Chasing Rhinos with the Swami: Volume 1
Title: Chasing Rhinos with the Swami: Volume 1
Author: Shyamasundar Das
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: March 31, 2016
Language: English
Format: Paperback
Pages: 450 (130 color and Black and white photographs throughout)
Shyamasundar Das (Sam Speerstra) was among the first disciples of Bhaktivedanta Swami, playing a key role in the development of the Krishna Consciousness movement in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, London, and later as Swami's personal secretary. The narrative covers the author's transformation from a "hardcore hippie" to a dedicated follower of the Hare Krishna movement.
He accompanied Prabhupada on his travels through India, Russia, and around the world. Chasing Rhinos with the Swami offers a deeply personal account of the extraordinary adventures Prabhupada experienced, capturing in loving detail the seven years Shyamasundar spent with the perfect soul. Srila Prabhupada, who believed that nothing was impossible, inspired his first disciples to adopt the same mindset: "Go for the rhino!", meaning to take on seemingly impossible tasks and "chase" big goals with absolute faith.
Volume One of the Chasing Rhinos trilogy offers a personal recount of Bhaktivedanta Swami's incredible experiences in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury district and his time with the Beatles in London from 1967 to 1970. It details the author's journey to London, where he helped establish the Radha-Krishna Temple and befriended the Beatles—specifically George Harrison—to spread the Hare Krishna mantra worldwide.
