Now the Suns of Janmastami
and Vyasa puja have gone from
our sight and we have to keep
the service attitude, inspiration and remembrance.
Now the Suns of Janmastami
and Vyasa puja have gone from
our sight and we have to keep
the service attitude, inspiration and remembrance.
Today is overcast, Grey skies
showering torrents of rain,
for some it’s depressing,
though it is life giving.
Since I grew up in foggy
San Francisco, I never
associate overcast skies with
anything negative or undesirable.
Though I was depressed growing
up due to my painful family situation,
underneath it was a sunny disposition
which took a loving wife to manifest.
My childhood sadness, the precursor
which fostered my dormant spiritual connection,
brought me to search for what was
missing from my life–Krishna.
On this rainy, windy day I sit
in a place I have written in before–
the tire shop, where I have my car worked
on, while I look out the window, thinking.
Living in the city
separates us from
the natural order of things
and our dependence on the Earth.
We put our personal enjoyment
and convenience above what
sustains life
and is good for all.
Basic requirements for life?
Sun, air, and water come to mind,
yet no less important is the Earth
which roots the life giving plants and trees.
Tending a garden makes this dependence
abundantly clear, seeing practically
how these requirements for living work
together to sustain our life.
So many factors
have to combine to
produce a healthy,
bountiful crop–
Ultimately it’s Krishna, the unseen hand
behind nature, and then the fertility of land,
sufficient sun and water,
and keeping away those hungry bugs
I am not much of a farmer,
for laziness sake admittedly,
though I greatly dislike having to
kill the weeds and bugs.
A good mulch helps, with
healthy soil and plants,
timely planting and natural sprays
to repel, and sometimes kill “pests”.
Necessity or survival changes everything–
when we have to live on what we grow,
our attitude transforms from
whimsy to dedication.
If only I could see Bhakti
as the earth, water and air of
my life, then I would always
chant and serve with intensity.
Festivals like those past
remind us of our urgent
need to remember Krishna
in every thing we do.
Another year to become
convinced that only loving
and serving Krishna will give
us our hearts fulfillment.
If we knew this would be
our last Janmastami in
this body, what would our
mood and attitude be?
So we can pray and ask
for the prayers of others
to keep the spirit of the festivals
throughout our life!
Life is meant to be a festival
or celebration of the glory
and wonder of Krishna,
giving thanks for his love,
as we endeavor to love him.