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Living in the country has really made the seasons much more alive for me. Yet this year in particular I have become powerfully aware of the deep feeling of spring. For this whole month there has been a perceivable change in the earth that I felt---a kind of knowing from a feeling level. The loud and excited chirping of the birds is an obvious physical and observable sign that something big is changing.

This morning I was listening to one of Prabhupada’s first lectures in New York City where he described the four miseries of life (birth, old age, disease and death) in a different way then I am used to. He described them as the 4 difficulties or the 4 imperfections. The word imperfection really got my attention. (Funny, because I have listened to these lectures many times.) I have noticed over the years that everyone has their gut level attractions and repulsions. From my material or false ego vision, I always notice physical imperfections, and frankly I greatly dislike them.

I have been working in a close friend's New Age store for the last 3 months in Winston-Salem. After having been semi-retired for the last four years without working outside our home, I realized I needed more interaction with others. My desire coincided with their need for someone to run the store while they were traveling to India for pilgrimage. They had a need, and I had a need. I expressed it to them, and then we could see Krishna behind this perfect arrangement.

Wed, 02/27/2008 - 15:36 — NityānandaChandra

Sat, 02/23/2008 - 17:13 — NityānandaChandra

400 Sari and Kurta clad youth all chanting the holy names of Krishna. With arms upraised with surcharged shouts of 'Haribol!!!', these youth beaconed the decent of Hari Nam Prabhu. Who are they? Reincarnations of great yogis, mystics, and bhaktas? Who is to say?

Sun, 02/17/2008 - 14:15 — NityānandaChandra

Srila Prabhupada has stated that our original position is that of surrender to Krishna. This position of surrender is not a forced dependence but rather natural. Srila Prabhupada gives the following example;

The story of Lord (Lord means a type of controller) Brahma (considered by Hindus to be the engineer of the universe---he is called the creator god, but he really is putting together the supplied ingredients for planets, stars and all the soul's material bodies) going to visit Krishna at Dvarka, India 5,000 years ago, is one of my favorite stories for reminding me of my insignificance.

I think of this story when I am confused with other Karnamritas. I get email for Karnamrita dasi the singer, and I get asked if I wrote the biography of Gaura-kishora das Babhaji, or other books. I am reminded of my dear friend Dr. Garuda who has to distinguish himself from another Garuda who is active on-line.

So which Karnamrita am I? That is a great question with superficial and deep answers. Who are any of us?

My guru, Shrila Prabhupada initiated 3 disciples with the name of Karnamrita das, and I am the middle one. So I could answer that I am the insignificant servant of Prabhupada (with one big head of fluff) who was initiated in Los Angeles in August 1970, or I could say I am the husband of Archana-siddhi the well-known devotee therapist and BTG author, or the I am the pujari, or I am the energy healer, counselor, etc. We all have so many ways in which we may be know or designated that are to our liking or not.

"Each person is an eternal soul forgetful of their spiritual identity who has a unique life story and conditioned identity. In the course of providing them products (many of which are spiritually based), I get to have a glimpse of their life's history, by relating to them very personally and asking them questions."

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Today (Thursday December 27th) is the disappearance day of our Prabhupada's guru, Shrila Bhaktisiddhata Saravati Thakur (also called "Prabhupada" by his followers). This is one of those important days to remember such great personalities, our glorious predecessors. He was the son of Thakur Bhaktivinode who was the pioneer of Krishna consciousness in the West.