In Chicago last week, I sat with my dear Maiju who believes so deeply in the Krishna Consciousness movement. I sat in her magnificent prayer room, a bookcase full of holy books at the back, a silver altar filled with idols of Gods and Goddesses in-front decorated with flowers and filigree. We sat on the floor of this spacious room, facing the beautiful altar as she handed me light-colored beads the size of pomegranate seeds woven into a long necklace.

Harey Krishna Harey Krishna, Krishna Krishna Harey Harey. Harey Rama, Harey Rama, Rama Rama Harey Harey, we chanted a full 108 times, the holy number and the number of beads on the necklace.