In the Fall of 2011 I was privileged to visit a place which I found after walking the ground to be a sort of heaven on earth. I fell in love with this piece of land set back in the hill of West Virginia. I also fell in love with the people who lived there, the devotee of Krishna. One person in particular, after being introduced to her, became a mother to me and took me under her wing. She loved me even though I am a stubborn quirky sort. This is her grace Malati Devi Dasi. She gave me lessons, my 1st set of chanting beads, and got me on my path of being a scholar in KC. I am a single woman who has devoted my life to serving the Lord even before KC became part of my path, she helped me to understand it better and work it into my preaching, teaching and life. She lives in New Vrindaban, West Virgina. There are several senior devotees and a Maharaj Vasudev Swami, whom I love. I have gotten to sit with him and his grace Radanatha Swami, once and just chat, then again with others in a circle informal discussion of minister in New Vrindaban. Mother and I the only women in the discussion.
New Vrindaban became a second home for me when I spent the summer of 2012 there. I was recovering from having tumors removed, and needed a quiet place to pray, meditate and be. My plan was to be there 2 week and do service, but I ended up staying about 7 weeks doing service. That was the hottest summer in the USA in a long time. The Lord had some tests he wanted to take me through. Thing that tested my spiritual strength and fortitude that when finish would make me stronger and more advanced to go on in more responsible service. While there my service was something as simple as wiping off tables, helping to cook for the deities, transport the deities, to cleaning the women's ashram, cooking and serving over 200 devotees. The only thing I didn't want to do was to be on the alter. I know how to do it, I learned how, but I enjoyed watching. I did lead, sing Arti, kirtan and Gita discussion. I enjoy doing so even now upon occasion and when visiting small temples. New Vrindaban gave me my indoctrination head 1st into doing more then just singing kirtan in KC, it put me to work, made me a more responsible devotee. In such lead me on a road to advancement. I had reached a high level in Christianity long ago, and needed something else, because I get bored. KC has given me a whole new area of study, and New Vrindaban has given me another home to go to. I love going about every so often and just spending a few day in the ashram, It is like I can hear the deities calling to me to come. While there I love doing service, walking the grounds chanting, going to morning program, and serving the deities and devotees. I have been asked to move there permanent several time. Even though I love the place dearly, i have not felt the calling to make a permanent move.
If you are visiting in the USA, a good place to come visit is New Vrindaban West Virgina. You will not be disappointed. I hope you fall in love with it just like I have.
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