Name / Initiated name
Noe
Daily number of rounds of Hare Krishna mahamantra.
6
When, where and how did you come into contact with the Hare Krishna Movement?
When I was 16, I was going through a very difficult time in my life. One day, while I was crying on the bus ride home, a devotee walked past me and handed me a book—*The Higher Taste*. He didn’t say a single word, yet 33 years later, I still think about him and the impact of that moment.
My younger years were filled with challenges, but I remember how simply flipping through the pages of that book and seeing pictures of Krishna brought me a sense of peace I had never felt before. That small gesture planted a seed in my heart. Eventually, I sought out the temple and visited a couple of times, but it wasn’t until I was 19 that my spiritual journey truly began. That’s when I received my first *Bhagavad Gita*, started chanting on japa beads, adopted a vegetarian diet, and began attending kirtans more regularly.
I was even blessed to briefly work at Govinda’s, which was such a special experience. Looking back, that single moment on the bus was the beginning of a path that would lead me closer to Krishna and change my life forever.
Name the nearest or most frequently Visited ISKCON temple/ centre and name few of the devotees whom you know.
I began my journey with Krishna on the beautiful island of Oahu, at the ISKCON temple on Coelho Street. Later, I moved to Los Angeles and cherished my time at the vibrant temple on Watseka Avenue. Now, I find myself in North Carolina, where, unfortunately, I live quite far from the temple and have only had the chance to visit once.
However, this summer, I’ll be moving back to Los Angeles, and I’m thrilled at the thought of being much closer to the temple once again. I’m truly looking forward to immersing myself more in devotional life.
While I haven’t yet formed close connections with many devotees, I feel that I’m now in a place where I’m ready to change that. It’s a new chapter, and I’m excited to deepen my relationships within the devotee community.
Please describe yourself so that other like minded devotees can find you.
I feel like I’m just a lone devotee finding my way on this beautiful yet challenging path. Although I began falling in love with Krishna many years ago, I did lose my way for a time. Maya is so powerful, and it has taken me some hard lessons to truly understand that. Now, I realize how important it is to devote my mind, body, and soul to Krishna.
At times, it can feel lonely not having like-minded people around me who share this journey. My non-devotee friends often struggle to grasp the concepts that are so dear to me—like abstaining from romantic relationships, avoiding intoxication, or following a vegetarian lifestyle.
I am also a single mom raising a wonderful daughter, which brings its own unique challenges and blessings. I’ve made many mistakes along the way, but I am sincerely trying my best to keep my focus on Krishna and live a life centered on His love and teachings.
I’m hoping to connect with other devotees who can understand and inspire this journey, as we all strive together to serve Krishna and uplift one another.
What are your expectations from this community?
I have none! I just happy to be here :)
Describe any specific service you would love to offer to Lord Krishna & His devotees?
I have three degrees in Psychology and am currently in the process of seeking out doctorate programs. My dream is to one day become licensed and offer my services to any devotee who may need them. Supporting devotees in their mental health journeys while incorporating Krishna consciousness into the healing process would be a true honor for me.
In the meantime, I would love to assist devotees by helping them find the mental health resources they might need. I understand how overwhelming it can be to navigate this process, and if I can help in any capacity to make it easier, it would bring me great joy. Being able to serve Krishna and His devotees in this way feels like a meaningful offering aligned with my skills and passion.
