Hare Krishna!
Jai Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu!
Jai Srila Prabhupad!
Dear friends,
This is my first post to this august forum, so please forgive my mistakes.
I am a 38 years old unmarried man living in Aundh, Pune. I have suffered from a severe depression like disorder since birth. My mental and physical energy levels are always low. I was taken to all kinds of doctors but nothing helped. In-fact the so called "modern medical science" made my health even worse. I tried many alternate medical systems but to no avail. I was not able to reach any of the normal milestones of life despite trying hard. I was always down in the dumps and had lost all faith in God and man. I had begun to wonder if it was at all worth dragging this hopeless life.
Luckily, I came across a few videos of Prabhupad ji on youtube and I was immediately captivated. Further, when I read a few books by him I knew I had at long last found what I had been looking for. I began chanting the Mahamantra regularly and for the first time in my life felt an improvement. Since then I have made many adjustments to my lifestyle like, following the regulative principles, head bath with cold water, wearing kaupin, going to bed early and rising early, eating only prasadam etc. I have felt a distinct improvement in my life because of these but my health is still fragile.
I have realized that I know very little about Krishna Consciousness or Vaishnav culture. All that I know, I have learnt from books or from the internet. I don't know even one person associated with the movement. I visited the Radha-Kunjbihari temple in Camp, Pune, but could not find any body to associate with.
I have a very humble request to make. I am looking for an experienced, senior disciple who can take me under his wing and guide me along the path of KC. I cannot go and live in a temple presently on account of my poor health. Please help me if you can.
Thank you very much.
Replies
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
You need to associate with devotees and fortunately for you, Pune is the hub of congregational devotional preaching. Pls try to meet HG Radheshyam Prabhuji or his followers. Find out more devotees - like I promised, I will find out a couple of numbers and send you.
Everything is falling in place for you prabhu, association will strenghten your resolve and you will begin to enjoy this journey back to Krsna. Pls do not hesitate to associate. Maybe go to that temple again and try to find out where youth preaching is happening in your area or if there is any bhakti vriksha happening.
Take care and pls be in touch,
Haribol,
Your servant,
Rashmi
Actually, you taught me a lesson today, Prabhuji! Let me explain.
Firstly, is there a murti of Lord Caitanya Prabhu at the Pune Temple? Yes?
Well, all of a sudden - I realized that none other than Mahaprabhu can there be the very best association. Mahaprabhu attracts so many to His Lotus Loving Feet that many come flocking to His fragrance of Radha Krishna.
Then I realized, that when you approach Mahaprabhu with love, when you look around you suddenly notice others who have also naturally come to this fragrance! It is only natural, their association is now within reach, beneficial to the heart!
You see, I was also a bit depressed lately. Why? Well, some Hindus who are not from ISKCON told me I am a chandala, an untouchable no caste, and a mleeccha, all because I am a "Western Hindu" not born in India. This made me feel very, very sad indeed. I was told I dare not associate with them.
But then I learned this lesson from you, and now by the Grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu I will have association! How so?
Because of you, I seaeched for a picture for what would make me happy again. And then I found this picture!
http://padmanabhdas.wordpress.com/2012/09/28/today-is-disappearance...
Please accept my Humble obeisances! Now I know by Mahaprabhu I will find association! Give Caitanya your Love and see!
Your well wisher in devotion, Jai Sri Krsna
Lord-Chaitanya-Carries-Haridas-Thakurs-222x300.jpg
Hare Krishna,
Please associate with more devotees, attend more kirtans, chant Hare Krishna mantra regularly at home and watch/listen kirtans online. Also, read Prabhupad's books as much as possible.
I am no expert in this path. But you have already found the beginning to your solution. Every poison we drink builds tolerance to that poison. And your path is your pure Dharma. Awake or asleep is simply learning or knowing. Your life and experiences will teach you all you need to overcome it. And it seems you have stepped into this realm and there are some great people here with very very good advice. Follow them. I know all too well what you talk about. You can message me whenever you like. All i can say is, press on, keep going and it gets better.
Much love