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 As
many devotees are aware, the annual Rainbow Gathering is just
around the corner. For those of you who do not know what the
Rainbow Gathering is, I will attempt to describe the nature
of this event and its relevance to Srila Gurudev's preaching
mission here in North America.
About ten years ago I attended a regional Rainbow Gathering
in Minnesota, but it wasn't until last summer that I had the
opportunity to experience a national gathering. Once a year
members of the Rainbow Council decide where to hold the national
gathering. In North America there are thousands of acres of
national forest. According to federal law the public may utilize
these reserves for temporary gatherings. Once a location is
chosen, word gradually spreads. As I write this article in
the last days of May people from all over the country and
even outside the U.S. are undoubtedly already making plans
to attend the national Rainbow Gathering this summer. Some
say that during the peak days, which surround the Fourth of
July weekend, as many as twenty to thirty thousand people
attend.
Why do people go to the Rainbow Gathering? I would say there
are as many reasons why people attend a gathering as there
are people who attend. Nevertheless, there are certain accepted
customs practiced at the gatherings that create a very favorable
environment for sharing Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga's mercy.
Many attend the gathering for an opportunity to share with
and serve their brothers and sisters. In this sense it is
considered by many brothers and sisters to be a spiritual
retreat.
Honestly, I can't think of a more favorable opportunity to
share what we have been given. One senior Vaisnava told me
that in his opinion, the Rainbow gathering was probably one
of the best preaching opportunities in North America.
So the real question now is, how do we fully capitalize on
this great opportunity to spread Srila Gurudev's mercy? It
is actually quite simple when you take the time to think about
it. One of Srila Gurudev's extremely dedicated servitors has
spent close to a decade developing a transcendental service
space at the national Rainbow Gatherings. For those of you
who don't know who I am referring to, this faithful servant
is Nitya Hari Prabhu. The service space he has created has
been named the Simply Wonderful Kitchen. If anyone shows up
to assist Nitya Hari's efforts to distribute thousands of
plates of prasadam, hand out a few books, join the kirtans,
serve and associate with the devotees, and just be available
to make friends with sincere seekers, there is bound to be
a favorable result.
What is that result? The result is that Srila Gurudev becomes
very pleased with such an effort. And isn't the very perfection
of life to please Srila Gurudev? Furthermore, by pleasing
those who have dedicated their life to pleasing Srila Gurudev,
we may even get the opportunity to be used as an instrument
in the distribution of the divine lava flow descending from
the higher realm. In other words, by serving those servants
who have dedicated their life to serving Srila Gurudev (who
is absorbed in service to His Guru Maharaja), we may get a
clue as to how fortunate we are, and thus be enthused to continue
on with our service. Service to Guru and Vaisnava is itself
the end, and if we can somehow share this principle with others
we will get the mercy of Sri Guru and Sri Gauranga and be
in a more substantial position to give that mercy to others.
Many wonderful dedicated servitors of our Math attended last
year's Rainbow in northern California to assist Nitya Hari
Prabhu and share Srila Gurudev's gifts with others. I started
to make a list beginning with Sripad Siddhanti Maharaja, Sripad
Parvat Maharaja, Sarvabhavana Prabhu and Mathuranatha Prabhu,
but then I started recalling the names of so many devotees.
I fear that if I attempt to make a complete list I may leave
someone out.
Some came in male bodies, some in female bodies, some in young
bodies, some in old bodies; but one thing is for sure: everyone
was fed sumptuously thanks to Nitya Hari Prabhu's uninterrupted
service in the Simply Wonderful Kitchen.
If you can't make it this year, please send your love, encouragement
and support to Nitya Hari Prabhu and his seva crew. Laxmi
donations to help with the purchase of bhoga and books are
always appreciated.
This year the Rainbow will be held in West Virginia. For more
information regarding the details of this year's Rainbow you
may email:
Photos
from last year's Rainbow Gathering.
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