Where the grass is greener...

The morning began with the usual suspects, who according to Jaya Prabhupada, were anxiously awaiting the other side and the promise of greener grass and fresh pasture. After two unsuccessful attempts to round up the herd, the crew was on the verge of giving up. After a short pep talk, Jaya Prabhupada reminded us that the cows will only listen if we present ourselves authoritatively, with a clear understanding of what we need them to do. Sure enough, three was the charm and the five-mile journey up to Bahulaban began.

The skies threatened rain all morning but hardly a drop was felt. The cows being far more familiar with the path than any of their herders, took to the hike like well-seasoned pros.

With camera in hand, I quickly found myself in the rear, delighted by the wide array of blooming forest flowers and fiddle heads ready to unfurl. White trilliums decorated the trail side amongst the well-postured May apple leaves and the occasional patch of star flowers.

For the folks who don't know, New Vrindaban has got some crazy history. If you take a walk in the woods, in any direction from the current temple building, an incredible array of old cabins, dilapidated houses, and mysterious temples quickly present themselves.

Old Vrindaban is one of the best finds. Crazy beautiful stained glass wall, left only to be appreciated by the occasional vagabond and renegade sapling bursting through the floorboards. It reminds me of the temporary nature of all material things and opulences.

I never actually made it to the new pasture. I took my time and relished the forest splendor. Walking stick in one hand, my prayer beads in the other, I've always been a sucker for woods. Not many places I'd rather be really. Now it's time, though, that I brush up on my plant identification skills and reestablish some personal relationships with so many plant friends I've left behind or have forgotten. Anyone recognize our purple friend pictured above?

"Krishna consciousness is about loving relationships."- this being one of the very first sentences Varshana Swami shared with me last fall. The extent of these relationships is limitless. So many souls surrounding us, but have we introduced ourselves and extended our services? Every plant my guru, each blade of grass, my inspiration. The cows, my redeemers, devotional service, my shelter.

The Birth of the Spoon Revolution

I've always had a slight obsession with soup spoons. Now I understand why. Check out this flick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4sK1PZHWPg

bREAD & pUPPET upDATE

The revised list of BREAD & PUPPET's upcoming performances is as follows:

WESTERVILLE, OH
Otterbein College
The Main Quad
(In the gym if it rains)
EVERYTHING IS FINE CIRCUS
Saturday 4/21, 2 pm

DELAWARE, OH
Ohio Wesleyan University
location to be announced
EVERYTHING IS FINE CIRCUS
Tuesday 4/24, 4 pm

OBERLIN, OH
Oberlin College
location to be announced
EVERYTHING IS FINE CIRCUS
Wednesday 4/25, @ 4 or 4:30 pm

ATHENS, OH
Ohio University
Studio Theatre, School of Dance
EVERYTHING IS FINE CIRCUS
Friday 4/27, 7:30 pm

And here's what I know about Buffalo. Space is not 100%
confirmed yet.

BUFFALO, NY
Buffalo Seminary Gym
EVERYTHING IS FINE CIRCUS
Thursday 5/3, 7 pm

A group of folks from New Vrindavan is planning to attend one
of the performances.  Please let me know if you would like to
join us.

apples, i'm home.

What can I say about these kids? Now 3 1/2 months old, Kesava and Madhava are truly the apple in my eye, the curl in my hair, the puff in my chapatti, and the highlight of my every day. The last two weeks, myself and Balabadra Prabhu, one of the old-timers around here, have been taking the boys out for daily walks. For some reason, they listen really well. A few taps here and there, maybe a tug or two, OK, sometimes big tugs, but then off we go, over logs, over bridges, around the lake, through the courtyard, etc. Balabadra's training methodology emphasizes discipline through sound vibration, and it seems to work.

Cows aren't like dogs. You give a dog a bunch of commands, followed up by the appropriate action, and then reward with treats. But cows aren't so much into the treats. They are big mellow creatures with big hearts. Before nursing time in the morning it's a whole nother story, but during training, they prefer kisses, lots of them, like every 50 yards or so. It's almost out of control. It's almost too personal. And suddenly I find myself all buttered up and blushing when I talk about them. These boys are melting my heart and training me more than I could ever train them. Just when I least expected it, socked in the stomach by the ol' one-two love punch with two bull-headed babies.

