Last night in a circle of people, Tukuram Prabhu asked me, "So what's your story?"
I drew a blank. "My story? Uh, what do you mean?"
"Your story. Whatever that means to you."
My mind flew with images of which tack I could take. Being born and raised a Hare Krishna? No. My path to finding a guru? No. My professional career path? Nah. How I have come to the Bhakti Center here in New York City?
None of them seemed to tell MY story completely.
The conversation within the group of people kept pivoting and shifting, and Tukuram must have asked me 3 or 4 times, "What's your story?"
I was vague. I changed the topic. I kept asking him to clarify.
Finally he said, "Okay, look, I'm going to tell your story."
"Whoah, whoah, I didn't even say anything!"
"But how you've spoken already is enough,"
"But, but - "
"Hey, I might be wrong. But hear me out, it's like getting your fortune told."
I felt dubious. "Ooookay..."
The whole circle of people went utterly quiet and listened to what Tukuram told me what my story was. He described me as affable and easy to get along with, but actually a very private person who doesn't open up much. "When I ask people this question, most people are ready to simply tell me a story, but you? You kept avoiding the question,"
Okay then.
You wanna know my story?
I'll tell you my story of love.
As a child, I always felt this loneliness, this hole in my heart. God was my friend - familiar but not too serious. I had a difficult time growing up with parents that I experienced as not very present in my life. When I was 13, I developed a chronic illness and began to search for a spiritual path that I could own. I began the journey of finding a spiritual master and of healing my relationship with my parents. I have had several romantic experiences that have challenged me to go to the core of my heart to be a woman of honor and integrity. Most of all, I have learned to embrace who I am, just as I am, and to let myself laugh when I trip and fall.
As time goes on, I am finding that nothing of this world fills the hole in my heart. Nothing, no one. Only God, only Krishna, only His devotees.
That's my story.
I drew a blank. "My story? Uh, what do you mean?"
"Your story. Whatever that means to you."
My mind flew with images of which tack I could take. Being born and raised a Hare Krishna? No. My path to finding a guru? No. My professional career path? Nah. How I have come to the Bhakti Center here in New York City?
None of them seemed to tell MY story completely.
The conversation within the group of people kept pivoting and shifting, and Tukuram must have asked me 3 or 4 times, "What's your story?"
I was vague. I changed the topic. I kept asking him to clarify.
Finally he said, "Okay, look, I'm going to tell your story."
"Whoah, whoah, I didn't even say anything!"
"But how you've spoken already is enough,"
"But, but - "
"Hey, I might be wrong. But hear me out, it's like getting your fortune told."
I felt dubious. "Ooookay..."
The whole circle of people went utterly quiet and listened to what Tukuram told me what my story was. He described me as affable and easy to get along with, but actually a very private person who doesn't open up much. "When I ask people this question, most people are ready to simply tell me a story, but you? You kept avoiding the question,"
Okay then.
You wanna know my story?
I'll tell you my story of love.
As a child, I always felt this loneliness, this hole in my heart. God was my friend - familiar but not too serious. I had a difficult time growing up with parents that I experienced as not very present in my life. When I was 13, I developed a chronic illness and began to search for a spiritual path that I could own. I began the journey of finding a spiritual master and of healing my relationship with my parents. I have had several romantic experiences that have challenged me to go to the core of my heart to be a woman of honor and integrity. Most of all, I have learned to embrace who I am, just as I am, and to let myself laugh when I trip and fall.
As time goes on, I am finding that nothing of this world fills the hole in my heart. Nothing, no one. Only God, only Krishna, only His devotees.
That's my story.
1 comment:
You have a beautiful story. Through a sometimes painful journey you have come to pursue the greatest treasure of all-devotion to God. I find that inspiring. :)
I just started a blog..I'd love your thoughts on my latest post if you get a chance. No worries if you don't. :)
Hare Krsna!
http://asecretdevotion.wordpress.com/
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