Sthira devi dasi

Dear and respected Guru Maharaja,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I met you several years ago, through your lectures and associating with devotees I got to know hearing and chanting are the most important aspects of one’s life. I felt I got the message clear and straight; I would never let a day pass by without hearing and chanting. Youth of my life kept passing by and I held very tight to the rope of hearing and chanting. I developed some interest in reading Srila Prabhupada’s books and added that to my to-do list.

Lately, I have been hearing a seminar from Festival of holy name which emphasized four key elements

1) Humility

2) Mercy

3) Honoring other living entities

4) Not expecting any honor in return.

It dawned upon me I am a mechanical chanter.

You have been kindly tolerating my practices at whatever level they are and have been encouraging me to keep moving forward. You are an ocean of qualities; I am very appreciative and grateful for your qualities of tolerance and perseverance.

A conditioned soul like me is enamored and allured to the external energy of Krsna. Although one may chant, yet to move from a to-do list program to becoming aware of chanting mechanically may take several years. You show by example how to respect and value such a conditioned soul, providing for them ongoing support and encouragement in different ways, at different levels through different channels and individuals. No matter what the conditioned soul chooses to do you never withdraw your shelter.

With your support and guidance from your dear devotees I have been kindly given this process of purification. I pray and beg for your mercy to be able to fully embrace this process of Krsna consciousness and be dedicated in service to the mission of Srila Prabhupada.

Your servant,
Sthira devi dasi