by Tapati A typical Indian-inspired meal at our house I am often asked why I’m still a vegetarian if I left the Hare Krishna Movement. The only way some people can make sense of being a vegetarian for thirty five years is if religious conviction is involved. It is rare to find a vegetarian for health reasons abstaining as strictly. Don’t we all lapse from our commitment to do certain things for our health? Who avoids sugar all the time, even when they’ve made a promise or a New Year’s Resolution? My own Full post …
Tag: Patriarchy Across Cultures
No Turning Back
November 3, 2009
by Tapati Tapati’s altar I was asked recently if I felt there was any hope that I might someday renew my desire to serve and unite with Krishna and engage in kirtan with others of a like mind in a non-denominational, low pressure environment. Following that, I was asked what I missed about the Hare Krishna Movement. Others wondered why I kept my initiated name, Tapati and made it my legal name. I can imagine that my spiritual path seems confusing. From outside it might look like I have worshiped more than one God in Full post …
Patriarchy Across Cultures: A Lifetime Commitment: Initiation
November 2, 2009
by Tapati Temple Deities In January of 1977 Mike and I were preparing to ask for initiation. We were carefully composing letters to Srila Prabhupada to indicate that we understood the commitment we were making and hoped that he would accept us as disciples. Mike shaved his head, something he’d avoided up until that point. He knew he would not get a recommendation for initiation from the temple authorities if he kept his hair shoulder length. Embarrassed, he wore a cap over his head until it grew out again. We were more strictly abstaining from sex Full post …
Patriarchy Across Cultures: I Will Lay Me Down
October 15, 2009
by Tapati Radha and Krishna My 18th birthday came and went in December. We didn’t celebrate birthdays, although I’d made a cake for Mike’s birthday in September. I was disappointed that he did nothing for mine. I was used to celebrating it every year in some way. I began to talk about having a baby. It seemed like many of the women were having babies in New Dwaraka and the more time I spent with moms, the more I wanted a baby of my own. While there was no expectation that we would have lots Full post …
Patriarchy Across Cultures: I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)
October 6, 2009
by Tapati Kiss me once again Don’t you never, never, never say that we we’re through Cause I ain’t never, I ain’t never I ain’t never, no, no, loved a man The way that I, I love you –Ronnie Shannon (sung by Aretha Franklin) Sri Sri Rukmini-Dwarakadhish Once we arrived at my mom’s apartment, our relationship was on fast forward. We spent a few weeks together every waking moment, with my mom at work and the run of the place. We cooked together, with Mike teaching me a lot about Indian cooking. He’d been hanging Full post …
Patriarchy Across Cultures: Magic Man
September 26, 2009
by Tapati Chicago, Illinois Cold late night so long ago When I was not so strong you know A pretty man came to me Never seen eyes so blue I could not run away It seemed we’d seen each other in a dream It seemed like he knew me He looked right through me –Heart Previously I described how I left the Chicago Hare Krishna temple. I was headed for my friend Suprabha’s apartment. I had her phone number and address written down, and knew which El stop to look for. When I got off Full post …
Patriarchy Across Cultures: Over The Rainbow
September 4, 2009
by Tapati Srimati Kishori, a vision of Radharani, Krishna’s consort, during Her teen years, at the Chicago temple. Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue. And the dreams that you dare to dream Really do come true. Someday I’ll wish upon a star And wake up where the clouds are far Behind me. –E.Y. Harburg, Wizard of Oz Once again I was on my way to St. Louis, grateful to be leaving my mother behind. I no longer considered whether or not I loved her; I just knew I had to get away. When I Full post …
Patriarchy Across Cultures: All Things Must Pass
August 15, 2009
by Tapati Keokuk is in the southeast corner of Iowa “All things must pass, none of life’s strings can last.” –George Harrison Previously I described how my mom and Aunt Gin came to take me back home to Keokuk, Iowa. I rode in the backseat, resigned, tearful, but filled with resentment. I had been assured by our temple president, Makanlal, that he would challenge my mother in court for custody. She didn’t know it yet but I hadn’t given up on going back to the temple for good. Back home I tried to pick up Full post …
Michelle says, Never enough babies!
