Columbus, Ohio
I Went To Prison
My dear friend, Akhilananda, from Salem, Ohio, took me to
the Trumbull Correctional Center to see Arjuna, a prisoner (aren’t we all?),
and who will serve time for another 8 years.
Because of his great conduct, officers and inmates at the institution
love him. He has been put in charge of
the art department for the whole place.
Arjuna isn’t anyone I can walk with until he is discharged, but I can
certainly visit him annually. He gave
the good news that he’s soon to be engaged which will last until marriage, and
which also won’t happen until the sentence is terminated. Both Akhila and I are thrilled about this new
development and are impressed with Arjuna’s patience.
To Columbus I went.
There, I had the pleasure to trek with our sole monk from Krishna House
located in the Ohio State University District.
Nitai Gauranga is the name of the monk who accompanied me along the
Olentangy River, a stream of constant water that flows to the Mississippi. The city here has put incredible energy into
revitalizing and beautifying the river banks and protecting it from
erosion. I’m told the trail along the
way goes a good 22 miles.
To be explored at a later date.
Finally, evening came along and the usual Thursday gathering
showed up. From the Bhagavad Gita we
spoke on 11.54 regarding unbroken service which repairs the broken heart.
In hindsight, at the prison, a janitor asked, “What order
do you belong to?”
I had to repeat myself more than once, “Hare Krishna.”
He obviously never heard the term before, and asked, “What
kind of Christians?”
I repeated, “Hare Krishna.”
Thinking he got it right this time, he said what he
thought I said, “Oh, Happy Christians.”
“Alright, whatever,” I thought, and he went back to
sweeping.
May the Source be with you!
8 KM
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