From Govardhana Hill,
My journey to Vrndavana entailed a marathon flight from San Francisco to New Delhi inside the pressurized cabin of a United 747 aircraft that hurtled six hundred miles per hour at fifty-five thousand feet over the Pacific Ocean, past the international dateline, making brief stops in Tokyo and Bangkok airports, until finally touching the ground of India.
From the sweltering heat in Delhi a wild four-hour taxi ride through swerving honking traffic, delivered me first to colorful Vrndavana and then to my final destination at the serene Bhaktivedanta ashrama at Govardhana Hill.
On board the airline during takeoffs a flight attendant requested all passengers to listen attentively to a safety announcement, which in part, advised us that in the “unlikely case of a sudden drop in cabin pressure” we were to put on an oxygen mask that would drop automatically from the a compartment above our seats.
Each time I heard the announcement, I noted that able-bodied people were to “put on their masks first before assisting others, like small children, with putting on their masks.”
As I heard this message, I remembered how my dear friend Satyadeva Prabhu once told me that the first principle he was taught at Paramedic school was, “A dead Paramedic cannot save anyone.”
At the scene of an accident or disaster, the Paramedic’s first duty is to stay out of harm’s way so that he or she can capably save others.
Considering this principle, I thought, “What use are my plans to improve the world, my advice (or criticism) for others, or even my benevolence toward the downtrodden if I cannot improve or save myself?”
As my trip to Govardhana entailed abandoning regular duties for six weeks I was happy knowing that I would be in the constant association of devotees engaged in hearing, chanting and remembering Krishna and His holy names. Such activities are like oxygen for the soul that give me the strength and realization to deal with the complexities and sudden drops in cabin pressure that are inherent in daily life.
At the time of death few people wish they had worked longer hours at their jobs and no matter how one tries in material life, the ultimate result is disappointing. On the other hand, people who invest valuable time in spiritual cultivation get back more than they expect.
In his Gita purport to 8.10, Srila Prabhupada writes:
“One cannot suddenly remember the Supreme Lord at death; one must have practiced some yoga system, especially the system of bhakti-yoga. Since one’s mind at death is very disturbed, one should practice transcendence through yoga during one’s life.”
Plan time, on a regular basis, to escape your normal responsibilities and take a deep spiritual breath by hearing, chanting and remembering Krishna with no distraction. Those who do this regularly truly help themselves, and become strong enough to help others.
With gratitude and affection,
Hare Krishna!
With gratitude and affection,
Vaisesika Dasa
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