Prasad & Puppets

Step right up folks 'cause, while we speak, Bread & Puppet is doing a spring tour throughout the Midwest and East coast! This is show you do not want to miss. The theme of this year's circus is "Everything Is Fine." For those of you who have never had the opportunity of experiencing Bread & Puppet, the shows tend to be more creative than anything, brilliantly satirical, and 100% mind-blowing. The icing on the cake is freshly-milled rye, puppeteer-hands-on sourdough bread with aioli (the garlic medicinal type) served to the audience after every show. Check out the link below to find out more info.
http://www.breadandpuppet.org/tour_schedule.html

On a devotional note, this is the style of theatre I would like to bring to New Vrindaban. Giant human puppets, stilt work, rapid scene changes, outdoor venues, prasadam distribution after every show, etc. being the basic format. Home base for Bread & Puppet is G.lover, Vermont, located in what's called the Northeast Kingdom, a far out place with far out folks. For some time I made my residence within the community there and worked amongst the puppeteers quite extensively. Two winters ago I was able to meet up with the gang in Zacatecas, Mexico for the annual Festival Internacional del Teatro del Calle. This being said, Bread & Puppet is first class, abstract theatre. Make it a point to go to the show. You'll probably be somewhat confused but not disappointed.

Wake UP Sleeping Soul!

Death is such an amazing lesson. Yesterday was the funeral of a dear New Vrindaban community member, Mukta Kesha Prabhu, who left his body on Good Friday last week after a sudden illness and botched operation. It was crazy emotional because Mukta Kesha was a father figure to me. He was one of the first Srila Prabhupada disciple's who took an interest in my spiritual life. He would say something like this to me everyday.

"Mata, we're gonna read the Bhagavad Gita everyday together, OK? Sound good, mata? Bhakta class for me and you. Everyday for an hour. Now don't fall asleep on me, mata. By reading the Gita everyday, reading Srila Prabhupada's purports, you will become an expert preacher. Sound good, mata? This process works. OK, now get out of here."

And sure enough. For two months, we met everyday and read the Bhagavad Gita together for one hour. I looked forward to it everyday. He'd be transcendentally furious if I was even one minute late. He would administer quizzes and tests which I never did. He kept some sort of grade sheet on his computer and I'd give him made up scores. He'd share his realizations on Prabhupada's purports and we'd get into arguments about the position and standing of women in society. His last argument was, "Mata, in Kali Yuga, women are men and men are women so it doesn't make any difference." His philosophical understanding was solid. It was obvious he had taught hundreds of new bhaktas if not thousands before me.

Mukta's service at the temple was prison ministry. He kept correspondence with something like 1600 prisoners, the most fallen souls within our society. His causeless mercy had touched the lives of so many people.

At first I thought Mukta was a little much. He used to come into the men's ashram everyday at 4am and pound on every door. "Jiv jago!," he would call out (English translation: "wake up sleeping soul!"). He was fierce and I could hear him from the adjacent hallway. During the morning program he would play a small tambourine and do the Mukta shuffle back and forth, putting weight on one leg then the other real quick-like. During group japa meditation, he would storm into the room and chant con bravo. But in no time at all these eccentricities made me love him even more.

Muktakesha was from Buffalo so immediately we had a connection. I loved him because he was rough and tough, but humble and genuine. He said what was on his mind and he said it loud and clear. But because he was all heart and was dutifully carrying out Prabhupada's mission, he was a sincere well-wisher of all of humanity. Even when he said something seemingly offensive, it would only make me shake my head and laugh.

During the ceremony I questioned if I could ever pull it together to be as focused and sincere as he was. I wondered if I too could touch so many peoples lives in such a spiritually profound way.

"As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change." -Bhagavad Gita, As It Is (2.13)

The awesome thing about Krishna consciousness is that is fully prepares one for death. The Gita gives instruction on how we can perfect our life in order to perfect our death and how we can perfect our death by perfecting our life. Srila Prabhupada says, "The body is born and is destined to be vanquished today or tomorrow; therefore the body is not as important as the soul." Our body serves only as a vehicle for the precious goods inside. In a human body, we have a unique opportunity to understand this and make proper adjustments and lifestyle changes that will help determine the nature of your next birth (could be in hell, back on earth, bacteria, grass, tree, dog, pig, man, woman, heavenly planets, impersonal Brahmajoti, spiritual sky, Goloka!). This is the ultimate in investment and long-term planning. Please take responsibility for yourself and invest in your soul.

Mukta Kesha took it upon himself to engage me in thoroughly studying the Bhagavad Gita-As It Is. The least I can do for him now is to honor his example and share his inspiration. Please repeat, "I am not this body!" But as long as I'm stuck with it, may as well maximize its potential and encourage others to do the same.