LOVE IS TO BE EXPLORED

Tuesday, July 28th, 2026

Surrey, British Columbia

I can say that I never settled down with a person in this life. There was no serious romance for me even in my late teens. I tried to follow the status quo, but that wasn't working as far as relationships are concerned. I used to ask myself, "Where is this love that everyone talks about? Is it tainted with familiarity perhaps turning into hate? Is it life-long or just very short term? Do I really fit into any kind of love circle?"

When I came in contact with devotees I learned about love which to me meant a family feel. It also meant early rising and singing and dancing after a fresh rush of water over the body. I was attracted to not only the movement in the form of dance to the beat, but also to sitting down and hearing someone speak about the One we are to love.

I heard the word “cultivation.” Love isn't just spontaneous or automatic. It takes working at. For me it took time to grow some kind of love for guru (Prabhupada), a learning to love. A cultivation!

This morning when I picked up the drum and began to chant to the deity, I declared to my heart that I love this. Later in the day I met a nice couple in their Surrey home (Harish and Maria), and I thought to myself, over snacks, that I love this. People over snacks.

Before retiring for the day I took that evening walk by the Chinese farmers' fields and, honestly, spoke again to the heart that I love this. Love is not about the flesh. It appears to occupy minimal time, to the exception of a monk especially. Love is deep and is to be explored.

MAY THE SOURCE BE WITH YOU

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