Wow - thank you so much for taking the time to answer my post!
I visited a temple for the first time on saturday and it was amazing. I felt completly at peace almost immediatly, to me it felt like the missing piece of the puzzle ive been looking for..
I was given some tulsi beads and a picture of krishna by a really kind devotee who took the time to answer all my questions and was kind enough to show me around the temple and point out my mistakes regarding my conduct there..
I never thought that a simple string of beads and a picture could mean so much to me .. but for me they are a symbol of just how little i really need to be close to G-d. When i wear them it feels like I have a piece of that atmosphere in the temple with me too .. and i am so humbled by the kindness and devotion of the people i met there..
I cant wait to visit again.. I have started to chant hara krishna on japa beads.. i am aiming for one round a day which i know is nothing ...
the one thing i do find hard is making enough time to chant even a few rounds - let alone 16. For now its something I will aspire to, but i was wondering if anyone has any advice for someone just begging to chant.. ?? when is the best time? how many rounds should i be aiming for in the beggining ?
In the temple where i went I saw people walking on the street and chanting , but that was in london and i live in a small village, so the only way i can chant on the street is if i dont use beads...
one thing i have noticed is how uplifted i feel even if i only chant a few hare krishnas .. it really puts things into perspective for me and reminds me where my focus should be .. i cant believe it has taken me so long to discover this !
thank you again for taking the time to write such informative replies, i plan on printing them out and reading them at least a few times over, i know I have so much to learn.
Hare Krishna ,
Channah