"Life Goes On"

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on" Robert Frost

The accompanying picture of a plant coming out of a wall bordering our front court yard is a fine example of this. Due to a presence of a powerful force - called the soul, or spirit, or energy - soft plant matter can penetrate solid concrete and persevere or 'go-on.' And without that presence, a man who once was effecting millions, is not even able to shoo away the flies hovering around his face.

Recently I attended the last rites of a departed spiritual uncle, prompting me to really consider these things, and prompting me to make the best use of whatever time is left.

My spiritual grandfather, Srila Prabhupada, wrote him a letter in 1976. "I thank you very much for your sincere efforts and you have my blessings that you will without a doubt be successful if you stick to the regulative principles and chant at least 16 rounds a day. Surely Krsna will recognize your service, and as soon as you are recognized by Krsna, then your life immediately becomes perfect. So continue your outreach activities all over South America and try and present this Krsna consciousness as it is without any change or speculation, and distribute as many books as possible, for this will have a very great effect on the lives of all those who are fortunate enough to receive them."

My spiritual uncle certainly used his time wisely, and I hope I can try to emulate his example.