Los Cuevas, Trinidad
Two Friends
It was a treat on this perfect day to be with an old friend, a new friend. Along this world class beach I did trail alongside Guru Prasad Swami, an American born who became a monk around the same time as me. The new friend referred to is Agnidev, known in the world of devotional circles as a leader of smooth sounding kirtan.
Agnidev, I never met before, until now. When singing as he did at the beach under a tropical tree with a group of Longdenville Community and I, his voice came across, as usual, in a very transparent way. It’s the voice of a crooner without ego. Compliments to him. After running a successful restaurant in Santa Rosa, California, for a number of years, Agnidev decided to retire from the restaurant business. When he received the consent of his dharma patni, wife, he moved back to his native Trinidad where he is now the smooth mover and shaker of the community.
With the old friend, Guru Prasad, we talked of many things. While waves of the ocean were crashing near to us, we contemplated the direction of our worldwide mission. We were rethinking and redefining our various centres and temples. Our thoughts were that a certain type of person is very much drawn to the ritualistic side of devotion. The majority of people in many countries that we travel to (he, predominantly in Latino places, and I more so in Anglo territory) appear to be more attracted to kirtan, to discussions, and good exotic, but holy food. He and I firmly believe that we should give greater emphasis toward cultural educational approaches. We pondered the benefits of this direction, giving ritualism a secondary place.
Number one, it is always imperative to deliver what’s in demand. And number two – presentations must be of quality standard, even though the subject is non secular.
May the Source be with you!
5 KM
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