. It’s funny how much I think of grains during those days even though the mind feels so much lighter and cleaner and efficient.  Habits are hard to break.

ASA - Yes, deep and subtle. We purify our heart but then we must need the proper association to keep it engaged in its new found light atmosphere.

I had been in a dry spell a few weeks back where work was pretty much consuming my life. I was unable to keep up my rounds and basically lost all sense of self under the pressure and demands of management roles. It took a couple of punches from maya and the soothing salve of senior devotees to put in perspective  that Krishna is above all else.

That He is stronger than my stresses at work and I should not become a slave. I feel like I knew  that and it was in my “long-term” knowledge bank but what use is it when I can’t apply it at the appropriate times. Yesterday and the weekends, I took some time to chant early in the morning (like you always say…get up early and finish your rounds…)  and I journaled to Krishna. I wrote out all my thoughts and worries and concerns and it all seems to become miniscule in front of God.

I also had been thinking of you a lot (especially  during Prabhupad’s appearance day) but couldn’t bring myself to write as I had been neglecting your instructions.  I wanted to take a moment and just say I’m so sorry for doing so and am forever indebted for your mercy. Your instructions are so simple and I can feel the power when I follow them properly. I got distracted during this point of my life, and realize the beauty in living simply. Every day is a battlefield at work- for the most part because im one of the few females in this tech field. A lot of what I say gets overlooked on the daily and my subordinates don’t follow orders well. I think the biggest blow was to my ego and I am actively trying to be aware and not let that affect me.

Every morning I offer incense, flowers, candles, ghee lamps to the deities and you. Weekends I prepare something nice. Today, they had raspberry scones, banana bread, zuchinni noodles with basil, and cheesecake muffins (my sister likes to bake for them). I start off my day with them and beg for blessings. Im sure Krishna is teaching me to get outside my comfort zone and preparing me for something much bigger. I hope to keep this tiny flame of devotion alive and with your grace, keep it sheltered from being extinguished by external forces (work, health, family, etc.)

Also, if you have any plans of visiting the NorthEast area (DC, Richmond, etc.) please let me be of service. I eagerly await your darshan. 

I beg for your forgiveness and simultaneously, for your shelter and strength.  Please keep me engaged and sheltered at your feet.

Thank you for you causeless mercy.                                       

Your insignificant and struggling servant,

Sugopi dd

HpS - Hare Krsna. Very strange, we just finished talking with you in the FEP on line.
When we have a FMP, then our Daily Sankirtan becomes more fun. We understand that our only business is distributing Srila Prabhupada's books. Quantity is nice but so also is quality. Distribute books to people that you know well, even after just three minutes of contact.

We look for more letters from you.  How is your father's spiritual life, purification?    You should know, or now calculate how many rounds you failed to chant and then make them up later.