Spring Break
Hinduism turns former punk into spiritual monk
Bibek Bhandari
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Features
"It gave a higher taste of spirituality," he said.
Lifestyle Changes
At 20, Das moved to a temple in Portland where he adhered to the four principles of initiation to a spiritual life, which he would follow his entire life: no meat, fish or eggs; no intoxication, including caffeine and cigarettes; no illicit sex; and no gambling.
Das said that one year shaped his life in a positive way.
"I quit smoking pot, and there was no intoxication," he said.
His devotion made him less materialistic and therefore less affected by lust, greed, envy, pride and anger, he said.
"My (life's) priority then was to advance materially," Das said. "My priority now is to make advancement spiritually."
He regarded himself as someone from the "lost generation" who had no guidance toward life's realm and thus became more attracted toward spirituality.
The former punk rocker's daily routine reflected his devotion toward his spiritual attainment.
"He wakes up early; devotes himself to the temple all day long and helps people 'til late at night," said Rachel Blackwell, one of his neighbors in Dallas.
For Bhakta Mark, a member of the Dallas temple, Das connected to him as a friend.
"He is very compassionate and a spark of energy," Mark said. "He wants to share the joy that he gets from this loving, devotional service. He wants to educate."
Das said taking the spiritual path made him closer to the spiritual world, but distanced him from his family and friends. His father, a Jehovah's Witness, didn't show his appreciation, nor did his friends. He said his friends didn't want to hang out after knowing about his new way of life.
"A lot of friends are not your real friends," Das said.
However, that neither saddened him nor made him feel isolated, Das said. His mother and one of his friends supported his spiritual path; many others befriended him as he made his journey through the U.S. and the world before settling in Dallas in 2005.
Lifestyle Changes
At 20, Das moved to a temple in Portland where he adhered to the four principles of initiation to a spiritual life, which he would follow his entire life: no meat, fish or eggs; no intoxication, including caffeine and cigarettes; no illicit sex; and no gambling.
Das said that one year shaped his life in a positive way.
"I quit smoking pot, and there was no intoxication," he said.
His devotion made him less materialistic and therefore less affected by lust, greed, envy, pride and anger, he said.
"My (life's) priority then was to advance materially," Das said. "My priority now is to make advancement spiritually."
He regarded himself as someone from the "lost generation" who had no guidance toward life's realm and thus became more attracted toward spirituality.
The former punk rocker's daily routine reflected his devotion toward his spiritual attainment.
"He wakes up early; devotes himself to the temple all day long and helps people 'til late at night," said Rachel Blackwell, one of his neighbors in Dallas.
For Bhakta Mark, a member of the Dallas temple, Das connected to him as a friend.
"He is very compassionate and a spark of energy," Mark said. "He wants to share the joy that he gets from this loving, devotional service. He wants to educate."
Das said taking the spiritual path made him closer to the spiritual world, but distanced him from his family and friends. His father, a Jehovah's Witness, didn't show his appreciation, nor did his friends. He said his friends didn't want to hang out after knowing about his new way of life.
"A lot of friends are not your real friends," Das said.
However, that neither saddened him nor made him feel isolated, Das said. His mother and one of his friends supported his spiritual path; many others befriended him as he made his journey through the U.S. and the world before settling in Dallas in 2005.
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Alessandra
posted 2/25/09 @ 8:57 AM CST
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. (Continued…)
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