1993, Chemnitz, Eastern Germany.

I was on tour with the Spiritual Skyliner, a “bus program” destined to spread Krishna Consciousness from town to town.

I was told that we would meet Shelter, the Krishna Core Punk band and I was very excited.
Coming from the heavy metal scene, I didn´t know their background, the legendary band Youth Of Today, which was a huge influence on the straight edge scene.

Immediately after meeting the guys from Shelter, a deep frienship developed between Raghunatha das (Ray) and Paramananda das (Porcelly).
We really very quickly connected and an instant karmic connection was clearly existing between us. We were on the same wave-length in all respects.

The few days on the road with them were wonderful and I promised to meet up with them soon in the US.

1995 I flew over there with a good friend and we met again. It was like we were never apart.
They asked me if I would love to travel with them in the US and I immediately changed my flight and added 4 more weeks to my stay. Meeting with them and their friends was one of the best times of my life.
Also, I met Srila Dhanurdhara Swami for the first time and I still remember him very lovingly and whenever we meet it is very loving and sweet.

Together we traveled to different locations (Boston, Philadelphia, Vermont, Wilkes Barre,…). I even had the great fortune to be with them in the studio where they recorded their B-side to “Here we go again”, a “We can work it out”-cover from the Beatles.
It was a very special time and our friendship grew even more deeper.

We had lots of fun, but  at the same time we always dived deep into spritual discussions too.

In 1996, I traveled with them again, this time through Europe. I was cooking prasadam for them and helped with the merchandise.
This time, we already felt like brothers.

I also remember when I had holidays from my studies (maybe 1997/98) and I met them for a show in Stuttgart.
Raghu asked me if I would like to spontaneously come with them to Rimini and a few more Italian shows. Of course I joined right there on the spot.

I will never forget how Raghu and I talked through most of the night, laying on our bunks (while driving). It was one of the most personal and intimate talks I had with a friend in my life.
Also with Paramananda das a very deep relationship has been built over these years.

I met him with his former band “Judge” again in Stuttgart and we, like always, spent a few wonderful hours together.

Last time I met both of them was again in Germany in the early 2000s. I think it was near Frankfurt.

And now, after I met them for their 2017 Youth Of Today tour on February 21st in Wiesbaden after a long time, I realized what true frienship really means.

We have not met each other for a couple of years, but instantly the same feeling was there between us. Many things have happened in the meantime, but nothing that could shake or change our loving friendship in the least.

We had a nectarean time and we talked a lot about raganuga-bhakti, about improving our bhajan, about life as it is, etc….

I realized that in a friendship built on respect and love with a deep spiritual fundament, time means nothing. The next meeting is always “the next day”. THAT is real friendship.

In Raghunatha and Paramananda I have found two of the most decent and loving human beings and I am truly honored that they call me their brother.

There exists a mutual love between us for each other and this is extremely helpful in a world of hypocrisy and fraud.

This is what Srila Rupa Goswamipad writes about in his Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu:

“Sajati & snigdha” – association.

BRS 1.2.91 – sajātīyāśaye snigdhe sādhau saṅgaḥ svato vare

“Always associate with LIKE-MINDED, AFFECTIONATE and ADVANCED devotees.”

We should be with those we love and who love us. We should be with loving people.
We should be with people of the same mood, in our case the same longing for Vraja-bhakti. In fact, all 3 of us worshipped or still worship Giridhari.

Dear Raghu, dear Param, thank you for being my spiritual brothers.
Our paths will certainly meet again.
We are friends for life.

Jay Sri Radhe