THIS IS AN ADDRESS TO THE DEVOTEES IN LONDON BY HIS HOLINESS BHAKTI CHARU SWAMI, MAY 2010

Transcription and Editing : Anasuya Dasi

Hare Krishna,

I was also thinking that I spoke for about one hour, but what Ireally wanted to say I didn’t say that.  What I really wanted to say isthat I am very happy to be here with you all.

Devotees: “Haribol!” (clapping)

I had been missing you all very much.  Actually it has been one ofthe longest absences from England last twenty five years.  I’ve beencoming practically every three months or so, but this time I have beenaway for about nine months.  Probably you can understand mydifficulties and different responsibilities, different other areas,which didn’t allow me to or enable me to come earlier.  But often Ithought of you all and I do miss it very much, especially BhaktivedantaManor, and I feel very happy to be here with you all and I’m very happyto see you all.  Although I couldn’t have much of a personal exchangewith most of you but I’m looking forward to more of personal exchanges.

And in this respect I also wanted to mention that, today I was toldthat this year the participation in the Malaga retreat is even lesserthan last year.  Whereas last year the feeling actually was that thisyear there would be more devotees, because devotees were so excitedafter the retreat that they felt that many more would come.  So in thisrespect I just want to let you know that this retreat actually has beendesigned simply for the sake of your association.  Like, when I had theheart problem two years back I was told by the doctor not to travel somuch and I also realized that I cannot possibly travel very muchnowadays.

That’s why I thought that I would spend one week in…, just in oneplace, away from everything, where the devotees come and meet me and wecan spend the time together.  And I also used to tell them that, allthe time, all this years I had been travelling to come to you, now youtravel a little to come to me.  So, please consider the importance ofthis retreat.  I need to spend time with you.  I have taken someresponsibility for your spiritual life and I feel very guilty that I amnot able to execute it properly; guiding you personally, taking care ofyour spiritual life personally.  So please make it a point to come tothe retreat.

Thank you.