A confession

Lately I have been visiting a catholic church that is really close to where I am working. It makes for a nice japa meditation spot. I walk in, take my hat off, and chant some maha-mantra, calling on the sacred names of Krishna. Often I have my japa bead bag hiding underneath hat and try to just blend in with others. In the church there is a sign that states that this sacred space is meant to contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus and my mind often brings me to think of the savagery that Haridas Ṭhākura was dealt with as well. Sort of a Christian, Muslim, Hindu mash up. I did not grow up in a religious family so at the church I curiously notice the confession booths. Often is important to let things come to the surface, to make clear, and to clarify.

When thinking about the process of writing I feel that writing itself is sort of a confession. It is a place wherein things come out, are made clear, and brought into the light with accountability. My grandfather guru, Śrīla Prabhupāda, spoke many nice things about the process of writing. The one that I remember is, "To write is to remember." Another one that comes to mind is that he said that by writing, our spiritual realizations become clarified and our doubts become eradicated. That idea reminds me of Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura's description in his commentary on the ancient book Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Therein he writes that of the three, the passive listener, the active inquirer, and the spiritual teacher, the teacher is the one who is most benefited. The teacher is absorbed in a big way and in the same fashion writing can be a way to come to deeper understandings. So do I have any juicy confessions to make? Not now but I must say that Ekendra wrote something quite a while back that built my desire to write but I am just getting on it now.