Saturday 30 May 2015

Sunday, May 17th, 2015

Sunday, May 17th, 2015
Detroit, Michigan

Celebration for the 50th


After a good sleep and a good walk, and then a trip to the Fisher Mansion, run and owned by members of Iskcon, darshan (viewing of the deities of Krishna) became the first segment of our devotions in this exquisite building.  And what was once the ballroom, now a temple room for Krishna, there we chanted and discussed from the book, Bhagavatam, Canto 5, the main topic being, “How does one please the Supreme when there are varying ideas on how to approach Him?  Is there only one standard approach?”

Answer:  No!  One should capture in essence and in practice the principal of unity and diversity. 

The visit to the Fisher Mansion was completed with a breakfast of something called dokla, kitchery and mango milk.  Yummy!  I sat next to David Hendrix, yes, apparently he’s related to Jimmy. 

After, I was driven to Farmington by Prithu, a local hair salonist, along with Eklavya.  Here, again, we opened to the pages of the book, Bhagavatam, this time, Canto 10.  Being that there were a good number of children inside the building, I thought, “Let them sit in front near me.  I’ll read the passage, quiz them, get them involved.”  The technique here is that automatically, parents get captivated as well.  One of the lessons learned from the passage is that the Creator definitely stages dramas on a full universal scale.  Each and every one of us plays a role in the cosmic performance. 

As usual, in a bhakti setting, there’s always food, prasadam.  Yummy! 

The third activity of the day was a visit by folks to Prithu’s home where I was staying.  A monk by the name of Bhakti Ashramam came to join us and engaged with us in song and in reading on the humble beginnings of kirtan to the western world.  In 1965/66 the process of kirtan was introduced by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.  That makes 50 years.  We need to celebrate this in a grand way with music, song, dance, and food.  In our own modest way, in a little corner of Detroit, we did dine tonight in celebration (with eggless rolls). 

That is three meals for the day.  The first – Indian, the second – Italian, the third – Chinese.  All were yummy.  May the whole world celebrate!

May the Source be with you!

7 km

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