• 16 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 3) Saturday, San Jose
  During an evening public assembly the balaks performed an impressive dance. A drama, 'Aaj Sudhaare Aavtikaal', lucidly and effectively portrayed the problems facing families today.
  The Mayor of Milipitas, Mr. Henry Manayan, praised Swamishri's work in elevating youths. He honored Swamishri by presenting a plaque.
  Swamishri blessed the assembly with solutions to family discord. He said, "Today science has advanced immensely. It has given momentum but no direction. Science has provided electricity, yet darkness prevails. The need to illumine our lives has not be fulfilled. There is darkness within. The darkness of failing to understand our family, society, country and culture. To remove that darkness we need to associate with our scriptures and a God realized sadhu."
• 17 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 4) Sunday, San Jose
  • After his morning puja, Swamishri sanctified and performed the Bhumi pujan of the soil from the new mandir site in Portland.
  • During the evening public assembly, Congressman Pete Stark presented a 'Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition' to Swamishri. The Supervisor of Santa Clara County, Mr. Pete McHugh, welcomed and honored Swamishri with a 'Key to the City'.
    
• 19 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 6) Tuesday, Midland
  • Devotees took the opportunity of honoring Lord Harikrishna Maharaj during a morning assembly.
  • In the evening assembly, Mayor of Midland, Mr. Bobby Burns, felicitated Swamishri with a 'Key to the City' and the Judge of Midland County, Hon. Mr. Morrow, presented a flag of Texas to Swamishri.
• 21 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 8) Thursday, Dallas
  • Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha of new murtis of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj and former murtis of Radha Krishna Dev, Hanumanji, Ganapatiji and Guru Parampara.
  • In the evening assembly, a procession of Lord Harikrishna Maharaj was carried out and He was honored by the devotees.
    The Deputy Mayor of Dallas, Mr. Steve Salazar, presented a bouquet and 'Key to the City' to Swamishri.
• 22 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 9) Friday, Dallas, Birmingham
  In the evening assembly the Mayor of Birmingham, Mr. Bernard Kincade, presented a 'Key to the City' to Swamishri.
  The devotees also honored Lord Harikrishna Maharaj.
• 23 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 10) Saturday, Birmingham, Tampa
  At 10.00am amidst Vedic chantings Swamishri performed the murti-pratishtha of Akshar Purushottam Maharaj, Radha Krishna Dev, Hanumanji, Ganapatiji and Guru Parampara.
• 24 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 11) Sunday, Tampa
  • At 10.25am, Swamishri performed the Bhumi pujan of the new mandir to be constructed in Tampa.
  • In the evening assembly, the acting Mayor of Tampa, Mr. Charlie Miranda, presented a 'Key to the City' to Swamishri. He lauded Swamishri's work during his brief address.
    Lord Harikrishna Maharaj was honored with devotion by the devotees of Tampa.
• 25 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 12) Monday, Tampa
  • Swamishri visited the new mandir site and sanctified it and performed the Bhumi pujan ceremony.
  • At 7.00pm, Swamishri blessed a Medico-Spiritual Conference and thereafter went for darshan to the Sanatan Mandir and attended the evening assembly.
• 27 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Bhadarva Vad 30) Wednesday, Orlando
  Lord Harikrishna Maharaj was honored by the devotees in the evening assembly.
• 28 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Aso Sud 1) Thursday, Orlando
  This evening, Swamishri arrived for the 'National Youth Convention' of satsangi youths. Four hundred and seventy youths (yuvak-yuvati) had arrived for the convention. The convention theme was - Satsang our Family. Swamishri lighted the inaugural lamp and elaborated on the aims of the Convention.
• 29 September 2000 (V.S. 2056, Aso Sud 3) Saturday, Orlando
  At 10.30am, Swamishri attended the Daycare assembly of the shibirites' children between the ages of one to ten. Swamishri asked questions regarding the names of the murtis and an interesting interaction followed. (See Photo Story)

25 Sept. 2000: (V.S. 2056, Bhadarvo Vad 12) Monday, Tampa

• Internet Chatting
  
  During a conversation with Swamishri on internet chatting, someone added that the kishores of Tampa have given up internet chatting after the shibir in Perry, Georgia.
  Before Swamishri responded, Vijay clarified, "After the shibir in Perry, we have cut down on chatting but not stopped entirely. The reason being that we've been chatting with friends for three years so it takes time ..."
  Swamishri responded immediately, "Stop it altogether. At this age you should focus on your studies and Satsang. Make an effort to make your life better and beautiful. In chatting, you will waste time and spoil your studies. Your mind will always think about that and its vices will corrupt you. Therefore, study properly and you will achieve happiness and wealth."
  A youth added, "Bapa, I used to chat before ..."
  Swamishri interrupted, "Now give it up entirely. Put your efforts in studying as best you can. Because after chatting you will experience an upsetting. Your mind will be upset. And then, preoccupied with those thoughts your academic performance will decline. There is no need for such enticing things."
  The kishores received Swamishri's loving, direct advice and pledged to give up chatting.

• Like this hospital that helps cure physical disease, the way to cure our inner disease lies in reading our scriptures, 'sant samagam' and devotion to God.
• We attain the benefits of academic study, but the root of all knowledge is God.