By Maharishi Das
For the last two weeks I have been lost in work, going to bed at 5am and getting up at 8am, feeling intense pressure. Then, last night, I had a transcendental encounter that came out of the blue as a complete surprise.
My friend Chris came to see me and at the time I was testing out a piece of equipment for another customer. I had been working on it for 3 months trying to get the the best sound, but was still not satisfied that I’d got it right. I was tired and dissatisfied so Chris sat down with me to listen to some music and give me a second opinion on what I had created.
Chris is someone I have known for years as he has purchased from me previously and he shares my passion for engineering (he works in aviation and for many years was involved with Airbus). He has assisted me in a number of engineering projects and says my passion for what I do is special and that I have dedicated myself in a way he hasn’t seen before. He also thinks I have some very ‘off the wall ideas’ something that amuses him greatly. I always reply that “It is the Lord who directs me and I do not think of this as work. It allows me to express who I am and to meet the most wonderful souls like your good self.”
I have never pushed Chris towards a spiritual life, but I have mentioned Krishna, the devotees and have given him books too. A few years ago I had shown Chris how to chant and gave him a bead bag with some neem beads. When I came from back from hospital in 2020 Chris visited me and I told him about seeing the Lord and how Krishna wanted me to stay and be engaged in service again. Chris always showed interest and was respectful, he had even visited the temple with me on a few occasions and had taken prasadam there, but still, I saw him as a friend. I never stopped giving Chris prasadam when he visited me and continued sending him videos of the Harinama. I figured if Krishna wanted him to become a devotee then, in the fullness of time, he would become one. I always felt he had Krishna in his heart and I would always mention the Lord as part of our conversations. However, I could never really judge how much of this was being absorbed by Chris and if was he really taking on board what I was saying. So, in my mind, we remained friends, sharing our mutual passion for audio.
Yesterday Chris left the room after an intense listening session and said he had to go to his car. Some time later, I realised he had been a while so I went to look for him. I went outside to the car, but he wasn’t there. Confused, I went back inside and headed for the kitchen to get some water. I found Chris in the living room, praying to Lord Jaganath with folded hands. I noticed Chris had a tear in his eye as he remained gazing at the lord, it was a very special moment, and one I was not expecting. Chris had never displayed the depth of his attachment to Krishna like this before, when he had finished praying he hugged me and said, “Thank you.”
I asked him why he was thanking me, I did not understand what I had done. He said “All you have been telling me, the books and the spiritual food you have given me has awakened my heart”. He told me that the fact that I was just being his friend and never pushing him towards spirituality made him feel close to me and to God. He shared with me that he had dreamed of Lord Jaganath a few times over the years, not really understanding who he was. He remembered seeing him on the chariot at Ratha Yatra and remembered me telling him about Titiksu Prabhu and meeting him with me one time at an audio show. I also mentioned the devotee behind Ratha Yatra in the UK Titiksu Prabhu had built my alter many years back.
He told me he had read every book I had given him and explained he had started chanting 6 rounds a day and had stopped eating meat. I was totally surprised, I had no idea that this had been happening. He asked me several questions about Lord Jaganath, as he had been going through some hardships and the Lord had appeared to him in his dreams. out of nowhere he asked me if I could help him to set up a altar as he wanted the Lord to be present in his home. I was overjoyed at this, but wondered what his wife would say. He replied “I can feel how peaceful your house is. It is because Krishna is here and I always feel your energy and your love for him when I am with you. You have set such a example and never pushed me; but have never stopped mentioning him and that is why I read the books.You talk about all sorts of topics but have never forced the issue.”
I laughed, “Well, I had the impression that asking you to shave your head and wear the robes would have been a little too much.” He laughed. Chris kept on asking me where he could get deities for his house, he said, “I want Krishna in my home.” I suggested he could have Gaura Nitai deities for now and explained the worship of them. I was still in shock, I just could not believe how my friend was inviting the Lord into his home. I offered a Arati to the Lord and explained deity worship to Chris. Afterwards he sat down, just gazing at the Lord, truly captivated.
I never realised the true extent his heart was touched by what I had been telling him. He told me that he often sees the Harinama in Hitchin and always stops to see the devotees chant. They are all my friends so I suggested that next time he should make contact with Ananta or Jivana Prabhus, then we chanted two rounds together. I could feel his purity and sincerity and as we chanted the names of the Lord, I marveled that all these years coming to see me as a customer, engineer and friend, the Lord had been preparing him for a very special journey back to his lotus feet.
Before leaving, Chris hugged me and said, “You are my my true brother, your love and kindness has bought me to Krishna and soon Krishna will be in my home.” Chris is a man of few words and for him to say that, was truly special. I sat after he had left quietly contemplating on the mysteries and wonder of Krishna’s working. It was then I had my transcendental moment, not only had Chris come to Krishna, but I’d had a release from my work pressure as well. The Lord does move in mysterious ways, I’m sitting here with my mind blown. All it takes is to be the sincere friend off all and always being there for them that can create the biggest spark never forgetting the lord resides in everyone’s heart.
Jaganath Baladeva Subadra Maharani Ki Jai
Srila Prabhupada Ki Jai