Maharaja

So today we are finally going to leave Mumbai- we are a day late on our schedule because there was some complications trying to obtain train tickets. Instead of a train we will take an sleeper bus to Udapi- which should be interesting. I am feeling like this bus will be better than the overnight train ride from Vrindaban to Mumbai.

The last few days on Chowpatty have been such a blessing. We have been so fortunate to spend so much time with Radanath Maharaja. One thing that stands out is his unique ability to speak to so many people. Attending his lectures, which tend to be on the longer side, i found by self attentive and concentrated the whole time instead of falling asleep like i tend to do. Able to hear him speak on Saturday night was a real treat since it was a service for unmarried men from ages 19-30. Liz and I sat in the balcony and were able to listen to the whole thing! He spoke about overcoming fear. In Hindu tradition there is the concept of reincarnation. This analogy is used: as one sheds one pair of clothes they pick up a new pair. So basically this material or external body is not eternal, it goes through changes and wille vetually die off. But our soul is eternal- our body may change but our core self is and has always been there. Depending on the lives we lead and the karma accumulated we set up our souls for the next life. Maharaja discussed h0w it is not enought to simply say, i am not this body therefore i am not worried or i do not have any fear. In the sense one may become cold and unaware of the real point. Yes it is important to not focus on the external body, realizing that it is permiable, but the point is in order to overcome fear once must be sincere and surrender totally to God. As one surrenders everything to God one can lose fear since there is total acceptance of what may come- good or bad.
So my realization was that we still have free will and we still have to make decisions in life, but we need to evaluate where we are and make the best conscious decision that will positively impact ourselves and others around us. From here we allow God to take total control of the outcomes. We have the ability to make decisons but we must also accept the fact that we are not in control. I heard an analogy once that life is like waves in the ocean. There are peaks and there are breaks but ultimatly we need to just ride the wave out. We are bound to get to where we are going and there are certain things that we can do to direct us on our paths, but what will be will be. Hare Krishna.

So i leave this afternoon and will arrive on Tuesday morning to my next destination. THere are so many stories that i simply do not have the time to write about now but i will try to write them somewhere so i can share them later on. Love everyone and hope all is well!