The Saguaro cactus - a fascinating species of life

It was my first visit to Phoenix, the capital city of the desert state of Arizona. On my arrival on the 24th of April I was affectionately welcomed and comfortably accommodated in the spacious residency of my godsister Mother Syama Mohini and her good husband, who live in the quiet outskirts of the city. From the window of my room I had a beautiful view onto the mountains and open semi-arid plains.
The vegetation is rather different here - Krishna is offering us such a variety of species of life in which we can take birth on this planet earth! Rather astounding! He never seems to run out of ideas and often displays a good sense of humor.

I was especially fascinated by the huge Saguaro cactus, which grows up to 18 meters high and lives between 150 and 200 years! Even in this unusual body is a personality trapped inside, patiently waiting to be elevated. Some of them almost seem human-like, with raised arms chanting 'haribol'. It seems even a more austere form of life than a tree. At least a tree gives benefit to other living entities, by offering shade, leaves, fruits and flowers, and also shelter to so many insects and birds. But this huge and almost naked entity simply has to tolerate the blazing heat of the desert sun, and their fruits and flowers are scarce. Those few birds living here are picking a hole into its stem and make their nest there. This cactus is now even under protection of the government, and people who cut it down are given a high penalty. It has become the symbol of the desert state of Arizona.
Srila Prabhupada stated that people who like to show off their body by dressing half-naked may take their birth as trees. Or maybe even as such a cactus?

I had come to offer the Sunday Feast lecture and the seminar on Sheltering Relationships over three evenings. Devotees eagerly assembled and participated in the discussions. Their beautiful Lordships Sri Sri Radha Madhav, Sri Sri Gaur Nitai and Srinathji are worshiped with great devotion - under the expert guidance of Mother Prema Dhatri, who serves as the Temple President. We spent several hours together sharing confidential thoughts and visions, which was endearing and uplifting to us both.

While visiting the Phoenix community, the devotees in Riga requested me to share some memories from the early days of establishing the Riga temple. They were celebrating the 30th anniversary of the installation of Sri Sri Gaur Nitai, and some of the pioneering devotees had come from far and wide to share their memories with the young generation of devotees. My humble contribution was the following video:

On the 1st of May I flew off to Baltimore/Maryland .....

Your servant, Devaki dd