Blazing Sadhus

Ever since W. Somerset Maugham’s The Razor’s Edge, many books and films have appeared with a similar theme: “Screwed-up westerner goes to the East, turns native, gets enlightenment”—with most of the emphasis on the screw-up and not much on the enlightenment. My purpose in this autobiographical book is to describe more of the knowledge and wisdom that a disciple receives. Krishna says, “I am situated in everyone’s heart and from Me come knowledge, memory, and forgetfulness.” That’s in the Gita, chapter 15 verse 15 and that makes it easy to remember. Krishna in our hearts sends memories that fulfill our desires and withholds memories that hinder them. Albert Einstein described insanity as repeatedly remembering events that are useless. When we attempt to please God, and therein ourselves, the Lord in the heart provides us with memory and forgetfulness accordingly. I hope that Krishna has helped me remember the significant things and forget the useless ones. Since some anecdotes and adventures may be fond memories of my own, others may not find them so. (Ever have to watch a friend of a friend’s wedding video?) Many people became Krishna conscious having seen Prabhupada only once or having heard a few words that ignited their spiritual fire. They instantly found their devotional life. My progress was slow and I needed much more time—enough to fill a book.