Weekend with Krishna Das

Krishna Das says,
'At what would turn out to be my last darshan of Maharaj-ji's physical body, I was petrified with fear about returning to the U.S. after so many years. Then after a minute or so he looked over at me, smiling sweetly, and asked, 'So, how will you serve me?'
'My mind was blank. Then the words came to me, 'I will sing to you in America.'

I just returned from a Memorial Day weekend retreat with Krishna Das at Yogaville, VA. It is an annual workshop Krishna Das, commonly known as " K.D.", attends yearly:
Memorial Day Weekend Chanting Workshop

I had fallen in love with KD's voice while listening to his songs during yoga classes. I had never before heard a voice so filled with love and longing for the Divine. As he chants the various names of Ram, Krishna, and Hanuman -- to honor his beloved guru Neem Karoli Baba -- he evokes something deep inside my heart that longs for God. Its like he awakens my soul and makes me feel more alive.

And so, I signed up to see him this year at the annual retreat, only one week after returning from Jivamukti Teacher Training. I had to leave my kitties once again and drive four hours deep into Virginia rural country. I went with my friend Dawn, who had finished my first yoga teacher training with me, and who had accompanied me on previous crazy adventures (like sweat sessions/boot camps otherwise known as Power yoga workshops).

We got to spend the car ride up to the ashram catching up on each other's lives. We got into some great discussions, so great in fact that I nearly ran off the road more than a couple of times......Half way there, we did our required lunchtime stop at Charlottesville's Whole Foods, and then drove around looking for a Starbucks but instead were directed by a cute shirtless construction worker to a local coffee shop - Greenberry's Coffee and Tea Company. It was perfect. And then we got into the car again, made some more driving faux pas; but we finally made it, without getting lost at all (unlike last time!).

Immediately that evening, at dinner, we ran into a great girl named Erin with whom we immediately hit it off. Before long, we three had become fast friends and spend the weekend laughing and immensely entertaining each other.

That night we were introduced to KD. We got great front row seats, not knowing what to expect. We were all blown away. He is simply the most hilarious, genuine, and spiritual person we have me in a long, long time. And his voice is EVEN better in person!

Oh, the stories he shared with us. Memories and reminisences of his times with Neem Karoli Baba, his beloved guru. I won't even attempt to repeat them since he tells them so well. I highly encourage you to go see him in person!

Sometime on the last night, Dawn and I came to the conclusion that we HAD to cut our hair and it HAD to be on Monday, during the drive back. So Erin pulled out her magazines and helped us find the perfect haircuts and we were pumped. We started telling ourselves that we were gonna find the perfect hair stylist, who was immensely talented but not too booked, and waiting exactly for us to show up. And guess what- we did just that! Of course, we first spent around 2-3 hours driving around Charlottesville and running into closed hair salons. But then we found HER. She was at a hair salon in the local mall, and it was open til 9pm!!! Audrey was fantastic and cut us both with perfection.

And so we returned home - shorn and filled with the shakti of KD. Not bad for a Memorial Day weekend, huh!?!?!?!?