Dear Guru Maharaj,

PAMHO AGTSP!

I'm just writing to reconnect since it's been such a long time. The last several months have been very complex and eventful, like a new incarnation, and I'm still trying to process all the ideas and experiences that lead up to where I am today.

HpS - ASA = Vidya vadu jivanam!!

I guess I've been a little embarrassed to write, since I was forced to move in with my partner a little prematurely to escape poverty and potential incarceration. Immediately after I left LA they began to enforce laws targeting vandwellers like me. Even 6 months of long distance dating is not enough to prepare one for sharing space, but somehow despite all odds we remained together for another 6 months and now we are officially engaged.

I managed to find decent work out here in Dallas doing art handling, so I'm learning all about how to pack, ship, and install artwork for museums, galleries, and private collections. Whenever I have time, aside from devotional practices I'm completing the next stage of my independent study by exploring subjects pertaining to my spiritual art goals. Lately I've been practically a recluse, taking some online courses and reading books mainly about music, art history, Spanish, sanskrit, Kabbalah, astrology, and poli-sci... but I did manage to get out and hear a class by Mukunda Datta prabhu just the other day!

Both Reivin and I are gradually developing our strategies to exit the workforce asap by selling goods and services we produce ourselves, and coming up with ways to help others do the same. We're about to start taking some permaculture workshops soon so that one day we might be able to start some kind of school or community. I've been in touch with Daniel Cody about potential future collaborations but in the meantime we're still just taking things one day at a time.  Reivin has been having some neurological issues possibly related to a car accident she survived some years back, and the transmission finally went out on my van, so the main focus now is just patiently gathering strength and skills, knowledge, resources, and contacts in order to do some valuable service in the near future. I hope by the time my Spanish becomes more fluent I'll be able to visit you in Peru!

your wandering miscreant,

Ekashma Das

HpS - We have been worried about you!   Where is Ekasma Das?   Are you gettting 25-rounds done per day and following the 5-regulative principles?     Your life sounds O.K.   You haven't taken to wine and roses!!    Of course, simple Temple life as an LA b'cari is one way to go, but isn't a practical path for everyone. So then the challenge is to find another bona fide path. There are a lot of them.

First thing is Hari nama.   Japa vrata???

Then Ethical Life. Four principles.

Then VAD  ... B'cari, Grhastha...   Brahmana, Ksatriya, Sudra....    as service to Srila Prabhupada in ISKCON.

How is the Japa???

We are associated with ISKCON Murfreesboro, Nashville, which is Nitai-gaura-sundara Das and a few more devotees, and with other Temple communities when we travel.  That is a stable path for us.

O.K. Hope to hear from you soon!! 

Interesting painting!