Today is the Second Anniversary of ProFest and I’m Here for it!
Dairy Entry from the first day of ProFest (2022)
Happy New Year!
It’s a new year and I’m here for it! So far I’ve started a new job at this awesome place that does alternative education. I love the people I get to work with and the work is right up my alley. I also booked our flights to Australia! Yep, we’re moving! I’m already there to be honest.
It’s also the 2nd anniversary of ProFest and I’m so here for that too!
Below is my diary entry from this time two years ago. Enjoy!
7/2/22
I was leaving Nurturing Soul after a retreat to go back north to Auckland. Sitapati was in his car with Prahlad about to drive south for wellington. He asked if I was coming and I said no as I had stuff to do to prepare for India where I was meeting my fiance.
I so wanted to go to that protest kirtan but I was being sensible and tending to my own affairs.
Somehow I ended up on a bus going there anyway justifying it by thinking I would be able to sort my passport for India better in Wellington where the consulate is.
On the way there I was posting on social media asking for donations for books to distribute at the Profest. I stayed in Hamilton at Mantra Lounge the night before. Sri Jiva and I went there to do kirtan and a class for Krishna Fest.
The next morning he drove back to Auckland and I caught a bus to wellington. Before leaving I asked to buy some books from the brahmacharis (monks) who live at Mantra Lounge. The monk I asked where I planned to distribute them. When I told them they said they wouldn't support me. I wanted to steal the books but controlled myself by only taking one book.
What follows is a conversation with a concerned devotee on the bus trip to Wellington:
Devotee: Hari. I have noticed quite a few posts by you on social media and groups. As a friend and God Brother I think it might be a good idea to ask whether affiliating the Hare Krishnas with anti-vaccine and government protests is pleasing to your spiritual master or not? Have you asked him ??
Or are you acting without basic philosophical thought ? Our simple and whole process is based on pleasing the spiritual master. That’s it. Bottom line. Perhaps it might be a good idea to check whether you’re going down a route that will compromise your spiritual progress. Just like with Prabhupada presented his anti Gandhian positon and current actions against the British. His consulted the guru. His spiritual master clearly wanted no affiliation with any material or mundane movement anti or pro. There is absolutely nothing wrong obviously with Harinam and distributing the holy name. But to have our movement affiliated on camera and national media that we are supportive of a mundane program is certainly a disservice. Anyhow I am sure the wave has swept u up. Again have u made sure what u r doing is pleasing him?
Muchukunda das: Hare Krsna prabhu. It's really simple. Where you chant doesn't imply affiliation with anything. Haribol.
Just like we can chant at a Pride parade without being affiliated with the pride movement. And maybe what these folks are saying aligns with our sastra. For example they say the government are non devotees and are exploiting the citizens. To those things we say yes but your solution is a fallible soldier. Your protest will do nothing. Therefore we are here, Chant with us, come into our tent. Your war cries and bhoga will not bring you any progress towards your goal"
And look... spiritual progress.. It is unfortunate that the spiritual master... OK it's a great idea, I will consider asking him his thoughts.
We spoke back and forth via voice message and then got to writing.
Muchukunda Das: Youre assuming a lot about my motives. You have a great project that captures a type of candidate and so do we. I don't care about the mandate. That's all in the past. What's there for me now is simply a great opportunity to create bhaktas. I appreciate your concern. There's no need to worry. I'm safe in service and the reputation of our movement is flourishing. If you meet someone who says they're disappointed in us and no longer wants to practice bhakti because they saw us on the news refer them to me and I will deal with it. Hundreds of people here are chanting and befriending us and that's the point😊
Devotee: It is important when and where you do sankirtan, especially if it has implications on our krsna consciousness movement and how were seen and how we're affiliated. Its not rocket science prabhu.
Muchukunda das: If you meet someone have them call me. I can speak with them.
Devotee: The devotees from out of town have ruined the hard work of the local authorities and leaders. Did any of the devotees coming into town ask the leaders if it was okay to come in and represent them in Wellington? They have spent the last two years building a positive and amazing profile with the locals in these difficult times. This passionate run to support these protesters was a very insensitive things to do without asking the hard-working long-term devotees who put their lives into spreading Krishna consciousness in Wellington. I train with the police in Auckland in martial arts and they are changing the way they see me and Hare Krishna’s now. Thanks a lot.
In the next episode I will have arrived at the occupation. Stay tuned.
Throughout the next 21 days I will post my other dairy entries to re-enter the pastime of the Sankirtan occupation in the Parliament Gardens.
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