Henry reviews the book A Different Kind of Life

Cover of Bhaktavasya devi dasi’s book A Different Kind of Life.

Henry reviews the book A Different Kind of Life:

I highly recommend this book for all who are interested in Hare Krishna history. The author, Bhaktavasya devi dasi/Geraldine Sanderson (June 3, 1949-March 1, 2019), writes without animosity or regret, and reveals her side of the story of a convoluted time in the Hare Krishna movement. She tells about distributing books in the airports. She moves to New Vrindaban in West Viriginia for a time, but has a battle of wills with the commune’s leader, Kirtanananda Swami, and eventually leaves. She writes about the abuse her young son received at the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula ISKCON school in Vrindaban, India, and her (futile) efforts to enact change.

After the passing of the Hare Krishna movement founder, she becomes lovers with one of the eleven men known as Zonal Acharyas who succeeded Prabhupada as leaders of the Hare Krishna movement. Jayatirtha, who founded a branch of the Hare Krishnas which consume LSD as the “Blessed Sacrament,” tells his disciples to call her “Holy Mother.”

Eventually Bhaktavasya becomes hurt and disillusioned when her husband Jayatirtha runs off with another woman. Within a short time, one of Jayatirtha’s former disciples attacks his “spiritual master,” and severs his guru’s head. I learned a lot of stuff I didn’t know from reading Different Kind of Life.

This book will be a treasured item in the library of the discriminating student of Hare Krishna history.

Readers can purchase the book here: A Different Kind of Life