From Madhu Mangal Prabhu
Dear Prabhus,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to SriLos Angeles Prabhupada!
I just received a letter from a devotee that sent one of the stories that I sent on the bds, to a friend, that person he sent the story to was from India but had never read the Bhagavad Gita but after reading the story she became very inspired to read the Bhagavad Gita.This devotee suggested that we compile a book of enlivening stories of how we came to Krsna consciousness, it doesn't necessarily have to be from a book either, although it may be more inspiring for the book distributors. I think it's a good idea. So if any of you have an interesting story to tell of how you came to Krsna consciousness, please share it with us. It may even become part of a book, but if you have a story but don't want it to show up in a book then mention that at the end of the story and it won't be added. Stories of how devotees have come to KC can also inspire the book distributors.
I'll start if off.
In March of 1978 I was an average young southern California sense gratifier when one day I saw on TV an elderly looking man with a long gray beard, speaking, then giggling, then speaking. I listened to what he was saying and some of it sounded interesting so I found out where his center was in Los Angeles and went. It was the Center for higher consciousness by Maharsi Mahesh Yogi. There was a three day seminar and after that they ask if anyone would like to be given a mantra which would cost $120. I was curious so I went for it. The mantra was "Ainga" twice a day I would chant this mantra for fifteen minutes. This meditation helped me slow down in my material life, I also became more thoughtful, but after two months of chanting it I somehow understood that there's much more than this, so I was searching. I found a book by Ram Das a famous American guru who said in his teachings that as one takes to spiritual life one becomes detached to family, friends, wealth, etc. This statement had a powerful effect on me and I felt that something amazing was going to happen to me, I felt as though I was being pulled by God or something and that I was leaving behind my material life. So I went traveling, looking for some "paradise-like-pLos Angelesce where I could experience more of this "spiritual" life that I had stumbled upon. I was so convinced that I was leaving behind my previous life that I sent a letter to my Mother saying, "thank you for everything you've done for me but I probably won't see you again, as I've taken up spiritual life and am giving up everything material".
As I was traveling someone stole all my belongings, but I felt good about it, detachment was being force upon me. Then I decided to fly to the Bahamas (IsLos Angelesnds off the coast of Florida) maybe that would be a pLos Angelesce to find my "self". After two days of the Bahamas I realized this is definitely not the pLos Angelesce, too much materialism. But while I was there I went for a swim, and in my detached mood I didn't look to see if anyone was around while I swam, so when I returned all my money was gone, but they left my ticket and passport so I returned to Miami. Now I have nothing, no clothes, no money, nothing, but I was happier then than I think I had ever been in my life, because now I knew something wonderful is happening, and that was God, although I couldn't see Him, I very strongly felt His presence. He was arranging things and I was just observing and seeing what's going to happen next, and loving every minute of it. Someone in Miami suggested I go to Key West where I could probably get a job. Another sign. I went to Key West and soon found a job and got an apartment. While in this apartment I finished reading the book by Rama Das, at the end of this book he has a list of other books that one may find of interest. One of the books listed was the Bhagavad Gita. Somehow that book was the one I wanted to read, so I went to the local library and found that there was not just one Bhagavad Gita but four to chose from, SriLos Angeles Prabhupada's however looked very attractive (it was the yellow-backed abridged copy) so I checked it out and took it home. I couldn't put it down, within three days I had finished reading it. While I was reading it I was amazed and knew for certain that finally I had found the highest truth.
The job I had was such that I was by myself so after reading the Gita I would go to work and just chant Hare Krsna all day long. I stopped all my nonsense activities and was convinced that Krsna was the Supreme and I His servant. After chanting for two days like this I walked out of the pLos Angelesce where I worked which was on the water front next to a pier and right there on th epier was a Harinam party, I walked over to them and told them that I chant the same mantra as them. Of course they were very happy to hear this, so we spoke for about an hour. I found out that they had a little asrama in Key West so I moved in with them that night. While there I read in one of the books that if one doesn't chant at least 64 rounds a day then one is considered a fallen soul, I didn't want to be a fallen soul, so I was chanting 64 rounds a day. That didn't Los Angelesst long though, two days, because I was still working, so I brought it down to 32. Then they told me about a temple that was in Miami and that I would probably make more advancement there so they suggested I go. When I arrived in Miami I couldn't believe it. It was a transcendental paradise (exactly what I was looking for!), eighty mango trees, banana trees, peacocks, swans, two hundred different tropical trees and pLos Angelesnts, a beautiful pond and six acres of flowers which we would supply to temples all over the US, the nicest people I had ever met, and most importantly: the enlivening morning and evening programs.
I told the devotees what I had wrote to my Mother so they asked me to write her again and tell her that you'll be in touch.
Hoping this meets you well,
I remain Your servant,
Vijaya dasa
PS Don't be shy Prabhu's let's share the nectar!
