This shot Riyadh, Janaddriya Fair, 1997
Self-serving Autobiography of a Devotee ; ) +HK+ Gour Govinda relevant
I have always had an interest in God and finding Truth, being raised a protestant Christian. I was much interested in astronomy in my early years, but along came the sixties and all that that entailed in Canada. Shamanic journeys, experiments with Buddhism, and then taking up vegetarianism, and tons of reading in spiritist and pop-yoga literature later, I asked God to please reveal to me His Name, and then I would consider all my prayers and life fulfilled ! During a psychedelic journey, I realized I am not the body, that there was indeed an active chakra system, that life was meaningful although this world was full of flaws.
Soon, I met the Toronto Blue bus TSKP devotees; Balakrsna, Drupada, and Ayodhypati prabhus performing Harinama kirtana in my home city, and I got that Name, bought a Gita for $5. from them, and immediately decided to join, but I was told I was too young (age 16). So, I continued my school life and reading of Gita As It Is by Srila Prabhupada, and some chanting, all of which convinced me ever more mystically and deeply. Sri Krsna was what everyone was looking for!
At age 18, 1972, I joined New Vrndavana, and later served in Toronto, Winnipeg, Montreal, and still later, Bhubaneswara temple in 1977-1979 ish as secretary treasurer, and later acting president. I left temple life at age 26, acquired professional degrees, married w. one son, did some preaching and books to associates, etc., along the way, including in Saudi Arabia. Sometimes it seems like a long life.
A precedent has been set by another devotee, HH. B.V. Bhagavata Swami Maharajah, of describing some of his early spiritual events which he was fortunate enough to attend, in a descriptive list. I find it helpful in defining a devotees life, and delighful nectar to recall. Here goes;
1.1st. initiated in Winnipeg in '74, after almost two years of brahmacari preparations, and BTG distribution.
2. Attended full solar eclipse at Kuruksetra, '75
3. First personal service to Srila Prabhupada of carrying his bags, during the Chicago installation of Gour Nitai Deities in Radha Damodara buses.
4. Srila Prabhupada specifically blessed us Winnipeg sankirtana devotees !
5.2nd. initiation in Sridhama Mayapura on Gaura Purnima, full lunar eclipse that evening '75, said 1st Gayatri that evening in Ganga, kijay!
6. Maha-kumbha mela attendance, '75 ; served Srila Prabhupada personally by finding his shoes,( after wearing them on my head and eating the dust!), also tasting his medecine remnants, and fetching him bathing water from the auspicious brahm muhurta time at the tribeni. Lokanatha Swami and associates and I then did TSKP pilgrimage to Varanasi, and did hari-kirtana at the five hundredth anniversary, at Lord Siva Venkateswara's Mandira, of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's visit there.
7. I attended the installation of Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha while serving at Toronto, '73 ish and the Installation of Radha Manohara, Montreal, '75 ish, attended installation of Lord Sita-Rama at the opening of Bombay temple, official opening of Sridhama Mayapura Mandira, and the official opening of Krsna Balarama mandira in Vrndavana, there hearing Srila Prabhupada's live lectures on many occassions, all memorable.
8. Served Gour Govinda Maharajah, whom I consider a siksa guru, and Bhagavata Swami, my dear Godbrother and also a siksa guru, in '77 - ' 0. We contributed toward the building of Sri Krsna Balarama Mandira in Bhubaneswara. I was asked to give talk based on my written memories of the time period at the installation of Sri Gour Govinda Swami's deity in samadhi in 1997, Bhubaneswara dhama..
Actually, the auspicious occassions are copious, I cannot list them all. All thanks to Senapati Bhakta HDG AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, a mere fool from the prairies tried to make his life successful.
Now I am taking care of an aged parent devotee, as the only son available. She is a very good devotee of Gopal. I spend my psychic time wrestling Serpents and GBCs with our friends Alex and Swami.
I am hoping to perfect my vanaprastha life by serving the devotees and begging for the Pure Name; Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and chanting the panca-tattva mantra lots! PAMHO to all the devotees !
sites; https://www.youtube.com/user/Tamoharadasa
email; Tamoharadasa@yahoo.ca
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