During my first years of high school, I was introduced into Hare Krishna philosophy. It was extremely akward because NO ONE at my school knew what a Hare Krishna was. Everyone knew what a Hindu was, but at the same time no one knew who Lord Krishna was. I had originally left Christianity because it had felt too basic for me, I did not feel much energy from it. I could tell that everyone went to church just for social acceptance, and just to get it done and over with, no one was truely worshiping God. So I left Christianity to find a much more serious and deeper path of spirituality, and that was when my friend Radhika introduced to me the Bhagavad Gita. I especially loved the Bhagavad Gita because it was moral and truthful. Many other religious scriptures say it is alright to kill just because someone is different, but the Bhagavad Gita says it is only acceptable to kill when it is absolutely necessary, and that is another reason why I found the Bhagavad Gita to be moral and full of truth. After finishing the Bhagavad Gita, I bought other books by Prabhupada, and eventually without even realizing, I began pracitcing Vaishnava philosophy. I had found the truth I was looking for, I was more happy as a devotee of Krishna than I was a worshiper of Christ, however there was one problem. I was afraid what my community would think, everyone around me was Christian, or at least most was. The only closest location for Hare Krishna's was Chicago, and I lived 40 minutes away from Chicago. I really wanted to come out to my community and everyone around me that I was a Hare Krishna, so I did. I started wearing tilak and carried Hare Krishna books with me to read at school. Most of the time I would read, a student or teacher would ask me what book I'm reading and what I'm wearing on my forehead. It was akward to answer, but it was nice to let others know what a Hare Krishna is. However it got annoying, literally I could not go anywhere without someone asking me all these questions about my religion. Some even bullied me and called me a "hippie" and a "queer worshiper" Because of Krishnas feminine apperance. I was especially annoyed at their rude comments towards Krishna. I would take any negative comments towards myself, but anything negatively directed towards Lord Krishna was almost like a bullet being shot at a friend, I would jump myself in front of the bullet for Lord Krishna because I had a deep love for him.
I hanged up an image of Radha worshiping Krishna on my locker, and sometimes kids would desecrate it. Kids would somehow break into my locker and write all over my images of Krishna, and that brought me to tears. So I decided I had enough of kid's desecrating my dear lord Krishna, who was the one I worshiped. I made the bold and yet terrifying decision to make an entire speach to my whole school on Hare Krishna's and respecting other religions. I also told them that bullying one for the causes of their sexuality, race, gender, or religion is illegal and that I would not tolerate it, I would report them. I was compassionate to everyone who insulted me, but I have a limit, a rude comment now and then is acceptable, but bullying is a whole different story. Anyway, during my speech I taught them what Hare Krishnas are because I constantly got questions for what I practiced. The people who bullied me had apologized to me, and apperantly did not realize they were bullying me, they thought they were just "joking around" (which annoyed me because how does desecrating a religious image count as "joking around") But I forgave them. I am still in high school as of now, soon to finish it. I have met several Indians at my school who are Hindu, but never heard of Lord Krishna. They mainly worship God's like Shiva, Ganesh, Vishnu, Durga, Etc. But were never introduced to Hare Krishna. I was able to make a club solely for Hare Krishnas or anyone interested in it. I feel good that I am leading others back to Lord Krishna. Anyway now I have gained acceptance and everything is fine from here on out. Thank you for listening to my story, More to come!
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