On leaving, Max penned the parting words below. His gentle nature and sweet disposition will be missed at the farm; as will hearing about his garden exploits. Bon voyage, Max! Seven months at Gita Nagari passes far more quickly than it should. I came here in late March when the days were short and cold and we wore coveralls everywhere. I knew very little about farming then, and even less about Krishna Consciousness. I dragged logs by hand, oftentimes with the help of others, to what is now my garden. I fed the old cows and tried to learn their names, got accustomed to daily kitchari, learned that paneer is curd and jaggery is gaur, made compost teas and shoveled soil. The days warmed, the coveralls were replaced by t-shirts and shorts, the weeds flourished, and I started to notice things I hadnt before. On walks in the forest I learned of the wealth of nature that exists here. On trying to move a turtle from the middle of the road I learned that snapping turtles exist here, too. Along with the weather, I also began to notice the warmth of the community. I noticed for the first time that many of the ills that afflict American society seem so small and far away here. I had never seen a community so diverse, so full of intelligent and soulful people, so committed to the pursuit of God. Nor had I ever in my wildest imagination thought that such a community would exist in rural Pennsylvania. Living here has taught me that the greatest beauty exists in the most humble places. Whether its in noticing the small tunnels carved through frozen grass by field mice beneath the snow (and the cats that lie in wait), the mental quietude and single-pointed concentration that can come with weeding, the discovery of an unnervingly friendly groundhog living near the old orchard, or catching an incurable case of Tulsi-Anandas infectious smile and good nature, there is a kind of grace hidden in plain sight here. A wise poet once wrote about the importance of facing the shifting joys and disturbances of the heart with the same equanimity as we face the changing of the seasons. The beautiful souls who make up this community have shown me time and time again what this truly means. All people face challenges from without and within, but the treasures of this place and these people remain in spite of it all. Whats more, these treasures seem to grow by the day. Seven months of watching birds, herding cows, chasing groundhogs, and once even petting a baby deer who thought it was being clever by playing dead. Seven months of rice and dal, fresh air, association with inspiring souls, and deepening my connection with the Divine. Seven months of watching nature grow forth and die back, and of becoming more and more aware of a selfless love and limitless generosity among devotees. Seven months at a place that has made an indelible mark on my heart, and seven months with people whom I will cherish long after I return to my home. It has been a true blessing to live and work here, on this vibrant landscape, and among these remarkable people. A place with so much potential is safe in the hands of a community that is bonded by such love. I am filled with gratitude that I have become part of this family, and I look forward to returning again and again to this magical place that I have called home for the past seven months. Yours in heart, Max
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 11:42:36 +0000