I’m thankful to have grown up in a melting pot in the Midwest. This exposure piqued my curiosity about multiple cultures. I remember growing up living in several apartments during my childhood. My favorite part about coming home from school was walking through the apartment hallways and smelling what everyone was cooking for dinner. My little tummy growled, and my mouth watered when I smelled the aroma of stir fry, curry, and soul food dancing throughout the warmly lit hallways.
At lunchtime in grade school, I remember being interested in what my classmates had for lunch. They would educate me on their native dishes and sometimes share so that I could experience their culture. Those interactions planted seeds of curiosity about other cultures within my mind. Glimpses of different cultures at a young age led me to travel to places such as Thailand, The Philippines, Japan, and more. I wanted to go beyond the stories my friends shared with me and what I saw on the Discovery and Travel Channel. From respectfully visiting temples to spending a morning with a monk in Thailand, I vowed to always carry this curiosity with me.
While living in Illinois for most of my life, I didn’t make it a mission of mine to visit sacred places of worship, but when I relocated to Arizona, I remembered the vow of curiosity that I made to myself. Embracing this renewed energy, I approached New Year's Eve differently, more intentionally.
I’ve been living here in Arizona for over a year; as I became acclimated, I tried visiting a local Buddhist temple at least three times. I didn’t have any luck each time; they frequently appear closed despite their website’s list of events. Having my heart set on having a unique New Year’s Eve, I sat in my car a little frustrated. I then remembered there was a Hindu temple closer to home.
Let’s rewind a bit:
While at an outdoor supermarket here in Tucson, I was approached by a monk who was handing out copies of a book called The Perfection of Yoga by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (I will refer to him as A.C. throughout this article) for donations. I gave him the six dollars I had in my small purse in exchange for the book.
A few months later, I decided to spend the afternoon at a bookstore and found myself intrigued by the book Self Realization by A.C. I couldn’t put this book down, so I bought it and added it to my spiritual book collection. A few months after that, I enrolled in school to be a yoga teacher, and one of the suggested readings was Bhagavad Gita As It Is by A.C.
One evening, I was reading through the book Self Realization, and I wondered if any temples in my area taught the same teachings as A.C. To my surprise, in the back of the book, there was a list of temples found by A.C. called International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). I was surprised to learn that the location was close to my home. What surprised me even more is that I was unconsciously collecting books by A.C.
Alright, let’s fast forward:
My frustration of the Buddhist temple being closed melted as I remembered that A.C. had an International Society of Krishna Consciousness temple location near my home. I decided to visit this temple on New Year’s Eve because I knew it would be a memorable experience, and my thought process was: how you bring in the new year sets the tone for the year.
The New Year’s Eve Experience
As we entered the temple, my husband and I were greeted by warm smiles, resonant chants, chimes, bongos, and an accordion piano. Devotees filled the temple space, chanting various versions of Hare Krishna for nearly two hours. Notably, the mantra adorned the walls, inviting us to join in and fostering a sense of inclusion. The devotees, momentarily pausing their instrumental and vocal offerings, took a moment to acknowledge our presence and extended a warm welcome, presenting us with a hardcover copy of the Bhagavad Gita.
As the devotee handed me the sacred text, he said:
“You’ve been here before, haven’t you?”
Chills went down my spine. It felt like a moment of déjà vu, as if I were recalling a dream where I sat on a meditation cushion within this very temple.
During the service, I observed a distinct expression of gratitude from women toward the altar and a life-sized replica of A.C. They placed their hands together in prayer, touching their hearts and heads. On the other hand, men conveyed their appreciation by prostrating themselves on the floor, hands joined in prayer.
Following a brief philosophical discourse on the significance of transitioning into the new year, we geared up for Kirtan—a vibrant call and response of the Hare Krishna chant accompanied by spirited dancing (if you’re curious about what it sounded like, click here.). Bongos and accordion pianos played in rhythmic harmony, complemented by the resonant sound of a conch shell. My husband and I followed the collective rhythm, receiving blessings through holy water splashes and sacred smoke.
Post-blessings, we joined an Indian vegetarian feast with fellow temple devotees under the celestial display of stars, moon, and fireworks. Warm greetings and farewells resonated with the chant of Hare Krishna.
As I left the temple grounds, I felt satisfaction knowing that I spent New Year’s Even in a way I’ll never forget.
Below is a video I took during the Kirtan experience. Please note that the camera was moving because I was following the woman's lead in front of me!
The Importance of this Experience
As a yoga and meditation teacher and Ayurveda student, it’s important to me to learn the ancestral lineage from which these practices derive. Yoga isn’t just about holding the perfect pose long enough for an Instagram photo; it’s a 5,000-year-old philosophical and spiritual discipline designed to foster spiritual development and enhance profound understanding.
Meditation isn’t about emptying the mind; it often involves observing thoughts without attachment or actively redirecting attention. Ayurveda isn’t a trend; it's a time-honored system of medicine and well-being that has withstood centuries, rooted in the profound understanding of the interconnectedness between individuals and their environment, offering enduring principles for holistic health.
Immersing myself in various sacred texts and chanting has encouraged me to go beyond the text and integrate these practices into my spiritual journey. Being invited into a holy space where beautiful souls passionately devote themselves to these ancient rituals proved to be an unforgettable and refreshing experience, sparking a familiar curiosity, appreciation, and understanding that resides in my body.
No, I have not converted to Hinduism; if you’re curious about my beliefs, you can read more here.
How did you bring in the new year? I look forward to reading your comments.
Thank you for sharing this experience! I enjoy reading your experiences as you immerse yourself in other cultures. My NYE was low key, I spent it with my sister and 2 of our friends. Wishing you a wonderful 2024 and can’t wait to see where your curiosity takes you next ✨☀️
Wow what a beautiful and memorable way to bring in the new year! I loved reading your description and your passion for yoga in all its forms shines through!
My new year was far less exciting, my partner and I stayed in and got an Indian takeaway, but in its own simple way it was perfect.