Are we losing Our Attraction?
Vaughan, Ontario
At the work place of one of our members a large room designed specifically for a satsang program (spiritual gathering) was the venue for our chanting session. It was predominantly a Punjabi group. One elderly man, 92 years of age, posed a question:
"Is the movement of Krishna Consciousness losing it's attraction for the people of non- East Indian origin?"
My answer: "Certainly there is a great amount of enthusiasm experienced among Indian people for devotion to Krishna. It is natural for them, as Krishna devotion is inherent since childhood. The first people to take to this process when the Krishna movement started in the west were youthful Jewish and Christian Americans. Our guru, Srila Prabhupada, ignited this awareness with their help. However, in more recent years there has been, by circumstance, an emphasis towards catering to devotional immigrants.
"My particular observation is that the world is changing and that the novelty and wonder that Krishna Consciousness provided in the sixties somewhat waned. Our administrators in Krishna Consciousness haven't always stepped up to move with the world of changing attitudes. The interest in spirituality has always kept alive. The marketing has been weak.
"Recognizing this weakness a few thoughtful persons in the local area decided to take a fresh approach such as opening an Urban Edge Yoga Centre, offering vegetarian cooking classes, conducting intimate chanting groups and Gita classes geared towards a new audience. There has been some level of success in this endeavour. Some attendees at Urban Edge have taken to the process very seriously.
"There is hope for more international involvement."
After a rather full day of speaking, counselling, sharing and cleansing I lay down to rest at 11 PM, but I couldn't go to sleep. I couldn't understand, why the restlessness? It suddenly dawned on me. I hadn't walked, not even a few metres. I had taken a long ride from Ottawa. So I pulled off the bed covers and went for a walk until becoming tired.
7 Km
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