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An Authentic Life 1.1 for pdf - Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

An Authentic Life 1.1 for pdf - Universalist Radha-Krishnaism

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Swamiji was glad to see us. He said, "I saw the<br />

agents of death coming to take me away. But I prayed<br />

that I live because my disciples need me. Krishna<br />

saved me."<br />

Swamiji seemed transfigured and more effulgent<br />

than be<strong>for</strong>e. He asked me to lead some chanting.<br />

I sang Hare Krishna to a melody we learned from a<br />

Vedanta Forest Ashram record. I wanted to see what<br />

Swamiji's reaction would be.<br />

"Have you been lecturing in the temple?” he<br />

asked.<br />

"No. Do you want me to?"<br />

"Yes, you are becoming advanced and should<br />

practice <strong>for</strong> opening your own temple."<br />

"Where do you want me to open it?"<br />

"You're an American and know better. You decide."<br />

Krishna Devi and I walked on the beach and<br />

talked things over. We decided to open a temple in<br />

Santa Fe, New Mexico since we heard many hippies<br />

were going there to get away from the Haight during<br />

the "Summer of Love" when teeny boppers and speed<br />

freaks overran the area.<br />

I lectured once in the San Francisco temple, got<br />

some other devotees interested in going, and prepared<br />

to hitchhike there with Jananivas to start the<br />

temple. Jananivas and I flipped a coin to decide who<br />

would be temple president. We thought Krishna<br />

would decide the outcome in that manner. I won although<br />

I was never attached to the position, and it<br />

46

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