Blog

It was four months ago when the door bell rang and I found Jason at the door looking rather disturbed. Jason is an old client of mine whom I’ve known for over 20 years. I was rather shocked that he had turned up without an appointment and when I asked him why he’d come, he said that he was interested in upgrading his turntable. I could see he was upset and felt his explanation hid something deeper, so I invited him in.

Jason sat down and we talked and listened to Jazz. Then I played Vandeham where Srila Prabhupada is chanting the holy name and, in no time at all, I could see the expression on Jason’s face changing. The sound of Srila’s chanting was having a big impact on Jason. He had never ever shown any interest in spiritual things before, but over the last two years I had been sending him harinama videos.

Jason started to cry and went on to explain that he had been very disturbed for a while, as his 2 year old son had died from leukemia. He felt very depressed and lonely. His relationship with his wife was suffering as a result and he had even considered suicide to end the pain. I explained to Jason that suicide has major consequences for one’s soul and went against the laws of nature as he now has a sacred body. I told him he would suffer even more if he took his life. I hugged him and tried to make him feel understood. He said that he felt a kindness in Srila Prabhupadas voice and went on to say it felt like a father caring for him. I replied that I would assist him and be by his side through his journey. Jason admitted that was why he had come, as he saw me as someone who is kind and a person of God. He told me I was the only person he felt he could turn to.

I persuaded him to pray with me to my deities and he folded his hands in front of Lord Jaganath. He felt calmer. It was an incredible sight to see Jason on the ground paying obeisances to the Lord. He told me that he’s known if he came to me I would help him. I just happened to have Srila Prabhupadas garland from the manor at hand, so I put it on Jason and he embraced it closely to his chest. He smiled and said, “I am feeling a lot better.”

With Jason sitting in front of the Lord, I told him that I had a very special gift that could change his life. I said to him, “Just as Srila Prabhupada was chanting, I chant every day for over 2 hours!” He replied, “Thats mental! How can you do that, run a business and look after a house all by yourself? How do you do it?”

I said, “Its a question of priority, and chanting gives me a clearer mind and I can accomplish more as I center everything I do around the Lord and in turn the lord actually directs and helps me. By chanting, I am actually able to render more service to him than if I didn’t.” I asked Jason if he would like to listen to me chant? When he said “Yes.” I started to chant and Jason closed his eyes and listened to the mantra. As I finished the chant, Jason said, “Beautiful, beautiful!”

Jason asked me what was I think about when I’m chanting. I explained chant is asking the Lord to engage the devotee in loving service to him. I explained without the holy name I have no joy, no happiness, as all earthly things are mundane. Chanting the holy name allows me an intimate contact with God that is impossible for me to attain any other way. It gives me peace of mind and builds in me the ultimate relationship with the supreme Lord himself and without this I would be lost, miserable and really weak. I went on to say that everything is so much more focused when chanting and it helps me remember that all I face here is temporary. It reminds me that there is a higher goal and we can end our earthly misery and suffering by focusing.

Jason thanked me and asked me if I could show him how to chant? I responded “Of course.”

I decided to give him a set of beads and a bead bag, so I rushed upstairs, but couldn’t remember where I’d put my fathers bead bags! I really did not want Jason’s spirit soul to leave without a bead bag. I could feel his thirst for the holy name and his desire, so strong. I knew nothing else could help him out of the suffering and misery he was going through, all the alternatives were a waste of time. I just couldn’t give up, so I prayed to Krishna and he revealed them to me.

I presented Jason with a brand new bead bag and and an unused set of beads. I could actually feel Jason’s excitement. Even through his pain I could see that he truly wanted to connect with his eternal father. I asked him to wash his hands which he did. It was incredible! Here I had someone who had never shown any interest in chanting but having heard Srila Prabhupadas nectarean voice, he now really wanted to embrace his God.

Jason put his hand in his bead bag and held the beads as I had shown him, listening and following my instructions. He was really focused and appreciative. Jason started chanted alongside me and I could see he had some tears. After chanting one round, Jason said, “The death of my son pushed myself and my wife to consider divorcing, because of all the stress.” I told him, if he could, he should chant one round every day and watch how things become clearer. I also handed Jason a Bhagavad Gita to read. I told him, “All the answers are there.”

Jason was so thankful, I felt satisfied that I was able to be some assistance to a special soul.

I did not hear from Jason for a long time afterwards, but I continued sending him harinama videos and I tried to call him but got no reply. Then Jason sent me a text and said, “Thank you for all the videos.” and how grateful he was for all I had done and what a good friend I had been.

I spoke Jason two months later and he told me that the chanting had changed his life and still thinks about Srila Prabhupada chanting at my home. He said that he no longer felts so down and he and his wife are getting on much better and she is much happier now that he is far more peaceful. I said, “This is what I was telling you, but now you have experienced the power of the holy name for yourself.”

Just two weeks ago, I spoke to Jason again, he is chanting 10 rounds a day and is aiming for 16. He is also reading one hour a day and is starting to accept that we can’t go against what the Lord desires. He explained, in his own words, that he had been the caretaker of his son for a short while and that he had done the best he could for him. He said that chanting has given him a far greater understanding of this temporary world and we can only do so much. It is essential to have faith in God. The great news is that his wife is now chanting one round a day too since she has seen how much he has changed, and they are hoping their 10 year old daughter will chant when the time is right. Jason told me he now feels the lord is with him 24 hours a day

I was really not inclined to write this but Jason said I should, hence why I decided to share.

Hare Krishna, All Glories To Srila Prabhupada

Source: http://www.dandavats.com/?p=112398