I'll Never Forget That Look

First time I saw my spiritual master, Srila Prabhupada,...MIT classroom lecture 1967.

My friend Danny wanted to go see a swami, I didn't want to. I wanted to smoke pot and go watch Bonnie and Clyde movie for the 3rd time. But he won. The swami lecture was free. I can't remember if we had smoked before going. Since I can't remember we probably did.

The classroom was hot, I think it was July, no AC and filled with young Indian men who didn't use deodorant. That I remember very clearly. Since all the desk seats were taken we sat in the back on the floor near the shoes, more powerful smells.

An elevated seat had been prepared with a cushion on top of the teacher's desk. A door behind the desk opened and light filled the room. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Short, slight build wearing saffron an elderly Indian gentleman glided in into the room and floated up onto the desk. My first thought was, "Oh My God. He doesn't have any bones." He carried himself so gracefully. It was like he was swimming.
Three or four young American boys dressed in saffron played a bongo while circumambulating him and chanting. To me it looked like maybe a Native American rain dance.

From there I couldn't understand a word he was saying. His accent was foreign to me. But I sat and listened, mesmerized by his presence. My friend Danny asked a question about impersonalism but Prabhupada did not discuss it. I understood him when he said, "I have already discussed this."

A few more questions and it was over. Prabhupada glided off the desk. As he headed for the door behind the desk to exit he turned back to look at those in the room. My friend had asked a question and Prabhupada looked in his direction. Poor Danny. he missed the look since he was bent down tying his shoes. But I got it. Zapped. That look went right through me. I was a deer in the headlights. I'll never forget that look.

The photo kind of captures it...

open source on internet