Radhe\u00a0 Radhe !<\/p>\n
My friend Sadanandi Mataji sent me this very wonderful inspiration –<\/p>\n
Gathering Gems: Peak Experiences and Lessons Learned During My Japa Retreat in America The highlight of my own experience during the Japa Retreat was when I could Speaking of which, we had one 83-year-old devotee – Mother Indrani – with Later, by the grace of Yajna Purusa Prabhu, I heard a powerful To conclude the experience of our Japa retreat 2010 at the Elkins Estate, I My Dear Nama Prabhu,<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Please accept my prostrated obeisances and my sincere attempt to write You a To meet You is truly my only desire and my only project. By Your grace, this Your helpless, yet hopeful soul, still in this world, Radhe\u00a0 Radhe ! My friend Sadanandi Mataji sent me this very wonderful inspiration – Gathering Gems: Peak Experiences and Lessons Learned During My Japa Retreat in America (Elkins Estate, PA) The highlight of my own experience during the Japa Retreat … Continue reading
\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span>(Elkins Estate, PA)<\/p>\n
\nperceive a glimpse of how the Holy Name connects us with the personality –
\nthe svarupa – of Krsna. “Impersonal” japa feels mechanical, just like
\nunconscious breathing – and it may turn into something which makes us shy
\naway from our sacred practice of chanting our fixed number of rounds. It
\ncannot really satisfy the soul’s deep longing for relationship with the
\nLord. But if we do indeed wish to chant japa in that personal connection,
\nthen attachment to the Lord is required. This attachment can be best gained
\nin the association of devotees who already possess it or eagerly await it.<\/p>\n
\nus, who was severely afflicted by bodily ailments. Towards the end of the
\nretreat, she passed in and out of consciousness (as she had many times in
\nrecent years). On the last day of the retreat, eyes glowing with enthusiasm,
\nshe shared the following wisdom: “Work on that one relationship while you
\ncan and your bodies are still in working order. Aspire, cry, beg! iIt’s all
\nthat counts.” Her example and words affected me profoundly.<\/p>\n
\nrecommendation from Srila Prabhupada on how to chant with full attention:
\n“Just try to hear yourself chant sincerely.” I’d not encountered it before.
\nAnd this simple piece of advice (that almost sounds like the enigmatic
\ninstructions by a Zen Master) has profound depth to it. The potency in this
\ninstruction is that it forcefully catches the mind and quickly brings the
\nchanter into the sacred inner space of the heart.<\/p>\n
\nwrote a personal letter to the Holy Name encapsulating my feelings towards
\nHim. I would like to now offer you some excerpts from this little “love
\nletter”:<\/p>\n
\nletter that reaches beyond the confines of my material universe and connects
\nwith You directly, in Your world. I have heard from Your pure servant, my
\nSrila Prabhupada, all about Your glories, and I believe everything, because
\nI have surrendered myself to his care. All that I ask of You is to kindly
\ninvite me again into a meaningful relationship with You, so that I may
\nfinally regain my real life of service to You and Your divine associates.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\ndivine prospect is now beginning to take shape, deep within my heart. Please
\ndo not trust or answer the myriad inauthentic voices and messages which my
\ndiverted mind may sometimes send Your way. But rather, please flood my heart
\nwith the unlimited sweetness that gives rise to an almost maddening
\nattachment for You. And in this way, may You and Srimati Radharani be
\nglorified supremely with my every breath, for eternal time.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n
\nSacinandana Swami<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"