It is a blessing
to be able to sit
and chant 64 rounds
with all arrangements
taken care of–
nothing else to do
in a most Sacred Space
Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold.
It is a blessing
to be able to sit
and chant 64 rounds
with all arrangements
taken care of–
nothing else to do
in a most Sacred Space
Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold.
Apurva Prabhu’s
healthy, delicious Prasad
(vegy spiritual food)
a talking fast
“mauno vrata”
so no conversation required
minimizing eye contact
or gestures
even during meals
we sit in silence
relishing the taste of Krishna Prasad
listening to silence and chewing
thinking about chanting.
Everything to facilitate taking
the sacred Holy Names
in reverence and honor–
the foundation of our
spiritual life
given a new sparkle
a fresh perspective
changing paradigms
to avoid over familiarity
in an ubiquitous practice
so close like glasses
not appreciated till
they come off.
The Holy Name of
Radha Krishna
so close and spoken of
like a known quantity
shared with others
to “save” them
while we don’t
often really hear it.
In truth its
so far away
only the shadow or
reflection of the Pure Name–
how ironic that
a practice we’ve
dedicated our life to
(some for decades)
is mechanically done
not looked at objectively
to improve
or go into deeper
as it IS Radha Krishna
dancing on our tongue.
We must search out
offenses or “anarthas”
that have kept us stuck
in “courtesy japa”
or same old, same old–
not the nectar we
hanker for
but will bring us
many more births.
Now the Japa Retreat
has come to shake us up
and out of complacency
to remind us of our
incredible good fortune
the most valuable
though neglected treasure–
we don’t have to remain stuck
or marooned on a desert Island
of pitiful tasteless japa
far from ecstatic symptoms.
Striving and praying
for excellence
is so much better
then just squeaking by
getting our rounds done
but mediocre.
Taking the Name
with new enthusiasm
appreciation, focus, urgency
not settling for mindless
repetition while we focus
on innumerable other things
that are only like smoke–
not lasting, and soon gone.
Now to create
new habits for perfection
making chanting hours
our special time
with Radha Krishna
where we employ
many tools to hear
the Name, avoiding distractions
meditating on the meaning
sitting up straight
realizing our sorry
material plight
chanting the Name
with fervor, concentration
and new urgency
as our salvation
in the company
of others advanced
in pure devotion.
Let us make a point
to go forward
since spiritual life
is about positive
change, transformation
or waking up from
our illusory dream
of so-called sense pleasure
fully taking up
Shri Gaura-Nitai’s
clarion call to
chant Hare Krishna
in pure love with feeling.