IN FOCUS: BHADRA YAMUNA DASI
Interviewed by Glenn Harrison.
Glenn: Hi Bhadra Yamuna dasi. We’ve had discussions about your life before being a devotee, I found it very fascinating, please share some of it here for The Conch.
Bhadra Yamuna: I was born in central Pennsylvania in an area where culture is slow, with Pennsylvania Dutch roots. An ISKCON farm was just 30 – 40 minutes from my hometown, but I didn’t know about it. My childhood was simple and fairly culturally sheltered. I spent most of my time reading, being outside or with my large extended family. I travelled quite a bit after high school – across the US (partially by bicycle), to Europe and the Middle East. I Studied a variety of things such as Plant Based Nutrition, Massage Therapy, Yoga Therapy, and Permaculture. I was also involved in several sustainable lifestyle projects.
Glenn: How did you come to Krishna Consciousness?
Bhadra Yamuna: As a child I was pretty quiet. I prayed every day and went to church events with the older ladies in my neighborhood. So, the relationship with God was present. I relied on Him with my faith and felt nurtured and protected. At some point, while travelling, I heard a harinama in the distance – it felt like home. This happened several times. I was given the Bhagavad Gita, heard pastimes from Krishna Book at a Yoga institute, and started listening to kirtan daily. I was drawn to the maha-mantra and the little that I had read about bhakti yoga. A few years ago I heard devotees doing kirtan at a yoga festival. I saw their purity and was shy, but it changed my life. Eight months later, I spontaneously bought a ticket to India and travelled there solo for the first time. In Delhi, I visited the ISKCON temple (first time), and someone told me that if I loved this temple then I would love it in Vrindavan. Immediately upon returning home, I decided to retire from the five-acre farm project that I was involved in and, by the mercy of devotees in Michigan, I’m here today.
Glenn: What brings you to this community, besides a plane?
Bhadra Yamuna: Because of my nature and upbringing, I was looking for an ISKCON temple with a thriving farm, diverse community, and also other facilities that incorporate health and wellness. The idea to come to Australia had been in the background for many years, but it wasn’t until several friends and my spiritual master suggested New Govardhana that I became set on it. I met Dhriti dasi and Ajita dasa while they were visiting America last summer and Ajita said “apply for your visa today,” – so I did.
Glenn: How about devotional service? What are you engaged in at present, what services would you like to perform?
Bhadra Yamuna: Right now, I’m engaged in several services in the Deity Department, including assisting with cooking, paraphernalia, and organising. Recently, I began tidying the Goshala Shop. My intention is to offer healthy options and create a simple system where others can get involved and express their creativity. One of my favorite services is sharing Srila Prabhupada’s books, dressing Srila Prabhupada, writing articles for The Conch and devotee care. I’ve facilitated a few classes in Krishna Village that connect mind, body and spiritual life with harinama, garlands and books like Bhagavad Gita. I’ve been temporarily managing the women’s ashrama while Mandali Kishori dasi has been in India.
In the future, I’d like to serve the Deities more intimately. I’d like to cook for them, dress them, and serve on the altar. I also have a desire to serve some of the deities while visiting America, specifically Radha Govinda and Radha Krishna in Brooklyn, New York, and Radha Damodara at Gita Nagari in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. I’d like to learn more harmonium melodies, and do a bit more travelling sankirtana.
Glenn: Please share a gem, or a realization of Guru and/or Krishna from your experiences.
Bhadra Yamuna: My spiritual master is unconditionally kind to me – and he’ll always be there for me. Giving my whole heart to Krishna isn’t always easy because of my conditioning. Through my guru, I’m learning how to surrender myself more in faith and allow myself to really love. I’m also learning how to love others and see Krishna behind every situation.
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