On our arrival in Lvov/Ukraine on the 14th of August we were welcomed by my translater Acyuta Priya mataji and several local devotees, who immediately took us on the two-hour journey to the site of our planned Holy Name Retreat in the Carpathian Mountains.Situated in the most Western corner of Ukraine, this area used to be part of the Austrian Empire before the war. And indeed, everything reminded me of Austria: the mountains covered by dense dark-green ferr tree forests and lush meadows, and the little villages with houses almost in the same architectural style like in Austria!
The only difference is the standard of life: Austria being much more wealthy and organised, whereas this part of the world looks like Austria eighty years ago....
In winter this area serves as the only skiing resort of Ukraine, where one can find high enough mountains for engaging in this popular winter sport.
The devotees had rented a simple holiday center which perfectly served our needs: enough accomodation for more than one hundered devotees, a big kitchen and prasadam area, and a suitable room serving us as our bhajan kutir to hold the seminars.
The only difference is the standard of life: Austria being much more wealthy and organised, whereas this part of the world looks like Austria eighty years ago....
In winter this area serves as the only skiing resort of Ukraine, where one can find high enough mountains for engaging in this popular winter sport.
The devotees had rented a simple holiday center which perfectly served our needs: enough accomodation for more than one hundered devotees, a big kitchen and prasadam area, and a suitable room serving us as our bhajan kutir to hold the seminars.
The room where we conducted the seminar had a nice atmosphere to it, being just big enough to host our group, and having wood pannelled walls and ceiling. It created a confidential and personal atmosphere to support our endeavors to bring the chanting of the holy name to the level of the heart.
In the surrounding nature we could find many wild flowers to make beautiful
vases to decorate our altar and Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana.
And thus we embarked on our usual journey of following Sacinandana Swami's perfect formula of the Kirtan ARROW, preparing the consciousness and opening the heart in order to receive Sri Harinam Prabhu on deeper levels.
In the surrounding nature we could find many wild flowers to make beautiful
vases to decorate our altar and Srila Prabhupada's Vyasasana.
And thus we embarked on our usual journey of following Sacinandana Swami's perfect formula of the Kirtan ARROW, preparing the consciousness and opening the heart in order to receive Sri Harinam Prabhu on deeper levels.
The skits summarizing the previous day's discussions were once again a wonderful way to engage devotees in a deep learning experience and allow them to interact and build relationships within their groups.
Several senior devotees attended who gave nice morning classes in connection with the Holy Name. Acyuta Priya Prabhu who is serving as the Regional Secretary of Ukraine joined the event and gave one morning class and lead two deep and prayerful evening kirtans.
One exercise is always very popular: I request everyone during the lunch break to go and pick some flowers for Krsna - to develop our relationship with Him. I remind one and all not to fall into the trap of allowing the false ego to whisper into our ear that we have to find something very special - something so extraordinary, to ensure that everyone will recognise our supreme position.....! Our false ego is our constant companion and trouble maker, always trying to make us believe that we are so extraodrinarily special and unique.....
So in this little exercise I appeal to the devotees not to become subjected by this urge of trying to be special, but to simply pick some flowers and leaves with devotion and affection for the Lord - as loving exchange between us and Him.....
So in this little exercise I appeal to the devotees not to become subjected by this urge of trying to be special, but to simply pick some flowers and leaves with devotion and affection for the Lord - as loving exchange between us and Him.....
Another exercise is to write a letter to Sri Harinam Prabhu - something which many initially don't find so easy! Nevertheless, it tremendously helps to get rid of our impersonalism and to realize that Krsna is actually a person, manifesting within the holy name. And thus we can connect with Him personally by turning towards him and addressing Him feelingly, by expressing our gratitude to Him and glorify Him.
Once I heard Badrinarayan Prabhu tell how Prabhupada was asked about the meaning of the maha mantra. After pausing for a few seconds Prabhupada responded: "The chanting of Hare Krishna means 'I need some help'!"
Helplessly crying out to Krsna......
Once again we observed one day of complete Mauna Vrata, to relieve our subtle body of the toxic effect of speaking too many unnecessary things. As the gross body gets overburdened with toxins from overeating, in the same way the subtle body suffers the same results from the uncontrolled urges of the tongue.
We all enjoyed the peace and quietness during this Vrata, and some devotees kept the vow of silence for the following days aswell.
Once I heard Badrinarayan Prabhu tell how Prabhupada was asked about the meaning of the maha mantra. After pausing for a few seconds Prabhupada responded: "The chanting of Hare Krishna means 'I need some help'!"
Helplessly crying out to Krsna......
Once again we observed one day of complete Mauna Vrata, to relieve our subtle body of the toxic effect of speaking too many unnecessary things. As the gross body gets overburdened with toxins from overeating, in the same way the subtle body suffers the same results from the uncontrolled urges of the tongue.
We all enjoyed the peace and quietness during this Vrata, and some devotees kept the vow of silence for the following days aswell.
Devotees shared wonderful and heart moving realizations during the closing ceremony which once again were reassuring me that such events are indeed very nourishing to our spiritual life.
On the 20th of August we traveled to the city of Rovno and visited the small community of devotees here.
Around four or five years had passed since my last visit to this yatra, and I was happy to have an opportunity to associate with the devotees once again.
We held an evening program continuing the discussions on chanting the holy name, and on the 21st we attended the little festival for Lord Balarama's appearance. I was invited to give the main lecture in the afternoon, and a joyful kirtan and a feast concluded the auspicious occasion.
And all the while we could perceive the echo of the Holy Name Retreat still resounding within our hearts and minds....
In the morning of the 22nd of August we took the train to the other side of Ukraine and arrived in Kharkov on the following morning.
And it felt good to return to one of my homes - after more than one month's absence......
Your servant, Devaki dd
Around four or five years had passed since my last visit to this yatra, and I was happy to have an opportunity to associate with the devotees once again.
We held an evening program continuing the discussions on chanting the holy name, and on the 21st we attended the little festival for Lord Balarama's appearance. I was invited to give the main lecture in the afternoon, and a joyful kirtan and a feast concluded the auspicious occasion.
And all the while we could perceive the echo of the Holy Name Retreat still resounding within our hearts and minds....
In the morning of the 22nd of August we took the train to the other side of Ukraine and arrived in Kharkov on the following morning.
And it felt good to return to one of my homes - after more than one month's absence......
Your servant, Devaki dd
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