We've had in the past devotee appreciation days. We call them D.A.D. — Devotee Appreciation Day. We did it for maybe four years, and by the fourth year, I remember driving home and saying to Nirākulā, "How do you feel?" She said, "Alright." And I said, "Well, I don't feel quite right." We felt some anxiety. As we discussed it more, we realized that we were both feeling some anxiety, and we were able, finally, by Krishna's giving us intelligence, to understand what it was. We couldn't say enough about the devotees, although we tried.
For those of you who were there during those times, the D.A.D.s, everyone would try. Some, the overachievers in our group, which is 99% of the population, would get up and try to exalt as many devotees as they could. In fact, in those days, it might have even been possible for the valedictorian, the 1600-SAT-type person, to think of everybody and say something about each one. But it was rare and hard, and for those of us who are not so capable, it seemed like "a dwarf," as Prabhupāda sometimes said, "reaching for the moon."
Somehow, we felt unfulfilled that we weren't able to say enough. Or maybe that feeling when we fell asleep at night, we woke up at one in the morning and thought, "Oh, I missed somebody!" And it made us realize that it's not possible to fully express our gratitude to the devotees for their association. I'm saying for everyone involved, because I know other devotees felt like that, too. But we can express our gratitude to one another by holding space the way we've been asked to by Krishna and our spiritual masters: to show up for our services and set an example for others. And whenever we have the opportunity, when it comes naturally, to fully express, or as far as possible, express our gratitude to the devotees.
(excerpt from HG Vaisesika Dasa's talk)
We were in the U.K., and I was asked to speak with Jāhnavī Jīvana’s mom, and who many of you have met, Guru Charaṇa Padmā. She’s a lovely devotee. And we were talking about the six loving exchanges, and one realization I had was that a loving exchange can be something like, which was really valuable to me, was giving gifts and giving the gift of service to someone.
I remember the devotees who have given me service, and it’s a gift that, you know, as they say, keeps on giving. So, as you know, we have so many devotees that have been here for decades, and we’re welcoming soon, so many new faces. Let's open our hearts to them as well and make them feel as loved and supported and appreciated and valued as we all feel for the devotees we know really well. And if we have some service that we can give to them, do it. It’s the biggest gift that you can give to someone, because, you know, what’s the saying? “Your sevā will save you."
I’m sure all of you have experienced that somewhere in your lives already. I know we have, I continue to experience that. So, if you have the opportunity to encourage someone, especially someone new to the community, please, please do it. Let them feel the completeness, the acceptance, the care that we all give to each other who we’ve known for so long. That’s one of the most valuable things that we have as a family and a community.
(excerpt from HG Nirakula Dasi's talk)
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To connect with His Grace Vaiśeṣika Dāsa, please visit https://www.fanthespark.com/next-steps/ask-vaisesika-dasa/
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Add to your wisdom literature collection:
https://iskconsv.com/book-store/
https://www.bbtacademic.com/books/
https://thefourquestionsbook.com/
