The Hare Krishna Explosion
by Hayagriva das
Part II: San Francisco, 1967
Chapter 8
Flowers for Lord Jagannatha
The days of February are beautiful with perfect temperatures in the seventies, fog rolling off early, skies very blue and clear, sun falling bright and sharp on the lush foliage of Golden Gate Park. The park encloses the largest variety of plant and tree life to be found in any one spot on earth. We are at a loss to identify plants for Swamiji.
“When Chaitanya Mahaprabhu passed through the forests, all the plants, trees and creepers were delighted to see Him and rejoiced in His presence. Plant life is like that in the spiritual sky—fully conscious.”
“And these trees, Swamiji? How conscious are they?”
“Oh, spirit soul is there, but consciousness has been arrested temporarily. Perception is more limited.”
Swamiji strolls by men playing checkers, passes beneath the tall oaks, past the shuffleboard court, then stops and turns to speak.
The Hare Krishna Movement 